Launched yesterday the new route is unexpected as usual but as tough as expected. A monster Stage 3 Day of 147km and 2900m of climbing may prove to be the hardest day at the epic yet, something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. This year there is no time trial "rest day" in the middle like last year. The race will start off with a time trial in the Durbanville area on Contermanskloof singletrack which should be great. Then it will visit the towns of Robertson, Caledon and old stalwart Oak Valley before finishing at Lourensford. If you haven't started training then you had better get some training advice and get on your bike immediately is you want to make it past day 3.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
24 hours of mountain biking
So where is the soul of mountain biking at the moment? It seems to move around as the sport of mountain biking evolves and develops. Spend some time at a 12hr or 24hr mountain bike event and you would not be mistaken for thinking that this is where the soul of MTB is. This race format is popular because it caters for many different types of mtbikers. It brings together a group of weekend warriors, you see the baggy clad hippy types, the hardcore solo endurance racer and there is a good laid back vibe with music and beer. All the ingredients for some good fun, then take away the sun and you have a night riding vibe. The route is usually interesting and technical, long enough to be interesting and short enough keep it safe. So pack your cooler box, camp kit, bike and load up your friends and family for a really fun event.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The most watched MTB video in Africa
Its been all over twitter, facebook, youtube and sky sports and must be the most watched South African MTB video on the internet ever. Evan van der Spuy proved that you can't outrun a red hartebees. At a race in KZN he found himself going head to head with the buck. The dramatic footage was caught on film by the rider behind him with a helmet cam. The video was put up on youtube and has clocked up almost 6 million views in less than a week. You can check it out on our facebook page. Buck van der Spuy as he is being called doesn't really remember what happened, checkout this Bicycling interview with him.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Howick MTB trail review and video
Tucked away in a dip less than a stones throw from the busy N3 in the Natal Midlands lies the little town of Howick. It is all hustle bustle but unassuming, old school and filed with farm vehicles and people. Over the rise in the bordering Sappi forests lies the secret network of some of the most awesome single track that you will find in SA. Laid out in the form of a fan from the highest point in the area is a selection of mountain bike trails from smooth flowing forest lanes to gnarly rock gardens that will make you clinch or break your teeth depending on your skill level.
The Howick trail system has been setup and controlled by the Howick Mountain Bike club. This mountain bikers paradise is not well known, not because it is hidden but rather due to its low key nature. Checkout our cool MTB trail video from Howick
Friday, September 30, 2011
If you ride you race?
What is it with bicycles and racing? There is something that happens when two bikes meet, be it on the trail, on the road, in the woods or on the playground.
Just take two kids who have just learned to ride, put them together and before you know it they will be racing. To see who can get there fastest or who can pass who. Two arbitary people can meet on the road, one on a daily commute with a single speed with no brakes and the other out for his training ride, you can be sure that if they get close enough the race is on. Maybe it is just a combination of man and machine that want to discover what their potential is or maybe its is just because it is serious harmless fun.
Roadies have come out in the open ages ago, they blatantly admit wanting to be the fastest. But mountain bikers whether you ride trails, downhills or just commute, you have to admit that there is a bit of a racer in you, it just happens when you get on that bike.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Help find stolen bikes
Bike theft is a world wide problem, don't think it only happens in SA. There is a great initiative setup to manage the trade in stolen bikes, it is called the National Bike Registry. They are appealing to all buyers and sellers in second hand/used bikes to list serial numbers of their bikes on the net. This in support of a campaign to put pressure on organized bike theft in South Africa ... sometimes under violent conditions. Visit the National Bicycle Registry South Africa at www.nbrza.co.za where you can list a stolen bike and check to see if a bike that you intend purchasing has been listed as stolen. Also report any incidents or keep an eye on @bicyclesafetysa on twitter.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Handmade in South Africa
When you talk mountain bikes made in South Africa then there is one name that stands out head and shoulders above all else, MOREWOOD. The 100% South African bike brand cut their teeth on the downhill circuits of the world and made a big name for themselves outside of South Africa. Patrick Morewood was the man with the vision and the know how to build some of the finest downhill mountain bikes in the world. It was only in the late 2000's that they started to become more well known in South Africa. The factory is in Pietermaritzburg where they continue to handcraft beautiful mountain bikes including downhill, cross country and 29ers. Gary Perkin recently did a factory tour and made a superb video of their production facility. It is an awesome feeling watching a video like this and knowing that I ride one of these world class bikes with the cool label on the seat post that reads "Handmade in Pietermarizburg South Africa". http://vimeo.com/garyperkin/handmade
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Medeocre to winner, what does it take?
