[Event] Vines and Views MTB Classic 2022

[ChrisF]

BEST wishes to all participants 👍👍

 

BIG thanks to the organisers and farmers 👍

[ChrisF]

What a lovely event 👍😁

 

The ride ....

 

 

The party started early morning at Teubes farm ... still going strong.

 

 

Will upload fotos next week.

 

[Skubarra]

Well done @eddie.lubbe & @Iwan Kemp on another excellent event. It is obvious when a lot of effort goes into organising an event well, which is why I don't mind making the long drive from Cape Town for the weekend.

Again I enjoyed the route (not sure about the last 3km though... But I guess you wanted to create some distance from the last waterpoint). Good combination of climbs (but not too much), jeeptrack (especially the fast downhills) & singletrack.

Didn't stop at the waterpoints (because you kept time, please don't do that again 😛) but the vibe looked great. Hope this event will be a permanent fixture on the calendar. 

[Iwan Kemp]

Admittedly, I play a very small part in all of this. Mostly, mainly the Lutzville Vineyards Hillclimb challenge and the shenanigans around it. It really it a great event with great people. Eddie and his team are legends. 

I shared some images over HERE. 

[ChrisF]

Vines and Views 2022 event report

 

The event was first run in 2021, with understandably low numbers.  Eddie and his team made enough of an impact in 2021 that 2022 was a sold out event.

 

The timed events include:

-           75km MTB

-           55km MTB

-           30km MTB

-           Fun run, walk.

 

The weekend was SO much more than “just” these timed events!!

 

Friday registration was a mini party in its own right.  The braai-packs came with a surprise option … take your pack and braai later, OR, get your prepared meat and salad and simply enjoy the night with friends under the marque tent.  From award winnings wines to decent coffee to cater for one and all.

 

Saturday morning we were met by the best cycling weather.  Thanks to well-placed accommodation I had 5km to warm up the legs to the start line.  Even better, my wife only had to walk 500m to the main spectator point at Teubes.  She was spoilt by our host while I was out having fun.  What an absolute win-win.

 

 

About 150 riders lined up for the 75km ride.  I started at the back and slowly made my way to the front.  Very slowly, as the twee spoor did not allow much space for passing on the steady climb.

 

 

 

After about 2km of climbing we were met with a “narrow step” that had the bunch off their bikes.  One cyclist at a time passed through, then onto the single track.

 

 

 

 

The race started through the “Vines”, by now we starting to enjoy the “Views”.  We were on a plato, but not close enough to the edge to fully enjoy the views.

 

The route briefly joined public roads, then back onto twee-spoor.  The gravel road had just enough of a climb to allow me to make up a lot of positions on the e-bike.  More importantly, it created some nice opportunities to take photos.

 

 

 

At the 10km mark there was a nice little hill to truly warm up the legs!!  Saw the odd walker …

 

 

 

Looking back you realise what a climb it was ....  and what a VIEW !!

 

@Reinet Marais ons mis ons maat .... 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2022 by ChrisF

[ChrisF]

By now the field was properly split.  The racers were out front, way out of sight, and the rest falling back.  Three of us found ourselves somewhere mid-field.  For this stint I rode with a young lady. 

 

 

She was one powerful climber!!  She noted that she is not good at the technical stuff and will be slow in the next section.  Along the one long steady climb she was doing close on 30km/h !! 

 

 

Looking back I saw the other gent falling further and further back.  Heading into the next single track section I fell back a bit; giving her space … she did say she is not strong in these sections.  Uhm jaaaa …. I had to go full taps to catch up again!!  The mix of hard surface and loose sand as we wound blindly through the small bushes was “tricky”. 

 

 

The A-frame resulted an interesting photo ...

 

 

And then a downhill farm road, 56km/h …. She was doing a decent turn of speed, despite her modest comments …. My time in heart rate 4 and 5 confirms just how much effort I had to put in, despite using mid-boost on the ebike ….

 

 

Coming around a blind single track sweeper I saw a rider off track.  I stopped to find out if he was okay. (dankie tog vir die oomblik van rus)  Puncture that the slime would not stop, but without a reamer he could not use his plug.  Sahmurai Sword set to the rescue.  Even N1no would have been proud of the speed with which we got him back on track.  Pity the GoPro timing was out; Johan was flicking some nice tail whips on the humps down the single track!  Me on the e-bike trying my best to hang on …. Ouch, we caught the young lady!  No time to catch my breath…..

