This single track looks really cool! I do hope you will have a race here at some point as I do not know this area at all! I've looked at the maps on the website and cannot place it realtive to Stellies central? Where is it roughly?
Also got 900m climbing in 38.5km and also went the wrong way a good few times... and sometimes even when there was an arrow it was unclear where it was pointing because a number of times we actually did go through long grass, so I was never sure. But a great ride...
Hi, Check out Oak Valley's stiles which are really cool. http://www.oakvalley.co.za/gallery/16/mtb-trail They do have a bit of cash! I don;t know how many guys mtb in Stutterheim but a number of my mates have hit these for the first time without enough speed and fallen on them. You don;t want a beginner to fall off and hurt themselves. A bit of chicken wire up the face helps a lot. Good luck!
Fantastic race, thank you! Really enjoyed the amount of markings on the dangerous spots - other organisers could learn a thing or two!! Didn't stop for a beer though!
I went with great ambition to hire bikes and the like. Ended up driving up Mont Ventoux, Alpe d'Huez and Col du Galibier, etc. Phenomenal trip. Went in late May and it was still freezing (<0C at Alpe d'Huez and I had none of the right clothing). Also you better take your own bike, cos hiring one is extremely expensive. My suggestion is to base yourself in Grenoble - stunning city. Then most of the major climbs are within reach. Hire a car and drive through to Avignon if you want to do Mont Ventoux. And prepare for one helluva climb!! none of the guys at the top had taken less than 2:30 from the bottom and they were fairly serious looking cyclists
I already admitted on another thread that using my new 29er at Tokai on the single track was an absolute bloody nightmare. And I have the scars to prove it. But on everything else it's a machine... as in a MACHINE!!! But for tight tracks I'll keep my trusty 26er.
See my comment above - to me it definitely has a much higher potential to go over the front, especially if like me, you are not that skilled on the tight, downhill stuff. Luckily I have decided that selling the 26er is going to be a massive loss, so I'll use the horses for courses approach!
I also tried out my new 29er this weekend... in my opinion: - on flat terrain and downhill, there is no competition - the 29er is awesome. - on uphills there didn't seem to be much difference, but I'm quite heavy and battle up the hills at the best of times. - tight single track : the 29er was a nightmare for the first time. Not sure what the issue was but it feels like you are sitting high and far forward so it's quite an adjustment (and I'm set-up ok). Also I find it turns extremely sharply in conjunction with the slightly differnet weight distribution. Going to have to really practice my riding style and skills again!
Cheers. Yip... not a happy day! And seeing my steed being overtaken by OE, and OF guys was a sad sight but she is repairable, I think! Well done on your time! Awesome! Really, really...really wish I was there!
Hope everyone's alright... I got taken out by a guy in H/J group who hit something in the middle of the road (a pothole ot cat-eye) and swerved in Misty Cliffs at 55kph... thank goodness I'm just extremely sore and nothing is broken. Not my best day...
My first one two years ago was 5:29. 2nd one was 3:53 on slicks, too!! I challenge you! (My suggestion is "CHEAT" - a road bike makes a world of difference!)
Well done to all you sub-3hrs!!! I got to Misty Cliffs at record speed for me (about 35kph) and feeling fantastic and some chop on his own in the middle of the road hit something and swerved violently to the right. Took me out. Bike broken, and in a world of pain! So jealous of all you guys!
I've been a bit scarce lately difficult to spot a number in 500 people at the start. Just look for the chop with the Camelbak and a black shirt - that will be me! I'll be in front on the flats and sikkling on the uphills!
