[Event] The Munga MTB 2017

[taito]

What is the main culprit for the butt problems?

Road surface, or is it something else?

I feel its the 14hour days and camelback. Yes corrigations but mostly the time spent on your butt.

[SwissVan]

I was wondering if a seatpost with some sort of suspension/ shock absorption would be beneficial?

Yep me to, would be interesting to see if there were any being used

[Underachiever]

 

I am not MAX copy and paste from dropbox

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q7c2jvjnywnqbzn/AAC8HuOHo94LSsD0KiT1Uxtqa?dl=0

 

The Munga – a backmarker’s perspective by Donald Max Menzies

 

“Looking remarkably fresh in Ceres - 115 hours into Munga …Giuseppe & I”

Sitting in front of my PC two days after finishing 2017’s Munga (I came in third

last in position 79……..hence my title of the article) I have time to reflect on

this amazing adventure that Alex and Erik had given me the privilege of taking

part in. At the same time I realised how unprepared I was for what happened

out in the Karoo. I thought it would really help future prospective Munga

participants to know a little more of this very unusual event, which happens to

have no category status at CSA……go figure.

 

Upfront I must thank Alex & Erik for putting on this special event, especially

Alex as he continuously looked out for me on the route (he rode it this year to

experience it as a rider first hand) and always displayed genuine concern and

interest in how I was doing – At Sutherland, the 5’th and final RV he was

leaving as I arrived and was very clear in the exact time I must leave to push

on…….”7:20am, and no later. Don’t wait till 8:00am” – that gave me exactly 1

hour and 20 minutes rest.

 

My cycling background: a really normal & average mountain biker – no fancy

cycling DNA or chromosomes in my blood, although my Great-Grandfather,

Donald McDougal Menzies owned the first bike shop in SA, in Wales Street CT,

back in 1893 called Menzies Cycling Depot. I started cycling only 7 years ago,

now turning 52 years old. Have done most of the big mnt bike stage events

plus the last 4 Cape Epics, finishing around the 75 to 80 percentile. I ride for

the pure joy of being out on the mountain. Four years ago I did away with a

conventional bike and converted over to a steel frame, fully rigid one gear

29’er, using an old Brooks saddle – that is how I wanted to ride and only that

way….it changed my life. I call it “old school heads-up riding”.

 

Looking for something different I was intrigued by Keven’s article in the Ride

magazine, on the 2016 Munga and tried to do some research on the event, at

that time it had just finished its second year. There was almost nothing out on

social media about it, which added to the intrigue and mystery – I was hooked

& did the online entry and snatched R3000 off with the early bird discount

offering! My goal – to finish on my crazy bike, called Scelerat within the 120

hours, targeting 116 hours - that is coming in at 8pm on Monday four hours

before the 12pm cut-off. At the back of my mind even at this year’s Epic I was

continually thinking about Munga and what to expect. Met some folk at Epic

who had done it and offered some tips, but at the same time I was becoming

more concerned that I was in over my head. I knocked off TransBaviaan,

TransKaroo and 36ONE in preparation and actually struggled at 36ONE – I was

concerned to say the least.

 

Munga preparation: Started getting the bike ready. Settled on a 35/18 gear

ratio (had a good friend use a CNC tooling machine to make up a new front and

rear 3 mm wide, solid steel chain rings specifically for Munga) and decided on a

minimalistic approach to carrying stuff is what I would embrace. No hydration

pack on my back and as little stuff in my rear pockets. I was planning on using a

Quicksilver pop stud collar surf shirt with pockets sewn on the back and an

Assos bib with orange baggie shorts with no gloves, and a purple flower on my

helmet – keeping it pure and authentic, “old school” like back in the 80’s. Four

metal bottles mounted on the bike with a carrying capacity of 2.6 litres and

some Apidura top tube bags for spares and odds & ends………..that’s it – well so

I thought.

