JanVilj Posted August 24, 2015 Posted August 24, 2015 Unofficial "post race" summary of Groot Marico Rotary MTB event 22 August 2015. Fuelled by 'organic' pap and boerie at registration on Friday evening, while bevvies flowed (R15 a beer! when last??!) we got a taste of the 'rustige mense' who organised the Groot Marico (GM) MTB race. Friendly, welcoming, and very concerned that we should not only have a good race but also have a good time in their town. Santa van Baart, who runs the Information Centre for GM was fielding SMSs and calls until late in the evening with a great smile on her face. The scene was set. Saturday morning dawned warm, and a 9am start for the 60 km meant a welcome lie-in before coffee as the sun rose and then a leisurely meander over to the start, at the Herman Charles Bosman living museum. Two-hundred odd riders were to set out on 60km / 50km / 40km / 20km distances - sent on their way by marimbas and ululations. Egbert van Baart blessed the riders with his rainmaker and the NG dominee said a prayer over the assembled company. One couldn't help but start to feel 'rustig'. It is safe to say that whatever distance you chose, a challenge lay ahead. Contrary to our memories, GM is not flat. 1000m of ascent lay ahead of us all - while the 60 km had the additional challenge of 11 river crossings complete with necessary portages. The 40 km group had the climb, missed the portage difficulties and were sent straight into exhilarating downhill and then a fast section alongside the river with kranzes rising high above us. The spirit of Oom Schalk Lourens could be felt arriving back at the finish, as each rider was handed a hand-crafted polished rock medal and an ice cream. MTB being the sport it is there were one or two nasty crashed that needed a medic to clean and bandage elbows and knees, and right at the top of the mountain the cattle had licked up the route markings - all in a day's work, right?! No weekend away is complete without a braai under the clear African skies, or an impromptu dip in the weir, in full cycle kit, after a long ride. 'Upstairs Coffee' provided real 'koffie' and a good breakfast, and if you stay in GM for any length of time there is Yoga and a massage studio - ask at Upstairs. Me - I couldn't get enough of the beautiful, long, dusty roads that will take you as far as Botswana if you let them. A memorable race, and one to put on the 2016 calendar.
Leon911 Posted August 25, 2015 Posted August 25, 2015 Great review!! Will try and make it next year...
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