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Dit is weer sulke tyd !! .....go slow on the Xmas pudding boys & girls https://imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za/

Can not believe it seems I am sitting out this year, flip, what an awesome event. Tried my best to get home affairs to change my brother-in-laws date of birth, so we can celebrate his 50th another time.....alas

Gotta agree on the I must agree with you - done a handful of them now, and it is right at the top for one day events done. It just ticks all the boxes, and then some !

"Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie !!!" Was amazing to listen to two post race interviews, one was the men's winner, Filipo Colombo (from Switzerland, and the other Mona Mitterwallner (the current marathon world champ)....where they both commented that it was probably the best marathon event they've ever done. Now is that not music to one's ears. For mere mortals, kudos to each lady and each gentleman who completed the event. Hardly anyone would disagree with the sentiment that it's the toughest one out there, but we thrive on challenges as I said before. A cool morning at the start and the sun only really started to heat up on the last climb (Patatskloof), which was the the only real time I zipped down looking around for a dam....Not a tree in sight and the black Rawson Properties shirt did me no favors ! Will say by the time you hit Patatskloof Climb with 2500m of climbing done already, the legs started smelling like burnt toast, and you are constantly aware of those few little punchy steep mini-climbs still to come towards the finish venue. The event remains one of those "must do ones" for a rider that likes a proper challenge and thrive on the endorphins of suffering. Shout out to the organizers, and all their partners for another memorable day and well organized event - the pinnacle of marathon challenges for sure ! ps: spare a thought for a good mate of mine, who sadly went down on the last downhill of the day and is currently in hospital, awaiting a physician and anesthetist to visit him at 10 am with a metal plate for his broken collarbone. Strongs Waldo, gutted for you....wishing you all the best for the recovery.

News just in, race entry capped reached (400) surpassing all previous years for this event.....actually believe a few UCI elites from Europe are making their way to the start-line too, so + 10 for good measure. This event started out as one that perhaps needed to first find its feet among the abundance of marathon events out there, and quickly did just that. Still regarded as probably the toughest marathon event in SA, it is without a doubt not for the "fun rider" or weekend warrior. Saffas love to suffer and take on a challenge and as result the event has grown to become the pinnacle of marathon challenges. Surely is a feather in the cap of the organizers, and their full team of sponsors and landowners. With the likes of Nino Schurter and his Cape Epic partner Andri Frischknect and a host of other top 20 UCI elites lining up against our boys, such as Alan Hatherly and our country's best marathon racers, the elite showdown should be about as hot at the temperatures come Saturday ! Elite ladies not standing back for the men, and boasts with the number 1 & 2 from recent World Champs on the line, and a number of European ladies around them. For me, having had my stomach bug a week earlier this year, I guess I do not have that excuse-card to play this time around, and now just pray for a finish line dismount, without my normal all-cramping-giraffe-stance !

Hallo Morne Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Personally, I saw these same "guests" about 4 weeks back at the same location. I informed the landowners and their security office. Been told these are KhoiSan Rastafarians, who are after a specific flora from that region. The landowners and security are aware of their presence from time to time and we've informed them each time of sightings. Assume it is not all that difficult to get access into Hillcrest from outside of normal access, and quite tricky to get to them with vehicles etc. Been told they are not dangerous at all and very friendly, and although that might be the case, during my personal sighting of them at close range, I was extremely uncomfortable with them having panga-like tools, which they use for their self-help-vegetation activities. Have alerted the role players of latest sighting. Kind regards

....after spending a hour on the bike today in this heat, I reminded myself to stop feeling sorry for myself, as there is a strong possibility of having to do just that but 4 times as long ! (yes I said 4, as fortunately the first two hours should be shaded and not as warm with a 6h30 start). Gotta feel for the okes lining up tomorrow for the AK (read that any way you want) in Oudsthoorn

listen meneer, when I stop and get off my bike, it is to walk it back to the finish area....klaar en gedaan

On race day, my suggestion will be to stop at each water point, bar perhaps waterpoint one. This is of-course if you are not racing for a top 10 finish. I don't ride with hydration packs, and only use two bottles, and those would be 550ml only, but even if you manage to fit 750ml bottles in your bike, you will go through fluids rather quickly. Once out of the early morning shaded comfort, the heat can really bake down on you, and finding yourself out on those lung busting mountains, without water or underhydrated, will add to your woes.....yip, I've got the T-shirt (printed on the front : " I skipped Water-Points @ IB5 "

....I must still tri

Well done on thinking ahead and already now starting to plan for what is surely going to be another fantastic event. I have just sent you the direct telephone number of the organizer (for Durbie Dash).

.....works a charm down Suikerbossie too

You guys rock !! Few people these days still doing events with the sole purpose of generating funds for charity. Well done for keeping it real !! (not saying for one second that other event organizers running another strategy should be frowned upon....not at all. Just saying that it makes an already great event just that much better still, knowing that your each drop of sweat makes a difference back in the communities. See you again in 2024 !!

Knee ops are quite expensive these days.....so avoiding Dr Spike Erasmus should be a priority