Morne Veer

.......only now, pffff, knowing what I know from last years Imbuko, I have already started my hill training in May this year

WALK ??

Two more tips: 1) Get over your fear of heights - you are gonna be up in the clouds all day long !! 2) Service your suspension - riding that route with fork that in the first hour turns into a rigid, is not gonna do you any favors :-)

....and it will probably be a nice and cool day out again.....dis mos winter daai tyd in Wellington ?

One of the toughest one day events I have done, but also arguably the best days out. So much single-track, views, CLIMBS, water points, cramps, CLIMBS, good vibes, great venues and farms, CLIMBS, like-minded folk (with cramps)....did I mention CLIMBS ??

Does it come with a dropper ?

Inbox me if you want me to supply you with the tel number and address I have for him.

Was there a happy ending to this story, got word yesterday that someone else had a bad experience with said gentleman......I have personally bought from him twice in past, so just curious if he has perhaps since picked up some bad habits.

1 Edvald Boasson Hagen 2015 3 x stage wins 2 Stephen Cummings 2015 2 x stage wins 5 Reinardt Janse van Rensburg 2015 8th on stage 19 Michael Valgren 2019 4th on stage 20 Roman Kreuziger 2019 4 x GC top 10 21 Giacomo Nizzolo 2019 n/a 22 Ben King 2019 n/a 23 Lars Bak 2019 4th on stage *as per Into Cycling Newspaper

Great to read, and hear elsewhere of all the positive remarks and lekker vibes from yesterday....glad we (Tygerberg MTB Club) are helping to bring the stoke back !

Afternoon - this will be on 1 July, and details will be given through on our Facebook page.

There are HUGE plans for the future, some which we've been working on for a good three years. Yip, most of these relationships are formed and worked upon, for extended periods, long before an actual trail is built. Landowner relationships are the most critical element in any trail network, and needs to be respected and handled with the utmost sensitivity. Sadly there are always the few that show scant regard for this and simply do as they please, which inevitably puts everything, and progress, at risk. However, as said, there are huge plans for the future which we shared with those at the AGM, and as per fbook announcement comment last week, if we have our way, the Chamois Cream manufacturers will have their hands full in keeping up with the demand. Happy to here folk enjoying the trails - loads of good stuff on the way

Morning Chris Sorry for not answering this earlier, missed this post. We have very close working relationships with all of our farm owners and / or management. So by all means, if something is spotted, please do mail us directly at info@tygerbergmtb.co.za We recently got someone informing us of an injured animal on the farm, where we could fortunately alert the required folk etc. Sorry for not answering this earlier, missed this post.

Afternoon If you take Spes Bona, from Adderley Rd, then you travel as you would normally do towards the exit / T junction of Wellington Rd - it is a little before the T junction, on the left - there is a large A-frame bridge, that marks the start of the trail, the first of a whole lot of bridges :-) Enjoy. ps: for our other hubbers that are not club members, PLEASE respect this is a members-only corridor / trail, and may thus only be used if you're a member, with your membership board fitted to the bike's handlebar.

From the horse's mouth.....a flippen fast horse as well https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/mtb/international-mtb/alan-hatherly-finding-his-feet-in-the-elite-ranks-r7845

I think the World Champ and World Champs events, in many MTB disciplines, not just xco, but downhill for example too, is copied form the road scene, where the UCI Road World Champ has annually be crowned since 1920's (I kid you not). However, all said and done, as we all know, what works on the road, does not automatically work on the dirt :-) For me personally, I do like the idea of a once-off event, no matter if it is downhill, XCO, or even the road race which our beloved Peter Sagan (worth again to note he was originally a MTB'er), won three years in a row. It is like an all-in once off let's see who's got the good on the day kind of affair, but agree, does not automatically in my book mean you are the best cyclist in the world - but it is what it is and this "world champ crowning for one specific event" is not limited to cycling only, but other sporting codes as well. We just had the same scenario at our Western Cape XCO Series, where the last event, doubled up as the WP Champs, and if you won that event, you were the WP Champ, but you might not even be in top three on the overall series log, or feature at all in the actual series for all the previous events in the series up to then.

Much said here about AH - I think 28th against the world's best, and first year elite, is flippen well going. Look at some of the names that finished after him, WAY down on him......nee wat, give the boytjie a gap, think we are the ones with the expectations, which perhaps is rather unrealistic for now. Steller performance by the young man, who needs to just get through his first year's baptism, and according to me, he is doing so with aplomb.

Thanks for the detailed reply John, much appreciated. For us mere mortals tend to get caught up in the hype and emotion without understanding the realities and challenges, so info like this helps put things in perspective. We are SO proud of him and it is great to hear his numbers are right up there - well done to him and your guidance / input, Winning Team ! Can't wait for tomorrow, bring it !!

Afternoon John. With specific reference to XCO racing, what would the power meter data reveal between what the big dogs like (Nino, vd Poel, and Avancini) are able to push through the cranks vs that of Alan ? And how do riders at that level, with a fair amount less in the "power department" counter that challenge - do they simply have to work on a faster cadence ? (taking skill out the equation as we know that time can always be made on the tech stuff if you have superior skills). Apologies for the noob question - hardly a topic (fitness, power, etc) that I have much knowledge of......

I rode the course yesterday and told my son how much fun it was, but knew racing it will be a different kettle of fish all together. This turned out to be the case with me taking a proper tumble down one of the rock features, and again later on one of the washed out corners, which was testament to just how technical things become when you are on the limit for most. Really enjoyed the day, and the full series - now on to other kind of events and some ultra endurance stuff in a few months. Well done to each rider who took part in the series or some of the events, and got to agree with Milky, to the handful (really nothing more than that) responsible for making the races happen, no words will be suffice to express our appreciation. See you guys out there on the trails again !

Also just managed to squeak in one quick lap, and it it seems a "fun" one yes, but think it will be a different story red lining it all the way though, as will be the case tomorrow. Forgot my device at home so not sure of the distance and elevation, but did feel the climbing in the start of the lap, and at the end, the lap felts quite long vs other races, but not sure if this is in fact the case. Lots of very tight corners and switchbacks, so need to make sure I keep the tummy tucked in all the way.....

Sad that it is all coming to an end tomorrow......flip man !

Great write-up Ash ! What many folk do not always realise is the huge amount of work that goes into these events - weeks of planning and red tape with CSA and local authorities etc, to make one want to cry....then the venue gets tackled about 4 days prior to the race to get marking and lay out done, etc - on the day these same volunteers are all busy with various activities, and that is why these event seemingly goes ahead without a hitch, because of the enormous work and effort put in by these parents of our kids. As MTB club (TYGERBERG) we are so proud of our association with WP MTB'ing, and the various volunteer groups within. As per a previous comment made, "making xco great again"

Well surely the course can't have more elevation gain per lap than the previous race......wait, this is Paarl and Champs after all