Bos

I agree, You only just got the track? Give her another chance!

I cant imagine the pretty words coming out of your mouth at that stage I was just k@k sleg and thats the reason for my pain on the climbs, but I knew exactly what I was in for. Wouldnt have missed those downs for nothing though. I quite enjoyed S3, I enjoyed how it was not so obvious or easy to maintain speed, and then there was the dropoff. As you said though, "Cross downhill South". Those young guys ahead of us warned us to keep a look out for a steep bit as we pass the pilon. I was like, what steep bit..and then baaaah!!! I absolutely loved it. Walking up to S2, when the guys came rattling passed that top hike a bike section was also pretty intimidating. I was like, no way I'm going that fast!

They say the chase is 80% of the fun..

Not a complete Virgin. but you can put me in there Silly thing is the last ride there I did ACDC, which is where I took a wrong turn! If you check Deidre's pics, you'll see everyone came down that rock step, then there's Bos, who comes from the left Yes, Deidre just asked which Photos I'd want copies of. You should ask Nick to do a proper race review with some of her photos on here so it lives for years to come.

I thought I saw him but disappeared out of plain sight. Some other lizzards I spotted along the way. Nice to meet you bru. I could however not keep up on the climbs.

WOW...I really cant say how awesome this was. @Christofisen This is real Mountain Biking! And to me as an out of towner, the experience was amplified so much more. The Videos you posted does no justice to these trails. Also, the fact that you are quite the ripper yourself hides what it really takes. Witfontein is a proper venue, and so refreshing to just plow straight down a mountain over rocks and loamy goodness using all of my bike in the process. Not switchback after switchback which has its merit, but the loamy confidence inspiring surface just made for such thrills. New trailsNew landscape to beholdDifferent soil & terrainGreat peopleGreat variety of trails, I honestly didn't mind stage 3. It took skill to maintain speed but was not out of place. Although not a lot of "purely death defying GNAR" I was far happier being able to go fast over the reasonably Gnarly & proper steep stuff which actually leaves one feeling better. Testament to really great trails. I hope you got out of it what you put in Because we are going to have to come back next year and make it an annual thing. We need more out of town (further than 100km from Cape Town) events like this. *The last photo was taken from Deidre Clute's FB. I have contacted her to find out where one can get hold of the photos and pay as there are many more awesome shots with hubbers.

Cool. Thanks for that. Getting really really excited!

Oh well..cant have it all now can we. On a slightly more serious note. For us out of towners. The windguru report seems ok for Saturday, bit of rain Friday night but nothing torrential. Saturday sees a 25 knots Westerly and 15C temps. Will a cycling top plus wind jammer suffice or should I be thinking more? I know the radio tower is pretty alpine and exposed. Freezing my ass off all day is not going to go down well. I might just come in a longsleave top anyway. Second question, will there be stalls at the start area at all? I'm going to need a power bar or two to keep me fueled and maybe even a gu for the last climb. I'm not bargaining on any water points during the ride either right? Thanks again for putting this event on. Goodluck with the last arrangements. See you on Saturday.

True..! I must say, I quite enjoy the #powerstage format. Technical climbing seems to be making a bit of a resurgence. It was a big part of riding growing up, I must admit. We rode everything.. Up and down. And although I for one do not want to see overly long uphill stages in enduro, because I'm so damn unfit, if its technical, It remains a test of skills. As far as dual crown vs Single crown.. How much more does one gain these days, with DC forks over the 30mm SC forks. Its not like guys are looking to go plusher.. I know the turning radius, and crown to knock with your knee while pedaling is enough reason.

Couldn't help but notice there were more Lyrics than ZEB's on the E-Bikes in Pietra Italy this weekend. The Normal class had a fair share of Zeb representing. Interesting though. Not reading to much into it, but for the ladies especially, there may be a weight advantage? The e-bike men, surely just a setup thing.. perhaps they just have not had the time. Photo courticy of Vital MTB (Sven Martin)

See you friday!