 

A short distance later I realised that I got so caught up in the race vibe that I had totally messed up my nutrition strategy!!  This after doing multiple long practice rides to work on my nutrition plan.  I stopped for some nutrition, and used the opportunity to swop the GoPro batteries and the ebike battery….. not to mention, to catch my breath.  Trying to keep up with this lady I managed to stay in heart rate zones 4 and 5, and to deplete the ebike battery in record time.  Murphy, Ooooo Murphy …. barely 1km later was the second water point.  I did not even slow down.  (did not dare to do the next stint with this speed demon….)

 

 

The next section was an interesting mix of single track and eroded farm roads.  Not difficult, but you had to be alert, and on the correct line.  A good couple of long deep SOFT sand sections caused a few interesting moments …. 

 

 

 

 

 

On the following downhill section, these mixed trail conditions resulted in some iffy moments.  On one spot I passed two riders, with the intent to takes some photos from the front, but they were doing a decent turn of speed so I had to give it some stick….. I had barely lined up for the photos when I hit some sharp turns, and then equally sharp turns with soft sand !! 

 

 

 

 

Following them I noticed the one gent would unclip and hang out his inside foot on these turns …. Later learnt from our host this gent is an experienced Epic rider, and a local knowing these trails.  I stayed with them till the next water point, where I had to stop to fill my small bottle.  My heart rate was lower riding with these Epic riders, than with the young lady …..

[ChrisF]

The next section I rode on my own.  Having done most of my training on the road, I enjoyed this fast paced section.  Passing through a greenhouse was interesting, and a nice change of pace. 

 

 

 

I had barely caught up with the “Epic pair” when the GoPro battery died …. I got a few chirps when I stopped to swop this battery.

 

Then it was THEE climb, Skaapkop, the Lutzville hill climb challenge. …. Riders STRAVA data was used to find the fastest climber.  Even though this only applied to those on ordinary bikes, I was looking forward to testing my e-bike up this climb.  We so love to make plans, then life happen. 

 

As I took the turn to the very start of the climb I saw a rider sitting next to the road …. It was immediately clear this guy was in a bad place, where no sportsman ever wants to be …. 

 

 

He was cramping so badly that he could not even stand up!  I saw a backup-bakkie in the distance, and set off to ask them for help.  Nope, they took off in another direction.  Back to the stricken rider.  He just about emptied my water bottle in one go.  We filled his bottle from some spare water in my back-pack.  He started walking up the hill …. I stayed with him for about 1km, at which point he said he feels okay and I should get on with my race.  There was some back-up just up the hill, so I got going.  Turns out he is an experienced rider that have won races in the past.  Just went out too fast, and the day went very bad very quickly.  Stark reminder ….

 

 

 

Had a blast up the second half of this steep hill.  First time the “front” muscles of my upper legs started cramping.  Stretched a bit, and the a quick fill up of my water bottle at the top.

 

 

 

This crew was faster than an F1 pitstop.

 

 

 

Knowing it was 10km to the end, I gave it my all …. O-wait.  By now there were some of the 55km riders on the home stretch.  Interesting trying for a good race time, and getting past casual riders.

 

 

Very happy with my 3:34 moving time for the 75km, even though Racetec has me down for a total time of 3:58.  Sure that extra time is down to helping other riders, and not having to change GoPro and ebike batteries …. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

 

Off to Teubes family farm, the main spectator point, where my wife was waiting.  What a party vibe !!  Even a big screen tv with some people in green shirts watching a sport played with an odd shaped ball … cyclists sitting outside, cheering on their friends.  Worth noting they have the perfect play area for kids, and shaded areas for the parents.  Simply thee best spot for the supporters.

 

Lunch, shower, and then back to the finish at De Keldery.  Yet another BIG party vibe.  After the prize giving this venue emptied quickly.  The party at Teubes kicked into full gear with live singers and carried on deep into the night.

 

Sunday the riders and supporters regrouped at Klawer Wine Cellar.  The picnic basket turned into a big gathering of old and young having a lekka time.  After 12:00 people started heading home.  By 16:00 there were still a good few having a lekka time.

