Race report: Die Burger MTB challenge and Helderberg DH shuttle day

I started mountain biking in 2011 and the first mountain bike race I did was Die Burger MTB Challenge (30km). I have since then learned that type of riding is not necessarily what I enjoy, but it is also quite fun to push yourself. To commemorate my first race, Hanco and I decided to make this race a yearly institution. We decided to kick things up a notch last year and did the 42km. Hanco was on his Rocky Mountain Slayer and I was still on my trusty Reign, but due to unforeseen technical difficulties (having to stop every 5km's to tighten Hanco's cranks) we finished in a record horrible time of 3:47. After last year's bad experience, we hoped for the best when entering this year. Luckily we now have bikes that are more suited for the job.

 

 Hanco has been playing with his gears setup during the week and aimed to complete the 42kms using only 9 gears in preparation for his 1x10 setup that he ordered. I was just aiming to finish must quicker than last year! We were seeded in different start groups and I opted to start with Hanco in the I group. 

Once the race started, we managed to work our way to the front of our start group even passing some of the people who started two groups ahead of us. We just tried to keep a steady pace. Hanco really impressed me by pedaling up the whole of the Bothmaskop climb. Although I started out strong, I walked the last few meters of that horrid and tough hill!

After that it was all downhill. Hanco almost collided with a couple who found the descend a bit too much and just stopped dead in the middle of the downhill. Luckily he managed to swerve out of the way to avoid a collision. Meurant managed to sort out the bottleneck pile up of the past few years by allowing riders to tag out just before the Helshoogte Pass crossing and tag back in afterwards. We only waited about 3 minutes instead of the nearly 40 minutes last year!

After losing my line and falling in a muddy spot at about 22kms into the race, I bonked and tried to soldier on the best I could. With only stopping once to fix a fallen off chain, I was very happy to see the finish line and the coke waiting for me! We will definitely enter this race again next year. I will try the 42km again while Hanco is aiming to do the 60km.

We took a break from our hardtails on Sunday and dusted off the "big" bikes to go and try the new downhill track that was built on the Helderberg mountain in Somerset West. The new track is set on a Protea farm and boasts some seriously stunning views. The track is really impressive, with something for everyone. The top section is rough and technical with a few off camber sections, loose soil, rocks and steep unexpected corners, this is followed by a nice hardpacked and flowy middle section with a few jumps thrown in. The track ends with a flatish section decorated with a few triples and jumps to keep the spectators entertained. Apart from the top section, I really enjoyed the track and was grateful for all the chicken runs!

The whole day was a success, with only a few crashes. Thanks to everyone who picked up a shovel to help build this awesome new track! Looking forward to race there 6 October!

Race report: SA Champs at Hayterdale, Port Elizabeth

On our way there we passed a small town called Hankey, I think I should go retire there.

The last weekend of my almost eight week long holiday saw us heading to Port Elizabeth for the South African Downhill Champs. We weren't planning on attending this event, but Hanco's arm got twisted when one of our young rider's dad invited us to accompany them. We were soon looking forward to the weekend: a scenic road trip, a few days away and some awesome mountain biking.

Sunrise in Plett

The roadtrip to PE was extremely long but the scenic views made up for it. Driving through Knysna and Plett with the forests  beside the road put us in the mood for trail riding and we are planning another roadtrip in that direction with that aim soon.

The Game fence jump.

I was unsure of the nature of the Hayterdale DH track and decided to leave my Nukeproof at home  and rather take my hardtail to enjoy the rest of the famous Hayterdale trails instead. I also entered a small 26km race that was being held on the Sunday morning before the DH race where I placed first for the ladies.We are spoilt with Jonkershoek as our backyard and Hayterdale just cannot compare. It was awesome to experience new trails, but I was longing for the fast flowing descends we have so much of in Jonkers. After a few kilometres, I got used to the terrain and started enjoying the trails more. I would not call them beginner friendly as some of them seem to have not seen maintenance in a while, but they are definitely challenging and enjoyable. It was a nice break from the perfectly manicured trails that is very common in the Cape (read Northern Suburbs).  It is also an amazing experience to see wildlife almost right next to you while riding!

This little guy was enjoying the grass more then the Downhill action.

Arné at the start of the Little Zuurberg trek.

And off she goes.

While I spent the weekend riding trails and snapping pics of the downhill riders, Hanco and Jason were shredding the downhill track. Both boys really enjoyed the track and felt that it suited them quite well. The only complaint was due to the insane amount of thorns everywhere!

Jason pinning the Canyon gap, me having a bite after my crash there.

Game fence jump into step down! This track is so fun!

The XCO champs was held at the same venue on the Saturday and I took time out to watch the race a bit and to support some of our WP riders like Chris and Gina Nixon. I gained new respect for them after seeing the XC course and the obstacles they had to maneuver on their hardtails. After riding a section of the same course on the Sunday, I experienced why this course is seen as one of the best in South Africa. It is a really exciting track with interesting obstacles around every corner.

My seeding run over the Game fence jump and adding some style over the step down in my race run.

The WP riders did not disappoint on the Sunday and we were proud to see so many of them on the podium. I was also very happy to see Hanco getting first place in the Sports category.

Arné a very happy lady after her win and me on the podium.

Highlights of the weekend included the amazing hospitality of Jason and his dad, our awesome accommodation, being able to enjoy my most favorite breakfast - Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise, seeing all the friendly faces from the WP crowd and getting to see Nyalas almost at arm's reach. Well done to the organizers and everyone who took part in the races! See you at the next one!

It was a long drive back and it didn't take them long to doze off.

Our beautiful country.

Thanks again to Jason and his dad (and mom!) for their hospitality and for granting us this amazing opportunity!  Jason had to race in the under 16 category since he had no competition in his age group. Despite this, he was only 9 seconds slower than the National Champ and also beat two other 16 year old riders in that class who are 3 years older than him! Congrats you little pinner!

Jason and his Dad, aka "The Mechanic"

Watch out for young Jason flying through the air at 2:21 in this video:


SA MTB Champs 2013 from Greg Ritz on Vimeo.

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.