Bummer. Dit sou die vrou happy hou as ek en my seuntjie op die trails gaan rondspeel het. Dalk maak hulle weer in die seisoen oop

You just cant put a foot wrong! Hope they have beer..

Nice one. Hoe lyk die Restaurant? Lyk na heel nice pumptrack en om die kids besig te hou? Ons is volgende week in Harties saam met Francoin hulle. Sal n draai maak!

Bud, well done for all the effort you are putting into this, posting the vid etc. You are really doing a great job. Just for interest, I some kids tracks in George. Are there any near the venue? We are starting and finishing from Witfontein MTO right? Just If the wife and kids wanted to come take a look.

I better pack my climbing legs! Er to late I dont own any I think Im in trouble

nice! Looks tight on the vid. Thats going to teach you skills alright! Definitely needs rain. Its hard to tell on the vid, If you have people over to ride this weekend, Id recommend you water it down before riding. if possible. That way the tires will compact it, but when really dry and still slightly soft it may start crumbling.

Growing up in Knysna I had a track kind of like a slalom track back in 96' with a couple of doubles and berms logs etc. It was built in a firebreak behind our house. I would ride there by myself every afternoon just about. I knew that track so well the features, although many were big for the time became invisible to me, just second nature. Before you know it, youll be fast!

I fully agree. since most trails are built for trail networks that inevitably sees lots of traffic, rain etc, It also just doesn't last building small 30cm high berms as the first guy to go in to hot destroys it completely. With the diggers one can build it proper. You are really going to enjoy the track Wayne. Do you have a laaitie to ride it with, otherwise mates will suffice ! Either way the Idea of lighting a fire after work, picking up the rig and ripping a couple of runs and coming back to the fire, crack open a beer.. oh my.. Where is your farm/plot? Kind of looks like it overlooks Wilderness area? https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dropper-seat-posts/427421/fox-transfer-316-kashima

Nice track Wayne! I'm in George next weekend and would love to give you my personal opinion and a high five on that nice build. You might need that dropper post now Would have loved to but wont make it since I'm doing that Funduro in George already on the Saturday. Bit of a sidetrack, but its your thread right. Are you thinking of doing landscaping kind of stuff? Or trails? Having built my fair number of trails in my life, with sweat and blood, I must say I get so jealous of the guys that can build a km of trail in a few days, while It would takes me hours to build one berm by hand(not that its my job) But like any industry, we have to keep up with the times. As sad as it may be, guys building by hand just wont keep up with the guys with machines. The question will remain, If the guys with machines can actually build trails that flow and ride well. People like Hilton, Bennet etc learnt by hand and use the machines when necessary. I personally get a pain in the behind when people build what looks like wheelchair access in the high mountains, just because they have the luxury of having a machine. I think flow trails have their place, I love them, but the ultimate is probably a combination of that and natural. In my opinion, the best trails are where the trails harness what the landscape offered without forcing something thats not there, while leaving some of the trail semi natural so we still have a use for suspension. Each to his own though.. Enjoy your new toys!

Haha, The climb out of that gorge at the end of the 1st stage looks pretty steep

Pedal fest I can see myself blowing up on that straight flat section 2/3 through. But gets me amped for it none the less! Looks like such a hoot! I cant wait for the next one.

Vet pret! Loving it. Looks like a proper huck to flat. It would have been classic trying to slow down on that bridge once it becomes snotty, haha! good thing you got chicken mesh. I feel like riding. Anyone else?

What root? Not sure we are talking about the same thing, but I'm slightly concerned about coming onto that bridge to hot and sending it into the abyss.. But oh on the day it will be but a wink with no time to think and just like that its over.

Doesn't look like there's a B line I'm so pumped I look at my bike every afternoon I get home and I'm like, I so don't use it as intended (enough) I'm so keen for this race although I might DNF due to unfitness lets just say I'm planning to make a day of it. Looking forward to the POV's