 

 

This was SO much more than “just a ride”.  Truly a full weekend of fun for the whole family.

 

And as I sit here typing this on Sunday night, the weather has turned to a strong wind and hard rain ….  SO thankful for the stunning weekend we had.  Apparently some 55mm of rain overnight (Monday edit).

 

BIG thanks to @eddie.lubbe, @Iwan Kemp and the team for putting this together. 

 

BAIE DANKIE aan al die plaas eienaars wat ons verwelkom op jul plase.

Edited September 5, 2022 by ChrisF

[Breezer]

28 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

By now the field was properly split.  The racers were out front, way out of sight, and the rest falling back.  Three of us found ourselves somewhere mid-field.  For this stint I rode with a young lady. 

 

 

She was one powerful climber!!  She noted that she is not good at the technical stuff and will be slow in the next section.  Along the one long steady climb she was doing close on 30km/h !! 

 

 

Looking back I saw the other gent falling further and further back.  Heading into the next single track section I fell back a bit; giving her space … she did say she is not strong in these sections.  Uhm jaaaa …. I had to go full taps to catch up again!!  The mix of hard surface and loose sand as we wound blindly through the small bushes was “tricky”. 

 

 

The A-frame resulted an interesting photo ...

 

 

And then a downhill farm road, 56km/h …. She was doing a decent turn of speed, despite her modest comments …. My time in heart rate 4 and 5 confirms just how much effort I had to put in, despite using mid-boost on the ebike ….

 

 

Coming around a blind single track sweeper I saw a rider off track.  I stopped to find out if he was okay. (dankie tog vir die oomblik van rus)  Puncture that the slime would not stop, but without a reamer he could not use his plug.  Sahmurai Sword set to the rescue.  Even N1no would have been proud of the speed with which we got him back on track.  Pity the GoPro timing was out; Johan was flicking some nice tail whips on the humps down the single track!  Me on the e-bike trying my best to hang on …. Ouch, we caught the young lady!  No time to catch my breath…..

 

A short distance later I realised that I got so caught up in the race vibe that I had totally messed up my nutrition strategy!!  This after doing multiple long practice rides to work on my nutrition plan.  I stopped for some nutrition, and used the opportunity to swop the GoPro batteries and the ebike battery….. not to mention, to catch my breath.  Trying to keep up with this lady I managed to stay in heart rate zones 4 and 5, and to deplete the ebike battery in record time.  Murphy, Ooooo Murphy …. barely 1km later was the second water point.  I did not even slow down.  (did not dare to do the next stint with this speed demon….)

 

 

The next section was an interesting mix of single track and eroded farm roads.  Not difficult, but you had to be alert, and on the correct line.  A good couple of long deep SOFT sand sections caused a few interesting moments …. 

 

 

 

 

 

On the following downhill section, these mixed trail conditions resulted in some iffy moments.  On one spot I passed two riders, with the intent to takes some photos from the front, but they were doing a decent turn of speed so I had to give it some stick….. I had barely lined up for the photos when I hit some sharp turns, and then equally sharp turns with soft sand !! 

 

 

 

 

Following them I noticed the one gent would unclip and hang out his inside foot on these turns …. Later learnt from our host this gent is an experienced Epic rider, and a local knowing these trails.  I stayed with them till the next water point, where I had to stop to fill my small bottle.  My heart rate was lower riding with these Epic riders, than with the young lady …..

This Is William, the oke in black kit. . He used to be my training and racing partner. He never did the Epic, but he made a lot of Epic riders cry in his life. Give him a bike and tell him to do 200 km and he will ask you how many times. He is a strong rider. The guy with him did the Epic this year. 

Glad you enjoyed the event and our beautiful area. 

And thanks for the great review. 

[Breezer]

Eddie did a great job again. 99% of this event is his work. 

 

Congrats Eddie, stunning event

Edited September 5, 2022 by Breezer

[Iwan Kemp]

6 minutes ago, Breezer said:

Eddie did a great job again. 99% of this event is his work. 

 

Congrats Eddie, stunning event

Maybe more! 

