FullGasXC

Raced Round 3 of the Mpumalanga XCO series this past Saturday, and I’ve got to give credit to the organizers – the work put into the track really showed. The course was well-built, with some solid technical features that kept things exciting. That said, it felt like most of the technical sections were concentrated into one area, which made the rest of the 4.5 km loop feel quite flat and fast. Lap times for the elites were flying – all under 9 minutes – and the race wrapped up in under 50 minutes (for 5 laps), which made for a short but intense effort. I completed 4 laps with a total elevation gain of about 115m, so it was definitely a pedal-heavy course. Overall, it was a great event, and I’m looking forward to the final at Mankele! @Grove Eksteen would you be able to also give as an report from the organizers point of view, it would be awesome to know what the other riders thought of the track.

It’s inspiring to see the dedication and care that’s gone into building the track, and it’s clear this is a huge step forward for Mpumalanga cycling. Out of curiosity, have you also been involved in helping to start or grow cycling at the school? It’s clear this track is a major milestone, and should be interesting to know how the cycling culture has developed at Ligbron. Looking forward to the event and to seeing all the hard work in action.

Hi there, Thanks for your message. I’d like to start by clearing the air - my original post was never meant to discredit or undermine anyone’s hard work. I asked a sincere question about CSA compliance based on my experience at several other races. My goal was to understand how consistently CSA regulations are applied and enforced - something I think is fair to ask as a participant in sanctioned events. I completely appreciate the effort that goes into building a track, and I have the utmost respect for those who give their time and energy to make these events possible. It’s great to hear that the course was reviewed by Danie Botha and that CSA is impressed with it - that’s reassuring news. As for the use of an alias, it wasn’t done out of fear — it’s just the handle I use on this platform, as many people do. I’ll do my best to come by on Saturday to see the course firsthand, and I look forward to seeing the final version and all the hard work come to life.

Thanks for your reply and for the work being put into developing the course — it's great to hear that safety features like catch-nets and wire netting are being installed and that there’s a clear focus on creating something enjoyable and inclusive for all riders. Just to clarify my original post — it was never meant to undermine the work or effort of the organizing team. I asked the question in good faith, as someone who’s raced a few events and genuinely wanted to understand whether CSA checks and sign-offs are standard practice at provincial level. It’s encouraging to hear that the course is aligned with CSA and Mpumalanga Cycling standards and that this has been a long-term collaborative effort. I appreciate the update and the clarity, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things come together for the event.

Thanks for your response. Just to clarify, there was no negativity intended - only a straightforward question regarding whether provincial XCO courses are checked. The feature in question is finished, so the inquiry was simply to confirm if provincial XCO courses are checked to ensure they comply with the CSA rules as it is a CSA sanctioned event. I completely understand that adjustments and safety features often come last, and that the course evolves until official practice. It’s helpful to know that asking Paula directly is the best way to get final confirmation.

Thanks Spinnekop. Here is a preview of the track https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1360809278400465 Hopefully it does not rain on Saturday or during the week as I think the bridges would be sketchy in wet and muddy conditions.

None, of the previous courses are of concern. I'm concerned about this weekends track because it was completed less than a week ago. The track is located at a high school in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. I've attached an image of the track on the first post that is of concern.

Hey everyone, After racing a few XCO events on the provincial circuit lately, I’ve started to wonder if all of them are actually being organized in accordance with Cycling South Africa (CSA) regulations. Some of the courses felt a bit off - either in terms of layout, safety measures, or technical features that didn’t seem to align with what I’d expect from CSA-sanctioned events. Has anyone else felt this way? I know there are official guidelines these provincial races are supposed to follow, but are they being enforced consistently? Are these course checked and signed of by a CSA commissaire? I’m all for a good challenge, but the brand new track left me more puzzled than stoked. Would love to hear your thoughts or insights - especially if anyone's been involved in organizing or officiating. Ride on, FullGasXC