dawnh100 Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Morning all hubbers.. Need some insight please - can someone give me guidance as to how technical W2W is? We are doing our first Sani2C this year, and looking to do a Joberg2C next year. Having said this - I'm not a rock-garden-down-a-verticle-descent kinda gal and have eaten dirt badly on Meerendal switchbacks before... Modderfontein and Breedts are my "toughest" playgrounds so far. So is the wine-tour GOOD or BAD idea for the price, logistics and experience?
Rapunzel Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 W2W is a magic event - routes, trails, organisation and vibe are fantastic.HoweverIf you're eating dirt on meerendal switchbacks I have to be honest and say you'll be in real trouble if you cannot up your skill level. Not only are you going to be eating dirt at W2W, but you'll be a source of frustration for those who will be stuck behind you. Technical is relative so no answer there is going to be of much assistance. Suggestion: go for a skills session or two with a reputable person and practice what you have learntYou'll need to be able to negotiate some rocks, bridges, tight corners and a substantial portage over Gantouw. While it is a very doable event, you'll enjoy it a whole lot more if you have some skills.Even if you choose other events over Wines, technical skills make mountain biking safer and more enjoyable.
Wannabe Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Majority of the route is not technical at all, with it either being district roads or jeeptracks. There is a smattering of singletrack, and a few sections that could be deemed "technical"If you had trouble coming down the Dorstberg / Meerendal switchbacks, you might struggle with these also, especially when dropping in between the trees down to the Houw Hoek Inn. If you have done the Sani2C and especially the J2C, you might be bitterly disappointed with the W2W.
Dubber Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Once you have done Sani, report back here and let us know how difficult you think the Sani route was (out of 10).We can then give you some idea of where you are, if you are going to struggle etc. But in short, I would say W2W is a little more technical than Sani. So if you rate Sani as a 6, then W2W will probably be a 7 for you. I second Repunzel's post. Do some courses. It will probably be the best money you spend on riding... Especially if you plan is to do J2c - there are a few technical sections in there. (Don't let me put you off J2C - it's the best 9 days on a bike in the country, bar none.)
GLuvsMtb Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Skills training in s a good idea, regardless of how well you currently ride. If you are spending (say) 10 hours a week on the bike, be sure to do at least 1 hour’s skills drills or riding out of your skills comfort zone. Take a few skills lessons and practice the drills. You’ll be amazed at how much time you can make up in the tech sections if you are skilled. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Skubarra Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 If you have done the Sani2C and especially the J2C, you might be bitterly disappointed with the W2W. Not to hijack the thread but what do you mean by this?
CAAD4 Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Once you've done W2W you'll never want to do Sani again. Your own tent for two nights, much prettier scenery, hot shower at the finish, I could go on.
Hackster Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 If you can handle S2C, you'll be fine on W2W. But I second all the comments on skills training, it'll increase your enjoyment. And it won't mean that you're doing scary stuff on the stage races mentioned, simply that you'll be able to ride most of what you encounter without stressing too much.
Wannabe Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Not to hijack the thread but what do you mean by this? Out of my own perspective, the W2W did not live up to what it was billed to be, for me personally that is. I have not done the sani2C, but did the J2C, and it was a lot more than what I expected, even if it was there some long hot days, and a few long wet one's. Overall the experience left me longing for more riding on the last day. Not running the W2W down, but given the choice, I know which one I'll sign up for again.
Skubarra Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Out of my own perspective, the W2W did not live up to what it was billed to be, for me personally that is. I have not done the sani2C, but did the J2C, and it was a lot more than what I expected, even if it was there some long hot days, and a few long wet one's. Overall the experience left me longing for more riding on the last day. Not running the W2W down, but given the choice, I know which one I'll sign up for again. If I have to choose I would probably also opt for Sani but I think some of us Capetonians may be a bit spoiled/harsh on the W2W because we ride similar trails every weekend. Anyway, what the others said - if you can handle S2C you would be able to survive W2W
dev null Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 Majority of the route is not technical at all, with it either being district roads or jeeptracks. There is a smattering of singletrack, and a few sections that could be deemed "technical"If you had trouble coming down the Dorstberg / Meerendal switchbacks, you might struggle with these also, especially when dropping in between the trees down to the Houw Hoek Inn. If you have done the Sani2C and especially the J2C, you might be bitterly disappointed with the W2W. To be honest, I walked most of the big switchbacks/berms there, as did most of the riders around us. No point in chancing a broken collarbone there if you are not confident in doing them on the last day. W2W is not technical, but there are a few places where technical skills makes the ride enjoyable for you and those behind you. W2W has quite a bit of ST, and you will frustrate a lot of riders if you don't have some technical skills.
Fox3 Posted April 30, 2018 Posted April 30, 2018 It isn't technical at all. If you struggle at Meerendal then best to get practice time in first. There are a lot of people that walk a lot of the sections but it is hellavu frustrating for people who want to ride.
arendoog Posted May 1, 2018 Posted May 1, 2018 If you can ride most of the 50km Buffel route at Buffelsdrift and the trailwolf at Wolwespruit in Pretoria you will be able to ride anything .These are excellent places to train your skills .W2W can be a really good experience if you are fit and have above average skills .Sounds like you are scared of switchbacks up and down .Switchbacks are intimidating for even the best riders .You wont be the only one walking them .Find a place and train on them .Watch a You- Tube video !!
Gringo Posted May 23, 2018 Posted May 23, 2018 Hi Guys, So its my first W2W in October. Any recommendations: 1) Accommodation in the area close to the start and afterwards at the finish?2) Bike shuttles down from JHb to CPT (Preferably to the event)? Thanks
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