The Munga - The Toughest Race On Earth

[EmptyB]

That is Sbu in the top photo. He is from a very rural area outside Wartburg About 5 years ago he pitched up at the Wartburg classic 45Km MTB race on an old road bike. After about 10 punctures the sweep brought him home ,we all smiled at his naivety but acknowledged his determination. The following year he pitched up on a borrowed MTB and did ok. He then started joining us on a few MTB rides in the area, always with an old pair of army boots for shoes.

He organised a bike from a local farmer and started doing very well in the races. He would sometimes come past my house exhausted and I'd ask " hey Sbu where you been?" " Mr.Mark I went to Muden dam" he'd say.( thats about a 200Km ride.) on pap and water. After a chow he'd ride another 30km home. I gave him a lift to a few events and always noticed he never ate. I had to force him to accept a meal after the races because he said he did not want us to think he was there just to get a hand out.

 

The first 2 races he podiumed he came to my house to give me his medal that he won. I refused because I did not do the race. I found he then left the medal at my door later that day. He did the same for the farmer, Guy, who also helped him. By then he had hooked up with Martin and joined the Change a life academy where he now excels.

 

Another time after Hill2hill he offered to buy me a coke. When we got to the team vehicle they told him they were leaving. He said I must take the money he was going to use to buy the coke- it was R200 note. When I refused he was very upset and said I was hurting his heart because he wanted to gift me, R200 is a lot of money for someone who has very little, I was really humbled.

 

I hope he does well in his race.

Super cool story!!

[Gen]

That is Sbu in the top photo. He is from a very rural area outside Wartburg About 5 years ago he pitched up at the Wartburg classic 45Km MTB race on an old road bike. After about 10 punctures the sweep brought him home ,we all smiled at his naivety but acknowledged his determination. The following year he pitched up on a borrowed MTB and did ok. He then started joining us on a few MTB rides in the area, always with an old pair of army boots for shoes.

He organised a bike from a local farmer and started doing very well in the races. He would sometimes come past my house exhausted and I'd ask " hey Sbu where you been?" " Mr.Mark I went to Muden dam" he'd say.( thats about a 200Km ride.) on pap and water. After a chow he'd ride another 30km home. I gave him a lift to a few events and always noticed he never ate. I had to force him to accept a meal after the races because he said he did not want us to think he was there just to get a hand out.

 

The first 2 races he podiumed he came to my house to give me his medal that he won. I refused because I did not do the race. I found he then left the medal at my door later that day. He did the same for the farmer, Guy, who also helped him. By then he had hooked up with Martin and joined the Change a life academy where he now excels.

 

Another time after Hill2hill he offered to buy me a coke. When we got to the team vehicle they told him they were leaving. He said I must take the money he was going to use to buy the coke- it was R200 note. When I refused he was very upset and said I was hurting his heart because he wanted to gift me, R200 is a lot of money for someone who has very little, I was really humbled.

 

I hope he does well in his race.

Incredible

[Stretch]

All self navigation, from what I have seen mostly if not all district road with some nasty corrugations. 

Last year some people went quite badly off track so you have to be sharp in those regards.

 

yo yo yo...remember that group that did that 90km perpendicular route error...90km there 90km back!

[Stretch]

I think everyone has a new favourite.......sbu!

[Spoke101]

That is Sbu in the top photo. He is from a very rural area outside Wartburg About 5 years ago he pitched up at the Wartburg classic 45Km MTB race on an old road bike. After about 10 punctures the sweep brought him home ,we all  smiled at his naivety but acknowledged his determination. The following year he pitched up on a borrowed MTB and did ok. He then started joining us on a few MTB rides in the area, always with an old pair of army boots for shoes.

He organised a bike from a local farmer and started doing very well in the races. He would sometimes come past my house exhausted and I'd ask " hey Sbu where you been?" " Mr.Mark I went to Muden dam"  he'd say.( thats about a 200Km ride.) on pap and water. After a chow he'd ride another 30km home. I gave him a lift to a few events and always noticed he never ate. I had to force him to accept a meal after the races because he said he did not want us to think he was there just to get a hand out.

