WP Downhill Round 4 - Contermanskloof

For the last race of the WP Downhill series I opted to pull out the big bike.  I have not been riding it for more than two months since the last race at Jonkershoek, where I  rode the Enduro class while Arné was having a blast on the Makulu.

Photo by Ewald Sadie

With all the event planning going on I do not get much time to ride but for some reason everything went pretty well with this race.  The only hickups were a broken down ambulance that I had to tow away and a broken trailer that got fixed on the spot.

I managed to get 5 practice runs in, the most I have managed at any of the events I organized this year.  It felt good to be riding the big bike again.  I had a bit of a "oopsy-a-daisy" moment on my first practice run spraining 2 fingers on my left hand.  Despite this I carried on and the fun of riding my bike and this awesome track, prepared by the farm owner and master trail builder Robert Starke.

Photo by Ewald Sadie

Constraining myself to not hit any big gaps in the slightly windy conditions made me feel a bit like a wimp, having hit them all before and knowing I can makes one feel quite bummed out.  As race organizer I have to stay safe so no chance of even trying to go big.

Practice was over and we started doing race runs about 10 minutes behind schedule due to riders being late for the shuttle.  I was 10th to start and with not much time I made sure my helmet was on, goggles clean and gears ready.
Hitting the top part of the main line is always my favorite piece of track.  Those high line switch backs and rocky shoots are just awesome, little pedaling and fast going.  Once you drop out of it you have a bit of a flat pedal section, this is where my legs said....no my friend, you are gonna sit down and free to the revised track.

Photo by Ewald Sadie

Once you dip into the revised track you have 4 corners which I found some pretty nice inside lines on.  After that you have a straight fast section into a tube eating tyre crunching knarly rock garden with almost no smooth line in. Dinged a few new spots on my rims and tried my best to keep my flow.  I made it through with good luck on my side.  Having some fun on the step up to small gap was also so nice.

After the 2 roadgaps I found some speed again on some rad inside lines on the switchback section.  Had some good fun on the ski jump to flat huck and on to the last rocky shoot.  I know my lines down there pretty well and I knew I am pretty fast there.  Last bit of pedaling and over the table top.  I had a good run, fairly slow but I don't care.  I had a huge smile on my face.  Really enjoyed it.  I came in third place for the Sports class.

Photo by Ewald Sadie

Once again a great race was over and everyone had a good ride.  No injuries and all round smiles.  We finished the day off with prize giving.

Thanks to Arné for all her help running registration and helping me manage the race.  Without her I would not have been able to do it.  Thanks to Riaan and the Nixon family for all their help and support.