The Munga, some after thoughts.

[Grantc]

Guest you have not been at Diemersfontein yet..,.

Finish line for the Freedom Challenge as well....best finish line I ever crossed.

[Slowbee]

if you want to see what "self discovery" "nutter" and zero fanfair at the finish looks like; go have a look at the Barkley Marathon.

Agree with Eldron, doubt the guys and insanely fast girl(s) (here's talking  too you Jeannie) enter this for fan fair and ticker tape parade.

Yip they could likely make it a more social jovial finish.

Those bells and whistles costs money, lots of money; then the catch 22 starts; we need more sponsors to pay for aforementioned; we start cutting corners on everything we can to make 35 cents go to the race and 65 cents to broadcasting and entertainment..... and so it goes till everyone realises an event like this wont be the Epic; nor is it aiming for it. I think.

as a wishfull/hopefull finisher next year, I like the idea of the finish this year. It is all about yourself and not about the fanfare of others. Self discovery and that is it.

 

I think this event has totally caught Alex by surprise. I dont think the level of following is something he anticipated. I mean this thread is over 80 pages in 5 days, that in itself is HECTIC. I am sure next year coms will be much better for the followers.

 

EDIT: I cannot remember the last time a post has had more than 20 likes at one time. But chainsaw's post about 'Sbu has had more than 60 Likes !!! 60! that must be a Hub record and just goes to show how many people are reading the thread and following, but not always partaking in the thread.

 

Taito's post about the event and pulling out has had 30 likes. I mean in terms of hub numbers those are HUGE.

[dirtypot]

Slowbee - mini hijack - has watching the dots this year instead of taking part given you a feeling of "I must do this next year" or rather "I'm (sort of) glad that I wasn't suffering through that"?

[Slowbee]

Slowbee - mini hijack - has watching the dots this year instead of taking part given you a feeling of "I must do this next year" or rather "I'm (sort of) glad that I wasn't suffering through that"?

I will be honest and say that not starting has been very hard mentally to get over. It has been way harder than I thought it would. This whole year has been a big lesson in learning to cope with disappointment, resentment, failure and that while cycling can be important, there are some things more important.

 

My thoughts are/were very much "I wish I was suffering with those that started." 

 

In a long way, I guess I am saying "I must do this event next year".

 

EDIT:

 

and my personal journey to Munga 2017 started today with a 4.30am wake up to be at the biokinetist at 05H00 to start with exercises and stretching for dodgy arthritic back.

[Jenna Chicky]

Hi alll .

Newbie here .

Just want to say that these guys and gals are incredible .

I was at the finish and these athletes don't need big numbers to make them feel good about what they achieved .

The sense of self gratification has an energy that nobody can describe and not to mention the admiration of all of us in our hearts .

[vroommm]

Not talking about to keep, just if it is hot some shade and if it is cold something warm.

 

But OK for all you hard core guys, probably best to fall off your bike and just lay in the thorns. Let's see next year.

We hardcore guys don't fall off our bikes, we climb off all dignified and say things like ..."what a stupendous tour of the hinterland, what. ... spare a cup of tea?" ;D

 

But seriously, I finished at 2am and there were one person on the line, Alex, with a big-ass iron ingot medal in his hand. It was perfect!

 

This is a fringe event that will never have large numbers. The infrastructure simply cannot handle more than about 150 riders, or there abouts.

 

Yes, sponsors have to be looked after. I think the social media strategy can be developed further and implemented better as it's the only point of contact for a lot of 'spectators'.

 

All I know, if I ever see pom pom girls along the way, or read something like "the Absa Munga, presented by Adidas, powered by Engen..", I'll probably puke!

 

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[Stretch]

We hardcore guys don't fall off our bikes, we climb off all dignified and say things like ..."what a stupendous tour of the hinterland, what. ... spare a cup of tea?" ;D

 

But seriously, I finished at 2am and there were one person on the line, Alex, with a big-ass iron ingot medal in his hand. It was perfect!

 

This is a fringe event that will never have large numbers. The infrastructure simply cannot handle more than about 150 riders, or there abouts.

 

Yes, sponsors have to be looked after. I think the social media strategy can be developed further and implemented better as it's the only point of contact for a lot of 'spectators'.

 

All I know, if I ever see pom pom girls along the way, or read something like "the Absa Munga, presented by Adidas, powered by Engen..", I'll probably puke!

 

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Hear hear.... Super well done!

[Slowbee]

In terms of kit:

 

I chatted to  Sheriff, and interestingly he said that he would have pedals that offered more support. Only after he mentioned it did it make sense. Another thing he mentioned, but I think by now something that is totally clear is to bring a big mind game. You have to be prepared to suffer a little should the weather not play along.