We received a mail from an aspiring mountain biker Rodney Pedro who is on a mission to become competitive. That got me thinking about what it takes to be world class mountain biker? What qualities do these super humans poses and how much of what they have is talent? Well the most comfortable answer for all of us is just to say that they have genetics and serious talent, that makes us all feel a lot better and lets us justify our own mediocre performance.
Interestingly training guru Joe Friel has a different view on this. Writing in his blog about excellence he lists the qualities that by experience he has detected in successful athletes coached by himself. They are most importantly of all motivation then discipline, confidence, focus and patience. Notice that he didn't say anything about innate talent, physiology, skills, or even experience in the sport. All of these things can be developed and learned if the other predictors are there. Those predictors are also the same ones that differentiate people who can stick to training programs and those who can't. So if you really want to get on top of your improved fitness or performance then think about your motivation, discipline, confidence, focus and patience.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Switzerland has it all - Eurobike and world champs
If you were wondering where you should be this week then we will tell you - Switzerland. That's not because they have the Alps and more MTB trails than you can dream about. Its because they have Eurobike 2011 and the MTB World Champs on this weekend. Eurobike is just one big bike party, sure its business but really, can you take anyone in the bike industry seriously? Judging by the photos from the #scottparty definitely not. Nevertheless there will be loads of new bike models and cool accessories and other bike bits coming out of this mega bike show.
The the MTB World Champs is underway in Champery and there are many South Africans riding, not just the big guns Burry and Greg but a whole crop of youngsters too. There will be coverage on Supersport 5 this weekend so look out for that or checkout Freecaster.tv for live coverage. Word on the trail is that the 29ers are getting hammered by the 26ers, interesting ....
Thursday, August 25, 2011
29ers big wheels, big talk, big speed?
The 29er revolution just keeps on rolling on and gaining momentum. It is the great unknown until you have tried it for yourself. If you speak to the guys who ride them it may seem like they are evangelists but they are really just trying to tell you that it is a different ride.
It is difficult to explain and quantify. I can equate it to the new bike feeling, that's the fast feeling that you get when you ride a new bike for the first few times. Somehow it just seems to go better than your old bike. It feels like the big wheels roll faster and easier over the rocks and the bike feels very stable.
Don't be fooled though a 29er hardtail is no replacement for a 26" full sus, 0" travel just isn't the same as 4" travel no matter how big the wheels.
But the big wheels sure are fun to ride, even if they are a bit heavier.
It is difficult to explain and quantify. I can equate it to the new bike feeling, that's the fast feeling that you get when you ride a new bike for the first few times. Somehow it just seems to go better than your old bike. It feels like the big wheels roll faster and easier over the rocks and the bike feels very stable.
Don't be fooled though a 29er hardtail is no replacement for a 26" full sus, 0" travel just isn't the same as 4" travel no matter how big the wheels.
But the big wheels sure are fun to ride, even if they are a bit heavier.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Epic bubble or epic growth?
Are we in a stage race bubble or is it just epic growth?
The definition of an economic bubble is "trade in high volumes at prices that are considerably at variance with intrinsic values". High volumes, well there are almost more MTB stage races than one day races at the moment and every year another few events enter the annual calendar. In fact there are very few if any individuals who can claim to have done all the stage races in the country. Everyone is doing them, rugby players, soccer players, TV presenters, comedians and even roadies!
