FNB Desert Dash 24hr 369km - Namibia 2013

[johannrissik]

We had a hard but enjoyable ride, finished in 22h21m22s which was appropriate for a race that started on Friday the 13th in 2013

The organization on the Dash is very slick, making for a smooth event all round.

Sadly, I won't be there next year as I'll be working, so there's one more slot available.

To anybody who hasn't done it yet, my advice is go and do it.

[jcza]

How did everyone's race go?

 

Well done! Please tell us about yours? I'm keen to try next year.

[Mailman7412]

Mailot Jaune ended 5th overall (solo)

[Warthog whisperer]

Ya, did the 3rd solo. This year was very tough with lots of wind till 12h00 at night. Time 20h30.

[ibruegge]

respect... I can't begin to imagine how it must be riding this. did a 300 km road stage once, flat, and nearly died. Well done everyone.

[nathrix]

Well done! Please tell us about yours? I'm keen to try next year.

 

The dash is not flat, that's all I can say, but it's an awesome event. I finished the solo in 2009 and finish in 23:05, wanna go back with my 29er and smash that. The medals are also something very special (each handmade) and if you didn't make it you have to go with the organizers and go chuck it in the see.

[jcza]

The dash is not flat, that's all I can say, but it's an awesome event. I finished the solo in 2009 and finish in 23:05, wanna go back with my 29er and smash that. The medals are also something very special (each handmade) and if you didn't make it you have to go with the organizers and go chuck it in the see.

 

Def on the list for 2014. What about CX bike?

[nathrix]

Def on the list for 2014. What about CX bike?

 

CX bike could work, but there are some sections with lekker thick sand, so I wouldn't know if it would be a good or bad idea.

[johannrissik]

 

 

Def on the list for 2014. What about CX bike?

There's a fair amount of sand, but it might be a plan on something like Niner's RLT. Then again, the corrugations on stages 4 and 5 are visible on Google Earth, so a rigid front end might be challenging.......

 

[jcza]

There's a fair amount of sand, but it might be a plan on something like Niner's RLT. Then again, the corrugations on stages 4 and 5 are visible on Google Earth, so a rigid front end might be challenging.......

 

Made my day....thanks!

 

(checking out Google Earth now)

[Helpmytrap]

Mailot Jaune ended 5th overall (solo)

Damn you, hahaha. I was the laaitie that finished with you and came 6th overall.

 

Well done! Please tell us about yours? I'm keen to try next year.

It was a really great race but a real breaker for me. I mean, you know how much riding I do..so for me to want to chuck my bike into the bushes and give up cycling completely, shows how low my morale was. But fear not, I was back to usual the next day.

 

I definitely went out too hard for the first 2 hours, which I paid for dearly at the 240km mark until the end. Oh, let's not forget the first half that had a near constant headwind. I was crawling along alone in really thick mist from the start of the 5th stage (250km in) not being able to see, being alone and fighting an in-winnable battle with the corrugation and thick sand, it became a real mental game to keep the legs turning. Luckily @Mailot Jaune caught up to me and we rode the last 70-80km together which definitely helped.

 

We finished in 17h20, which isn't bad but I want to come back and aim for a podium position and sub 17hr.

 

So despite the ups and serious downs, I'll definitely go back for another one. Great organization, really friendly staff and lots of food for the solo riders who don't have their support vehicle until half way. Plus as a bonus, Squirt wont be lube sponsor next year. (I hate that stuff with a passion!)

 

Advice, get a dual suss! Your saddle can only play ping pong with your tjom for so long before you start crying.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Helpmytrap

[Mailman7412]

Damn you, hahaha. I was the laaitie that finished with you and came 6th overall.

 

 

It was a really great race but a real breaker for me. I mean, you know how much riding I do..so for me to want to chuck my bike into the bushes and give up cycling completely which shows how low my morale was. But fear not, I was back to usual the next day.

 

I definitely went out too hard for the first 2 hours, which I paid for dearly at the 240km mark until the end. Oh, let's not forget the first half that had a near constant headwind. I was crawling along alone in really thick mist from the start of the 5th stage (250km in) not being able to see, being alone and fighting an in-winnable battle with the corrugation and thick sand, it became a real mental game to keep the legs turning. Luckily @Mailman caught up to me and we rode the last 70-80km together which definitely helped.