[Scary Rider]

44 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

The next section I rode on my own.  Having done most of my training on the road, I enjoyed this fast paced section.  Passing through a greenhouse was interesting, and a nice change of pace. 

 

 

 

I had barely caught up with the “Epic pair” when the GoPro battery died …. I got a few chirps when I stopped to swop this battery.

 

Then it was THEE climb, Skaapkop, the Lutzville hill climb challenge. …. Riders STRAVA data was used to find the fastest climber.  Even though this only applied to those on ordinary bikes, I was looking forward to testing my e-bike up this climb.  We so love to make plans, then life happen. 

 

As I took the turn to the very start of the climb I saw a rider sitting next to the road …. It was immediately clear this guy was in a bad place, where no sportsman ever wants to be …. 

 

 

He was cramping so badly that he could not even stand up!  I saw a backup-bakkie in the distance, and set off to ask them for help.  Nope, they took off in another direction.  Back to the stricken rider.  He just about emptied my water bottle in one go.  We filled his bottle from some spare water in my back-pack.  He started walking up the hill …. I stayed with him for about 1km, at which point he said he feels okay and I should get on with my race.  There was some back-up just up the hill, so I got going.  Turns out he is an experienced rider that have won races in the past.  Just went out too fast, and the day went very bad very quickly.  Stark reminder ….

 

 

 

Had a blast up the second half of this steep hill.  First time the “front” muscles of my upper legs started cramping.  Stretched a bit, and the a quick fill up of my water bottle at the top.

 

 

 

This crew was faster than an F1 pitstop.

 

 

 

Knowing it was 10km to the end, I gave it my all …. O-wait.  By now there were some of the 55km riders on the home stretch.  Interesting trying for a good race time, and getting past casual riders.

 

 

Very happy with my 3:34 moving time for the 75km, even though Racetec has me down for a total time of 3:58.  Sure that extra time is down to helping other riders, and not having to change GoPro and ebike batteries …. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

 

Off to Teubes family farm, the main spectator point, where my wife was waiting.  What a party vibe !!  Even a big screen tv with some people in green shirts watching a sport played with an odd shaped ball … cyclists sitting outside, cheering on their friends.  Worth noting they have the perfect play area for kids, and shaded areas for the parents.  Simply thee best spot for the supporters.

 

Lunch, shower, and then back to the finish at De Keldery.  Yet another BIG party vibe.  After the prize giving this venue emptied quickly.  The party at Teubes kicked into full gear with live singers and carried on deep into the night.

 

Sunday the riders and supporters regrouped at Klawer Wine Cellar.  The picnic basket turned into a big gathering of old and young having a lekka time.  After 12:00 people started heading home.  By 16:00 there were still a good few having a lekka time.

 

 

This was SO much more than “just a ride”.  Truly a full weekend of fun for the whole family.

 

And as I sit here typing this on Sunday night, the weather has turned to a strong wind and hard rain ….  SO thankful for the stunning weekend we had.  Apparently some 55mm of rain overnight (Monday edit).

 

BIG thanks to @eddie.lubbe, @Iwan Kemp and the team for putting this together. 

 

BAIE DANKIE aan al die plaas eienaars wat ons verwelkom op jul plase.

Julle het 'n jol gehad!! Baie dankie vir 'n super race report💪

[ChrisF]

22 minutes ago, Breezer said:

This Is William, the oke in black kit. . He used to be my training and racing partner. He never did the Epic, but he made a lot of Epic riders cry in his life. Give him a bike and tell him to do 200 km and he will ask you how many times. He is a strong rider. The guy with him did the Epic this year. 

Glad you enjoyed the event and our beautiful area. 

And thanks for the great review. 

 

Aaaah, dankie.

 

Tannie Ella het gesê die een in die wit hemp het die Epic gedoen.

 

William was nie lus dat n ebike verby kom nie 🤪

 

Moes n paar keer vra of net gou voor kan kom om n foto te neem ...

 

 

Daai drop aan die einde was hairy .... toe ons volspoed daar afkom is daar n STADIGE ryer in die middel van die drop !!  Ons is weerskante van hom verby ....

 

 

Nee kyk, William KAN daai fiets hanteer 👍

[ChrisF]

We passed these areas shortly after sunrise, with the flowers only starting to open.  It must have been a lovely view for the later groups.