Tough race, but then many many races in the magaliesburg area are very technical in nature. If you are a regular trailseeker rider, VG stands out as the only true mountain bike race in their 5 race boquet, the others are dirt dashes (havent done Hakahana, so maybe its good too). This certainly would fool people into giving it a go thinking "how hard could it be" It was my first trip to VG, as always a well organised race. Good start, good batching, water tables well manned and stocked, route marking was fine. The route was tough. technical climbs made you work, the technical decent was very hairy. If you were not very fit, you certainly would not have enough confidence to ride everything, and in trying too, may found yourself mangled in the rocks. Technical riding needs a LOT of fitness, specifically upper body. I was good for 60km, but then BONKED HARD as the heat climbed up to well over 30 degrees. It was a very long final 10km for me. I hydrated well throughout, ate my potatoes and gels, but the previous nights upset stomach took its toll. No need to dumb this race down, its a good one. Tough and technical, will suck when its rainy and muddy, and will suck when its hot and your fitness levels aren't up to scratch. To advendurance, well done , but dont list it as 66km on the route description, when its 69km hahaha. Those last 3 km can break minds when its your first one and you are done.
