Enduro WC

[Mike Mac]

I am considering entering the Enduro WC event coming up at the end of Nov and need opinions on if it is a *** idea or not ? 

I am wondering 1) will I die and 2) will I interfere/ mess with other peoples races (if I don’t die) and take it slow and safe? 
 

Never having done (or watched) an enduro event I am curious how difficult the runs are and if one with limited skills can negotiate the runs and if they have b lines etc. 

Edited November 15, 2021 by Mike Mac

[BaGearA]

No to both , start firther back and tell the rider that will be next after you to give you about 35 sec and you'll be fine.

 

 

Ride within yourself and try to ride out most of the climbs , walking up kills your legs 

 

 

And you find out about 10sec into stage one that really need some level of fitness for enduro 

[Grease_Monkey]

Enter. 
 

Hoogekraal is a great place for a first time enduro. The trails are not crazy, so you won’t die. At the start of a stage just tell the guy behind you to give you a good gap, and if you do hear someone coming up behind you just let them pass when it is safe. 
 

You’ll find the vibe at enduros is very chilled…

Enjoy it.

[Robbie Stewart]

I was as ready as I would probably ever be to do the enduro this year, and then I went and sidelined myself. Ah well, there's always next year. To the OP, Hoogekraal is not a difficult trail, but still, you can get caught out if you're not awake behind the bars.

Perhaps go and do a scout ride before the event and suss out the terrain and get familiarised with the obstacles. Remember to pack your climbing legs, you will need them. Most of the really gnarly bits usually get b-lined anyway so you should be fine - not that Hoogekraal has much, if any, of those.

The only point of contention might be the rock slab at the bottom of Cobra. As you will see in another thread (Tygerberg MTB Trails) its not inherently difficult, but folks still get caught out there all the time. If you feel uncomfortable, dismount and walk it rather.

But MOST importantly, remember to have a blast.

Edited November 16, 2021 by Robbie Stewart

[StevieG]

I can't speak for any of the Cape Enduros, but it's an absolute blast. Fitness is essential, so some cross training is probably a good idea to get you ready for it. Being fatigued at the top of your run isn't going to help you on the way down. Arm pump can wear you out pretty quickly. The races we have here in KZN have all had B-lines, but you should at least be prepared for drops and rock gardens, as sometimes those you won't get away from. Good luck! It's a crazy fun sport, and way more sociable than a local XC race.

[Mike Mac]

Sound advise above. Thank you. 
 

I have ridden Hoogekraal (once) and I have ridden Cobra (blind). Not knowing the reputation of the infamous rock slab, I just rode Cobra and had no issues. Now that I have read the above (and the other thread)  the mind will probably start playing games and make things more tricky than they need to be ????.

I think another visit is in order before I enter.????
 

I have just ridden W2W, so the fitness level is not too bad. How does the enduro fitness requirements compare to a stage of W2W? 

 

 

Edited November 16, 2021 by Mike Mac

[LazyTrailRider]

6 minutes ago, Mike Mac said:

How does the enduro fitness requirements compare to a stage of W2W? 

You'll be absolutely fine. In fact, you'll likely be quite a bit fitter than many people on the day (me included)...

[Robbie Stewart]

11 minutes ago, Mike Mac said:

Sound advise above. Thank you. 
 

I have ridden Hoogekraal (once) and I have ridden Cobra (blind). Not knowing the reputation of the infamous rock slab, I just rode Cobra and had no issues. Now that I have read the above (and the other thread)  the mind will probably start playing games and make things more tricky than they need to be ????.

I think another visit is in order before I enter.????
 

I have just ridden W2W, so the fitness level is not too bad. How does the enduro fitness requirements compare to a stage of W2W? 

 

 

Having ridden Cobra, go and session the slab at the bottom. As mentioned in the other thread, the safe line is high and to the left. 

As for fitness. Think short climbs and fast(ish) descents. You will likely find the downs strike more matches than the ups, and its for that reason you need to be alert. Don't let fatigue and arm-pump chuck you, as it can happen.

Edited November 16, 2021 by Robbie Stewart

[Jewbacca]

Way too much over thinking... 

Enter, rock up, ride and enjoy.

Smooth is fast, fast is not always faster.

You're probably not going to trouble the top of the leaderboard, so just come, smile, be rad and see that the enduro crowd are just the same as any other cycling crowd. 

I will be doing the timing on one of the stages. See you there

[Mike Mac]

Thanks for all the comments.

Besides Cobra, which are the other sections that would most likely be used for the enduro stages?

M

 

[Jbr]

I'd assume main DH, Patrick Psycho plunge, Trail Z, pretty much all the known downhills with a little bit of  ajustements for the day, last year they added a few grassy-flat corners to the main DH.

[Mike Mac]

 

17 minutes ago, Jbr said:

I'd assume main DH, Patrick Psycho plunge, Trail Z, pretty much all the known downhills with a little bit of  ajustements for the day, last year they added a few grassy-flat corners to the main DH.

I am not sure if I am in the right place, but Trailforks doesn’t seem to list any of those sections you mentioned (wondering if I even rode the right Cobra ????). 
 

Is there another map of the area that shows where the sections you mentioned are? 

Edited November 16, 2021 by Mike Mac

[Jbr]

The cobra is marked properly, although only the left part is the downhill, the right part is the uphill. Then at the right of the cobra you have what I call Trail Z because for me Verg......jfdkojdsfljgkljsdgfds trail I can't even read so definitely can't write it or say it.

[Robbie Stewart]

@Jbr Trail Z - Welvergenoegd can be directly translated to "Well far enough" and by the time you turn at Patrick's Psycho Plunge you have gone well, far enough ????

[Vaalhaai]

Also thinking of giving it a go. Any compulsory safety gear needed?

[Mike Mac]

2 hours ago, Jbr said:

The cobra is marked properly, although only the left part is the downhill, the right part is the uphill. Then at the right of the cobra you have what I call Trail Z because for me Verg......jfdkojdsfljgkljsdgfds trail I can't even read so definitely can't write it or say it.

Thanks a mil for that. It is much appreciated.