[Event] Barberton XCM MTB Challenge - NOT As Delicate As A Daisy!

[Stevovo]

Wish I could do it but can't find a lift from Potch. Really sad. Was looking forward to do an ultra in the mountains after last weeks attakwas.

 

 

[I FLY]

We last did this race in 2005. Today's 75km route was much harder than the previous ones we did.

Lots of climbing and steep descents. Even the tail end of the 45km race was hard.

And my LBS caught me with an early April Fools joke. When they replaced my drivetrain last week they fitted a smaller cassette. I only noticed last night. I missed those extra teeth today.

[kosmonooit]

Results are up Guess more than a few of the Ultra's bit off more than they could chew huh?

 

Good day out for me on the marathon: tough ride, but all good. No problems. A few k's longer that before but I turned in a better time that the two previous editions I have done it, so that's encouraging. Maybe it was the mass start, I found myself riding with the bunch up the climb. The first two hours its up, up and up to la la land.

 

Route has changed a bit, that last climb took me by surprise, but the downhill into the gorge make it worth the while. 1st single track: good idea but a bit bumpy still. Single track needs to flow.

 

Water points excellent, community really comes to the party.

 

Stunning area, real mtb!

Edited January 26, 2014 by kosmonooit

[Mets]

There is just something about the Barberton that always leaves me feeling a bit "damaged" afterward. This was at least my 4th outing on the 45, so I knew what to expect and even after my best Decembers of training I still had to pray myself to the finish - sheesh it was hot and hard and the downhills were a lot more rutted and rocky than previous years.

One of my fondest MTB memories was created on the forrest single track (on about 26km) - it was foggy, no riders within seeing distance infront none behind me - it was surreal just to flow through this quiet, magical forrest - very cool.

 

This was followed by one of the nastiest MTB memories - the rocky climb at around 38km - that was something new and I wasn't prepared for it.

 

By the way I'm feeling today I won't go back, but you'll probably find my name on the entries again next year.

[Acre]

Did the 75km, well done to the organisers on a great event, no complaints from my side. Barberton has some big mountains, my Garmin showed 1000m of ascent at 25km and 1760m at the finish. After the ride I took a drive up the Swaziland road to look down on where we rode, the scenery is awesome. Great prep for Dulstroom and Sabie and if all goes well I'll be back next year for more.

[davetapson]

Bit late, but you can camp at Barberton Caravan Park. It's huge, lots of space, ablutions are fine. Don't need to book R70. Can ride to the start - about 3 - 4 blocks. Is downhill back after the race so no pain.

[Goodbadugly]

There is just something about the Barberton that always leaves me feeling a bit "damaged" afterward. This was at least my 4th outing on the 45, so I knew what to expect and even after my best Decembers of training I still had to pray myself to the finish - sheesh it was hot and hard and the downhills were a lot more rutted and rocky than previous years.

One of my fondest MTB memories was created on the forrest single track (on about 26km) - it was foggy, no riders within seeing distance infront none behind me - it was surreal just to flow through this quiet, magical forrest - very cool.

 

This was followed by one of the nastiest MTB memories - the rocky climb at around 38km - that was something new and I wasn't prepared for it.

 

By the way I'm feeling today I won't go back, but you'll probably find my name on the entries again next year.

On the 75km race:

For some or other reason Barberton has something against me. I simply cannot complete the race without some or other failure.

 

One year I cut my front wheel so bad on a rock, it needed a tube. On later inspection I also bent the rim. Had to rebuild the wheel.

 

Another year I bent my derrailleur hanger. Had to finish in 1 gear.

 

Another year Underachiever came to join me on the Barberton race. Falling himself murtu on the steep downhill area (cut out this year). To top it he cut his back tire in one somewhere close to the 14 river crossings. Tube time again.

 

2014 I really had a nice climb up to Brighton kop. 1:56 where I usually do it in more than 2 hours. Also stayed relatively cramp free. Even the surprise climb about 15km before the end was OK. Had enough power left for the little steep short climbs in and out of the donga 4km's from the end. Only to snap my chain 2km's from the end on one of the little steep ups. So I had to run in pushing my bike. I had a quick link, but it was too much trouble to put it in with only 2 km's left.

 

I will be back next year. Hopefully without some or other breakage. This is truly a very nice race. Really beautiful. Good people. Good waterpoints.

It goes beyond me that this is not part of the MTN series any more. Politics...

[leona]

wow that is an amazing number of dnfs! i was entered for the ultra but decided against flying all the way up from ct..