 

Munga, the event: bang it starts at 12pm in a hot Bloemfontein after our final

race briefing. I quickly fell back in my anticipated nearly last position and

started the grind. The five race villages (RV’s) that are placed along the route

give one the false impression of a place where u would chill, shower, have

some nosh and sleep and then get ready to push onto the next phase – almost

like a typical mnt bike stage event. Not true, you can’t hang around too much

as that time is lost and never made up again. At the same time you are aware

that your electronic devices – Garmin, phone, light, iPod, etc have to be

recharged which can also take time. Plug in straight away, eat food and have a

short power nap and then push on – that is the routine you have to fall in

straight away if you stand any chance in conquering this beast. Besides the 5

RV’s you also get two Water Points (WP’s) between each RV, spaced about 60

to 90 km’s apart……….in between that, nothing. Each WP is basically a farming

family that will greet you with 2 Munga banners and a flashing light at night,

offering you food and drink and very good hospitality like only South Africans

can – when you see those 2 banners your spirits immediately lift. SA is in the

midst of a severe drought and there is not much water out in the Karoo at the

moment. Incredible beauty is matched with scary heat and very windy

conditions that at one moment make you feel on top of the world and then 30

minutes later you at an all-time low, with your body struggling to keep going. It

is a big mind game this event, especially when riding solo and not pairing up

with a fellow rider. My all-time low was probably 40 km’s from Fraserburg, a

small town in the middle of nowhere – I was making my way to the town and

the second WP before reaching the next RV at Sutherland. I was totally stuffed,

had nothing left and was starting to fall behind in time in a big way. A massive

head wind was smashing into me ……….I was moving at a crawling pace. I

stopped at the side of the dusty road under the shade of a shrub/tree and lay

on the ground and cried – I was done! I think I sent a garbled what’s up voice

clip to my “supporters group” following me – they were concerned for my

health. They urged me to push on and I got up to get going again………..I

reached Fraserburg and as leaving the cycling Gods looked down on me and

gave me an offering in the form of two fellow riders, Giuseppe and Ryno who

had bunkered down in a room, probably a brothel of sorts in Fraserburg for 5

hours, hiding from the wind. Re-joining the race they ended up right behind

me – I immediately realised if I was going to do this I needed to stay with them

– what nice guys, Giuseppe a 5 time full iron man had the determination to see

this this thru and I locked in on that. We did the sums and figured out we were

going to have to go flat out to WP7 and then non-stop to Wellington if we were

to make it in time – can the human body even do that? As the evening

approached I realised my Lezyne light was empty – I had not plugged it in

properly at the previous RV. Riding between Ryno and Giuseppe I managed to

get thru the night using my helmet light only. The Friday to Monday stretch all

seems light a blur now, I cannot really remember much. I did lose my two

mates leaving Sutherland – I went the wrong way for a few km’s and when

realising it I could not catch up with the other two. The stomach bug then hit

me hard and I had uncontrollable diarrhoea …..I could not drink or eat without

the runs – when coming to the end of my 5 tissues I carried, the wind struck

and blew my last one away. I gave chase but soon realised I would not win this

one, PLUS I had no shorts on and was running on a farmers land with sheep

roaming around – a difficult one to explain away. Local dry grass did the trick

and I resumed my journey which was starting to disintegrate again until I

reached WP9 in the Tankwa where the gods were looking out for me again.

Giuseppe and Ryno were waiting for me and the medics gave me something to

settle my tummy. Both of them were now wearing 2 bibs to help relieve their

sore backsides. Also, two mini Munga organisers from CT, Alan and Angelo

came all the way up to support the CT riders………..made me some food to take

with, gave me a huge hug and I left straight away with Ryno and Giuseppe – it

was time to now push hard. A massive stretch lay ahead to Ceres nearly a

100km’s and along the way we lost Ryno – he was toasted, nose bleed, runny

tummy – his body was shutting down. He collapsed on the side of the road,

with a space blanket on him and told us to push on. Somehow we arrived in

Ceres, RV5 at sunrise…….we rode and rode and rode till we had knocked off

the km’s. Nothing would stop us now. After some barley soup and chicken

pasta from Anwar the chef, and inflating our tires we left for Wellington with

Giuseppe pushing ahead. We were smelling so bad now after not showering

for over 3 days I think our families who were waiting for us would have smelt

us before seeing us arrive it was that bad. And bang, I rolled in around

11:00am, just before the cut off…….quite worrying for my wife, Isabelle and

supporters who were supporting me on. I became a Mungrel……I did it – so

stoked, an incredible high.

