The Munga - The Toughest Race On Earth

[Gen]

I see the two guys whose trackers went "walkabout" 500m from the finish are not listed. Dirk Griesel and Christi Viljoen. They are still showing as active. Wonder what happened there?

Aggenee

[Cycotic]

Aggenee

 

Also, George van Maanen, who appeared to be picked up by a vehicle after going off course just after Sutherland and then dropped off back on the course and allowed to finish is not listed either. Man I hope all these guys get an official finish.

[Pulse]

Anyone still out on the route?

[Gen]

Also, George van Maanen, who appeared to be picked up by a vehicle after going off course just after Sutherland and then dropped off back on the course and allowed to finish is not listed either. Man I hope all these guys get an official finish.

Very strange those 2 were 500m from the end.. Maybe they thought the wine farm was the finish..[emoji13]

[River Rat]

Anyone still out on the route?

No

[Stretched@Birth]

Well done Dave and Jerrard, cut it rather close, causing a lot of stress for us dot watchers!

 

I can now focus on work again.

[Pulse]

Thank you all for a very entertaining couple of days

 

To all the rides who started this - RESPECT!

[EmptyB]

Fantastic thread....lekker chatting to you all.

 

Bring on 2017 (as a spectator  )

[River Rat]

I counted 42 finishers, names missing from the list are Dirk Griesel, Christi Viljoen, Pieter Blomerus and George Van Maanen. I know  there are navigation issues for PB at 578km, GM at 812km, CV and DG at 707km .

[shaper]

38 confirmed finishers as per the list I posted earlier from the Munga FB page

 

https://www.facebook.com/TheMungaMTB/?fref=ts

 

Am guessing those we are querying about DNF and were scratched

[Gen]

38 confirmed finishers as per the list I posted earlier from the Munga FB page

 

https://www.facebook.com/TheMungaMTB/?fref=ts

 

Am guessing those we are querying about DNF and were scratched

Om the website there are 42 names

 

 

I am very confused.

[Stretch]

And all the hero's are .....

 

 

 

and lets not forget every single hero who made a go for it and had to quit for health or injury

[nathrix]

@TheMungaMTB Folks, the 2016 Munga has come to an end. 79 riders rolled over the start line. 39 rolled over the finish!... fb.me/2z93xHbO1

[bodger]

I made a mission out to Ceres on Saturday to meet up with some of the Munga riders. Some were in good shape and others were like zombies.

 

I still can't believe what they put themselves through. I only rode 178km and felt pretty tired after all the heat and headwinds.

 

Here is a link to a short video of my trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6PjcutTNkc

and a Relive video of my route: https://www.relive.cc/view/792472703

 

I followed Kevin Benky for his final 100kms. I was very careful not to interfere with him e.g give him a slip or water or any type of assistance that may jeopardise his Munga but it was amazing to talk to him and hear about his experiences.

[dirtrider]

Mother nature can be cruel ! So are we expecting lots of rain next year , with a bit of wind for good measure ? 

[tubed]

Really enjoyed following the event this year - again Alex has made a step up in a number of areas, I think he needs to be commended for again sticking to the hard way of putting on an event. I am sure he would like to make it 'bigger and better', but it has all sorts of inherent limitations, ie:

• Connectivity and communication - for a large part of that part of the world, the networks just dont exist.
• The support stations are 'mense', they are hosts by nature, extending hospitality. They cant do big numbers.
• The weather (heat) can easily wreak havoc, would be interesting to see the ER24 log this year, if its gets popular and unprepared folk (as Alex calls them) arrive, it could be disastrous
• Being a point-to-point event over a long distance means a well strung out field - logistical challenge

Some observations from my side:

• In endurance races (see also RacetotheRock) - the ladies are real competitors - great to see.
• For those of you who keep saying these guys are superhuman - you should read Mike Woolnough's blog, he came a close third this year aged 56, he's ridden a couple of other little races this year, he's just an ordinary guy who realised that ordinary can be quite competitive.
• A dusty, dry field, with a simple track to the line is a fitting finale location.
• Nearly 50% dnf rate this year - proper tough.
• The bikehub remains the best place for a forum for an event of this nature - Alex embraced that early on. The gees was real, you don't need a production studio and fancy equipment to convey the reality, it's infectious.
• 2017 will again see some names, (ex dopers incl), whatever....this is about the bike
• the development category is real, these guys have got heart, some of those Exxarro bikes are from Epic 2012, hardtails that have been ridden into the ground, respect to those guys

Well done Alex and your team - roll on 2017. The Munga is real.