Race the rhino - van gaalens (50k)

[Active Monkey]

Any one have the route, profile and real distance?

 

Have never riden at van gaalens, need to compare to a race like big red barn usn 50 ...

[MTBc]

if it's at VG, chances are its nothing like big red barn. this isn't a dirt road race.

[Active Monkey]

Can you give some more info?

 

Technical? Out of 10

Total elivation climbing etc?

[Raab]

If I recall the Nissan event is around 1200m of climbing

[flat29]

it is not red barn

[DIPSLICK]

it is not red barn

understatement of the year

[Acre]

Can you give some more info?

 

Technical? Out of 10

Total elivation climbing etc?

VG has various type of terrain from easy and flat to very rocky, steep and technical. Most of the longer race distances will be a real challenge and testing both on bike and body. Elevation gain for a 70km race route averages at about 1100m. A 50km race distance will be about 800m. If you choose the longer distance, just be prepared to experience lots of rocks and technical riding and probably 9 out of 10. The area gets VERY hot during the summer so be prepared and don't rely too much on the water points. Edited September 18, 2013 by twinpiston

[Roneblack46]

I rode last years race. If I remember correctly it is mostly the same as the 1/2 Marathon route with a couple of add ons by the river.

 

Same route from start to concrete strips but turning right at the T after the strips. Then through farmlands and under the help oor road. Then to the river and up towards the mountain area near Greek church.

 

Not a difficult route at all. Distance was just over 50km.

[LONE TWO]

you in for a helluva ride

[Active Monkey]

So some say its hell and others its a breeze..

[Acre]

So some say its hell and others its a breeze..

.....which is dependent on your fitness level and experience but if the route is similar as Roneblack46 describes then you will be fine and will really enjoy it....awesome place to ride.

[VicanZA]

go read the VG trailseeker forum, gonna save us lots of typing. did the 70 km VG its in the top 3 toughest races I've done, big red barn 55km is a walk in the park.

 

hope this helps.

[Nofearnofun]

So some say its hell and others its a breeze..

 

Based on toughness, 40Km Trail seeker at VG > than 50Km USN at BRB.

 

BRB is smooth and flows nicely, VG is rough, soft and steep and you have to put in a bit more effort to keep the bike rolling than you do at BRB.

Edited September 18, 2013 by Nofearnofun

[Roneblack46]

The difference between the 70 and 40 is chalk and cheese.

 

This been a charity event I do not see it been difficult. Based on last years race the only BIG climb is concrete strips and the little bit beyond it. The rest of the climbing are the long drags which can be bumpy/rocky/ grassy. We rode on a section that was newly cut last year so was not worn in. In my opinion in terms of technicality out of 10 I would say a 5 at most.

 

But then again as said by others this depends on your fitness and skill level.

 

Do not be put off by what is been said on the Trailseeker Forum. Horses for courses.

 

If you are comparing it to Red Barn then I would say you are going to enjoy the race on Saturday. You will come back for more. One of the best places to ride your mtn, it has a bit of everything.

 

See you on Saturday.

[Barend de Arend]

This was my first MTB race last year, so it came as kinda a shock to the system Had my bike a week or so.

 

It wasn't overly technical, but it wasn't no dirt-road ride neither. Having said that, I did take a dunk into the river off of a bridge last year

 

It's a MTB race.

[silvertemplar]

So some say its hell and others its a breeze..

 

Just finished this race (+-45km in the end for me) and did the Nissan 35km last week. Definitely big difference. This one was easy and quite fun in the end. They literally cut out all the "walk-a-bike" sections and replaced with long flattish jeep track. So the distance was longer, but i never once had to get off my bike. Most of the single track sections were the same (the fun parts of both races).

 

Considering the 70km from last week was even more gruesome, i'd say if you did the 70km last week, the 50km today would probably have had you falling asleep in the middle of the race, or at least giving you ability to look around without feeling broken.

 

So all in all, much more "fun" version of the Van Gaalens race than the Nissan Trailseeker version . There were a few long not-so-steep climbs, but i don't recall anything remotely gruesome.

 

It's interesting how the same venue can have such a different race experience, hence why i suppose some people would say Van Gaalen is a breeze and other would say it's total hell. I've had both experiences now

 

 

 

It also wasn't as hot, but a pretty hectic wind blowing, however i'd take the cooler weather + wind over the heat from last week.

Edited September 21, 2013 by silvertemplar