 

What would I have done differently & recommend to folk contemplating

taking on the Munga in 2018:

 Go faster from the start……….you can’t afford to fall behind, period

 Do the first two legs back to back (have a short lay over at

VanderKloofDam) and then rest up in properly Britstown. The last two

legs on Saturday (to Sutherland) and Sunday (to Ceres) going thru the

Tankwa are brutal……u need time to manage those

 Try find a partner or group early in the ride that you can hook up with –

it makes a massive difference on so many levels. A backmarker solo

effort is huge

 Bike prep – a good solar charging device or dynamo rear hub. A careful

selection of what light and mapping device you take. Be very familiar

with your device – you must be confident in mapping! Use quality tires,

just put on a new set 2 months before… Top up generously with tire

sealant the week before. I rode on 1.4 rear tire pressure and 1.2 in the

front – since I had no suspension.

 Body prep – get the top of the range Assos bib……..non-negotiable. It’s

R5000 but you have no choice, just do it. Put new anti-bum chaffe on

each day. Use a good pair of cotton socks as your feet will swell, blister

and sweat. Have sleeves, a buff and a jacket as the cold mornings on the

last two legs can takes its toll on you. Temperatures ranged from 3.5

degrees to 51. My no gloves policy sort of back fired on me! Have a

back-up battery operated light, like a small Topeak as well as an on top

of the helmet light. Carry a good power bank storage device. Have a

plug/usb fitting, all ready with separate leads to plug in at the RV’s. Use

the 10 WP’s to also charge up. I would still go with no hydration pack as

to limit the weight on my back, but you have to carry enough water as it

gets really hot out there. Look after your three contact points – hands,

feet and bottom.

 General – be aware of the average speed you need to maintain to reach

your finish target. Have a partner (wife/husband/mate) manage a

“what’s up” supporters group back at home – it is a massive help to have

encouragement plus u can send back feedback – voice and video

clips…..they love it. Jeanie Dreyer did it for her husband, Martin on his

2017 FC record chase and he said it was a great help. Set mini goals

between each WP and RV so as to kill the time……I would stop at each

10km mark on my Garmin when riding solo and celebrate with a small

dance, maybe a nibble and sip of water. Find a cause/charity to ride for

and use that to push yourself beyond your limits. Mine was “McGregor

Young Warriors”………a group of young boys and girls I manage in my

village of McGregor where I live. Take music – I had 2 Ipod shuffles plus

back up on my phone. Be prepared to overcome obstacles without

stressing too much – like getting lost, feeling knackered, no lights or

faulty Garmin device, etc.

 Food – don’t take too many supplements, try eating plain wholesome

food. The WP’s and RV’s give you enough and offer zip lock bags to take

away – leave each RV or WP with food to last 6 hours at least….you get

crazy hungry. Try nibble something on the hour and keep drinking.

Watch the colour of your urine – if too dark you need to drink more.

 Medication – stay awake tablets (regmakers) as the sleep monsters are

waiting for you from day three. Plus I used 4 sachets of BioPlus. Meds for

runny tummy and headaches plus sunscreen. Take two lip balms with

you and re-apply continuously – big help. Small tissue pack for

emergency toilet stops!

 Mini Munga’s – 8 rides ( 2 X 6,8,10,&12 hours) are put on each year in

the lead up and are FREE……..it helps to do them as you get a first-hand

opportunity of mapping

 

Munga is quite an unusual event, unlike anything else out there…………it will

test your resolve. When you arrive in Diemersfontein it will forever change

your life………….you will be a better person for having taken part. Be brave, sign

up. Quoting a very special endurance athlete from the States and current

navy seal & ranger – “you have not lived until you endured pain”. Put

yourself in an uncomfortable position and take part in the Munga

PS Ryno made it as the 81’st and final Munga finisher…………he got up after we

left him and pushed on

 

Also, you want to see how tired u get, have a look at a short video clip of me

rambling on, that I sent back to my supporters group following me at WP8 just

outside Sutherland using the farmers WiFi, it’s on my FB profile….I was stuffed

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope it helps in some small way in

your personal preparation. Feel free to make contact with me as well on any

aspect of the Munga – max@breede.co.za

Inspirational, goosebump stuff!!

