[Event] Cradle Quest 2012

[Swift01]

 

Somewhat muddy but had a great time. Became a endurance event with chainsuck on the first climb, no front brake and stuck in same gear for last 20km. I dream about riding all weeek long so I loads of it today!

 

Got lost twice and no medal. Got handed a small bottle of water at the finish. Organiser must be proud of him/herself.

oh man that bike looks nasty. Glad we saved the GF's new bike from it. Well done on the finish

[Cyclenatic]

ahh nice! just saw my rear brake pads are in the minus!

[divernick]

So here's my story of today's 70km (44km) race.

 

Arrive in the rain. Smile.

Get a beer from Swift. Smile.

Help my buddy Rudy change brake pads. Struggle.

I started just after the bunch of 30-40 riders, caught the bunch in 5 minutes. Decided to stop before concrete road to wait for Rudy who was still struggling to install the brake pads (damn Avids). Met up with Rudy after a 20 minute wait.

 

Used a bomb to re-pressurise his rear shock. Used the rest to re-inflate his rear tyre.

Crashed into the river at the ride-through crossing, totally submerged myself and the bike.....at least that washed off some mud.

 

Helped the sweep motorbike rider push his bike out of a ditch.

 

Spun my back wheel up all the climbs, ended up doing a lot of hiking.

Rudy's front brake stopped working soon after the start and he cooked his rear brake down the clay-poo hill.

 

Caked my bike with about 30kg of clay and cow poo down the new graded road. Scraped it off by hand. Twice.

 

Hit the bottom of the mountain water point at about 12h00. Decided that the ride was now interfering with beer o'clock and we headed back to VG for a cold one.

 

What an adventure!!!!

 

 

 

[Swift01]

Wow nick quite a ride. Seems our call to stick with beer was not too bad. At least with an SS bike you didn't get chain suck.

Well done looks like a tough day out

[Mads]

So here's my story of today's 70km (44km) race.

 

Arrive in the rain. Smile.

................

 

What an adventure!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not the type that makes a god out of my bike, but I would have drawn the line much earlier.. I don't drink beer, but I would have gone for that option too. At least you still seem in good spirits.

[DR ◣◢]

Single Speed + Mud = WIN!!!

 

Looks like you guys had a super ride!

[Nettie R]

Muddy trail, single tracks turned into rivers, dodgy route markers, an uncut wire fence on the 70km route not marked.( where's the thumbs down sign). My Husband lost his polar right there when he got caught the wire and fell. Heard guys got lost on 18km as well.

If organisers choose to go with an unmanned route, they should make sure their route is marked properly. There is no excuse for not putting down a damn arrow on the trail.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Fester

[Mr SingleTrack]

I did the 35, lost my rear derailleur about 1rkm into the race (packed up). My front derailleur packed up with 15km to go. O and I got chain suck just about all the time. I had to single speed it to the finish. It took me 2:10 and I recorded just under 40km. BTW the marking was slightly poor in places if you ask me. I enjoyed the rout and the race was cool, glad I did it. I however have to agree that one would expect a bit more for the price of the entries... My bike now needs some serious TLC

[rouxtjie]

Nick & jcza, you guys are getting beers on us at the next race, respect manne...not only did you guys go at there but did so with 2 beers each down the hatch already. Love your work

[Nettie R]

serious fun for real men of both sexes.... Does anyone know where the results are?

I think it's www.racetime.co.za. It's not up yet,with only 30 riders on each distance it's not rocket science.

[arendoog]

I am reading this watching my new groupset shining in the morning sun .Had to replace chain, casette,front derailer and crank sprockets after last 5 weeks riding 900km in the WP .Glad i put this race on the shelf .Happy for the guys that endured and completed the mudfest .Rust de winter was as bad apparantly

Edited November 25, 2012 by Blitzer

[Karin]

Cannot find results anywhere. Not surprising from such a poorly organised event. Cycling computer was first casualty of the elements. Please let us know if anyone finds results. It doesn't matter that only a few cyclists competed, would still like to know results.

[jcza]

Next time we should have jagermeister before we start! Great seeing everyone out, pity about the conditions.

 

Thinking about the event - it was very poorly organised.

 

Goody bag/no goody bag, not really bothered but bottles, socks or t-shirt always welcome.

CSA commissioner didn't pitch.

Route marking wasn't great.

Route was so so. In my opinion Nissan was a much better route.

Nothing at waterpoints to wipe glasses.

No medal/piece of tin/key ring/bottle opener/certificate to remember the mud.

No showers, when I asked I was told there is a hosepipe over there.

Results anyone?

 

Won't be back for this one but will be back at Van Gaalen for 24 hour next weekend.

[mjjj]

Not a happy camper about this event yesterday,I am fine ,no need to provide me with a goodie bag or a medal,but this was the first race my wife did with me after months of asking her to race,and it was a very difficult race in the mud and slippery stuff for a first time event,we did well considering the the sticky stuff that just did not wanted to let go(mud ,mud and more mud)

There was a couple of youngsters under ten and they completed this wet affair and at least a medal would have been great to get these young guys rewarded...........

 

And after a hour of cleaning to get the mud of myself,my wife and the bike's she still have the desire to compete in all further races with me

[ChUkKy]

Nick & jcza, you guys are getting beers on us at the next race, respect manne...not only did you guys go at there but did so with 2 beers each down the hatch already. Love your work

 

I think our Wimpy breakfasts was a better idea!!

[kosmonooit]

You have to take the rough with the smooth, yesterday was a grimmer one to say the least, but when its good, its real good (there). Trek you couldnt have picked a worse day to take someone who needed convincing, but there is something to be said for suffering together, generally brings out the best in people.

 

Re: The Medal, I complained last year, and asked again at the beginning of this fred, seems like the manne @ VG couldn't really be bothered with such detail, which is a pity considering a decent entry fee was paid. Water points on 70 was scarce as well, not that I needed them.