[Event] Stellenbosch Mountain Bike Challenge

[LeoKnight]

notice posted

[Jaco-fiets]

Was so glad it was a easy ride. My fitness would not have made a technical 50km. They succeeded 100% in their aim for this race in my opinion. It was the perfect progression to longer routes for peeps coming from the shorter distances. Spier was a great venue as well

[thisismyotherbike]

Really pretty ride in lovely countryside. Nice not to be wrestling with a technical trail that some b@stard has pit together to try kill Mamils.

 

Plus felt like a proper cyclist overtaking tons of 22k route guys. Ok most of them were 8 years old but mamils have to get our racing kicks from somewhere.

 

Good clean fun... looking forward to the event growing into the new venue. Spier security felt a bit like a private army but ...

 

Their sole purpose was to (aggressively) keep you from taking your bike into the picnic area, so that your bike could get nicked outside of the picnic area.

 

Other than the parking mess and the unpleasantness of hearing bikes were stolen, we had a tremendous blast.  The sand was difficult, but I have zero experience with sand and will endeavour to do better next time.  Excellent and really beautiful route.

 

Bring on a longer and more challenging option at next year's edition.

[Rouxenator]

I feel like a bit of a têt kop.

 

When I arrived there before the race I rode over the foot bridge along with a few other guys. Afterwards I headed back their and the security told me I had to go around the car park. Having explained to him that I have to ride to Stellenbosch and I am not going via Anandale rode he said "No, you just go via the car park". Still not understanding him I replied that it is much further. He then replied and said it's only a few meters up to the vehicle bridge.

Then the penny dropped - I remember that bridge from when I was a kid. Felt like such an idiot and apologized and thanked him for the directions. 

 

If only he said vehicle bridge at the start I would have not wasted so much time. 

[dev null]

Their sole purpose was to (aggressively) keep you from taking your bike into the picnic area, so that your bike could get nicked outside of the picnic area.

 

Other than the parking mess and the unpleasantness of hearing bikes were stolen, we had a tremendous blast.  The sand was difficult, but I have zero experience with sand and will endeavour to do better next time.  Excellent and really beautiful route.

 

Bring on a longer and more challenging option at next year's edition.

 

We wanted to have a chow at the venue, but when they said we could not bring our bikes with us, I said chuck this, I am not leaving my bike out of my sight, not even in their secure bike park. So we picked up chow on the way back home.

[Mamil]

Four things i know about sand

 

1. Be in a gear that allows consistent torquey pedalling

2. Put all the weight on the back wheel and give the front permission to follow its own lead. Only gentle guidance

3. Line choice is key

4. I hate sand.

[JacBrand]

Four things i know about sand

 

1. Be in a gear that allows consistent torquey pedalling

2. Put all the weight on the back wheel and give the front permission to follow its own lead. Only gentle guidance

3. Line choice is key

4. I hate sand.

5. Lock rear shock (if riding a duel suspension bike)

[dev null]

5. Lock rear shock (if riding a duel suspension bike)

 

Did not know of this one. Knew all the others, but still it was hard.

[Rouxenator]

That will definitely help. On a hard tail I bounce on the seat with each pedal stroke to increase traction while keeping the rest of my body as low as possible to lower center of gravity. You then get this feeling like you are swimming through the sand. I love it. 

[matthieup]

That will definitely help. On a hard tail I bounce on the seat with each pedal stroke to increase traction while keeping the rest of my body as low as possible to lower center of gravity. You then get this feeling like you are swimming through the sand. I love it.

Legs are burning though...

 

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Rouxenator]

True, as with swimming... but on a bike... in sand... 

 

You know the more I think about it the more I liked it. My first was the 42k in 2011 and the year after that it was the 60k and then some 75k ones. Always enjoyed it - each and everyone. This 50K was so different, hard to describe it, it was quicker yet still a challenge. 

 

Have to say, whatever next year delivers, it sure would be interesting. 

[wolf182]

As most have pointed out, parking was a bit challenging but we got there early and settled in with ample time.

 

Not a single toilet on the 50k route, is this normal for Dirtopia events ? Yes we in nature and all but ... not a single loo.

I generally don't stop or eat much at water points, but they were a bit 'weak' for lack of better word.

I can say with certainty, i surely did not see an bread as advertised.

 

 

[SeaBee]

Sorry, but I had a jol, stopped everywhere.

 

There were unadvertised wine at the second stop as well... and banana bread. Trust me, I had some. It was good.

Also coke, water, powerade, jelly sweets, peanuts & raisins, fruit, squirt...  what more is required? Oh, and chocolate at (at least) one point.

Edited August 1, 2018 by SeaBee

[Grease_Monkey]

As most have pointed out, parking was a bit challenging but we got there early and settled in with ample time.

 

Not a single toilet on the 50k route, is this normal for Dirtopia events ? Yes we in nature and all but ... not a single loo.

I generally don't stop or eat much at water points, but they were a bit 'weak' for lack of better word.

I can say with certainty, i surely did not see an bread as advertised.

Toilet on a mtb route? Never seen it at any race.

[LeoKnight]

As most have pointed out, parking was a bit challenging but we got there early and settled in with ample time.

 

Not a single toilet on the 50k route, is this normal for Dirtopia events ? Yes we in nature and all but ... not a single loo.

I generally don't stop or eat much at water points, but they were a bit 'weak' for lack of better word.

I can say with certainty, i surely did not see an bread as advertised.

 

Very few of the MTB races actually have portable loos now I think about it, but about the stops I can also attest that they were stocked, but maybe it was soooo good that the first bunches took more than they should.

[thisismyotherbike]

As most have pointed out, parking was a bit challenging but we got there early and settled in with ample time.

 

Not a single toilet on the 50k route, is this normal for Dirtopia events ? Yes we in nature and all but ... not a single loo.

I generally don't stop or eat much at water points, but they were a bit 'weak' for lack of better word.

I can say with certainty, i surely did not see an bread as advertised.

 

Possibly because I ate yours before you got there!

 

I found the water points to be very well stocked and manned for an event of this size.  The oranges and banana bread were delicious.

 

I didn't need the toilet and neither did my wife so didn't actually notice that issue.  I do usually carry some "white gold" on me just in case I need to go in nature.