River Rat Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 There have been so many negative threads and comments on the Hub lately that I thought I would share a little story of my ride last Saturday. To set the scene my Sani2c partner from last year calls me and says "Blue you need to get me fit, I have had a great Christmas, I've eaten too much , I have not trained a dot since the Wild Run and I want to do Sani again". This is a dance we have danced for the last two years so I respond "No problem Red, we'll do a 40k on Saturday and then 64k on Sunday which includes 2 laps of Groenkloof, see you at 7:30 tomorrow" " Lekker, but can we make it 9:30 because I have to take my son to school soccer first" I reluctantly agree because at this stage of the game I do not have a partner for Sani and Red is my best bet. 9:30 and it is as hot as hell and the route I had planned has more traffic than any self respecting MTBiker can endure, so I negotiate a change of plan with Red. "Let's skip the 40 and rather ride to Wolwespruit do 1 lap and ride back". I can see by the frown on Red's forehead that this plan did not sit well with him, Wolwespruit is quite a tough ride this early in the season. I mention that it's only 26k and that seals the deal. We set off, full of the joys of a new years riding ahead, with a new set of goals and targets, dreams and intentions knowing fully that if we achieve only half we will have had an exceptional year. We arrive at the Wowespruit trail and I pay for both of us because I know that the means that for next day Red has to pay and Groenkloof has a nice little kiosk that serves boererolls and pancakes often served by a pretty blonde. Now Red cannot resist a pancake nor a pretty blonde so he ends up having a feast and that can be a tidy sum as he stuffs his face. Wolwespruit was the cheaper option by far. As we were about to set off we are approached by a lone rider who asks " Do you guys mind if a I tag along with you guys, I don't know this trail" this chap dressed in an ancient Fritz Pienaar Camo cycle top with cut off sleeves, his lanky biltong appearance suggests that this is a natural endurance athlete . '"Sure, if you have the patience to wait for us on the climbs" I say. It is only fair to describe how Red and I are kitted out, we both have Spez FSR Stumpjumpers but that's we where the similarity ends. Red is fully kitted out in Spez, shirt, shorts, shoes and gloves. I'm a T shirt and baggies guy not too fussed with labels as long as it's comfortable and lasts, so I have huge respect for longevity of our newfound partners top. Eugene, our new partner, turned to collect his bike an equally ancient 26er hardtail Kona with V-Brakes. "Right we are then, let's go" I said wondering how this mix of natural ability and equipment deficit was going to play out. The start of the Wolwespruit trail is quite decieving it starts with gentle winding single track through the wattle trees but quite early on Eugene makes contact with a Wattle tree, which he later explains was planted in the wrong place. I start forming an early opinion of Eugene's ability but I was left pondering whether it's ability or equipment that's deficient. The first climb confirms my initial opnion as Eugene shows us who is boss on the climb, he respectfully waits for us to pass him at the crest both he and Red insisting that I take the lead. We pass four guys fixing one puncture and I chirp them by asking them if they need some more help, they see they humourous side of things and laughingly send us off on our way. We hold formation on the climb but then we hit the technical descent. Red's riding shows a lack of sharpness but Eugene's 26er hardtail and lack of disc brakes proves to be greater handicap. I blast my down and have the pleasure of watching my partners progress from the relative safety of the jeep track. I was left with no doubt that the 29er had a distinct advantage on the rough rocky black descent, but Eugene was showing a considerable ability in guiding his Kona down that hill and he arrives only a few minutes after Red. Once you reach the top of the last climb the black route has three short but rather sharp drop offs that can only be negotiated if you take them on with aggression. I mentioned as much to Red and Eugene as I set off desperately trying to conceal the butterflies in my stomach by pedalling with purpose towards the three drop offs. It was my day and I had a flawless run, I didn't see them but I could hear Red and Eugene's progress, first a ****followed by a V*k as my two companions bombed their way down each obstacle. I was so impressed with the way Eugene and Red acquitted themselves that I bought them each a coke at the kiosk ( fortunately there were no pancakes). We found out that Eugene's stomping ground was Rosemary Hill so Wolwespruit was a couple levels up in technicality, he was so happy with his achievement that he was going to tackle the trail again while we rode home. I also found out that he too will be doing the Barberton marathon this Saturday and having done the last one some 6 odd years ago he was gladly dispensing his knowledge of the area and the trail he rode at the time. Red and I set off for home and my thoughts turned to the previous weeks shennigans on the Hub, with all the debates concerning the brand of bike you ride and what kit you wear. Then it struck me people like Red and Eugene, although on opposite ends of the spectrum would say the same thing to their would be detractors "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn I just want to ride". As for me I was just grateful for the privilege to ride with likeminded people, see you at Barberton Eugene!
King_Crispy Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Well written. Very entertaining. And 100% true
canadonis Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Nice read, good luck training for Sani, I guess we all have bit of red ( good vac and wanting to work off the weight but not willing put in the effort) and blue ( pushing the 'lazy' buddy along)
BarHugger Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Well now I want to go ride Wolwespruit........lekker read, nicely done!
Lurch the stalker Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 River Rat, you have some impressive skills with stringing those words together.Good story, though having said that, I do regret reading it...makes me just want to be able to get out and ride...
Guest notmyname Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 You certainly have a great ability to tell stories. It's always lovely to take in your scribings.
DIPSLICK Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 How do you know a guy rides a spez......,,,,,,Why bring wheel size into this???? not cool kidding kidding lekke read
MTB-BFK Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 lekka story - so no pancakes then? And the blonde? Seems like a sad ending?
Lurch the stalker Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 lekka story - so no pancakes then? And the blonde? Seems like a sad ending?We've all seen the thread about the canoeist...just wait for the next installment
LeTurbo Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I particularly enjoyed the Wolwespruit vs Groenkloof pancake computations - it's always funny what our friends know about us that we don't know ourselves. Definite shades of Damon Runyon there.
HOEKVLAG Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Well written as always! Man I enjoy reading everything you write, please keep it up.
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