When the first stage race, the Cape Epic emerged it offered a challenge second to none and a unique concept of being fully catered. Entry fee for the first race in 2004 R3900 per rider, then in 2005 it jumped to R5600 for the 8 day race. Buy 2007 it was costing R5950 and this year in 2011 the entry fee was R14500 per rider and the 2012 fee is set at R17700. That is quite a steep increase in price and if you consider that the race does not offer significantly more value. It is still essentially the same, 7-8 days riding and staying in tents with catering style food. Is that worth paying in excess of R2000 per day for? Its big business for sure with races like the Absa Cape Epic being billed as entrepreneurial success stories. Add into the mix the fact that we have entered an extended global downturn where consumers are demanding more for less and it makes you wonder whether the bubble is getting a bit large.
Sani2c entries for 2012 are up to R4500 per rider for 3 days riding. Thats R1500 a day for a shared tent and catered food. granted there are tons of extras and free food throughout so definitely more added value there. Both of these events are still oversubscribed and although it is difficult to get an entry initially it seems to be getting easier to pickup an entry later on as the years pass, indicating that the demand may be dropping off. There is a definite heard mentality around these events as everyone wants to get them behind their name. So it definitely appeals to first timers, but for the returning masses who have got the kit and the medals the queations are being asked, what else could I do with this money, take the family on a holiday or organise an overseas riding trip with my mates?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Its not about the training program.
Training programs are a dime a dozen and the best training program around is the one that you will follow. If you don't follow it then it doesn't matter how good it is and it is really no better than a blank piece of paper.
So the next time you want a training program then consider some basic sanity checks. Can you make the time to follow it? Is it simple, do you understand it?, Is it flexible, can you achieve it? How realistic it is for you to do considering your current time constraints and fitness level?
Remember that with all training programs what you get out of the program is what you put into it. So its not about the training program its about you.
Oh, and if you substitute coach for program above, then you can draw a similar conclusion.
So the next time you want a training program then consider some basic sanity checks. Can you make the time to follow it? Is it simple, do you understand it?, Is it flexible, can you achieve it? How realistic it is for you to do considering your current time constraints and fitness level?
Remember that with all training programs what you get out of the program is what you put into it. So its not about the training program its about you.
Oh, and if you substitute coach for program above, then you can draw a similar conclusion.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Relax and take a deep breath
Relax and take a deep breath, it is guaranteed to give you a boost. When you are riding you get caught up in the excitement, the tension, the concentration and yes the exhaustion. When you are on a climb, or even better before a climb, just relax and take a few deep breaths, you will feel the extra oxygen work its way through your body to the muscles as your heart rate drops ever so slightly and you feel a boost. I do it all the time, especially when the going gets really tough. It also works on the downhills and before those really technical bits that are frightening. It even works when you crest the peak or come around a blind corner and see the world below you, relax take a deep breath and take it all in.
So next time that you are suffering, or frightened or zoned out, remember take a deep breath and relax, its your free drug - oxygen.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Training is a journey
Mountain bike training is a journey, just like a travelling journey it is something that can have various outcomes depending on when, where, how and why. A journey has no defined rules but rather a set of guidelines depending on the circumstances and the traveler. That is why there is not just one training plan, they all exist to address some specific needs of the traveler and to reach the desired destination. The most important part of a training plan is to know why you are doing it, how you are going to get there and where you would like to arrive. The training journey is made up of many many trips, each one of them plays a part to get you to your ultimate destination. Sometimes you get lost, sometimes you stop and rest for a while, but at the end of the day you must continue on that long journey.
Keep looking at the map or GPS and keep on moving, its the only way that you will get there. Once you think you have arrived you will see more hills in the distance and realise that this really is a journey
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
New XT groupset out now
Coming to a mountain bike near you is the all new XT groupset from Shimano. The Deore XT groupset is a favorite amongst the majority of serious mountain bikers. It has always offered great technology and durability at a reasonable cost. The first XT groupset was born in 1982 and the last major XT upgrade was in 2008.
The trickle down effect of technology is evident with the new XT benefiting from the last upgrades to the XTR race groupset. The new XT groupset is now and features a 2x10 crankset, xt servo-wave brakes and new xt wheelsets for xc and trail riding.
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