Events

Thaba Trails in top condition for Mountain Bike National Champs, Gauteng

· By Press Office · 17 comments

Gauteng’s Thaba Trails Mountain Bike Park is gearing up to welcome South Africa’s top cross-country (XCO) and downhill (DHI) competitors as it plays host to the 2014 Cycling SA-MTB National Championships, on 19 and 20 July.

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Image source: thabatrails.webs.com

Situated in the south of Johannesburg at 101 Klip River Drive, Mulbarton, the 450 hectare nature reserve in the middle of the bustling city provides a regularly maintained network of trails for mountain biking enthusiasts.

With the four-part Southern African Mountain Bike Cup Series done and dusted, South Africa’s best riders will now be looking to the once-off championship event, in which the winners in each category will be awarded the green-and-gold striped jersey and the National Championship title.

The organising team at Thaba Trails, as well as some dedicated volunteers, have been hard at work to ensure that their top quality trail network provides the challenges that is to be expected at a championship event. Both skills and strength will be tested for the XCO on Saturday 19 July, and the DHI on Sunday 20 July.

Online pre entries are open, and riders can enter here. Online entries close onTuesday 15 July. Junior, U23 and Elite racing categories require a full racing licence in order to participate. All other categories will need a Cycling SA membership.

Spectators are most welcome to attend and support South Africa’s mountain biking stars, and entry for spectators is free. Photographers must please contact event organiser Wendell Bole (bole@icon.co.za) in order to gain trackside access on the race days.

You can also visit the Cycling SA dedicated web page for the XCO and the DHI. You will be able to find the XCO route map and elevation profile, as well as a list of accommodation options in the area.

For any further information regarding the 2014 Cycling SA-MTB National Championships, please contact Cycling SA MTB Director Brett Coates on 082 774 5821 or event organiser Wendell Bole on 082 900 0749 or email bole@icon.co.za.

Comments

Borborygmi

Jul 11, 2014, 6:14 PM

Good luck guys, rode the track today, going to be a tough one! Will be interested to see how quick the pro's do that lap!

Danger Dassie

Jul 11, 2014, 7:25 PM

Good luck guys, rode the track today, going to be a tough one! Will be interested to see how quick the pro's do that lap!

 

Rode it in the week and did 18.55 for a lap, Danny Fowler managed 16.45. So the pro's should be be clocking 15/16 minutes odd I reckon.

milky4130

Jul 11, 2014, 10:09 PM

Are you guys talking about the XCO or Downhill?

mrbaker

Jul 12, 2014, 6:21 AM

Are you guys talking about the XCO or Downhill?

 

XCO

milky4130

Jul 12, 2014, 4:41 PM

 

XCO

kms? Any chance of video of the rock garden? Are there jumps? I'm coming up for SA champs on Friday would like to be prepared at least?
mrbaker

Jul 12, 2014, 8:45 PM

I think 4.4km, quite a few potential jumps if your ability allows.

I think there are 4/5 A&B line sections (A being very technical)

milky4130

Jul 12, 2014, 9:30 PM

I think 4.4km, quite a few potential jumps if your ability allows.

I think there are 4/5 A&B line sections (A being very technical)

as long as the A line gives you an advantage over those taking the B lines
mrbaker

Jul 13, 2014, 1:46 PM

Time wise - a few seconds per section.

Debatable if it's worth it, you have x amount of laps to nail each A line, you'll save time for sure, but 1 fall and that time saving is gone...

Danger Dassie

Jul 14, 2014, 4:53 PM

Time wise - a few seconds per section.

Debatable if it's worth it, you have x amount of laps to nail each A line, you'll save time for sure, but 1 fall and that time saving is gone...

 

Definitely on that course, a fall there can be very unforgiving. Although right at the top when you hit the first rocky drop, I reckon the B line is slightly smoother.

RocknRolla

Jul 14, 2014, 5:46 PM

 

Definitely on that course, a fall there can be very unforgiving. Although right at the top when you hit the first rocky drop, I reckon the B line is slightly smoother.

 

Saw that as well. The A-line is shorter, but not faster. Had the wife do a couple of runs down the a to find a line, but two out of three she got stuck going offline, and she opted for the b-line. A fall there would have been catastrophic.

milky4130

Jul 14, 2014, 7:37 PM

Videos guys? Please

Danger Dassie

Jul 14, 2014, 7:49 PM

Saw that as well. The A-line is shorter, but not faster. Had the wife do a couple of runs down the a to find a line, but two out of three she got stuck going offline, and she opted for the b-line. A fall there would have been catastrophic.

 

Ya, and after 6 laps with fatigue setting in it's much of a muchness there. I've measured it and the A line is maybe a second or less quicker.

That said, I've seen some guys take that A line really smoothly.

Peach.

Jul 14, 2014, 8:12 PM

Don't forget to come check out the DH on Sunday, They have done loads of work on the track.

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Peach.

Jul 19, 2014, 6:39 PM

A few shots from todays practice.

If you are free tomorrow morning come make some noise for these guys

 

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RocknRolla

Jul 20, 2014, 5:53 PM

Saw some awesome racing there today.

Really enjoyed it. With the xco on saturday its been a pretty packed mtb weekend.

Then took the kids to the bmx track in the afternoon.

 

I think i will see wheels and pedals when I close my eyes tonight.

NotSoBigBen

Jul 20, 2014, 5:57 PM

My sons first downhill race, he was smiling from ear to ear 'that was awesome Dad' ????

CAAD4

Jul 20, 2014, 6:46 PM

My sons first downhill race, he was smiling from ear to ear 'that was awesome Dad' ????

 

Lekka Bennie. That's what it's all about. Riding bikes and having fun. Like.

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