ASG Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic 16 November

[cpelser]

I'm a newbie and this was my first ever MTB race. (Did it with my wife)

 

To be honest, I actually thought the 30km was a bit too tough for your normal intermediate rider starting out events.

 

My wife climbs quite quickly and we were on the on the downhill towards Spice Route with some of the faster 60km guys.

 

As they were passing us and one screamed at a lady infront of me to get to the left, while trying to cross over the middleman of the jeep track she hit a hidden stone in the brush and fell VERY VERY hard.

 

This wouldn't have happened if the 60km didn't join up with the 30km again.

 

My wife also fell twice, so I think we'll have to start looking out for less technical MTB routes first. (Not nice seeing your lady be "emotional" and bloodied for the last 10km)

 

We couldn't ride the section going up to the Taalmonument, and I have to say I've got a LOT of respect for those of you that are able to ride there. Some sections are 30% gradient - how do you ride that?

 

Anyway, my wife is now put off from MTB events, so now I'm looking to take her somewhere where she can build on her skills and get confident on her MTB again. Any ideas?

 

PS - My nickname comes from being a fatty that passes everybody on downhills during normal road events, not anything MTB related (I was quite nervous on the jeep-track)

[Johny Bravo]

I'm a newbie and this was my first ever MTB race. (Did it with my wife)

 

To be honest, I actually thought the 30km was a bit too tough for your normal intermediate rider starting out events.

 

My wife climbs quite quickly and we were on the on the downhill towards Spice Route with some of the faster 60km guys.

 

As they were passing us and one screamed at a lady infront of me to get to the left, while trying to cross over the middleman of the jeep track she hit a hidden stone in the brush and fell VERY VERY hard.

 

This wouldn't have happened if the 60km didn't join up with the 30km again.

 

My wife also fell twice, so I think we'll have to start looking out for less technical MTB routes first. (Not nice seeing your lady be "emotional" and bloodied for the last 10km)

 

We couldn't ride the section going up to the Taalmonument, and I have to say I've got a LOT of respect for those of you that are able to ride there. Some sections are 30% gradient - how do you ride that?

 

Anyway, my wife is now put off from MTB events, so now I'm looking to take her somewhere where she can build on her skills and get confident on her MTB again. Any ideas?

 

PS - My nickname comes from being a fatty that passes everybody on downhills during normal road events, not anything MTB related (I was quite nervous on the jeep-track)

Take her to that Rhebokskloof singeltrack over the weekends. Its a fantastic place to learn skills, and build fitness. Its very quiet on weekends, so she wont be pushed or rushed from behind. That way she can take it slow and build her skills. 

[cpelser]

Take her to that Rhebokskloof singeltrack over the weekends. Its a fantastic place to learn skills, and build fitness. Its very quiet on weekends, so she wont be pushed or rushed from behind. That way she can take it slow and build her skills. 

Thanks for the advice

[Johny Bravo]

Thanks for the advice

No problem, and oh yes, its flippen fun. You wil love it, so wil she.

[nox1111]

Thanks for the advice

Delvera also gets in an MTB instructor for new riders - or people to get their skills up to date - I think they refer top them as skills clinics.  I sent my fiance there around a year ago and it definitely made a vast improvement in her ability and understanding of trails an obstacles, and also her confidence.

[cpelser]

Delvera also gets in an MTB instructor for new riders - or people to get their skills up to date - I think they refer top them as skills clinics.  I sent my fiance there around a year ago and it definitely made a vast improvement in her ability and understanding of trails an obstacles, and also her confidence.

I'll contact them, thanks!

 

I actually think I need it too

Had a couple of close calls on Saturday myself.

 

Our biggest issue is actually clipping out in time, think I should adjust our pedals to be very loose.

[Don_Hardtail]

Hi,

 

I wouldn't suggest Rhebokskloof to start with, as that might be a bit too technical if she is feeling uncomfortable. 

