[Event] Die Burger MTB Challenge

[Thor Buttox]

What do you guys mean by horrible? Was it muddy?

Nope, just really battled. Seemed to have changed from a few years ago. One 32% gradient finally got me rule 5, I guess. But Singletrack was lovely!

[dev null]

@Johny:  Yes.  I feel for you.  It was if people who struggle technically did the 50.  I sat behind a guy who pulled his back brake all the way down the ST from the top of the waterworks hill. Also kept on passing people who are real slow on the downhills, only for them to pass me on the uphills again.  My legs were real pap today.

[Fisan]

The guy who got bike jacked probably found it the most horrible

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/152797-stolen-merida-big-9-2014-stellenbosch/?do=findComment&comment=2680428

Not sure if this happened at the race. Apparently there was a robbery (and/or assualt?) on the WannaBe track near the waterworks at Somersbosch...)

 

Also did the 50km, with the dream of it being less congested than the 60km. Seeded in the last group, held up for hours by people who dont have a clue how to ride a bike. I passed about 500 riders on my way, just mud mud mud, and if it wasnt mud, then it was sand sand and more sand.

 

Better than sitting at home on the couch, but only just.

So happy I did the blasphemous thing of rather doing a running race. As I was driving home via Hellshoogte I saw the row of MTBers struggling to come down the Botmanskop singletrack - thinking to myself "classic MTB event"....

[dev null]

Nope, just really battled. Seemed to have changed from a few years ago. One 32% gradient finally got me rule 5, I guess. But Singletrack was lovely!

 

So the 65 was not muddy. Blinking hell, I should have done the 42 then instead of the 50.  But then again, I was a bit feverish the past week, so my legs would have just conked in.

[Thor Buttox]

So the 65 was not muddy. Blinking hell, I should have done the 42 then instead of the 50.  But then again, I was a bit feverish the past week, so my legs would have just conked in.

Yup, my mates who did the 42km had a blast. Both first timers.

[dev null]

Yup, my mates who did the 42km had a blast. Both first timers.

 

             

[SiriS]

42km was great. Not too muddy, not too congested. Climbs were tough, but great route overall.

[cadenceblur]

Bloody hell. What a tough race! New to this MTB thing, but this ranks up there with the toughest in my books.

[raymakestv]

Man I started in E for the 60km. Lady who I called to try change my seeding said don't worry, its all the same. I was at resting heartrate almost for all the singletracks and had to stop completely and wait on numerous occasions. Then I went full-gas up every climb or where I could overtake. Won't do that race again but it was probably good training. Like doing intervals.

[JJACK]

Anybody perhaps pick up a grey Giro shortsleeve windbreaker(gilet) on the 60km route? Its owner will reward with beer if found.Thanks!

[dev null]

Something really screwy with their results.  One guy did the 30km in 32minutes. Really?

[Rouxenator]

Heaven - absolute heaven on earth. This is why I stay in Stellenbosch, this place is heaven on earth. Did the 62km this year after two years of af *** on the 75km. I am pretty happy with my 3h32 considering I ride tekkies on a 1x10 

[Albatross]

Can't say I was impressed with the 42k today, 90% jeep track and the 10% "single track" was walked due to congestion (photos should be good of people walking their bikes ????) up down up down yawn

[dev null]

Next year I am doing the 42km or 65km, depending on my fitness next year this time.  Screw the plowing through mud and sand on the farms.

[Rouxenator]

Next year I am doing the 42km or 65km, depending on my fitness next year this time.  Screw the plowing through mud and sand on the farms.

 

Don't fool yourself, it is very much weather dependent. Last year I was covered in mud on the 75, this year I went through great effort to avoid mud and ended up with the pics below on the 62.

 

[Korkstah]

the 42 was such a jol..........only had to wait at the top of helshoogte for like 5 - 10 mins, other than that it was really great........except for the part under the bridge where the bergie just had a crap..........that stank.