[Event] 2023 Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge

[DieselnDust]

2 hours ago, milky4130 said:

I reckon you need to leave at least 30-60sec gap from the rider ahead of you.

But then you'll miss the butt knyping  over-the-edge moments

[Bub Marley]

On 1/29/2023 at 8:41 PM, Morne Veer said:

 

This descent looks absolutely amazing. I would love to take that on but I’m also frightened just watching that.

 

And the rocky part after that descent. Not sure my skill level on a hardtail is up to that. Definitely on the list for the future though when I’m ready.

[babse]

2 hours ago, Bub Marley said:

This descent looks absolutely amazing. I would love to take that on but I’m also frightened just watching that.

 

And the rocky part after that descent. Not sure my skill level on a hardtail is up to that. Definitely on the list for the future though when I’m ready.

Yeah i recon that super descend will sap you down so hard that the it will make the next climb to the top of golden mile even so much harder than it normally is... 

I popped a gel just thinking about it now ☠️

[milky4130]

On 1/31/2023 at 12:27 PM, babse said:

Yeah i recon that super descend will sap you down so hard that the it will make the next climb to the top of golden mile even so much harder than it normally is... 

I popped a gel just thinking about it now ☠️

Does that mean I'll be seeing you on the line on Saturday?

[babse]

3 hours ago, milky4130 said:

Does that mean I'll be seeing you on the line on Saturday?

Fortunatley not 😄

Race entry budget has been spent elsewhere this time around.

 

Have fun!

[milky4130]

3 hours ago, babse said:

Fortunatley not 😄

Race entry budget has been spent elsewhere this time around.

 

Have fun!

disappointing, I always thought you were up for a challenge.

[mrcg]

Pulled the trigger. Despite poor fitness and only about 3 rides this year, and too few last few months. But after watching the videos, the trails just look too awesome. Will slowly creep up the hills, then blast, hoot and holler the descents 👇👍

See you at the start line Milky. Try keep up lol

[Morne Veer]

Will see you okes at the start line with my 32T chainring and strapped-up lower back.  What is the cut off time again ??

[ChrisF]

5 hours ago, Morne Veer said:

Will see you okes at the start line with my 32T chainring and strapped-up lower back.  What is the cut off time again ??

 

Ek het al saam met jou geklim na die mas toe ... as JY sukkel gaan n hele paar ryers "af-tjop" .... 

 

 

ENJOY 

[milky4130]

8 hours ago, mrcg said:

Pulled the trigger. Despite poor fitness and only about 3 rides this year, and too few last few months. But after watching the videos, the trails just look too awesome. Will slowly creep up the hills, then blast, hoot and holler the descents 👇👍

See you at the start line Milky. Try keep up lol

just go and have fun, dont try race it and you'll have a blast!

[StokedAboutSpokes]

Does anyone have the latest elevation profile? Route seems to have changed slightly. 

[Morne Veer]

1 hour ago, StokedAboutSpokes said:

Does anyone have the latest elevation profile? Route seems to have changed slightly. 

Not the actual profile, but image taken from route recce a few weeks ago.....

 

[milky4130]

5 hours ago, StokedAboutSpokes said:

Does anyone have the latest elevation profile? Route seems to have changed slightly. 

[Morne Veer]

Well then....that did not quite go according to plan ......

Did the required pre race social media post, and tagged the mates, in great anticipation of what lied ahead.....only to wake up during Friday evening, with severe stomach cramps, shortly followed by the trots !  This continued into the early hours of the morning, and when the alarm went off at 4h15, and I walked into the kitchen with zero appetite, looking into the spare room where kit and bike goodies was all stacked out for ease and comfort, I already knew the inevitable.  I've been on a bike before with diarhhea, and told myself never again !  To remotely consider the idea of taking on perhaps the toughest marathon event in the country, in adverse weather conditions, in an already dehydrated state, was simply looking for trouble.

So, there I went on my way to Wellington, this time around as supporter as my son was super excited for his first go at the event, and I had a bunch of mates due to take part as well. Thankfully I took my running shoes along as boy did I have to run around from the viewing point to the mobile toilet (I do hope they discard of that unit permanently).