 

The better, and less rocky singletrack that would be easier to ride is Muratie, and according the the track builder was actually made easier specifically for the ladies. (not that all of Muratie is exactly a breeze, but a lot better training ground than Rhebokskloof).

 

"http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/trails-all/simonsberg-trails"

 

You could take her to a singletrack/pumptrack in Stellenbosch, called G-Spot, which has some smaller jumps, chicken lines, and will definitely teach her to handle different turns, berms, and once she is ready you can go higher up on the trail and do the more rocky part of this trail. This is a excellent training spot as well, and has less climbing involved than Muratie.

 

"https://www.facebook.com/pages/G-spot-trail/475380805874261"

 

 

Also don't make the pedals too loose, as it might then clip out if the going gets a bit rougher on rocky terrain, or if you need to brake a bit sharply in a corner, and then you might slip off the pedals.....

 

Good luck.

[cpelser]

Thanks

 

I think I'm going to send her to Sara Muhl's skills clinic @ Delvera on the 14th of December.

 

I'm also going to do Pierre's clinic myself, but probably wont want to ride the day before Die Burger, so I'll have to wait for one in Dec / Jan.

 

Anyway, sorry I sort-of derailed this thread.

[Sidmouth]

I'm a newbie and this was my first ever MTB race. (Did it with my wife)

 

To be honest, I actually thought the 30km was a bit too tough for your normal intermediate rider starting out events.

 

My wife climbs quite quickly and we were on the on the downhill towards Spice Route with some of the faster 60km guys.

 

As they were passing us and one screamed at a lady infront of me to get to the left, while trying to cross over the middleman of the jeep track she hit a hidden stone in the brush and fell VERY VERY hard.

 

This wouldn't have happened if the 60km didn't join up with the 30km again.

 

My wife also fell twice, so I think we'll have to start looking out for less technical MTB routes first. (Not nice seeing your lady be "emotional" and bloodied for the last 10km)

 

We couldn't ride the section going up to the Taalmonument, and I have to say I've got a LOT of respect for those of you that are able to ride there. Some sections are 30% gradient - how do you ride that?

 

Anyway, my wife is now put off from MTB events, so now I'm looking to take her somewhere where she can build on her skills and get confident on her MTB again. Any ideas?

 

PS - My nickname comes from being a fatty that passes everybody on downhills during normal road events, not anything MTB related (I was quite nervous on the jeep-track)

Hi Afdraand-koning

 

It’s sad to read your comments and I do feel for you guys getting intimidated by the faster 60KM riders,  things happen fast and the guys get nervous if they see a flicker or lane change in front of them by a 30KM rider.

 

It’s also difficult to remove the competitive nature from the sport, after you have done 50Km and held on hard, it is difficult to face the possibility of losing your position due to a slower rider, I heard the shouting, STAY LEFT and all the rest, I think that 30KM route was very tough kilo for kilo, even more so than the 60KM ride, that downhill bit, while exhilarating for the 60KM riders had its risks, I saw some 30KM riders walking.

 

I think you choosing this 30KM ride to do your first ride was just unfortunate, this was the first time this event was held so no one could give feedback from the previous years, Im sure the organisers need the feedback and will put on an even better race in 2015.

Please don’t give up, get a few lessons a get out there on a flatter course,  I do think you had a baptism of fire so well done for completing it.

[Johny Bravo]

Hi,

 

I wouldn't suggest Rhebokskloof to start with, as that might be a bit too technical if she is feeling uncomfortable. 

 

The better, and less rocky singletrack that would be easier to ride is Muratie, and according the the track builder was actually made easier specifically for the ladies. (not that all of Muratie is exactly a breeze, but a lot better training ground than Rhebokskloof).

 

"http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/trails-all/simonsberg-trails"

 

You could take her to a singletrack/pumptrack in Stellenbosch, called G-Spot, which has some smaller jumps, chicken lines, and will definitely teach her to handle different turns, berms, and once she is ready you can go higher up on the trail and do the more rocky part of this trail. This is a excellent training spot as well, and has less climbing involved than Muratie.

