[Event] GANSBAAI MTB FUNRIDE - STERKTRAP

[Hairy]

Damned ... I was hoping to make it this year but will be in Durban 'n All

[Goosebay]

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2012%20gansbaai/mtb%202012%20colour.jpg

[Tankman]

So the 45km is tougher (more technical and climbing per km) than the 60km?

 

So the 60km ride is for the roadies

[RiderX]

O man I wouldn't mind doing this again for a change but I fear i won't be fit enough. The 45km sounds brilliant though

[Jaco-fiets]

Did the 60km last year. Not a breeze!

[Goosebay]

We have uploaded some videos as a teaser.

 

Check them out here http://gansbay.pinkbike.com/channel/Gansbaai-MTB-Funride-trail/

[Goosebay]

We have test ridden most of the 45km and 30km routes and all the tracks are riding nicely. The heather is giving a lovely pink hue to the fields and the recent fire gives a completely new feel to the first 45km downhill. This area rides much better in winter as there is very little mud you have to negotiate and the gravel and sand firms up to increase traction and the fun factor.

If it does rain there are ample changing facilities, as well as warm water showers and huge outdoor and indoor fires! The lunch will again be farm style hamburgers and boerewors rolls, and depending on the weather soup as well. There is a bar on the premises and we'll showing some mountain videos to keep youngsters and others entertained while you wait for prisegiving.

The 30km is an awesome ride - and I would recommend it as a ride if you are deciding between the 23 and 30. It has better views and a much better fynbos experience, with some fun single track sections. It has 3 major climbs, with the toughest in the beginning, and the easier at the end, and so your legs should be fine! The route does share some sections with the 45km, so please keep left so that some of the faster guys will be able to pass on the right hand side track.

The 23km has been changed slightly to take out the trickier sandy bits and the one muddy hill that we had last year. Although you are riding about 300m more, it should be a better route.

[Stefan :)]

Is there anybody who did both the 45Km and the 60Km? I would like to do the 60Km but the 45Km sounds yough :/

[Goosebay]

[quote name=Stefan ' timestamp='1335374657' post='1642819]

Is there anybody who did both the 45Km and the 60Km? I would like to do the 60Km but the 45Km sounds yough :/

 

Depending what kind of riding you want to do. Last year the winning times were only 10 minutes apart. The 60km starts with a tough climb with some steep rocky bits and a similar descent, then mostly gravel road till you start the last climb which is on a good surface but long. If you are tired the descent can be tricky if you are still trying to race somebody.

 

The 45km is almost all in the mountains with very little road. The climbs are tough and the descents require good skills and concentration, with not much rest.

 

The route is well marked and you are warned of most upcoming tricky/dangerous sections. If you just chug along this can be an awesome ride, but if you race it then it can be very tough, and because you can achieve seriously high speeds if you are that way inclined on the downhills - it can be dangerous, as any mountain bike race can be.

 

Hope to see you there!

[jiggs]

Ek gaan julle daar sien.

[Goosebay]

Can't seem to be able to upload photos - but if you follow this link you'll be ble to see them on our website

 

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/Updates%202012.html

[Flowta]

So going to make a plan to ride this !!!

[Hairy]

Damned ... I was hoping to make it this year but will be in Durban 'n All

 

Good news for me ... Durban and All is off .... so the Gaansbaai ride is on like donkey kong!

[Goosebay]

Will be good to meet you Hairy - give us a shout when you are here.

 

Below is a link to Google maps to give directions from the N2 (Mowbray, Cape Town) to De Uijlenes. They say 2 hours 11 min, but 2 and a half hours is more like it if you hit traffic in Hermanus.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=N2,+Mowbray,+Cape+Town,+Western+Cape,+South+Africa&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=-34.066312,18.689117&spn=0.5654,1.234589&sll=-34.502195,19.35538&sspn=0.281238,0.617294&geocode=FdcD-v0dhBwaASnHHLPtv-aFHjFmicJvfacVAw%3BFXeA8P0dNQwpAQ&oq=n2,+mowb&t=h&mra=ls&z=10

[Goosebay]

View from the top of the Flowervalley climb (45km route) on Sunday

 

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2012%20gansbaai/flowervalley.jpg

[flymango]

View from the top of the Flowervalley climb (45km route) on Sunday

 

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2012%20gansbaai/flowervalley.jpg

Hi Goosebay. I'm only back from Jozi on the Friday night late so am considering coming through early Saturday morning. Not sure we'll get accommodation for the Saturday night only, so would like to know if there will be any (warm?) shower facilities after the race?