[Event] NISSAN TRAILSEEKER #3 Van Gaalens

[Dubber88]

The guys in A and B batch were absolutely great today. No "chop" moves the whole day. No one got upset. Each rider asked to pass with manners. If the guys got stuck on tech sections they cleared the way immediately without disrupting the other riders coming past. Toughest race in the series as far as I'm concerned, and my toughest day out even though Im at my strongest the year. The last 10km's was a real toughy, and I lost allot of time during those sections. Now for Hakahanna.

[AndreB]

My first VG. Got to 60km in 03:20 - took me 01:20 to finish the last 10km.

Total sense of humour failure.

If the climbing and the heat weren't bad enough - the bloody ROCKS.

[Trelawney]

I did my first vG event three years ago, the 70 km and swore I would never do it again, too technical, no respite from the technical stuff at all and it was damn hot. Which is why I did the 70 km again today ????It was somewhat cooler than the previous event but none the less technical. Having upped the technical skills a bit this year I coped much better but was well reminded of why I decided to never do another ! Funny how time fades the bad memories, wonder if I'll enter next year.

[MrFine]

Totally tough but awesome race.Now I know why they call it Bliksen after the Greek Church.Just willed my way through it and took it easy to the end.The 10min interval start made a huge difference today.Not to much conjestion,and coming home on seperate routes made for fair riding.Hope they roll this out to other trail seeker events and others in general.

[Trelawney]

And does anyone know how Hakahana compares to today's 70 km ?

[MrFine]

And does anyone know how Hakahana compares to today's 70 km ?

Also a lot of climbing but not as technical.Totally enjoyed it last year.Was my best race of the nissen trail seeker events last year.

[jatho]

Did it on a single speed with a rigid fork, holy smokes it was tough, kept dropping the chain on the climbs and crashed on the descent after the climb past the sattelite station. I'm not gonna lie and say I enjoyed it, I hated pretty much 80% of it especially the last 10k's. Race for Victory tomorrow is gonna hurt.

[Trelawney]

Also a lot of climbing but not as technical.Totally enjoyed it last year.Was my best race of the nissen trail seeker events last year.

Got an elevation profile for last year's Hakahana ?

[Swift01]

Got an elevation profile for last year's Hakahana ?

If you finished VG you will do the next find. About same climbing but way less rocks

[Swift01]

Great race, tough. As I said at the end, massive difference between riding VG and racing it. At least the beers were cold :-)

[Squier]

Got an elevation profile for last year's Hakahana ?

 

I recall it as 1400m climbing. It was hard as nails!

 

Can't compare it to today's ride. Snapped my gear cable just on 30km. Had to single speed it home. It nearly killed me. Jou blixem was exactly that. Killed my sense of humor!

 

Massive thanks to Ed and Pieter who helped me out en route. I wouldn't have made it without your help.

[Beet_F]

Massive success once again. Thanks to all Advendurance, marshals and volunteers. Showers were a great touch, especially with the hot conditions. Everyone knows by this time how challenging these events are to host and somehow you guys nail it every time with little to no issues. By far the benchmark for races, taking into account the numbers your events attract.

 

Fitness was not what it should have been as I hibernated the last couple of months. Add the fact that I snapped my chain 3 times, lets just say I had a longer day in the sun than planned.

 

Check you all at Hakahana....

 

[King_Crispy]

My first VG event, and was suitably impressed.

Start, marshaling, waterpoints and finish all smooth and well organised.

Time wasnt as good as I hoped, but I guess training will get better results.

Thought I had a sub2, but was 11 over.

Next year.......

 

[Nofearnofun]

Enjoyed the day out! D batch was good to me, felt like there were far less people than usual thanks to the 10min gap! Missed my goal by 1m51s but I am happy with my 2h31m50s for the half considering I ride my 160mm travel 15/16kg AM bike with a long sleeve DH jersey

 

The sleeves really saved my ginger tendencies from the sun! Over all, smiles all round!!!

Edited September 14, 2013 by Nofearnofun

[BarHugger]

To all the oakes that have lost their sence of humour on the marathon....the river has it. Also had a long day in the saddle with some humour loss at the end. With the first sighting of the river (after all the donga riding) I knew gold was definitely not on the agenda and all the big sponsors have already left the venue. Parked my bike next to big old tree, took of camelback and went for it, full kit. Just jumped into the river, swam back to the edge and stayed there for almost 5min. Was joined by two other riders. Water was more than nice. Highlight of the day. Instant reboot of the system. Sense of humour back, especially when seeing that 5km board and thinking there was only 2km left.

 

Rest well cheese warriors.

Edited September 15, 2013 by BarHugger

[madvics]

Enjoyed the day out! D batch was good to me, felt like there were far less people than usual thanks to the 10min gap! Missed my goal by 1m51s but I am happy with my 2h31m50s for the half considering I ride my 160mm travel 15/16kg AM bike with a long sleeve DH jersey

 

The sleeves really saved my ginger tendencies from the sun! Over all, smiles all round!!!

Rode with you for most part of the race, big ups to you,can't believe you did it on your downhill rig. I was the guy in the white merida we traded places a couple of times.