[Goodbadugly]

wow that is an amazing number of dnfs! i was entered for the ultra but decided against flying all the way up from ct..

Many underestimate the ultra. You first have to be able to do the 75km in 4:30 (the cut off as far as I can remember) before you will be allowed to do the second loop (Same route as the 45km)

[VeloErv]

Anyone know where to see the event photos?

 

[leona]

I'm still surprised. you'd think you would have some idea of your ability before you entered something like that.. i did attakwas last week and i knew i could comfortably (as much as its possible to be comfortable for that distance) finish the ride or i wouldn't have entered. funny so many people don't know whether they can or not. id love to have come though, rode sabie experience and absolutely adored the whole area. shame its so far..

[kosmonooit]

shame its so far..

 

You could always relocate to GP

 

Sabie is coming up again mid Feb, that's the other mtb event event I reckon is (litterally) up there.

[Vintage Vespa]

i have a bit of an issue with my and my partners DNF's...let me start by saying its not the first time i do the ultra at barberton, so i knew what i was in for from the beginning!

 

the issue i have is that we got a DNF because there was no one left at the school by the time we got back!!!!!!

 

although we had to stop about eight times for fixing a huge cut in my partners tyre, we still managed to get through the first cutoff on 4:40 at the 120/75 (read130/80km) split...we then also got through the second cutoff at 15:00 at the entrance to the nature reserve. by the time we then got to the first watertable after going into the nature reserve for the second time, they also had packed up and left! we even had to whistle to them to get out of the road with the bakkies as we approached them on the dirt road in the "housing estate" we rode through.

 

we got to the end of the race at around 9:45 but there was no one left at the school. no timing people, no sweep vehicle, nothing!!!!!

 

our wifes even asked one vehicle bringing back cyclist that did not make the second cutoff at the natue reserve if they know where we were and he said to her that they know there are two guys still out on the route.

 

with this said, i really think that they should at least send a sweep on a motorbike after the last cyclist and not pack up the water tables before the sweep passes.

 

i will never do barberton again until such time that the race is again taken over by a sponsor who actually organises a proper setup. it is very sad as this year was my seveth and LAST barberton.

 

i think for 300randelas (50for late entry), they can and should offer somtehing better...or maybe just wait for evrybody to finish, seeing that we were still within the cutoff times!!!!!

 

so can the organisers please advise why did this happen?

[Ramrod]

i have a bit of an issue with my and my partners DNF's...let me start by saying its not the first time i do the ultra at barberton, so i knew what i was in for from the beginning!

 

the issue i have is that we got a DNF because there was no one left at the school by the time we got back!!!!!!

 

although we had to stop about eight times for fixing a huge cut in my partners tyre, we still managed to get through the first cutoff on 4:40 at the 120/75 (read130/80km) split...we then also got through the second cutoff at 15:00 at the entrance to the nature reserve. by the time we then got to the first watertable after going into the nature reserve for the second time, they also had packed up and left! we even had to whistle to them to get out of the road with the bakkies as we approached them on the dirt road in the "housing estate" we rode through.

 

we got to the end of the race at around 9:45 but there was no one left at the school. no timing people, no sweep vehicle, nothing!!!!!

 

our wifes even asked one vehicle bringing back cyclist that did not make the second cutoff at the natue reserve if they know where we were and he said to her that they know there are two guys still out on the route.

 

with this said, i really think that they should at least send a sweep on a motorbike after the last cyclist and not pack up the water tables before the sweep passes.

 

i will never do barberton again until such time that the race is again taken over by a sponsor who actually organises a proper setup. it is very sad as this year was my seveth and LAST barberton.

 

i think for 300randelas (50for late entry), they can and should offer somtehing better...or maybe just wait for evrybody to finish, seeing that we were still within the cutoff times!!!!!

 

so can the organisers please advise why did this happen?

Agreed that there should be a sweep vehicle. SOmeone could have been seriously hurt and left for dead!!!

[kosmonooit]

Agreed that there should be a sweep vehicle. SOmeone could have been seriously hurt and left for dead!!!

 

Yes a slip up there, but that's good feedback to the organisers for next time, they should get accolades for making it happen.

 

As for the big sponsors, I didn't miss them and all their ho-ha: its mostly for the top-dawgs and cameras anyway.

[ShowMe Nelspruit]

Anyone know where to see the event photos?

 

http://showme.co.za/nelspruit/interactive/barberton-mtb-challenge/