 

"https://www.facebook.com/pages/G-spot-trail/475380805874261"

 

 

Also don't make the pedals too loose, as it might then clip out if the going gets a bit rougher on rocky terrain, or if you need to brake a bit sharply in a corner, and then you might slip off the pedals.....

 

Good luck.

If you think Rhebokskloof is technical, maybe you should consider a road bike. Rhebokskloof actually has no rocks, compared to Muratie. G-spot is a definite no go for beginner riders.Thats just stupid advice sending them to g spot.

[cpelser]

Hi Afdraand-koning

 

It’s sad to read your comments and I do feel for you guys getting intimidated by the faster 60KM riders,  things happen fast and the guys get nervous if they see a flicker or lane change in front of them by a 30KM rider.

 

It’s also difficult to remove the competitive nature from the sport, after you have done 50Km and held on hard, it is difficult to face the possibility of losing your position due to a slower rider, I heard the shouting, STAY LEFT and all the rest, I think that 30KM route was very tough kilo for kilo, even more so than the 60KM ride, that downhill bit, while exhilarating for the 60KM riders had its risks, I saw some 30KM riders walking.

 

I think you choosing this 30KM ride to do your first ride was just unfortunate, this was the first time this event was held so no one could give feedback from the previous years, Im sure the organisers need the feedback and will put on an even better race in 2015.

Please don’t give up, get a few lessons a get out there on a flatter course,  I do think you had a baptism of fire so well done for completing it.

 

I wouldn't really say intimidated. Rather that there was limited space on that piece of trail and two very different groups of riders with very different aspirations for the race.

 

It was obviously dangerous for them too, if there had been no normal 30km riders they could choose their lane better and pass each other and make i a race even on that downhill. Now they were restricted to the right hand lane, which at some points had giant bushes hanging over and in the way, forcing even them to stop behind slower riders.

 

Later on it happened again on the way to Taal Monument.

My wife struggled hauling her 14kg bike up there, and obviously some 60km guys wanted to jog or pass the 30km guys. I think it was unpleasant for everyone.

 

We definitely won't give up MTB riding, I love feeling like I'm on a giant 4x4 when I sit atop a 29er

 

 

For me, the biggest disappointment came from my own expectations - I thought once I'd reached the top of Paarl mountain that it's now a relatively pleasant downhill to the finish. Downhill ended up tiring me more than the climb! (I was crouch-standing almost behind my saddle braking to try and not go faster than 20km/h)

 

I'd love to ride up there again, but this time descend the same route we went up by.

[Sidmouth]

I think we all thought it was downhill from that point, a very nice surprise those 2 last hills, its all part of the sport, downloading the route profile can help predict it better.

[cpelser]

I think we all thought it was downhill from that point, a very nice surprise those 2 last hills, its all part of the sport, downloading the route profile can help predict it better.

 

You're too fit!

Go home, drink 6 beers every night for a year and never exercise!!

[dannygirl]

I did the 30km and agree with many of the comments above. Went up the mountain feeling quite strong, but the downhill to Spice Route was the end of me - well, the end of my race, at least. I cut a sidewall quite badly about halfway down, and had to walk down the rest of the way down to the waterpoint. Decided that I wasn't going to try and fix it and called it a day (at least they had free beer there!)

 

While waiting to see some friends pass the waterpoint, I chatted to some of the trail builders / clearers, who said that their aim with the downhill to Spice Route was to give everyone the opportunity to have an exhilarating ride down (which the 30km guys may not normally have). While I agree with giving the 30km guys the opportunity, this opportunity should not be mixed with 60km race snakes that are vastly more experienced, near the end of their race. The jeep track was, in many places, only rideable on one or the other side - not both. Meaning you had to either switch lanes, or stop - in my opinion, both are equally dangerous. If you had less people, and of similar abilities coming down the downhill - fine. Well-skilled, confident race snakes and nervous newbies sharing the same challenging terrain - maybe not.

