MTB Advice

[The Saint]

I have recently got myself a mountain bike and have been out for a few rides - very enjoyable I must say.

So my goal for the year is to do the 94.7 MTB Race on the Sat and then break 3 hours in the 94.7 on the Sun.

A few questions then.

Which are good MTB races to do in the period of time I have left that will get me ready for any technical difficulties I may have and to improve my skills for the 94.7 MTB race

How far is the 94.7 MTb race

What would be a good time for the 94.7 MTB race

And last but not least are MTB seedings different to that of Raod races or do they combine the two?

[The Saint]

*** 8 pages so far of everyone b1thching about whose post offended who and not 1 reply to a genuine cycling question which is non offensive to anyone.

 

Makes me wonder about the prioroties of this place.

[Flippa]

Most mtb races are unseeded. Mass start or start per distance. Most of the flatter races have passed i.e. The Fast One, Emperor's, John Deere.

 

There is a new one on the calendar on 11 May, long distance is 26km out in Magalieburg

[scotty]

94.7 has 2 distances 20 and 40, not technical, so your ave should be quite fast but just dont expect 30 +kmh.

No seeding for MTB events (except Crater Cruise) yet but faster guys start in front.

 

[AndreZA]

Magalies Monster is still comming and then theres the Winter Challenge, Urban assault and Spring Classic.

 

 

[jmaccelari]

 

*** 8 pages so far of everyone b1thching about whose post offended who and not 1 reply to a genuine cycling question which is non offensive to anyone.

 

Makes me wonder about the prioroties of this place.

If you want to ask cycling questions, send them to Oprah...

 

Seriously, your "question" is a bit broad:

- what level are you at now?

- can you ride a bike?

- do you weigh 150kgs or 64?

- do you have a dikwiel or a Cervelo?

...

You get the idea.

 

If you can do a sub-3 94.7 now you can probably do it in November if you

keep up your training. A good measure would be the Telkom races. Do both

races and it'll give you an indication of how you'll do at the 94.7.

 

[The Saint]

Why would I want to send my questions to Oprah - She said Tom Cruise is not crazy so I just feel that I cannot trust her.

 

I am about a level 7 - not sure how you base your levels so I am guessing

Can I ride a bike - well that is a matter of opinion

I do weigh 64Kg's - good on you on getting that one right

And why would I want a Cervelo? I actually want to ride a bike and not watch it lying on the recall floor.

 

Thanks though for the Telkom tip

[Delgado]

*** 8 pages so far of everyone b1thching about whose post offended who and not 1 reply to a genuine cycling question which is non offensive to anyone.

Makes me wonder about the prioroties of this place.

If you want to ask cycling questions' date=' send them to Oprah...

Seriously, your "question" is a bit broad:
- what level are you at now?
- can you ride a bike?
- do you weigh 150kgs or 64?
- do you have a dikwiel or a Cervelo?
...
You get the idea.

If you can do a sub-3 94.7 now you can probably do it in November if you
keep up your training. A good measure would be the Telkom races. Do both
races and it'll give you an indication of how you'll do at the 94.7.
[/quote'] It's a dikwiel...thank God!!! Delgado2008-05-09 08:33:16

[Cranky]

There are lots of Gauteng MTB races that you can use for prep - do a few of these and you'll be fine for 94.7:

2 June ? Snickers Winter Challenge, 13 July ? Walkerville, 7 Sept - Spring Classic, 14 Sept ? Logwood Classic, 28 Sept ? Sterling Light, 12,13 Oct ? Crater Cruise, 26 Oct ? Telkom Satellite.

You can also pop along to the regular Vit T Go races at Babbas Lodge, and head out a bit further to rides like Sun City, or the KZN races, which usually are more technical.

[dirtrider]

Mamapara that is just plain cruel to send a newbie out to go and do the magalies monster !@!! The 94.7 is a non-technical race and a nice warmup to your sub-3 94.7 road race . I will not stress about it too much . Be warned that even the short Magalies monster route is very technical and I would not recommend it to a newbie , but then again all newbies are not the same !

[LEGZ!]

I also just started MTBing after many years of road.

The first race I did was a night race, it was awesome it got my confidence up and drastically improved my technical skills, doing it the dark is much harder- Thats MTBing in the dark.

[dirtrider]

Mmmmm I have to disagree with you there I find I will go over much bigger obsticales at night because I can not judge the hight/distance/speed etc at night . I have done a route that I rode for months at night during the day the other day and almost had a heart attack !!!!

[LEGZ!]

Thats what got my confidence up was when i did that route during the day and saw what i could do.

[The Saint]

I think I am doing ok as a newbie to MTBing. Just struggle a lot with the rocky parts.

 

I have also found huge differences in the way you need to ride the bike. You consistently need to change your center of gravity and correct gear selection before reaching the obsticle is necessary.

 

I am having a great time learning this new discipline and actually went out in the mud last weekend at Rietvlei - most fun I have had in years

 

I think I will start with a few 20km rides and then move on. The Magalies will be missed for this year I think.

[dirtrider]

3 Years ago I told a rookie that the magalies monster is an awesome race and something everybody should do . I have never seen this chap again ! I feel very bad about it and therefor will not recommend it anymore to ANYBODY . But having said that I still think it is a true MTB race .

[The Saint]

How long is it and what would be a good time to complete it in?

 

Also what would be a good time for the 94.7 40 KM ride?