 

We finished in 17h20, which isn't bad but I want to come back and aim for a podium position and sub 17hr.

 

So despite the ups and serious downs, I'll definitely go back for another one. Great organization, really friendly staff and lots of food for the solo riders who don't have their support vehicle until half way. Plus as a bonus, Squirt wont be lube sponsor next year. (I hate that stuff with a passion!)

 

Advice, get a dual suss! Your saddle can only play ping pong with your tjom for so long before you start crying.

 

 

Hi

 

I am not Mailot Jaune, One day when i grow up I hope to be able to race like Christo.

Just know him from Bloem

 

Thanks

Paul

[dirtrider]

There's a fair amount of sand, but it might be a plan on something like Niner's RLT. Then again, the corrugations on stages 4 and 5 are visible on Google Earth, so a rigid front end might be challenging.......

 

If I do it again it will be on a rigid SS for sure .

[DikBuffalo]

A view from the front……….

 

One of the toughest races I’ve done in a long time….with a belting headwind right from the start I knew we were in for a long day. Do not get fooled by the race profile, one big climb in the beginning and that’s it – fat chance!

 

Stage 1 was obviously up Kupferberg Pass , windy and hot, but started at the back and set my own pace – Helpmytrap it’s always a gamble, go out in the front and hang on, or start at the back and you’re forced to find your own pace (or hunt those in front of you!)

 

Stage 2 would on a nice windless day be a great ride, but with the headwind (which in my opinion was stronger than last year), it became a battle just trying to keep momentum. Caught up with the solo front runners one by one, and eventually had a group of 5 solo riders out front (that’s the negative side of starting at the back, you going to drag the filed with you as you pass, but totally worth the company).

 

The water table at 100km, end of stage 2, is a welcome site, big hats off to the organisers, cannot praise them enough for a well-organized race with great water tables throughout the entire race.

 

After a short 5 minute break, re-lubing of the chain off we went again.

Stage 3 is a killer, especially when you have 100km in your legs already. Undulating, corrugated and thick river sand at the river crossings, anyone getting to the end of this stage with a sense of humour, hats off to you. By the time we reached the end of Stage 3, all solo riders were looking for their support vehicles, and probably a healthy dose of encouragement to continue.

 

At the start of Stage 4, landed up on my own again, had a look at the sign out table and saw all the solo leaders had left already. Damn, some hard work ahead. Stage 4 is “flat”, so managed to catch up with the guys up ahead and once gain form a small group. This stage suits the power riders with high FTP’s, so upped the pace and tried to apply a little hurt (as much as one can at this stage). Slowly but surely the group started whittling down. The jeep track leading into checkpoint 4, thick sand and rutted as hell, has got to be one of the hardest sections of the race. This was where the rest of the lead group split.

 

Stage 5 started all alone into the mist and saw blinking lights ahead, put the head down and used that as the “rabbit”, eventually caught them at the infamous pipeline, 2 riders in the 2 man event looking for a podium place. Going back onto the mine roads was a killer, the ruts were unbearable, so you just land up surviving at this point (still have limited feeling in my hands almost a week later).

 

Stage 6, for me is the highlight, through the moon landscape, makes the ride absolutely worth it, just a pity we only get to see half of it as the sun hasn’t risen yet (yes I know, ride slower!). Those last couple of climbs through there saps everything you have left to give, leaving you to suffer on the way into Swakopmund.

 

Finished in 16h02, wanted to go under 16h (makes me question starting at the back of the field!). Asked afterwards if I’m coming back – NO, never again, today, almost a week later – yes, maybe, definitely.

 

This race is brutal; don’t be fooled by the route profile thinking it’s a light pedal down to the coast.

 

Helpmytrap, well done, you were incredibly strong out there, for your first Dash it’s a brilliant achievement!

[nathrix]

I also said after the event never never EVER again, now I'm desperate to go ride it again

[johannrissik]

 

 

If I do it again it will be on a rigid SS for sure .

Singlespeedguy will be right there with you..... :

)