2015 FNB Wines2Whales

[Hairy]

Copy and paste from last newsletter with a correction made to the registration info:

 

FNB Wines2Whales Newsletter  

Hi 2015 FNB W2W Riders

With only days to go to the start of the 2015 FNB W2W, the excitement, anticipation and nerves are building towards the start of the event. To assist with your final preparations you should carefully read this newsletter as it contains important information:

FNB W2W mySOS Smartphone Application:
Download the FNB W2W mySOS Smartphone Application, to have access to the Emergency numbers and to enable the Control Centre to GPS your location (Click here for detail).

Packing List:
View the packing list on our website: Click here 
If you stay in the Standard Tents, remember to pack your sleeping bag, pillow, towel and earplugs.

Whale Category:
We are introducing the Whale Category this year for teams heavier than 180kg. Healthy whale teams meeting / exceeding the threshold can weigh in at Registration.

Registration at Lourensford ( Sunday 1 November 2015 from 14h00 - 20h00.):

• Proof of ID will be required when you sign the Indemnity Form.  If you register on behalf of another rider; you need to have a copy of his / her ID and a signed Indemnity Form (download here ) NO ACCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE;
• Once you have signed the indemnity, collect your Race Envelope and goody bag in the cellar. Inside the envelope is your bike board (with timing chip), a bag tag for your luggage, cable ties and your FNB W2W accreditation wristband. Mutilation of the bike board will result in a time penalty and without the wristband you will not have access to the Food Lover’s Market Marquee, FNB Rider Lounge, Tent areas or the bike park;
• Overnight and secured storage facility is available for bikes at the Lourensford Start (walking distance from Registration);
• While watching the Race briefing in the cellar, you are welcome to a glass of Lourensford wine and Mills Kitchen restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner.

Start at Lourensford: (Friday, 30 October: 07h00 for riders in A category till 8h40 for riders in K category – 10min interval between each category):

• The NO Helmet – NO bike board – NO wristband - NO ride, principle applies;
• Check your start category (also indicated on the Race Envelope) and sign in at your starting block 20 minutes before your start time;
• Visit the Bokomo Breakfast Zone at the Start with fruit, cereals, oats, coffee and Fair Cape juices and dairy products;
• Wear your FNB W2W wristband from the start for the duration of the event, to gain access to food and tent areas when you finish at Oak Valley (OV) Wine Estate and Onrust Caravan Park.

Finish at Oak Valley Wine Estate:

• Visit the Rehidrat Zone at the Finish, get a Spur burger or lunch in the Food Lover’s Market marque;
• The FNB Rider Lounge is FOR ALL RIDERS – you are our guests and welcome to use it at any time;
• The numbers on your tent, bike board, bag tag and wristband are the same. DO NOT CLAIM A TENT THAT DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH YOUR ALLOCATED NUMBER AS YOU MIGHT BE EVICTED;
• Squirt lube/ Talisman Hire will offer a free complete bike wash and lube service for the full duration of the 2015 Wines2Wales. It will be the first time that this complete service is offered absolutely free;
• View the various maps listed under “EVEVTS” on http://wines2whales.co.za/ to familiarise yourself with location of showers, ablutions, race office etc. at the OV Wine Estate Race Village and at the Onrus Finish;
• View daily schedules: Click here for more detail and times.

Lastly, remember to get your bike serviced before the event.

The W2W team looks forward to seeing you at registration!

Safe cycling and we look forward to meet again on Thursday,

The FNB W2W Team

[M Hickley]

Copy and paste from last newsletter with a correction made to the registration info:

FNB Wines2Whales Newsletter

Hi 2015 FNB W2W Riders

With only days to go to the start of the 2015 FNB W2W, the excitement, anticipation and nerves are building towards the start of the event. To assist with your final preparations you should carefully read this newsletter as it contains important information:

FNB W2W mySOS Smartphone Application:

Download the FNB W2W mySOS Smartphone Application, to have access to the Emergency numbers and to enable the Control Centre to GPS your location (Click here for detail).

Packing List:

View the packing list on our website: Click here

If you stay in the Standard Tents, remember to pack your sleeping bag, pillow, towel and earplugs.

Whale Category:

We are introducing the Whale Category this year for teams heavier than 180kg. Healthy whale teams meeting / exceeding the threshold can weigh in at Registration.

Registration at Lourensford ( Sunday 1 November 2015 from 14h00 - 20h00.):

• Proof of ID will be required when you sign the Indemnity Form. If you register on behalf of another rider; you need to have a copy of his / her ID and a signed Indemnity Form (download here ) NO ACCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE;
• Once you have signed the indemnity, collect your Race Envelope and goody bag in the cellar. Inside the envelope is your bike board (with timing chip), a bag tag for your luggage, cable ties and your FNB W2W accreditation wristband. Mutilation of the bike board will result in a time penalty and without the wristband you will not have access to the Food Lover’s Market Marquee, FNB Rider Lounge, Tent areas or the bike park;
• Overnight and secured storage facility is available for bikes at the Lourensford Start (walking distance from Registration);
• While watching the Race briefing in the cellar, you are welcome to a glass of Lourensford wine and Mills Kitchen restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner.

