The Munga

[SSCC]

An observation about this event. Every year there are the racers that are trying to go sub 3 days or 72hrs or less. On average, over the 10 years, you would need to be in the top 10 to achieve this. On paper that does not look that hard. 375km per 24hrs. In reality it’s very very hard to do. This year seems to be no exception. 

Congratulations to everyone that finished. 

[madmarc]

2 hours ago, Shebeen said:

I don't think so. This is what it says in the latest edition of "the Rules" (posted jan 2023). Tough timing for Drikus, but that is life

 

 

but going back to the BTC comment, how did that one work out?

Doing some quick sums on what the internet says about it after the fact. The 2019 winners (all three categories) got 0.25BTC. (I think because they get a 50% share of a 3rd of a 1.5BTC, weird maths description). SO, if they kept this then their 2019 prize is now worth R1.7m

Assuming it was actual BTC. it was "held in an account", so not sure if anyone still has their money in that account.

 

 

Ye that why i asked because those that hodled their prize would be smiling today

But no Prize money this year ! thats crazy, but shows the level of participants - They not in it for the prize money its more about the glory which is great.

I remember going to the original launch event of Munga where the prize money was $ 1.0 mill - Well that went south very quickly to $ 0 today 

[Mamil]

3 hours ago, lechatnoir said:

An early start allowed me to head to Doolhof to meet @Mamil at the finish.

What a thing to witness! A truly awesome gees from all at the venue. The first few finishers after 6am were a bit sketchy. Others were far more adventurous, showing some nifty skills on the wet grass.

@Mamil did an awesome job and it was so lekker to soak in the vibes from all there. 

Well done to all that lined up in Bloem and super-kudos to all that made it to Doolhof - you are all legends!!!

We're trying to convince @Mamil to enter something new as this dot-watching fever has us gripped in its talons!

I see early bird entries for 2025 are open at a discount. I shall not be entering.

I would thoroughly recommend those early birds to anyone wanting to stretch themselves. The route is a masterpiece of beauty, and its more or less explicit aim is to take you on a journey, both internal and external. It's profound, intensely emotional, and deeply rewarding.

I may well do it again but not next year for sure.

Thanks @gemmerbalfor the support, maybe we'll navigate a razzle dazzle together on some future Munga.

And @lechatnoir, so great you made the trip to Doolhof to meet me. That you were dotwatching made a difference to what it was like.

My ass is so sore -  there have been some interesting self examinations going on here behind closed doors at mamil center - hand mirrors seem to be a thing of the past - my mother and grandmother both had them - we don't. I'm too stiff to see my derriere in a normal mirror so it seems the selfie camera is the new hand mirror .... 

 

[lechatnoir]

2 hours ago, Mamil said:

My ass is so sore -  there have been some interesting self examinations going on here behind closed doors at mamil center - hand mirrors seem to be a thing of the past - my mother and grandmother both had them - we don't. I'm too stiff to see my derriere in a normal mirror so it seems the selfie camera is the new hand mirror .... 

 

Well, if you're using the selfie camera, and start getting likes, it's because you're streaming live on Facebook...

[Jensie]

Big Respect to all that finished.
I think the wind is making it the worst and messes with your head.. I heard that it was like a 800km headwind and then some side winds...

Kudos

[hboli4]

It was very tough. Must say the 1st 30hrs or so with the wind and corrugations was the toughest I've experienced on the bike. Had lots of temp fluctuations as well - dropped to 2 degrees between Britstown & Loxton and was 34 degrees when going into Tankwa - this was at 7 in the evening.

And then the wind from hell blew through the Tankwa that night. Was moving at 6km/h on the flats. Lay on the floor at Da Doer padstal for about 6 hours before setting out into the wind again.

That stretch from Tankwa Padstal to Matroosberg was also a killer and I had a good walk up Bloubank.

Got in in about 103hrs Sunday night. Very tired and very sore.

@Mamil - didn't know it was you we did the Loxton razzle with...Well done on the finish!

[Mamil]

My very long winded race report on the Munga is on my patchwork mamil blog 

The Munga is more than a bike race. To me it seems a container for a spiritual journey. The route is explicitly designed to take a rider on an inner sojourn as well as an outer pilgrimage across the most beautiful, harsh and ancient places of our land. The race is unbelievably hard. There is nowhere to hide. The prevailing wind is a head or or cross-headwind. The first 400 kilometers to Britstown were into the teeth of this headwind.…

https://mamil.co.za/the-munga-2024-ride-report/ 

for the rest.

Please feel free to slag me off here or in the comments on the blog. 

 

 

 

[SSCC]

14 hours ago, Mamil said:

My very long winded race report on the Munga is on my patchwork mamil blog 

The Munga is more than a bike race. To me it seems a container for a spiritual journey. The route is explicitly designed to take a rider on an inner sojourn as well as an outer pilgrimage across the most beautiful, harsh and ancient places of our land. The race is unbelievably hard. There is nowhere to hide. The prevailing wind is a head or or cross-headwind. The first 400 kilometers to Britstown were into the teeth of this headwind.…

https://mamil.co.za/the-munga-2024-ride-report/ 

for the rest.

Please feel free to slag me off here or in the comments on the blog. 

 

 

 

Great stuff. I think you captured it perfectly. You know you have done this race properly if it lives on in you as one of life's most treasured memories.

Yes the prep for it can be all consuming but it can be done on a lowish amount of cycle training if you do lots of mental training. I did it on less than 10hrs a week of riding and just missed my sub 3 day target by a few hours. IMO the mental prep is just as important as the bike training. 

[Underachiever]

15 hours ago, Mamil said:

My very long winded race report on the Munga is on my patchwork mamil blog 

The Munga is more than a bike race. To me it seems a container for a spiritual journey. The route is explicitly designed to take a rider on an inner sojourn as well as an outer pilgrimage across the most beautiful, harsh and ancient places of our land. The race is unbelievably hard. There is nowhere to hide. The prevailing wind is a head or or cross-headwind. The first 400 kilometers to Britstown were into the teeth of this headwind.…

https://mamil.co.za/the-munga-2024-ride-report/ 

for the rest.

Please feel free to slag me off here or in the comments on the blog. 

 

 

 

Superb write-up!!!

 

 

 

[Rowl]

50 minutes ago, Underachiever said:

Superb write-up!!!

 

 

 

This, thanks for sharing @Mamil!

[nathrix]

 

[Robbie Stewart]

On 12/14/2024 at 4:24 PM, nathrix said:

 

I'm watching this now, and I have a new found respect for anyone who started and pushed through their limits to do this event. I'm motivated to give it a go at some point. 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

1 hour ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I'm watching this now, and I have a new found respect for anyone who started and pushed through their limits to do this event. I'm motivated to give it a go at some point. 

It had exactly the opposite effect on me 😇

You have to live a bit in the Karoo to appreciate how brutal the wind and heat can be.

Hats off to everyone that stands on the start line 

[Mamil]

Having complained bitterly about the snoring of my fellow riders the only Muppet whose snork makes it into this excellent munga movie is mine.

Sometimes life is cruel

[W Smith]

29 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Having complained bitterly about the snoring of my fellow riders the only Muppet whose snork makes it into this excellent munga movie is mine.

Sometimes life is cruel

I saw that .