Help needed - De Hoop / Potberg Event

[T-Bob]

So, my bro-in-law wanted a bike and asked me to locate a ride for him to do some riding with the kids and a bit of fun. After a bit of work I managed to pick up a 2011 Anthem X1 26'r for a great price. Bit overkill on the dual sus' but he' pushing 40 so why not give him some comfort. 

 

After a few weeks with the bike he spotted a race just down the road from our family place a the Breede River - The Potberg & De Hoop 7 - 9 August. 3 days (2 race & 1 social). Day 1 - 53kms / Day 2 - 53kms / Day 3 - bacon buttie ride. 

 

Now, I don't race dirt. I just ride trails and have fun so don't really ever clock distances and don't really ride jeep track / dirt road. When I race it's on the tar and I'm a bit lost as what area near CT to be able to replicate the same kind of terrain so I can take him out this weekend and see how he goes?

 

I don't think my single track up the mountain and sprints to the block house are the go quite yet. He's a fairly fit guy, does alot of trail running and half marathons etc but no overly bike savvy. 

 

Any advice about this event would be great. 

[Skubarra]

Maybe the dirtroads on the Bottelary Hills (not the singletrack sections) and Koeberg nature reserve would be a good start?

 

Why not enter a few of the less technical fundrides to get some experience and confidence before doing the stage race - events like the Hex Valley PPA race and Burger MTB jumps to mind.

 

Edit - Just to expand on the second paragraph - I wouldn't suggest his first event being a stage race, even an easy one, some people find adapting to mtb'ing harder than they/you expect, you don't want to pay a few K for an event only to find out even mild drop-offs scare the living %^& out of you and your body can't handle the bumpy roads.

[Headshot]

Potberg area is great - the dirt/rock is lime stone as are the hills. Expect it to be roughish in places and if they take you up some of the old MTB route trails expect some rocky descents with little step downs and such like but nothing properly technical. I last rode there with canti brakes in the 90's  and needless to say sore hands.  

 

An Anthem will be fine for there. I think a few rides on some rougher trails with a bit of climbing and distance should do the trick...

[T-Bob]

We'll see how this weekend goes.

 

Might actually head down there next weekend and ride around the de hoop part. Just found the 2014 route and it looks like they used part of the loop from Martjiekloof that I've been riding up that way.

 

Gonna have to xc up my trail kit and start rolling in Lycra if I'm doing the racing thang!

[_C50_]

When we went through Potberg\De Hoop in the 2008 Epic it was km's and km's of thick, soft sand. That day broke quite a few people.

 

Take your bikes and go cycle on the beach for a bit of prep...  

[Shebeen]

i hear it was on fire last year.

 

 

http://imtb.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/racewrap.jpg

[GLuvsMtb]

I did the race last year and it was great, even with the historic building catching fire. It is not difficult by any means. Just don't expect massively technical single track and technical descends. 

 

The protea bushes in certain areas were about 4 to 5 meters tall and the vistas of the ocean on one or 2 of the climbs was spectacular. 

 

The stay at De Hoop was comfy and I can recommend the event. 

[PhilipV]

Go ride the gravel roads in the grabouw forestry and work his km's up until you know he can do the distance.

[T-Bob]

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[T-Bob]

So I've got options now on running gear for this ride. I've got an XT 2x chain set with new rings / 11 - 36 cassette. I've also just picked up as 32T NW ring and a 11- 40T cluster.

 

So what shall I lock on for the race? Remember I'm on a Trance with Spike Spank wheels and am running Bronson and Wolverine tyres at the moment. It's not a classic XC, 50k set up! 

[T-Bob]

Anyone doing this this weekend?