Eden Classic 7 Sep 2013

[G-man]

The Free State's biggest MTB race. Bring it on

Edited August 27, 2013 by G-man

[Vetseun]

I thought I had kakked off on a MTB until I rode this monster. A true test of a rider. It is lekker tough.

[hboli4]

For sure, this is one of the toughest around. It was my first race a couple of years back when I just started cycling. It was the 'old' route and extremely hot. I came in dead last and almost took 8 hours to complete!!!! Rocked up at the finish with everybody gone and the organisers just loading the last of the bunting. Was a very proud and humblling moment for me.

 

Rode the last couple of years on the 'newer' route and it is still tough but now I manage to finish a bit further up and 'only' take 5 hours :-).

 

Probably the best 'proper' mountainbiking in the Free State.

[G-man]

Hope to see you guys there. New and exiting route.

[Ham]

How do you rate this compared to the monster

[G-man]

Took Jean from CycleWorld Bloemfontein out this weekend to do the first half of the route. He reconds its up on the same level as the MTN Clarens race earlier this year. If not a bit harder. Should be fun

[hboli4]

Hope to see you guys there. New and exiting route.

 

What changes are there to last year's route?

[G-man]

The entire race will take part on the right hand ride of the road. all on the Plantations side.

[Wil6]

Definitely doing this one. Did it in 2011 but I hope the route is better marked this time. We were about 20+ riders that day riding up and down trough the plantation and not finding the route

[Wil6]

I thought I had kakked off on a MTB until I rode this monster. A true test of a rider. It is lekker tough.

Remember doing it after my first Trans Baviaans. Was only my second Mtb race and I had little to none basic Mtb skills to ride trough that tough single track section in the beginning. Can't wait to ride it again

[hboli4]

The entire race will take part on the right hand ride of the road. all on the Plantations side.

 

O ok, in other words nothing on the concrete climb side and that nasty downhill ('old' route uphill)?

 

Is there lots of loose stuff and ruts? Contemplating whether to take the rigid 29er or 'shocked' 26er HT.

[Vetseun]

The entire race will take part on the right hand ride of the road. all on the Plantations side.

Is that moerse Thaba Nchu Berg not part of the route. That frikken mountain had me close to tears!

[hboli4]

Remember doing it after my first Trans Baviaans. Was only my second Mtb race and I had little to none basic Mtb skills to ride trough that tough single track section in the beginning. Can't wait to ride it again

 

Agree, the 'forest' section is great, I've ridden it 3 times and still don't have the necessary skill though

[Wil6]

Is that moerse Thaba Nchu Berg not part of the route. That frikken mountain had me close to tears!

I was actually looking forward to that climb and downhill

[hboli4]

Is that moerse Thaba Nchu Berg not part of the route. That frikken mountain had me close to tears!

 

Sounds like it, but if Jean rode the route and said that it was tougher than Clarens there must be another mother of a climb that will make us cry.

[Wil6]

Agree, the 'forest' section is great, I've ridden it 3 times and still don't have the necessary skill though

Then I would recommend taking your 26" hardtail