 

But in terms of bikes, (yes I know its not about the bike), BUT! What kit would give you an assist.

 

29er's? 27? or my 26'er?

 

In riding my wifes bike with flow ex rims and hope 4 hubs, I realised wheels make a HUGE difference. Would upgrading from say mavic hubs to chris kings, but still on 26er wheels make a difference ?

 

Anything else you guys can think of?

[EmptyB]

In terms of kit:

 

I chatted to Sheriff, and interestingly he said that he would have pedals that offered more support. Only after he mentioned it did it make sense. Another thing he mentioned, but I think by now something that is totally clear is to bring a big mind game. You have to be prepared to suffer a little should the weather not play along.

 

But in terms of bikes, (yes I know its not about the bike), BUT! What kit would give you an assist.

 

29er's? 27? or my 26'er?

 

In riding my wifes bike with flow ex rims and hope 4 hubs, I realised wheels make a HUGE difference. Would upgrading from say mavic hubs to chris kings, but still on 26er wheels make a difference ?

 

Anything else you guys can think of?

Pedals that offer more support...example please?

[shaper]

Pedals that offer more support...example please?

Something like this perhaps https://www.evanscycles.com/en-za/shimano-xt-t780-mtb-spd-trekking-pedals-EV172365

[Danger Dassie]

Finish lines, ask Alex about Tour Divide. Border post in the sun and an ice cream, possibly a handshake from whoever's on duty that day.

The journey, not the finish. 

Speaking of journeys ... Lael Wilcox - http://www.outsideonline.com/1997471/how-lael-wilcox-crushed-tour-divide

[vroommm]

In terms of kit:

 

I chatted to Sheriff, and interestingly he said that he would have pedals that offered more support. Only after he mentioned it did it make sense. Another thing he mentioned, but I think by now something that is totally clear is to bring a big mind game. You have to be prepared to suffer a little should the weather not play along.

 

But in terms of bikes, (yes I know its not about the bike), BUT! What kit would give you an assist.

 

29er's? 27? or my 26'er?

 

In riding my wifes bike with flow ex rims and hope 4 hubs, I realised wheels make a HUGE difference. Would upgrading from say mavic hubs to chris kings, but still on 26er wheels make a difference ?

 

Anything else you guys can think of?

I guess the "weapon of choice" question will again be caned to death during the next 12 months, ad nauseam. I think it's now pretty much established that a full suspension 29er mountain bike with high volume tires is best choice. Comfort is king over 1000+ kms. Then again, just use what you have. There was even a 26er hardtail in this years race. Things like mavic vs chris king hubs are unimportant. Gear should be strong, dependable, tested, serviced and fixable out in the boonies with a piece of bloudraad and a lick of duct tape. I finished on an entry level 29er hardtail without a problem. I had issues with my cheap wheelset but had the neccessary bits with me to get to the next race village and mechanical help without a fuss. Good quality gear is important but there is no need to obsess about small things. Lots of more important things to dwell on ....

 

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[Slowbee]

Pedals that offer more support...example please?

I think he was maybe refering to something like on this page :

 

http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac-bike/en/home/mtb1/pedals/pedals.html

 

something that offered more than just a normal SPD pedal or eggbeater type pedal

[Slowbee]

I guess the "weapon of choice" question will again be caned to death during the next 12 months, ad nauseam. I think it's now pretty much established that a full suspension 29er mountain bike with high volume tires is best choice. Comfort is king over 1000+ kms. Then again, just use what you have. There was even a 26er hardtail in this years race. Things like mavic vs chris king hubs are unimportant. Gear should be strong, dependable, tested, serviced and fixable out in the boonies with a piece of bloudraad and a lick of duct tape. I finished on an entry level 29er hardtail without a problem. I had issues with my cheap wheelset but had the neccessary bits with me to get to the next race village and mechanical help without a fuss. Good quality gear is important but there is no need to obsess about small things. Lots of more important things to dwell on ....

 

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Point taken, but its just about looking at the equipment you have and what you can get between now and then that wont break, or brake, you during the ride.

[vroommm]

Pedals that offer more support...example please?

If you use softish shoes that are good for walking then pedals with more support makes sense. The most important thing is to test gear properly beforehand. See what works for you. I thought thicker woolier socks should be more comfortable but found they made my feet numb over long distances. I then switched to the thinnest possible sock and they proved very comfortable.

 

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[vroommm]

Point taken, but its just about looking at the equipment you have and what you can get between now and then that wont break, or brake, you during the ride.

I get it. Your gear should get you through the next 11 months of training as well. Getting something that'll last and be dependable during the race. Point taken.

 

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