[Event] Stellenbosch Mountain Bike Challenge

[GLuvsMtb]

What I DO like about trail tag is that they provide real-time live timing. Its not all bad.

[dev null]

What I DO like about trail tag is that they provide real-time live timing. Its not all bad.

 

Now imagine you connect that awesome back-end software system with the more advanced hardware. Man, I am looking forward to doing next year's 24 Hours Of Oak Valley with that new system. No more mis-tagging when you are half asleep.

 

Pressure!  

 

As to the race. My eldest, who did the 42km, says that yesterday's 42 felt tougher than last year's 42. Who can concur? Or is he talking bollocks to his old man just because he is unfit from playing too much online games with his mates?

 

Next year I am doing the 60km with him. Still upset about having to sit this year out, especially with the good weather yesterday.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Moridin

[Pah Bear]

First time doing Stellenbosch MTB Challenge and I found the lack of any single track yesterday most disappointing. Can't really count the 100m broken up into segments here and there. Maybe expected more from what some report were the route in earlier years.

 

Also hated the connections between sectors via tar roads.

 

The water points had a lack of water, not all of us live on Coke. Third stop (most critical in my view) had no water and was helped out by a guard at the gate off his tap next to the entrance.

 

Felt like a duathlete yesterday with those sever climbs. At least I wasn't the only walker. Flippen hell those hills were severe in places. So mostly just up ... and down. Won't do this again. Just didn't find the route interesting.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Pah Bear

[Pah Bear]

...

 

As to the race. My eldest, who did the 42km, says that yesterday's 42 felt tougher than last years. Who can concur? Or is he talking bollocks to his old man just because he is unfit from playing too  much online games with his mates?

 

...

Very tough ... but can't relate to previous years obviously.

[dev null]

Was gonna ask which route. See you answered indirectly.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Moridin

[Karman de Lange]

 

 

As to the race. My eldest, who did the 42km, says that yesterday's 42 felt tougher than last year's 42. Who can concur? Or is he talking bollocks to his old man just because he is unfit from playing too much online games with his mates?

 

Next year I am doing the 60km with him. Still upset about having to sit this year out, especially with the good weather yesterday.

Was my 4th 42km .. First time on new 2x11 hard tail.. missed my granny gear . .  Route was 2.5km shorter, but same elevation, middle hill was a killer (well, only hill I had to walk, simply could not peddle slow enough).

 

Overall, I felt better at the end than usual, but granted, I knew route fairly well so knew where to take it easy and recover for next part.

 

O, and improved my time by 15 minutes, so not sure really if was tougher

Edited July 31, 2017 by Karman de Lange

[daniemare]

Did my third 42 (call it 40) yesterday.  I have attached the section between the 2016 and 2017 Strava details that were different.  This difference excluded a fair bit of single track (only real ST - 2016) and added a severe additional climb (2017) that took you behind the forest where the single track is. There was also and a fair bit more tar road to connect the decent after Helshoogte with this climb, behind Idas Vallei.  I guess a farmer did not open his/her farm this year and they needed a slight reroute.

 

For me this change made it really tough compared with last year

Edited July 31, 2017 by daniemare

[BuffsVintageBikes]

It was my first time doing the 42km event and although I enjoyed the challenge and the views, I found the lack of ST most disappointing. I especially chose the 42km over the 50km because I was expecting more ST but sadly that wasn't to be.

I won't be doing it again next year if the course remains the same.

 

Beside there being no water at the last water point I thought the event was very well run. I don't need the timing perfect, that I can do with Polar and Strava.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Buff_SA

[Tjommie]

I did the 42km in 2011, way more ST than yesterday. Persuaded my buddies to ride raving about the awesome ST

 

Route yesterday was basically some steep climbs 15-20% gradients ,steep descents and jeep track.

 

I probably expected more having done Origin of trails and a few other races in Stellies.

 

Doubt I'll be back if route remains the same next year.

 

Not sure if trail tag allows you to drop down a group

Suppose to start @ 9:50, dropped to L (10am start) but time was taken from 9:50

[mrcg]

Personal opinion on 75km:

1. way too much climbing in first half, hardly anything in 2nd half. Can work for some - actually did for me, but boy, what a slog. Due to point 4 i was happy not many hills in 2nd part...

2. way too little single track (we're in St'bosch for goodness sake!). I live for technical....

3. Trailtag not really a big pain, but surely outdated

4. Maybe a mechanic at more than only one waterpoint? I lost my rear lever at 30km - the mech at wp 3/4? tired his best but after 5km the whole thing came off. I effectively rode 45km in a dual speed. Fun. Not sure if there were more mecs....but i didn't notice them.

[Rouxenator]

If you want more ST then simply do the 75km and stop moaning. 

[Skubarra]

I did the 42km in 2011, way more ST than yesterday. Persuaded my buddies to ride raving about the awesome ST

 

 

Also remember ST when I did the 42km few years back - as someone else mentioned, might be access issues this year. Landowners can be a bit fickle...

 

In general though - if ST is your thing don't do mass participation events - there either won't be much or you will queue behind slower riders

[Thor Buttox]

I did the 42km in 2011, way more ST than yesterday. Persuaded my buddies to ride raving about the awesome ST

 

Route yesterday was basically some steep climbs 15-20% gradients ,steep descents and jeep track.

 

I probably expected more having done Origin of trails and a few other races in Stellies.

 

Doubt I'll be back if route remains the same next year.

 

Not sure if trail tag allows you to drop down a group

Suppose to start @ 9:50, dropped to L (10am start) but time was taken from 9:50

Having done the 42km and 60km each more than 3 times, and having a painful problem on Friday, I decided to do the 50km and take it reasonably easy. Had 700m of climbing and one climb was heading towards 20%. Would recommend it to those who found the 42km tough who want a pleasant but reasonably fast day out. Only a few pieces of ST including a pleasant enough switchback climb and a nice bit next to the river.

[babse]

did the 60km, different from last year. 

 

Longest way up and shortest way down (or so it felt) and lack of fitness didnt help the case.

 

Very average route in a proper MTB area so was a bit disappointed.

 

Everything else went smoothly!

[daniemare]

Also remember ST when I did the 42km few years back - as someone else mentioned, might be access issues this year. Landowners can be a bit fickle...

 

In general though - if ST is your thing don't do mass participation events - there either won't be much or you will queue behind slower riders

 

I remember succinctly that the ST last year attracted a lot of moaning as well on this forum. Then the problem was lack of ability to pass and how this keep the "technical superior" people up.  You just can't win it seems

 

Mass participation requires a good balance between technical abilities, numbers and safety. Yes, maybe this year there were not enough ST, but then accessibility for these numbers are also a challenge.  

 

I for one found all the climbs tough and the lack of ST less problematic. But that will not keep me from enjoying a well run event in my backyard. Want more ST, there are other events in Elgin etc. Want less climbing, I do road as well (and why I stay away from the 60km ;-). Plan your year and enjoy the many "different" events we are privileged to have in this area.

Edited July 31, 2017 by daniemare

[Karman de Lange]

 

Not sure if trail tag allows you to drop down a group

Suppose to start @ 9:50, dropped to L (10am start) but time was taken from 9:50

 

working on it. should be sorted by day  end/ tommorrow , just cleaning up all the data.