knysna 50km mtb

[dirtcrazy]

hi all,, i`m doing the 50km knysna - this would be my longest mtb race. how tough is it really? u guys have more info about this race,,, please??

[Gobi]

hi, not really at all, a killer of a hill in the first 5km but its tar. Nothing to hectic after that.

 

 

[dirtcrazy]

hi Gobi - any singletrack? glad to hear that first one is tar!!!!!

[felt cg]

The tar hill 2/3km from the start is tough,two short steep climbs in the first 3rd of the ride,the rest is fine.Just watch the last section of single track through the roots, before the suburbs start.The spectators are hoping you will fall. Really enjoyable ride.

[Gobi]

I think there is a little maybe 1km's worth on the the way back along the ridge about 8 km's from the finish. I dont think there is any more that that.

[dirtcrazy]

hi felt,,, ja i`m not all that fit yet, only started riding beginning of this year.  I bought a new bike about 2weeks ago (trance X2 Giant) -- hope the bike will help . It would have been nice if they had a 35km and then 50 -80.

[Serendipity]

The first hill up Simola is tough on cold legs but make friends with your Granny gear and just slog it out to the top. The rest is pretty easy going with a few short, sharp climbs and one longish one before you cross the N2. There is also a section of single track here that is fun to ride and not technical at all.

 

 

 

After you cross the N2 there are a few testing hills with really nice downhills on the other side.

 

 

 

This comes late in the race so it will test you. At the end is a pretty technical downhill with roots and a few small drops. If you are not confident or technically gifted don't try to ride it - most people just walk it down.

 

 

 

Overall it is a great race.

[Ratty]

have u done any other MTB races?

I find Knysna a fairly easy one, no major hills that are difficult to ride up, so even though its 50km's, its less taxing on the body than some of the 30km ones. 

I'm doing it this year with a bunch of mates.  None of us are fit so we are just going to chill near the back and take it easy.  I can't wait.

 

Hope you enjoy it! 

[dirtcrazy]

hi Ratty, ja i have done a couple of them, but the 50km would now be my longest. I do battle at the begining of races, but as race progress i do get stronger... I`m not al that experienced yet, but i`m not scared, but if need be i`ll get off and maar walk down! How many hours do we have to finish?

[Ratty]

You have plenty of time to finish it.  My mates took 4 1/2 hours last year and there were quite a few people who finished behind them.  2 of the guys had only done a maximum ride length of 30km's before the race and they did fine.

 

The only technical section is the bit at the end.  Even if you want to try ride it, its almost impossible as most people get off and walk.

 

Just remember to take some energy bars etc along so that you don't run out of fuel half way through.

 

 

[Slowbee]

i the first hill as bad as the first one at karoo to coast?

 

I am doing the 80km route and then the road bike ride the next day.

 

 

[dirtcrazy]

hi - thx for all the info, really appreciate it!  We will have to wait and see, hope its not gonna rain!!!! . I don`t care how long it takes - just really want to finish.  - . Hope you guys have lots of fun!!!!

[Slowbee]

 

hi - thx for all the info' date=' really appreciate it!  We will have to wait and see, hope its not gonna rain!!!! . I don`t care how long it takes - just really want to finish.  - . Hope you guys have lots of fun!!!![/quote']

 

 

AWESOME attitiude. For sure you will finish now

 

[Rockid]

 

i the first hill as bad as the first one at karoo to coast?

 

I am doing the 80km route and then the road bike ride the next day.

 

 

 

It's a longer climb, but not as rocky as the first one at karoo to coast.

 

[jagwil]

I have done it 3 times. Just get out there and enjoy it.