Having done three (or was it now four 🤷‍♂️) Imbuko's before, I knew just how deep the okes will have to dig out there, made all the tougher with the heat and extreme wind up in the mountains, so I gave it my best at Waterpoint 2 & 4 to encourage them (which was basically shouting on / at them and making sarcastic comments about how fresh they looked 🤥).  From there I made my way back to the finish area, and did my best to capture their facial expressions as they crossed the line, knowing that the ordeal is now over ....for at least another year that is. The okes all finished strong and chuckled their way to the shade, as they started sharing some war-stories of where they attacked, cramped, cursed, and considered taking short cuts back to the main road home.  A quick chow from the lekker variety on offer, cold refresher in the other hand, the guys soon started talking about the next challenge......tipies !!  

Although I obviously did not cross the finish line, heck, I did not even cross the start line, I can surely attest to the stature this event holds among the harde-baarde for being one of the toughest, for some the toughest, marathon event out there.  I applaud each person who ticked that box yesterday and had the privilege of one of the friendly ladies at the finish line, place an iced cloth on their necks,  whilst handing them a finishers-medal which most surely should not be thrown in a drawer, on the contrary !  (Forgive me for the shout out to my 18 year old, the youngest competitor, who rolled home in 28th place among the men of the day)

Gravel Travel just know how to host an event of this nature and they must be applauded for how smooth the event runs each year. The special vibe they manage to create leading up to the event, and on event day itself, is quite unique. If you like a challenge, and want to do something very special, you have 364 days to train for it......just look after your bowels boys and girls....no amount of Imodiums will help on that miserable morning !! 

Edited February 19, 2023 by Morne Veer
spelling error

[ChrisF]

On 2/19/2023 at 8:40 AM, Morne Veer said:

Well then....that did not quite go according to plan ......

Did the required pre race social media post, and tagged the mates, in great anticipation of what lied ahead.....only to wake up during Friday evening, with severe stomach cramps, shortly followed by the trots !  This continued into the early hours of the morning, and when the alarm went off at 4h15, and I walked into the kitchen with zero appetite, looking into the spare room where kit and bike goodies was all stacked out for ease and comfort, I already knew the inevitable.  I've been on a bike before with diarhhea, and told myself never again !  To remotely consider the idea of taking on perhaps the toughest marathon event in the country, in adverse weather conditions, in an already dehydrated state, was simply looking for trouble.

So, there I went on my way to Wellington, this time around as supporter as my son was super excited for his first go at the event, and I had a bunch of mates due to take part as well. Thankfully I took my running shoes along as boy did I have to run around from the viewing point to the mobile toilet (I do hope they discard of that unit permanently).

Having done three (or was it now four 🤷‍♂️) Imbuko's before, I knew just how deep the okes will have to dig out there, made all the tougher with the heat and extreme wind up in the mountains, so I gave it my best at Waterpoint 2 & 4 to encourage them (which was basically shouting on / at them and making sarcastic comments about how fresh they looked 🤥).  From there I made my way back to the finish area, and did my best to capture their facial expressions as they crossed the line, knowing that the ordeal is now over ....for at least another year that is. The okes all finished strong and chuckled their way to the shade, as they started sharing some war-stories of where they attacked, cramped, cursed, and considered taking short cuts back to the main road home.  A quick chow from the lekker variety on offer, cold refresher in the other hand, the guys soon started talking about the next challenge......tipies !!  

Although I obviously did not cross the finish line, heck, I did not even cross the start line, I can surely attest to the stature this event holds among the harde-baarde for being one of the toughest, for some the toughest, marathon event out there.  I applaud each person who ticked that box yesterday and had the privilege of one of the friendly ladies at the finish line, place an iced cloth on their necks,  whilst handing them a finishers-medal which most surely should not be thrown in a drawer, on the contrary !  (Forgive me for the shout out to my 18 year old, the youngest competitor, who rolled home in 28th place among the men of the day)

Gravel Travel just know how to host an event of this nature and they must be applauded for how smooth the event runs each year. The special vibe they manage to create leading up to the event, and on event day itself, is quite unique. If you like a challenge, and want to do something very special, you have 364 days to train for it......just look after your bowels boys and girls....no amount of Imodiums will help on that miserable morning !! 

 

How did your son do ?

 

He has the makings of a serious rider in a few years 👍

Edited February 20, 2023 by ChrisF

[Morne Veer]

Some high quality (in more ways than one) images, compliments of race organisers, Gravel Travel - see the following links : 

https://we.tl/t-bqFYBCHQQ4

https://we.tl/t-S6DrbzsxUv