Speed Kills

Spent 10 days cycling in the area two weeks ago.Three of us went together, but saw four other South Africans with their bikes on Geneve airport - they were there for the second time. All inclusive it was about R 18 grand,(meals, lifts, tranfers, accommodation, visa, drinks(only a few at R 35 per beer) the best money I have ever spent - I have to go back. Don't worry about anything before you go, just get your bike and yourself there. If you do not know, ask or get a free map. The ski lifts are real easy and also a great experince. Everybody is generally in a festive mood high on andrenaline, so no sweat. Rode mostly cross country on the most awesome single track around Chamonix, Lets Getz and Morzine. Did a few days on the downhill courses as well, what a rush. Used a bottom of the range stumpjumper - the bike could handle everything, but I was out of my comfort zone often. Enjoy it, it is going to be better than your best cycling dream.....

Then this was the wrong race for you - cannot please all the people all the time

This was the fourth time we did the race(previous was more low profile). The sand was less than the previous years and and a lot of work must have gone into the preperation of the route since we were there two months ago. The only way to learn how to ride sand is to ride in it - had two minor falls but that goes with the territory . The twists and turns almost had me drunk, but what bettter opportunity to hone ones cornering skills and see how far one can push the limits of cornering on dirt.... I have yet to find a better family weekend of cycling where everybody can have fun, and that was the intention for the race when it originally started. Sorry to the guys that did not enjoy it, but the way I know the organisors and the hosts, they will look at the critisism and make changes if possible. Thanks again to the Sondela team for making this weekend possible - we will be back