With lungs full of dense coastal air and legs still shaky from the Lesotho Sky, we headed out to the tranquil La Paris farm in Franschhoek for the inaugural Varsity MTB Challenge sponsored by FNB. The race features two stages both approximately 50 kilometres, making for fast-paced racing on the sharp end of the field, while remaining a comfortable distance for weekend warriors. As the name suggests, the race is a platform for inter-varsity competition, but is also open to alumni and the general public.
Maties were out in full force at the start of Day 1. Photo credit: Varstity MTB Challenge.
Registration on Friday was followed by a delicious lamb spit braai dinner, setting us up perfectly to tackle the first stage which started at the historic Nederburg wine estate. The fierce competition between university teams meant the race started fast and things revved up a notch once we had crossed the road and were out of the neutral zone. Hanging on for dear life, we were straight into the major climb of the day which was nearly 10 kilometres long.
We ascended from 180 metres to 755 metres above sea level. Resulting in spectacular views of Paarl and the Taal Monument across the valley. Fortunately we were rewarded on the descent by pine-needle covered trails sweeping through the forest above Buffet Olives. We then wound our way through Cascades farm on wonderful manicured singletrack, and all too soon were back into orchards, and farmlands.
Photo credit: Nicolé Dale Kuys.
After a quick stop at the second waterpoint to refuel, we crossed under the N1 highway and began making our way towards towards the finish at La Paris, rolling along the skirts of the Drakenstein mountains. The last 5 kilometres featured an artillery of nasty steep kickers which slowed the pace a bit and made sure we didn’t finish feeling too fresh.
Luckily lunch and a complimentary massage from the team at EPT Recovery were waiting for us at the finish line, and it wasn’t long before we were relaxing under the oaks and planning the evening braai.
Stage 2 started at La Paris, and headed across the Franschhoek valley to the trails on Boschendal wine farm on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountain. The first 10 kilometres were flat and windy, and we were quickly dropped by the front group. After flailing about in the wind, for what felt like eternity, we eventually made it onto the climb to the Boschendal trails and slowly clawed our way back up the field.
Photo credit: Nicolé Dale Kuys.
The Boschendal trails made every metre of climbing worthwhile and for me were the highlight of the event. They feature fun for all levels of riding with twisting berms, rollers, bridges, hips and jumps everywhere. We wound our way up and down trails like Inferno and Sugarbowl, and had so much fun we almost forgot we were supposed to be racing.
Photo credit: Nicolé Dale Kuys.
We were quickly reminded that it was a race when we had to make our way back across the valley to La Paris into a brisk headwind. Power on the flats is not my strong point, and even with a pocket to hang on to I found the flat ten kilometres painful.
At last we were back on the hills (the same vicious kickers from yesterday’s final three kilometres), and we were just able to hold off some of the teams that had reeled us in. With relief we rolled across the finish line, to the welcome sight of the massage tables, chocolate milk, and shady oak trees.
For a first time event the Varsity MTB Challenge was superbly organised. Every detail in terms of rider needs was taken care of. Routes were well marked, and had a good balance of singletrack and jeep track riding so that congestion was not an issue. The distances kept the riding enjoyable, and gave riders time to relax and enjoy the lunches at La Paris. This is definitely an event to watch for next year.
