Cradle Quest 2011

[Markdeep]

Never before ridden route, brand new, hard as nails!

 

Loads of single track, serious downhills, serious climbs!

 

expect something like the Magalies monster

 

Awesome! The monster is one the best MTB tests there is

[kosmonooit]

Lets hope this crisp clear weather holds!

 

I'll be at the back of the field on the 70 k's, one step ahead of the sweepers. I hope there will be no silly half way cut-off that's caught me out on the Monster before.

[Squier]

Ouch! That hurt!

 

Pretty much what I expected... 5:53 on the 70km. Yes, I am that slow. The first half of the race was super hectic. We climbed 600m in the first 27kms. It was really awesome climbs though and after each you were rewarded with an awesome descent.

 

And that last climb (that wasn't very steep) almost broke me. Luckily the last 15 odd kms were flat and the river singletrack section was nice to end off with.

 

It was really tough, but another awesome MTB experience.

[kosmonooit]

Well you just beat me to the line there Sq.!

 

I came in just over 6, with the Grim Sweeper m/c trailing me for the last 5 k's. Hard but enjoyed it, the first 35 was a great route up and down that jewel of a ridge, but met my nemesis just after the peak with that short but nasty decent full-on melon size loose rocks: you cant have a controlled descent on that type of terrain, my front wheel kicked out and ... luckily no serious injuries. The rest of the route: some unpleasant thick sand sections and the ascent up the northern ridge that just goes up and up, but nice bit of new track there, but it would be nice if there was a sweeping single track all the way east back to Van Gaalens, instead of heading straight down back to the district road, well maybe in time ..

 

Temperatures were mild, thankfully.

 

And no medal *sniff*

Edited September 18, 2011 by kosmonooit

[Squier]

snip...

 

And no medal *sniff*

 

Yes, I agree with you on that one! I suffered for 6 hours, I want a medal!

 

Another area that they could improve on is route marking. Although it wasn't terrible, it wasn't good enough. There's a couple that I missed that my riding partner saw and vice versa. If I was riding alone I probably would've missed a marker somewhere.

 

But I really would've liked a medal!!!

[kosmonooit]

I missed a turning and ended up riding along the sleepers of that railway line, just about to ride over a bridge then noticed some people behind me disappeared, so that was my cue to back track to the route which was marked with a minuscule arrow. But didn't have a problem the rest of the route, and I was riding solo.

[Squier]

What bike and kit did you ride with? Maybe I saw you somewhere...

[kosmonooit]

I was riding my 'Golden Goose': vintage Scalpel 2000, I had blue shirt and white arm sleeves.

[Squier]

Then we did see you! I was busy plugging the wheel of a girl that we met along the route just after a bridge on the river singletrack when you came through. My mate and I later passed you on the river singletrack. I was on the black and white Silverback 29er and my mate on a black and green Scott Spark.

[kosmonooit]

Yes by that time I had lost my sense of humour! That other dood with a white top was telling me about the 'alternative' route to the finish using the 45 k option, but I gave it horns and went the 75 k way. But later where the tracks joined again, passed three guys still doing the 45! So I didn't come last.

 

I love that area, lets hope Erik continues his good work in developing trials. But must say his bridge building could use the help of a structural engineer.

[JV1096]

I had a very difficult day, was really slow, but hey I finished. Had a nasty off early in the race and it totally broke my speed. It was a really tough one for me, but I liked the route and will definitely do it again next year.

 

Can someone please post the route profile for the 45km or pm me the route? I forgot to put my gps on.

[Gary Painter]

Well done Eric on another crazy ride. The finish by the river was awesome as usual. Nice tough ride, thanks

[SeanScalpel]

Here's the route/profile I tracked for the 45km:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/SeanRademeyer/55v6alv0vg7opfi3

 

Man, what an awesome route! Was tough as nails with +-750m ascent and technical downhills! At one stage I thought my brakes were going to spontaneously combust The views from the top of the two mountains were spectacular and the single track awesome! Can definitely recommend this race!

 

It was also a relatively small event (probably because of the RWC) with I'd guess 200 people? I liked it though.

 

Does anyone know where we can get the results?

 

Edited September 18, 2011 by SeanGT

[Squier]

Now that is a good question! Where do we get the results?

 

Under this link it says: Results will be listed on:www.spectrumsport.co.za

 

However, there's nothing there. The race was definitely not timed by SS.

[kosmonooit]

Here's the 70 Profile,

 

 

I am trying to attach the Google Earth route file

Edited September 19, 2011 by kosmonooit

[Swift01]

Enjoyed the race. Have to say I took the wrong bike. Had a puncture on the other bike so decided to take along my 2001 Gary Fisher Paragon... The training bike. Standard 3x9 gearing but with no small chain ring so effectively a 2x9. Have to say I missed the granny gear up that last climb on the 70km. I eventually had to walk 3hrs 57. I did how ever wait for a mate that took 6hrs. Big up to him he came over the line not looking too bad and even managed quite a number of beers afterwards