Start at Lourensford: (Friday, 30 October: 07h00 for riders in A category till 8h40 for riders in K category – 10min interval between each category):

• The NO Helmet – NO bike board – NO wristband - NO ride, principle applies;
• Check your start category (also indicated on the Race Envelope) and sign in at your starting block 20 minutes before your start time;
• Visit the Bokomo Breakfast Zone at the Start with fruit, cereals, oats, coffee and Fair Cape juices and dairy products;
• Wear your FNB W2W wristband from the start for the duration of the event, to gain access to food and tent areas when you finish at Oak Valley (OV) Wine Estate and Onrust Caravan Park.

Finish at Oak Valley Wine Estate:

• Visit the Rehidrat Zone at the Finish, get a Spur burger or lunch in the Food Lover’s Market marque;
• The FNB Rider Lounge is FOR ALL RIDERS – you are our guests and welcome to use it at any time;
• The numbers on your tent, bike board, bag tag and wristband are the same. DO NOT CLAIM A TENT THAT DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH YOUR ALLOCATED NUMBER AS YOU MIGHT BE EVICTED;
• Squirt lube/ Talisman Hire will offer a free complete bike wash and lube service for the full duration of the 2015 Wines2Wales. It will be the first time that this complete service is offered absolutely free;
• View the various maps listed under “EVEVTS” on http://wines2whales.co.za/ to familiarise yourself with location of showers, ablutions, race office etc. at the OV Wine Estate Race Village and at the Onrus Finish;
• View daily schedules: Click here for more detail and times.

Lastly, remember to get your bike serviced before the event.

The W2W team looks forward to seeing you at registration!

Safe cycling and we look forward to meet again on Thursday,

The FNB W2W Team

How did I miss that?

[Matt]

The 2015 General Briefing video for FNB Wines2Whales should answer some of the questions Hubbers have been asking: 

[Jaco-fiets]

Looks like the adventure this wknd is really going to be an adventure. Rain and wind looks bad especially sunday in Hermanus. Wind is always a given in Grabouw and Hermanus but shame, the rain, not much fun

 

The ride looks to have great weather. Let's hold thumbs for the race next wknd

[karma]

Looks like the adventure this wknd is really going to be an adventure. Rain and wind looks bad especially sunday in Hermanus. Wind is always a given in Grabouw and Hermanus but shame, the rain, not much fun

 

The ride looks to have great weather. Let's hold thumbs for the race next wknd

 

what wind? 

http://www.weatherhq.co.za/rutherford-county-oak-valley/10d

 

and the rain is the rain, it's mountain biking, not a wedding. 

Edited October 28, 2015 by karma

[Wannabe]

You riding, Karma?

Which one?

I'm doing the race (but I'm not racing.  )

[karma]

You riding, Karma?

Which one?

I'm doing the race (but I'm not racing.  )

 

adventure 

[Jaco-fiets]

what wind? 

http://www.weatherhq.co.za/rutherford-county-oak-valley/10d

 

and the rain is the rain, it's mountain biking, not a wedding. 

Pipe down tiger! I checked on yr.no.

Granted it is mtb'ing but if you have to swim around in race village like 2 years ago it is not fun. Think it was only bad wind for Friday though

Enjoy the adventure

[Skubarra]

Looks like the adventure this wknd is really going to be an adventure. Rain and wind looks bad especially sunday in Hermanus. Wind is always a given in Grabouw and Hermanus but shame, the rain, not much fun

 

The ride looks to have great weather. Let's hold thumbs for the race next wknd

 

Looks like Friday & Saturday will be fine with lots of rain on Sunday. Think I can handle rain on the last day  Would have been more worried if I had to tough it out in the mud & rain while sleeping in a tent the first 2 days.

[Jean123]

See the Adventure guys are in for some fun & games weather wise... Glad its not us Ride guys dealing with the muddy race village again. 

 

Can we request you guys tread softly on the field..? We don't want a mud bath when we get there on Monday;-)

 

Thanks guys!!

[karma]

Pipe down tiger! I checked on yr.no.

Granted it is mtb'ing but if you have to swim around in race village like 2 years ago it is not fun. Think it was only bad wind for Friday though

Enjoy the adventure

 if we were riding in Oak Valley USA that link would be applicable. 

 

Good luck in the village, take some rain boots with..

[GLuvsMtb]

So glad we are not tenting this weekend.

[Hairy]

Adventure guys / girls ........... try to leave the village in a civil state for us ride guys / girls

[nox1111]

So glad we are not tenting this weekend.

Going to miss race village food, but have a great spot to stay, that's not the size of the duffel bag.

[GLuvsMtb]

Adventure guys / girls ........... try to leave the village in a civil state for us ride guys / girls

Done, we can however not make any such promises regarding the route. I predict that the trail gnomes are going to have their hands full after 2400 wheels have been through the route.

[nox1111]

New rule applies - no braking in switchbacks, you may brake leading up to a switchback, but no wheel dragging through the bends. Let's leave the trail as fun when we leave, as when we get there.  When you drop your shoulder in the berm, you'll have better grip and accelerate out of the switchback faster and look like a boss.

And no walking through switchbacks.

No walking over A-frames either - unless no-one is behind you.

And no stopping on A-frames to take in the other side - unless no-one is behind you.

You may however walk up steep hills, and through difficult sections, on the left, and out of the way of people doing their best to ride the section. Just because you find it difficult does not mean somebody else does.  They're not arrogant when they ride past - they have just developed the skills to ride there - see it as motivation for your riding education.

*Somebody to carry Copperhead's bike up the portage section on Friday.

Edited October 28, 2015 by nox1111