[Event] Eselfontein MTB Festival

[Kranky]

Big thanks to the organisers. A great event!

 

And that course The never ending single track was pure joy (even on the uphills) but tough as nuts at times. Dead Man Walking was exactly how I felt going up that climb. All-in-all, you can't get a much better mountain bike route than Eselfontein.

[Ceres]

Cheez thanks guys for all the positive feed back. We try every year to make the track a little bit better and it looks like we succeeded. I must say I walked a lot of the track during the week leading up to the race and I think the guys that helped opening the track up did a great job, there were no hidden surprises as you get in a lot of races.

 

I am very glad that Deon Malherbe is still passionate about this race, if you consider its one of if not the longest running mtb festival in SA.

[Jewbacca]

Properly fun.. Thank you to everyone involved. So well organized, a pure pleasure and the route is amazing.

 

Had a lengthy stroll up under the pipe... 32/18 was a tad strong for that section of the route. The two descents were absolutely brilliant. Some of the most fun I have had at a race ever.

The views were slightly above average as well.. A real fixture to look forward to every year.

[whistler]

Well, my 4th festival, first time riding the 65.

 

What a route. Took me little more than 6hours to complete, but man, what an outing.

 

Suffered a lot up that pipe line climb, but so worth it. Will be better prepared for the 65 next time!!!

 

This is the best mtb race.

 

Thanks to organizers and all involved. Will keep on coming back for more.

 

It's a magical place.

[jumper]

Way to improve.... Naked ladies at the water points.... Otherwise perfect. Thanks to all. Came 3rd. Loved every second. See you next year.

As ek nie so baie gekramp het nie sou ek gelike het om jou te race vir 3rde plek. Haha. Wat n voorreg om in Ceres te bly en die roete tot ons beskikking te hê vir training. Hoop ons sien julle almal weer hier volgende jaar. Dankie aan almal betrokke vir instandhouding van sulke awesome single track. Maklik die beste in die land! Edited November 24, 2013 by jumper

[Jewbacca]

Results!!!!

 

I tried looking on the interweb... Are the results up anywhere?

[Ceres]

I tried looking on the interweb... Are the results up anywhere?

 

Will speak to Cornel (the guy that did the timing) tomorrow and find out when and where it will be posted

[Ceres]

Hi guys results are up. http://www.eselfonteinmtb.co.za Go to Festival and on the left you will see to links to last year and this years time.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Ceres

[BlinkFan]

Where shoudl i start?

 

1. It was hot very very hot, my garmin said a max of 39 degrees, climbing dead man walking in that heat was probably the hardest thing ive ever done on a MTB.

2. The 58 oddkm of singletrack has got to be the best MTB route in SA. From start to finish all ST. As for the 10km downhill run was probably the best time ive ever had on an MTB.

3. The technical skills from most of the field was very impressive, normally at a "race" most of the field cant hop on a pavement, but the field at Eselfontein seem to be the most technically proficient riders i have ever seen. Downhill skills, river crossings, gnarly rocky climbs, not once did i see anyone unclip and push it was awesome.

4. The field was pretty small which made it even better it felt like i was all alone most of the time , for me that was one of the highlights, endless ST and nobody to clog it up.

5. Hats off to the organisers a brilliant ride which in my book is the best 1 day race in the western cape if not the entire SA.

6. I know its a bit of a clichy but this ride is truly a "Proper MTB Race" hardcore stuff no comprimise you dont like rocks, routes, drop offs , river crossings, fast flowing ST, rocky rutted descents you need not apply. I think i have sunstroke but it was a day i will never forget.

 

What about the support team at the eco huts? :-)

 

Really felt for you guys coming back in the heat and we were soaking in the dam. Heat was insane!!

 

Eselfontein is great. We went for our ride in the late afternoon, after the races.

[Stevief]

Hmm i know a few guys who bailed on the 65km route and did the 35km but there times are for the 65km. Bailout options were by the waterpoint before dead man climb and at the end of the longdownhill where the 35/65 split occurred. (nobody marshalled these point).

 

Anyhoo i dont care about times but just letting you know.

 

Once again thanks for a BRILLIANT day out on the bike. Best race by far.

[Ceres]

Hmm i know a few guys who bailed on the 65km route and did the 35km but there times are for the 65km. Bailout options were by the waterpoint before dead man climb and at the end of the longdownhill where the 35/65 split occurred. (nobody marshalled these point).

 

Anyhoo i dont care about times but just letting you know.

 

Once again thanks for a BRILLIANT day out on the bike. Best race by far.

 

I guess its just bragging rights for them as there is no PPA seeding or anything like that, as long as the top three rode right its ok as they the only ones who receive prize money. Eselfontein is all about the ride not about the time.

 

Thanks for all the kind words Stevief always can rely on you to be at the race how many have you done now? Great ride by Franso Steyn, bugger took my strava KOM on the deadman walking climb. Guess he deserved as he smashed it by over a minute, big up.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Ceres

[Surv0MTB]

absolutely loved it. Ended up spraining my wrist quite badly on the night ride, so unfortunately was unable to ride on Sat. But what I saw of the short route was absolutely awesome. I somehow missed the last left turn to the finish and ended up doing another loop to finish. Ah well, was fun never the less.

 

I had hopes of finding the best of the ST this weekend but will have to come back very soon to ride again.

 

My new favourite place to ride, going to book the eco huts asap.

[Jorrie]

I came 3rd and I did not cheat. Run a 1X10 with a 36 up front and 11-36 at the back. No walking at all. Managed to ride all the hills. Even had a gear to spare. But as the 2 guys I was racing for 3rd said... I need to practice my downhill a bit. They got me everytime and then I returned the favor on the hills. If you guys are out there thanks for the racing.

 

Well done Copperhead, I was comfortably 3rd for 85% of the race when suddenly, for the first time in my life, I had to get of my bike for cramps! Was in the white Tru-Cape kit, would have loved to give you a run for the money Will be back next year, best race of the year.

 

Just one thing for the organisers, please let the 65km start no later than 7:30!

[Stevief]

 

 

Thanks for all the kind words Stevief always can rely on you to be at the race how many have you done now?

That was my 4th and by far the hardest, but count on me to be back next year.

[Jewbacca]

Was hot... But awesome. I know some guys missed the last loop as I overtook them on the second descent and they never overtook me but were sitting nicely in the shade watching me finish a while later!

 

I'm officially off the bike and my feet for a few weeks so if anyone wants an Origin of Trails entry contact me.

 

Thanks for such an awesome ride. I am hooked..... Properly hooked. If I have the time post recovery I will do the 65km route twice in prep for the new SS division Atta in Jan!

 

Such a pleasure to have been able to be a part of the fees...