[Event] Wolseley MTB Funride

[Rouxenator]

Definitely won't be as damp as it was the previous 5 years I rode it. Remember 2013 when it was too wet to go up to Suurvlakte and across the waterfall? That was soaking wet... 

[Gayle Dicey]

Look out for these signs tomorrow to find your way to the start of the MTB. Off the R303 between Worcester and Ceres.
The weather is looking promising . No rain expected in the morning. Looking forward to having you with us.

 

— at Mountain Ridge Wine Cellar

Lik

[Rouxenator]

10/10 - the best

 

If there ever was a benchmark for the perfect ride then this was it. Did my 6th Wolseley MTB and it was so good that I could not decide between racing for a fast time or trying to make it last longer.

 

Had the pleasure to stand in the PPA number board line with Anthony Dicey and we had a nice chat about the route and all the effort that went into it. Gayle you guys really put together a very memorable ride. As always I will be back next year and I hope you got enough riders to take part this year so that there will be a next year. 

 

About the route, I did my first one in 2011 when the "middle route" 38km also went up to Suurvlak and it was the toughest ride I had done at that point in my cycle career. Yet I came back every year and while the 2014/15 75K was a real killer that I thoroughly enjoyed completing, today the 60K hit the sweet spot. The best one so far.

 

Until next year,

[Sparki 1]

Jeez! Wot a perfect race! Thanks to all. ☺

[Bos]

You guys beat me to it. Rouxenator I was thinking the same thing while winding back through the vineyards around 45km..

 

The funny thing is there was only about 100m of singletrack. It just shows that if you have a route as good as this you don't need much else.

 

It really had the perfect balance, and Since Im not that fit and managed just over 3hours, It was the perfect distance for me. I guess the tailwind the last 20 km helped a lot with that. If we were grinding into a stiff South Easter It might have added about 30 minutes and some hurt.

 

I'm glad I saved the legs a bit in the first 15 km and in waterval reserve. So much nicer to finish strong. Also Glad I decided to ride with a rainjacket as it was pretty cold up there. I loved the long downhill, guys seemed to be taking it very cautiously and I made up good time down there.

 

Loved the biltong and Sherrie at the 40-45km waterstand. I was like, Is that what I think it is?

 

Well done to all involved and

[HenryS]

This was certainly an experience for me. It was my longest MTB event ever, the previous being 47 km. It was also the first time I've worn cleats off road. Because of that, the rocky ascents and descents before the waterfall crossing were quite a challenge as I'm not fully comfortable yet being clipped in, so there was a lot of stopping and pushing. My fork is also stuffed, so I was basically riding the equivalent of a rigid. Note to self: get that sorted out very soon!

 

Apart from my own issues, it was a fantastic ride and I'm sure I'll be back next year. The bottle of wine for entering was an absolute bonus!

[Rouxenator]

You should stick with lekker flat pedals, gives you much more control and the ability to ride much closer to the limit. Cleats are only good if you are on the road or doing long rides like K2C, 100 miler and so on. 

[HenryS]

You should stick with lekker flat pedals, gives you much more control and the ability to ride much closer to the limit. Cleats are only good if you are on the road or doing long rides like K2C, 100 miler and so on. 

 

That's the thing, I'm preparing for K2C so I thought I should do a long ride while clipped in just to get used to it. If I'd known the terrain was going to be quite like it was, I definitely would have gone with flats.

[Skubarra]

Awesome event! Loved the route - first half of the 60km reminded me of the Attakwas, rough & rocky. My hardtail not ideal for those rocky climbs & technical descents near the waterfall but still had great fun, will definitely be back

 

PS - that complementary bottle of wine was a nice touch!