 

All in all a well-organised race, one which I'll be back for. A few tips for the organisers:

- keep the 30km and 60km separate, specifically towards the end and on challenging single track - but do give the shorter route some good rideable singletrack!

- decent coffee at the start please!!!

- consider seeding / racetec timing...

-

[NicoBoshoff]

Ok, so my previous post re Playgrounds (the track below Taalmonument) refers.

 

I just spoke to the marketing manager at TM and she confirmed the following:

 

- ASG, represented by Darren, requested permission from TM to access TM from Spice Route's side and then pass through the lower gate down Gabema Doordrift road before connecting with Jan Phillips again. This was agree to by TM.

 

- NO permission was given to use the downhill tracks through Playgrounds.

 

- NO permission was given to make use of trails inside Taalmonument, since those are hiker's trails which were built by Bennet Nel at great cost to Taalmonument.

 

- ASG then went and taped the race through Playgrounds and in order to accomodate unskilled riders (since was a flippen full-blown DH track) demolished built features which we had built ourselves. The tabletop feature at the top no longer works because the berm step-down feature is gone and the lip has been cut in to lessen the angle.

 

-ASG also cut additional track to link the race to that very hiker's trail without permission.

 

- ASG took the race through that hikers trail. It is now ruined thanks to wet soil and a 1000 tyres digging ruts into it. Come winter it will erode away.

 

- If ASG wanted to the race down Playgrounds they would have had to pay R20 per rider since that's the cost to ride these trails. They didn't pay a cent. How much did TM lose out on here?

 

On Friday I personally spoke to Darren and he assured me everything they did was with the knowledge and approval of Taalmonument. Management has now confirmed this to be false.

 

When I informed him that they seriously ruined the track and that it was disrespectful to us builders and local riders he accused me of being ridiculous.

 

Darren personally assured me that they would see to it that the features affected would be fixed after the race. I was there today. Nothing has been fixed.

 

So basically, ASG did what they wanted, on the effort of others, to the detriment and cost of local riding and hiking community, free of charge.

 

And that's not being disrespectful.

[Sidmouth]

Thanks Darren

check you next year

Ok, so my previous post re Playgrounds (the track below Taalmonument) refers.

I just spoke to the marketing manager at TM and she confirmed the following:

- ASG, represented by Darren, requested permission from TM to access TM from Spice Route's side and then pass through the lower gate down Gabema Doordrift road before connecting with Jan Phillips again. This was agree to by TM.

- NO permission was given to use the downhill tracks through Playgrounds.

- NO permission was given to make use of trails inside Taalmonument, since those are hiker's trails which were built by Bennet Nel at great cost to Taalmonument.

- ASG then went and taped the race through Playgrounds and in order to accomodate unskilled riders (since was a flippen full-blown DH track) demolished built features which we had built ourselves. The tabletop feature at the top no longer works because the berm step-down feature is gone and the lip has been cut in to lessen the angle.

-ASG also cut additional track to link the race to that very hiker's trail without permission.

- ASG took the race through that hikers trail. It is now ruined thanks to wet soil and a 1000 tyres digging ruts into it. Come winter it will erode away.

- If ASG wanted to the race down Playgrounds they would have had to pay R20 per rider since that's the cost to ride these trails. They didn't pay a cent. How much did TM lose out on here?

On Friday I personally spoke to Darren and he assured me everything they did was with the knowledge and approval of Taalmonument. Management has now confirmed this to be false.

When I informed him that they seriously ruined the track and that it was disrespectful to us builders and local riders he accused me of being ridiculous.

Darren personally assured me that they would see to it that the features affected would be fixed after the race. I was there today. Nothing has been fixed.

So basically, ASG did what they wanted, on the effort of others, to the detriment and cost of local riding and hiking community, free of charge.

And that's not being disrespectful.

thanks Darren

check you next year.