Tankman Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Event Name: Porcupine MTB Challenge 2014When: 9 February 2014Where: Bridge House School, Franschhoek, Western CapeCategory: MTB Porcupine MTB Challenge 2014 Start: 9 February 2014 Category: MTB Organizer: Willemien Roux Phone: 072 462 6595 Email: fhoeklionsmtb@gmail.com Venue: Bridge House School The 53 km route starts on good gravel roads with some sandy areas before crossing the Berg River near the Sterkraam dam, followed by riding on beautiful gravel roads to the back of La Motte village. The first climb of the day is some 3.2 km long with an average gradient of 7.8%, with a fast descent behind the Mont Rochelle Hotel. From here the route moves through several farms for some 10 km. At 28 km you will encounter a rocky 1 km climb before negotiating a very rocky 800m descent. This descent usually includes large ‘wash-aways’ so please take great care and observe the warning-signs. Next follows 3 km of flat and mostly gravel road until the second big climb of the day, taking you to the top of Matoppie, followed by a 2.7 km technical descent which returns us to the tar road near the Berg River Dam wall. The 26 km route follows the long route for 9.4 km. Medium route riders will then tackle a 2.6 km climb with an average gradient of 6.8%. Recover on a 2 km descent on gravel roads. Thereafter follows a fairly sandy, but flat, section for 2.3 km and another crossing of the Berg River at the foot of the dam wall before retracing our steps to finish at Bridge House. The 8.5 km route for children and novices follows a gently undulating course, with one short but steep climb. This route will not be timed. DISTANCES 53 km; 26 km; 8.5 kmSTARTING TIMES 53 km @ 07h00; 26 km @ 07h30; 8.5 km @ 08h15VENUE Bridge House School, FranschhoekENQUIRIES Willemien RouxPHONE 072 462 6595EMAIL fhoeklionsmtb@gmail.comCUT-OFF TIME 11h30PRIZE GIVING 11h45PRE-ENTRIES CLOSE 31 January 2014ONLINE ENTRIES https://online.entri...n.aspx?eid=1941 DIRECTION TO VENUEFrom Cape Town, take the N1 highway north, towards Paarl. Take Exit 47 to Stellenbosch / Klapmuts / Wellington. At the end of the off-ramp, turn right. Cross the Klapmuts 4-way stop and turn left 100m along to Franschhoek / Simondium. After some 10 km, turn right at the Simondium / R45 T-junction. After 9.2 km, turn right into Bridge House School. Follow the directions to parking on the field. NOTESNo children u/12 on the long and medium routes. Children u/10 will be allowed on the short route, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. PPA members: If you have not yet done so, please collect your seeded 2013-2014 MTB frame number from the PPA Office before the event, or pick it up at the event itself. Go to Event Page
Tankman Posted February 4, 2014 Author Posted February 4, 2014 Anyone have any route profiles? Havent done this one before?
Cassie Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I've don it two years ago...not bad..then again nothing spectacular! (I think price will be the determining facctor...) For YOU mr Tankman...I suggest you cycle there from S-west..then your EPIC training is also done for the weekend!!
Skubarra Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 For me this is the only decent mtb race hosted in the Franschoek valley, the other bigger name races in the valley can learn from this one. Not doing it this year but wil definitely be back.
CleatsnCleavage Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 the organisers dont have total ascent for the routes, they sent me a google maps link. Not sure why they cant send someone to complete the route with a bloody garmin!
Johny Bravo Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 Lots of sand guys and girls. Beware. I shall be doing the 26km, doing the 99er road race on Saturday, just a nice Sunday cruise for me.
waveduke Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 You can find some information about the route profile on the profile picture provided on the pedalpower website. For the long route: Distance: 50.4km Elev. Gain: 1470m Max Slope: 14.6%
BrandonF_ Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 7am start ...eish! 1st race for the year, looking lank forward ;-) 2h37min to beat from last year
Berry Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 Anyone going with a spare 29er tube that I can buy?
camelman Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Race was OK, but not spectacular and once again not enough "Danger" signs to get me really excited. A few key turnoffs could have done with a marshal or two, but it's not a disaster. Well organised though and loved that last long downhill. Was going like the clappers trying to make up some time, just wish it was another 2-3km longer. Did everyone else log around 47km?
BrandonF_ Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Also got 47kms and a cut front tire on that rocky downhill with 4kms to go, lost 8mins trying to fix it. Thx to the rider in the ASG kit and Dogma that lend me his co2 connector, mine dropped me ;-(
FCH Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 47- thought it was well organized and marshalled, signing was bit deceptive on some corners, but for R160 I cant complain.That last downhill will be a killer challenge going up......
CleatsnCleavage Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Not a bad race, our group took one wrong turn and ended up going almost along the dam! But otherwise generally well-marshalled. Nothing particularly exciting and I thought we would climb to the mast of Matoppie alas it was a fairly weak climbing race. Lots of tar/gravel. Suited me fine for first race of the year and with a sore knee. The 55km Argus MTB should surely be tougher.
BrandonF_ Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Was it a different route to last year? Still the same route, except for the extra 4 or 5km loop right after the last rocky downhill, for some reason they left it out this year, hence everyone clocking 47km
straatvark Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 When two people took part in a race there will for sure be two different perceptions, but... I'm slow and did not follow a group - the white chalk arrows on the long route was perfect at every turn and I actually wondered while riding how long it took (in number of days) to mark it out in such detail. Everyone at some stage on a MTB read/assume a sign incorrectly, and it is not always the markings fault. (I proved before I'm not immune to it as well) Not an extreme MTB race, but had it's place - I valued the opportunity to see the scenery on some of the farms. The money spend on some of them clearly show I'm way down on income scale though
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