[Event] WC MTB XCO 2014 Western Province Cup #2

[leona]

bugger! kept thinking i must update this and forgetting. it was a bit all over the place signage wise when i went. we figured out its because theres a start loop so i cant tell you how long the course actually is as i didnt ride the whole thing in one go i don't think. so theres a start loop which is round a field with a climb then some of the bridges. the scariest one (for me) had a narrow steepish ramp down off it onto a narrow ramp. i diditn ride it and i couldn't even climb down it. i raised it with them so hopefully there will be a chicken run. I'm sure it rides fine but I'm terrible with having clear air on either side of me and theres just no room for error. aside from that theres nothing technical. the other bridges are fine. there was one tight switchback i couldn't ride coz my back wheel kept slipping out but its barely even worth mentioning. nice course though, one steepish climb (big ringable at least for the first few laps til your tired) and one slog up a field which was into a head wind today. i don't see it being too much worse for the rain thats been today, seems to drain pretty well.

ive entered elite..im regretting it but at least i can be confident in my last place. just don't want mariske to lap me but that is entirely possible as the lap is quite short i think.

 

good luck tomorrow anyone who's going. il have a red jersey with 'la fuga' on it so please say hi but probably not before the start coz its a year since i last did an xco race and I'm nervous!

Edited May 9, 2014 by leona

[milky4130]

bugger! kept thinking i must update this and forgetting. it was a bit all over the place signage wise when i went. we figured out its because theres a start loop so i cant tell you how long the course actually is as i didnt ride the whole thing in one go i don't think. so theres a start loop which is round a field with a climb then some of the bridges. the scariest one (for me) had a narrow steepish ramp down off it onto a narrow ramp. i diditn ride it and i couldn't even climb down it. i raised it with them so hopefully there will be a chicken run. I'm sure it rides fine but I'm terrible with having clear air on either side of me and theres just no room for error. aside from that theres nothing technical. the other bridges are fine. there was one tight switchback i couldn't ride coz my back wheel kept slipping out but its barely even worth mentioning. nice course though, one steepish climb (big ringable at least for the first few laps til your tired) and one slog up a field which was into a head wind today. i don't see it being too much worse for the rain thats been today, seems to drain pretty well.

ive entered elite..im regretting it but at least i can be confident in my last place. just don't want mariske to lap me but that is entirely possible as the lap is quite short i think.

 

good luck tomorrow anyone who's going. il have a red jersey with 'la fuga' on it so please say hi but probably not before the start coz its a year since i last did an xco race and I'm nervous!

thanks for the report back Leona already regretting not going through today, could've slept in tomorrow.

[milky4130]

I'm going so il report back. expecting a mud bath though.. a cold one

nice meeting & chatting with you today.

[leona]

you too, nice to be recognised by my tattoos

 

shame there were so many events on yesterday, it was a perfect course for a first time trying xco. coulda been one or 2 races on today instead of all yesterday eh!

[milky4130]

you too, nice to be recognised by my tattoos

 

shame there were so many events on yesterday, it was a perfect course for a first time trying xco. coulda been one or 2 races on today instead of all yesterday eh!

heehee *tats*

Yeah agree however today is Mother's Day in South Africa, could be the only logical explanation.

I know in UK it is celebrated earlier in the year march/April?

[leona]

is it? you might be right actually, its normally near my mums birthday which is mid march.

[milky4130]

is it? you might be right actually, its normally near my mums birthday which is mid march.

it is indeed.

[Martin Zietsman]

any ideas who the photographer was at the event and where I can find pics?

[milky4130]

any ideas who the photographer was at the event and where I can find pics?

This is just one of the private photographers, don't think there was an official photographer except Cherie but she was riding at the same time as us.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.670739056294696.1073741866.500698893298714&type=1

I'm hoping Tania will load more later, she did say that it will take a while.