|
 You
know that you are in for a rough time when you are
driving down to a race on the Friday afternoon and the
heavens are opening with all the vigor that one might
expect at the end of times.
You can confirm that it is going to be tough, when you
speak to the race organizer at the, very delicious,
pasta evening and learn that it has been raining for
10 days solid!
Garry Townsend is a great guy, somewhat twisted, when
it comes to setting up a race route but a very nice
guy all the same. When speaking to him about the route
you can see that he is passionate about the area in
which he operates and wants to show you the splendor
of the region. He does this very effectively by taking
you from off road mountain passes, through to bushveld
jeep track, to rolling meadows complete with cow pat
to dodge. To misty mountain climbs that’s tracks
have turned into small rivers running down the side of
the mountain.
Staying 10km outside the village of Haenertsburg we
were greeted with a rainy Saturday morning. Some of
the party (who shall remain nameless for now) decided
to abort the race, dreading the ill effects it would
have on the Ellsworth “Bling”.
Me, being too dumb to know better and, as always
driven by the Cape Epic voice in my head that says;
“what are you going to do if it rains on day 3,
quit? I don’t think so”. So with steely
determination I loaded up my trusty Raleigh and headed
for the equally misty and rainy race start.
Most people were sort of cowering in their cars
waiting to see if anyone else was actually going to
ride, I did the same until I knew I could not hold out
any longer and be ready on time. The mist started to
lift and the drizzle stopped. Off to the start line
for the, what seems to have become a 2006 Drifter race
tradition, of having the Mazda blimp try to crush guys
at the front! We could loose our entire pro MTB line
up in one of these accidents. Most of the usual
suspects were there. Kevin Evans, and Mannie Heymans
(Team Raleigh). Marc Bassingthwaite, and Johan Van Zyl
(GT). Shan Wilson, Brandon Stewart and Max Knox (Team
Trek Fiat). Visibly absent were the boys from Mazda
Merida, whom I was told had all contracted flu before
the event leaving only Justice Makhale to represent
the green and blue. Yolande De Villiers, Anke Erlank,
Tania Raats, Yolande Speedy, Amy-Jane Mundy and
Christie Smith/Pienaar all present for the ladies.
The first 10 meters were fine, and then it was into
the unavoidable bog. Still nothing as bad as
Barberton, the mud seemed to have less of a stick like
S*** to a blanket property in these parts. Still by
the top of the first climb your bike was already in a
state and there was still 70km to go.
After the first 5km climb conditions really improved
and the downhill on the other side was bathed in
sunshine and not at all boggy. After the downhill a
left turn onto an awesome bushveld jeep track that was
flat and fast. At this time the temptation was there
to go harder, but the words of my brother who had done
the race last year seemed to pay dividends; “The end
is real tough” so I stayed conservative, waiting for
the onslaught.
The climb up on the off road mountain pass is steeper
and longer that I expected, but there were some
amazing views that made it all worthwhile. I was
fooled into thinking that the main climbing was over
at the mountain pass, but I was wrong! A short
downhill onto a rocky single track, this was also
uphill, even though it was gradual. Then into the
meadows for my worst kind of riding, on grass. Really
thick grass!
We then headed into the Forest for some real
undulating terrain on very soggy trails. The bulk of
the climbing climaxed at 2000m in the clouds and
riding in small rain rivulets!
The last 15km were all in the forest and tough as all
hell! Up and down all the way, with wheels getting
sucked in on the downs making every bit a hard effort.
At the front of the race, (very, very far from me!)
Mannie Heymans took line honors with team mate Kevin
Evans right with him, obviously a team decision to
give Mannie the victory. Marc Bassingthwaighte in
third 8 minutes off the pace.
The Yolande’s did very well in the women, with de
Villiers first and Speedy second and Anke Erlank in
third.
My bike was a shadow of it’s former self! I am
constantly amazed by what these machines can take. I
could not see my front derailleur at all nor any of my
jockey wheels, but everything still worked and brought
me home safe and sound.
This is one tough race, even without the inclement
conditions this would be a challenge! Everyone should
be there next year. In my opinion on of the toughest
(and best) in the country! Thanks to Garry and
everyone else involved.
|
