Val de Vie MTB Expedition - feedback?

[Mattman]

I am thinking about entering for the Val de Vie MTB Expedition (sponsored by Shesha Fuels) in 2023 as an alternative to Wine 2 Whales. I have heard that the riding and views are great, its half the price of W2W, and allows single entries (so no worrying about partner pulling out). Seems like a good option - anyone ridden it and can give feedback or a review? Is it well organised? 

(By the way, could only find a thread on the 2021 cancelled edition) 

[Jbr]

it's nice, wait till closer to the event so you don't get the 200 emails per week leading to the event

[Mike Nel]

A friend of mine rode both events this year.

He says Sesha Fuels was a lot tougher than W2W. 
Day 1 was a prologue of 25kms. Days 2 and 3, 80kms and 2000m worth of climbing. 
The event is smaller than W2W which interests me. But hell, I would need to get seriously fit before I tackle it. The upside being that you would be super fit for W2W if you do enter that as well.

Thinking of entering both next year. Bring it on

Edited November 26, 2022 by Mike Nel

[Mattman]

37 minutes ago, Mike Nel said:

A friend of mine rode both events this year.

He says Sesha Fuels was a lot tougher than W2W. 
Day 1 was a prologue of 25kms. Days 2 and 3, 80kms and 2000m worth of climbing. 
The event is smaller than W2W which interests me. But hell, I would need to get seriously fit before I tackle it. The upside being that you would be super fit for W2W if you do enter that as well.

Thinking of entering both next year. Bring it on

I have heard that the climbing and riding on Shesha is slightly less technical compared to W2W though? More jeep track. If that’s true probably just more general fitness needed. 
great idea to do both - not sure of dates but if they happen close to each other then us JHB okes can just do 1 trip which makes it very appealing. 

[Jbr]

Not much that's technical at Val de Vie, but an over all great adventure, stage 2 and especially stage 3 routes are fantastic.

The prologue not so much, the climb had very sandy sections, and a very rocky downhill road so nothing interesting, quite dodgy, and it's a TT so pretty much an all out hour leading into the next two 3/4 hour rides 😅

Let's say I wasn't feeling very proud on stage 2 after the TT 😭

Edited November 26, 2022 by Jbr