94.7 MTB race post mortem

[thehermanator]

Yea was fun' date=' but was a bit upset with the end. Why no beer tent or nice place to sit. Eventually they opened a little beer shop with warm beer. Why couldnt they let the MTB event have access to the end area and clean it for tomorrow.
Please dont treat us as the black sheep of the family, and make sure there is cold beer.
[/quote']

 

Agreed, what the hell? No Beer? Come on, I gave up after the guy at the beer trailer told me there was no beer yet. Come on, but no problem I already had 2 cold ones at home. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

[The Crazy German]

Crazy lined up in the A4 start group and seriously questionned the seeding. Catching A3 within 7-8 min, catching people from first start group within 30 min how do they get there??

I do understand that I as a foreigner have no results in database though there where quite a lot strangely seeded locals

 

 

Left close to the front of my group and went onto the dirt with the first le some ride as i am not really fit. First bottle neck when we catch A3 slowbies. Used th blockings as recovery though walking for that little rock made me frown.

 

Rode past quite some people probably overdoing it a bit. Pity there was a huge bottleneck at the main river crossing would have loved to ride that one. Started to fade a bit at the 30k mark where a nice squeek koined me from BB side thought it was another shot BB. Stopped at last waterpoint for some grease, they had 0.0% grease or tools over there what a disgrace for an event with 1000's of participant. I tend to take quite some tools but IMO a race needs to have a pump grease and some tools at waterpoint. BTW they hadonly water and a little bit of juice quite sad also. Rode on and got passed by an ambulance which joined me for most of the rest of the route.

 

Finshed after just more then 3 hours and found the crank loose so maybe its only the crank and not BB apologies for all who had to endure the squeel between k 35 and 45.

 

 

About the race sad to hear that apparently some of the top guys took a short cut even if not intentionally you can check your speedo and speak up. If you are not in passed by people who where already in front of you you know you are wrong. At they front most know very well who's gone and who not.

[Grondpad]

I really enjoyed the race and the climbs. The last 25km of the 50km route flowed brilliantly and it was head down and climbing! I didn?t notice the scenery, but I heard some places were awesome. The start was great  with the 5 groups and I think it worked really good. Some other organizer can take note of this format.

The only thing that I can complain about is those idiots that think they are beter than the rest of us and they are allowed to ride past everyone that had to stop and push in at the front. I see a cunning resemblance between them and those taxi?s driving past in the yellow lane. A$$holes!

The finish was as if the organizers had only wanted to make the entry fee out of the mountain bikers and didn?t try to provide some entertainment for a day out. It was as if: ?We have your money, you did the ride, now leave?. Next time I want a beer! And a seat to sit and drink my beer! Then they wonder why there is always so little people left for the prize giving

Overall, great route and climbs, sh*tty after-race.

[levett]

 

I saw someone lying in the veld after what I call the "test track" was that you? Saw someone lying there but the camera man was all over the dude and the ambulance was on its way.

I don't think that was me - but it's all a bit of a 'blur' - I crashed after the section at the side of Kyalami, and after you went up the hill, turned left (by some greenhouses), then after a section beyound that. More than that I can't say, since I didn't really 'come round' until I was transfered from the bedics to a 'sweep' backie.

 

There was another bike in the backie and, apparently, he went off to hospital.

 

Mine's just aches and pains amd a few cuts and bruises - nothing serious - but will make riding the 'road event' with my wife tomorrow more fun

It was somewhere around where the dot is (give or take - as it took me a while to take the Garmin off the bike and stop it)

levett2009-11-14 08:20:47

[levett]

Why no beer tent or nice place to sit.

 

I got to the end battered, bruised, and bleeding (with a bent bike) after my tumble - went to get a bottle of energade (fine) and asked for another and was told that each rider is only allowed one!

 

I realise they can't supply an unlimited amount - but!

[Eldron]

Now where did they find all that technical stuff in the middle of suburbia?

I suffered like a dog - still need to check the Polar info but I'm sure this race will yield my highest average for the year. Got to the start REAL early and left right at the front of A1 so no congestion for me :-)

 

The motocross track rocked (although I heard the chicken run was faster?!), apparently Burry and co. went off course and ended 7km short (I'm sure thats the only reason he beat me by 20 minutes ;-), I rode over some guy when he had a little lie down in a hole in front of me (sorry dude - couldn't stop in time!!). All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

 

Not sure I'm gonna have good legs tomorrow though!!!

 

 

[Vivster]

I didn't take one, so they could have just given mine to you. 

 

I'm most likely not doing this event again, or I'll be doing the 50km next year. I don't mind people standing in a que, but if there is an obstacle that is ridable, why does it need to be walked. The first river crossing I can understand, but that one went the quickest of them all.

 

Will never do such a big MTB event with so many people. I looked down the hill at one stage and saw this endless line of people comming up it. Overall I had a good joll and some nice chats while I qued.

 

BUT WAY TOO MUCH PEOPLE.

[Eldron]

 

I got to the end battered' date=' bruised, and bleeding (with a bent bike) after my tumble - went to get a bottle of energade (fine) and asked for another and was told that each rider is only allowed one!

 

I realise they can't supply an unlimited amount - but!

[/quote']

 

levett - sorry to hear about the crash! Here's to a fast recovery!

[levett]

 

levett - sorry to hear about the crash! Here's to a fast recovery!

Thanks Eldron - It will have to be 'fast healing'! I'm riding the road 94.7 with the Wife tomorrow (and she didn't want me to do the MTB as well!).

 

So, come hell or high water, I'll be there and riding (if not fit) tomorrow - it's going to be fun

[Little-Ben]

man i had a tough ride, it was hectic racing from the beggining, i ended with a bang but sadly that came at about 7k's, stripped the bolts for my cleat right out of my shoe and then smacked my already sore face and chest into the bar and stem,

 

it was fun though haha.

 

oh and luckily i got to the water crossing at the beggining early since i had no traffic

[NinjaManiak]

man i had a tough ride' date=' it was hectic racing from the beggining, i ended with a bang but sadly that came at about 7k's, stripped the bolts for my cleat right out of my shoe and then smacked my already sore face and chest into the bar and stem,

 

it was fun though haha.

 

oh and luckily i got to the water crossing at the beggining early since i had no traffic

[/quote']

 

You weren't the only one who had trouble with his cleats, these 2 guys must have been having similar trouble :-)

[latentree]

i enjoyed the 50. Not a forgiving route for the unfit. Just up or down, what was the total elevation gain?

Most memorable that heavy dagga cloud where the guys in orrange suites stared at us. Was it just happy hour or is it always like that? Will they dream of lycra tonight?

In general the organising GREAT.

Best to you guys riding tomorrow also.

 

[Mats]

Ascent was a bit less than 800m

[latentree]

Thnx Dobby, knew there's a reason i'm so tired.

[Ysterman]

Mountain Bike Challenge photos

 

Burry looks kinda clean ... you guys sure it was a MTB race ...

[Guest Frail4Life]

Sounds like most of you had fun.

For those riding tommorrow enjoy, hope the weather is not too bad.