 

Great read!

[mrcg]

I have a theory with the bum sores  :oops:slightly off topic...

First, a good overview is here: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-avoid-and-treat-saddle-sores-25103/

 

So, in experimenting and looking for solutions, here is what I do (NOT for everyone):

a. shave - esp. the area of your pressure points (clear ALL hair!)

b. vaseline - works best IMO. the other bum creams just don't do it well enough

c. once there is a skin irritation try rest it - if in the middle of an event, I try to clean the area and use a safety pin to prick the "bump" (NOT for everyone) - IMO this is an "infection area" and I try squeeze the spot to bleed the area. It is sore as hell but after "treatment" I have found it often recovers quickly. Use Dettol or similar to clean area well and put on bum or repair cream overnight. new day: Vaseline.

Haven't tried the two/three bib version, but once there is an irritation, I think it's already too late. So, try to avoid it first with the recommendations in article! Bike fit being most important. I think rather lower your seat a little to avoid sliding and chaffing.

 

Getting ready to commit to 2018 Munga - who else is in??!

[SwissVan]

Inspirational, goosebump stuff!!

 

Great read!

I second that

Thanks for posting that flat29

Edited December 8, 2017 by SwissVan

[Pulse]

he also said he tilted the nose of his saddle down more and more each day which helped

Interesting

[TrailWarrior]

 

I am not MAX copy and paste from dropbox

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q7c2jvjnywnqbzn/AAC8HuOHo94LSsD0KiT1Uxtqa?dl=0

 

The Munga – a backmarker’s perspective by Donald Max Menzies

 

“Looking remarkably fresh in Ceres - 115 hours into Munga …Giuseppe & I”

Sitting in front of my PC two days after finishing 2017’s Munga (I came in third

last in position 79……..hence my title of the article) I have time to reflect on

this amazing adventure that Alex and Erik had given me the privilege of taking

part in. At the same time I realised how unprepared I was for what happened

out in the Karoo. I thought it would really help future prospective Munga

participants to know a little more of this very unusual event, which happens to

have no category status at CSA……go figure.

 

Upfront I must thank Alex & Erik for putting on this special event, especially

Alex as he continuously looked out for me on the route (he rode it this year to

experience it as a rider first hand) and always displayed genuine concern and

interest in how I was doing – At Sutherland, the 5’th and final RV he was

leaving as I arrived and was very clear in the exact time I must leave to push

on…….”7:20am, and no later. Don’t wait till 8:00am” – that gave me exactly 1

hour and 20 minutes rest.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing this! I think a rather good overview here! Awesome! 

[Vetseun]

Liewe Bliksem. I have got serious post Munga blues.

I need to climb on my bike and ride....... for long, very long.

[Vetseun]

.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Vetseun

[eddy]

Liewe Bliksem. I have got serious post Munga blues.

I need to climb on my bike and ride....... for long, very long.

 

We are in Jo'burg. Pop up for the weekend. You could get here tomorrow night have a quick beer and be back in Bloem for work on Monday morning....

[Tim Brink]

.

Like we haven't watched your dot enough...

[Vetseun]

Like we haven't watched your dot enough...

haahaaaa. Sharp Mr Brink. Very sharp

[fanievb]

haahaaaa. Sharp Mr Brink. Very sharp

Hy is net jaloers.

 

 

(ek ook)

[JJS]

Some funny stuff in there - thanks for sharing. Did the red romans steal any hair for a nest?

Heard about a few guys throwing up, do you think that is due to something you ate/drank or just due to fatigue/circumstances?

Haha not that I know of, I was so tired i didn't care!

I think the was a combination of things, too much choc milk in the RV and the heat

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited December 8, 2017 by JJ_S

[Vetseun]

https://m.facebook.com/TheMungaMTB/?__tn__=CH-R

Lekker vid showing a bit of what it was like. 28min long so watch it at work.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Vetseun

[Escapee..]

@ Vetseun

 

If you are ordering a Jones bar, please would you include an order for me?

Can PM further details if possible.  Split the postage.

Thanks

 

Did you okes order this?

 

Would be keen to see what it looks like etc