 

The first 2 races he podiumed he came to my house to give me his medal that he won.  I refused because I did not do the race. I found he then left the medal at my door later that day. He did the same for the farmer, Guy,  who also helped him.  By then he had hooked up  with Martin and joined the Change a life academy where he now excels.

 

 Another time after Hill2hill he offered to buy me a coke. When we got to the team vehicle they told him they were leaving. He said I must take the money he was going to use to buy the coke- it was R200 note. When I refused he was very upset and said I was hurting his heart because he wanted to gift me, R200 is a lot of money for someone who has very little, I was really humbled.

 

I hope he does well in his race.

 

Good to hear some people know the story behind Sbu, well done to both you an Guy Myles.

I have had regular tussles with him at races and boy can he dish out the pain.

 

Edit: spellling

[Stretch]

Speaking of BS, I see he has left the stop that most seem to be having a well deserved rest at.

 

drugs controversy behind him or not....I will be mega pissed off if he ends up winning this thing

[rvdm1]

That is Sbu in the top photo. He is from a very rural area outside Wartburg About 5 years ago he pitched up at the Wartburg classic 45Km MTB race on an old road bike. After about 10 punctures the sweep brought him home ,we all smiled at his naivety but acknowledged his determination. The following year he pitched up on a borrowed MTB and did ok. He then started joining us on a few MTB rides in the area, always with an old pair of army boots for shoes.

He organised a bike from a local farmer and started doing very well in the races. He would sometimes come past my house exhausted and I'd ask " hey Sbu where you been?" " Mr.Mark I went to Muden dam" he'd say.( thats about a 200Km ride.) on pap and water. After a chow he'd ride another 30km home. I gave him a lift to a few events and always noticed he never ate. I had to force him to accept a meal after the races because he said he did not want us to think he was there just to get a hand out.

 

The first 2 races he podiumed he came to my house to give me his medal that he won. I refused because I did not do the race. I found he then left the medal at my door later that day. He did the same for the farmer, Guy, who also helped him. By then he had hooked up with Martin and joined the Change a life academy where he now excels.

 

Another time after Hill2hill he offered to buy me a coke. When we got to the team vehicle they told him they were leaving. He said I must take the money he was going to use to buy the coke- it was R200 note. When I refused he was very upset and said I was hurting his heart because he wanted to gift me, R200 is a lot of money for someone who has very little, I was really humbled.

 

I hope he does well in his race.

I am not too clued up on all the riders but decided to root for him based on a good start and few things I read online. Now I have a good reason to root for him. Inspiring story.

[Spoke101]

Are the riders responsible for navigating themselves or is there a clearly marked route?

 

Also, is it just district road or some single track too?

 

There are no actual route markers but you are given a GPS route to load and follow.

It has all the Water Points and Rest Venues loaded.

[NixM]

I think it was Tyler Hamilton that said that they were not drug tests but IQ tests.

 

You had to be very stupid to be caught...

Hamilton lists three tips:

"Tip one: Wear a watch. Tip Two: Keep your cellphone handy. Tip three: Know your glowtime, how long you'll test positive after you take the substance. What you'll notice is that none of these things is particularly difficult to do."

They were more like "discipline tests, IQ tests" than drug tests, he says.

"If you were careful and paid attention, you could dope and be 99% certain that you would not get caught."

[IH8MUD]

drugs controversy behind him or not....I will be mega pissed off if he ends up winning this thing

Think you said what many is thinking. 

The Hub don't easily forgive a cheat. 

[NotSoBigBen]

The Munga ‏@TheMungaMTB  1h1 hour ago
The South African XCM champ Brandon Stewart got in 11:17

[NivenT]

Don't think BS will win. He is over 2 hours behind and has not slept yet, by the looks of things.

Neither has Vaughn, but he has a handy lead.

Jeannie has just had a 2.5 hour sleep and is back on the road.

i reckon she's the one to watch.

[TALUS]

I wonder how I will feel about getting up after 2.5h.

[Gen]

I wonder how I will feel about getting up after 2.5h.

Cranky as hell

[EmptyB]

Still far too early to even try predict a winner...for me anyway. Also, all that went on near the end last year!

[Gen]

Still far too early to even try predict a winner...for me anyway. Also, all that went on near the end last year!

Ja it got quite hectic at a stage.