[Event] MTN National MTB Series #6 Van Gaalen Driven By Nissan

[CleatsnCleavage]

Anywhere I can get route profiles for this?

[typhoon]

Anywhere I can get route profiles for this?

 

This was last years 70km route

http://www.strava.com/activities/82356355

[jonnynogood]

How does the 75km compare to the Monster ?

[CleatsnCleavage]

Seriously looking for anyone with experience of these trails to let me know what they compare with in the Cape and how tough the 75km might be. I have entered but not sure what the profile is, the website is a mess!

[Li Mu Bai]

There like a bear. Hopefully no punctures, Rooiberg was uber frustrating.

[divernick]

How does the 75km compare to the Monster ?

 

The climbing is generally similar, but the trails and terrain are less punishing. Bargain on riding 30-60min faster than Monster.

[Mike Bike]

Seriously looking for anyone with experience of these trails to let me know what they compare with in the Cape and how tough the 75km might be. I have entered but not sure what the profile is, the website is a mess!

you will manage, there are a couple hard climbs, a fairly rocky descent, some great river trails. its good fun

[flat29]

I will miss it this year. Soooo sad :wacko:

[jcza]

Remember its a MTN National race this year and not a Nissan race which means ascent for Marathon will probably be closer to 1,700m. They can make Van Gaalen as tough as they want to, don't under estimate this one.

[Paulst12]

Trailseeker was the hardest race I did last year (harder than the Monster in my opinion), so I cant imagine how hard the Ultra is going to be!!!

 

The 75km route is a proper test of MTB, but also a really great ride.

[rattlesnake]

Trailseeker was the hardest race I did last year (harder than the Monster in my opinion), so I cant imagine how hard the Ultra is going to be!!!

 

The 75km route is a proper test of MTB, but also a really great ride.

 

Agreed.

[jcza]

Trailseeker was the hardest race I did last year (harder than the Monster in my opinion), so I cant imagine how hard the Ultra is going to be!!!

 

The 75km route is a proper test of MTB, but also a really great ride.

 

I know plenty will not agree but at Monster the pain is mostly over at 32km. At VG the pain is over when you hit the river section near the finish.

[kosmonooit]

Remember its a MTN National race this year and not a Nissan race which means ascent for Marathon will probably be closer to 1,700m. They can make Van Gaalen as tough as they want to, don't under estimate this one.

 

Agreed, and much more technical than the Monster, especially the rocky descents, be careful!

[rattlesnake]

I know plenty will not agree but at Monster the pain is mostly over at 32km. At VG the pain is over when you hit the river section near the finish.

Yeah monster is about first 35kms or so - rest isn't bad at all....

[WesselvdWalt]

Hey Guys,

 

I need to draw the maps for van gaalen and then go out with Erik to ride the new parts... he's not very tech savy so I need to draw the routes for him.

 

I'll draw preliminary ones as I understand them to be and post them in due time.

[typhoon]

I know plenty will not agree but at Monster the pain is mostly over at 32km. At VG the pain is over when you hit the river section near the finish.

 

ooofff... i'm gonna miss my dual at this one! That descent was errmm... "fun?", well sort of, maybe.

Make sure you've got working brakes or you'll run out of brakes and talent

 

VG climbs are definitely more technical than Monsters were. smallish/medium lose rocks makes the concrete strip climb tough.

 

but ja... only once you're in the river section can you sort of breathe (a little) easier, although it's a fast dash along the river to the finish.

 

Hopefully they still have that floating bridge again...

just be careful when getting off it, wheels wet... up over a rock...

 

As VG and Monster share the same mountain range, expect the terrain to be similar.

riding from VG to the Monster KOM (top of BreedtsNek) is 50km.