If you insist, Hardy: It was quite nice going up the mountain - if you push your bike you don't have to concentrate on the rocks and can admire the view. Going down that rocky mountain was something else - quite scary and I was glad when that came to an end.
Everything went without a hitch till a few kays from the end. I was on a roll, passing one rider after the other when a guy in front of me stopped suddenly at a gnarly drop-off. I did not see any good reason for that and passed him at speed; only to discover that it was after all not such a bad idea to take it slowly. Still having a bit of control, I decided to get off the bike, but lost balance when my feet touched ground, landing nicely on my back. Fortunately not much more than my pride was hurt, especially when a concerned rider recognized me. Looking at the results it could have been Werner, but I did not notice at that stage. Congratulations to Power Girl who did D&D proud by a podium finish! Oupa Gert. On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 9:08 PM, Hardy <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Shot DirtRider!!!! > I have already posted it on the webpage... > Hhehehe sounds like it was a real blast, eish bru, hope your knee is > sorted... cos i thinks there is a wee bit more climbing at induna.... > > Anyone else got any comments about the race that I can add... > > l8r > hardy > > > > > 2009/5/19 <[email protected]> >> >> Tell them !!! ok let me try this ! >> >> It was a cold winters day , no wait thats another story . It was actualy a >> very nice morning the day of the race . Even though we got there at 7am we >> found ourselves parking at the end of the runway . Luckly Flash , Werner >> and Lulu already had a spot in the starting grid about halfway from the >> front and I could jump over the fence to join them . Start was at 8 as >> advertised . Werner aka Daemon took of after the eaders leaving me and >> Flash in his dust . After about 500meters Flash also got tired of riding >> at my pace and left me all alone ! Donno what happened to Lulu at that >> stage but I later heard that she had a bit of a tumble somewhere before >> the 35km mark and decided to call it a day . >> Anyway the first 35km went past way to quick leaving us with just uphills >> . All was going well up to the Castrol pub where I stopped for my >> customary smoke and breakfast . As I sat there talking to one of the bar >> tenders PowerGirl can flying through the water point , not stopping for >> water , banana or a quick chat . >> Next came the little climb up that cement tracks . This also not go to >> badly up to the last little bit on the cement when I got struck by a pain >> in one of da knees . So of the bike we jump and sit down to give it a rest >> . 5 minutes later back on the bike . Rest did not help and I realized that >> the days gonna be very long . >> And so it turned out to be , 5 hours and some odd minutes later I did make >> the finish . With all the stopping I saw a lot of animals , flowers , bird >> droppings and other wierd and wonderful things . Although the race lack >> single track like you find at Induna or S2C it has got some of the most >> stunning views . Sand this year did not really seem to be such a big >> problem and we even had two river crossings , one rideable and the other >> one to be approached bike in the air . >> And then we left . >> >> >> > Cos all you LAMO's are so useless at taking some effort to writing race >> > reports, >> > know I know what the event was like, but I would still like to know how >> > my >> > buds enjoyed it... >> > com-on guys and gals... life is about participation and sharing... >> > >> > >> > *Lion Man MTB Series – Mabalingwe 2009* >> > >> > *Lion Man MTB Series – Mabalingwe* >> > 16 May 2009 >> > Report by Terry Spinman >> > >> > The first of the three Lion man Mountain Bike Series races took place at >> > the >> > pristine Mabalingwe Nature Reserve outside Bela Bela on Saturday 16 May >> > >> > Nowadays you can gage the popularity of a race by how quickly the >> > entries >> > sell out before the event. Mabalingwe Lion Man was no exception when the >> > limited 1500 entries sold out weeks before the event. It is no surprise >> > as >> > this has become one of the most popular one day races on the year’s MTB >> > calendar >> > >> > Having been in the sport for many years and seen races come and go on >> > and >> > off the yearly calendar I realize that there are many facets to a >> > successful >> > event: >> > >> > The first is top class organisation - Venue Experts Africa who >> > coordinates >> > all three of the Lion Man races has set a precedent that is hard to >> > beat. >> > From the meticulous marking of the course to the festive water points >> > and >> > finish line social area there is a consistent attention to detail and >> > the >> > ultimate rider experience. Go to any of the three events and you can be >> > guaranteed the best possible experience on and off your bike >> > >> > The second is environment - all three of these events take riders >> > through >> > pristine nature reserves offering close encounters with many animal >> > species. >> > Mabalingwe is in a reserve that boasts the big five (lucky for the >> > riders >> > the big cats are in a separate enclosure). Hoedspruit, the second in the >> > series boarders on the Kruger National Park, and Aldam Estate has its >> > fair >> > share of wild life in a typical sprawling Free Sate landscape >> > >> > >> > The third is a family experience – all three of the Lion Man Series >> > venues >> > offer an unforgettable family getaway so teat your family while you >> > enjoy >> > being out on your mountain bike >> > >> > This years Mabalingwe race, the 9th running of this event, was a perfect >> > day. There was enough cloud cover to keep the riders cool in an area >> > that >> > can be extremely hot even at this time of the year. Those choosing to >> > compete in the 35km race enjoy the first part of the 80km route and as >> > usual >> > this distance attracted the majority of entries. The course is mostly >> > flat >> > fast riding with the occasional technical climb on lose rock, some >> > challenging sandy drifts, a number of warthog holes and a tricky sandy >> > section that has everyone off and pushing no matter what your riding >> > ability. For newbies and seasoned riders alike this route is fun and >> > interesting, the water points are well stocked with drinks and bananas >> > and >> > the finish line at the convention center a buzz with food and drink >> > vendors >> > >> > For those choosing to do the more challenging 80km route the difficult >> > sections come in the last 40km but this is where you get to ride past >> > the >> > lion enclosure, through the water point at the “Kalahari Motel” sound >> > stage >> > and ride the steep technical climb up to the cell phone mast and down >> > >> > >> > Over the years organisers have built strong relationships with their >> > sponsors ensuring quality race packs, fun water points and their race >> > trade >> > mark a Windhoek Lite beer, USN recovery drink and a Nestle Ice Cream at >> > the >> > finish line for all riders. It was great to see Knog on board this year >> > as >> > a >> > sponsor and the effort they put in at the first water point of the day – >> > Bore Rock in the Bushveld and all. >> > >> > For the top riders in each category there were awesome prizes to reward >> > their efforts. Hi Tech sponsored shoes, hydration packs and bags, Knog >> > Bullfrog Lights. USN sponsor supplements and Venue Events Africa with >> > accommodation vouchers and generous cash prizes >> > >> > >> > The 80km race was won by Philip Buys with Paul Cordez second and >> > Francois >> > Theron third. Yolande Speedy was over all ladies winner with Jeanie >> > Bomford >> > second and Amoryn Saayman third >> > >> > The Lion man MTB series no doubt will go from strength to strength as >> > riders >> > realize the quality of these events. Mabalingwe is the longest running >> > and >> > most well known in the series and has reached its 1500 limit, no doubt >> > Aldam >> > and Hoedspruit will follow suit soon. DON’T MISS ANY OF THEM >> > >> > For more information on the series Email [email protected] >> > >> > For information on accommodation at the resorts cal the Venue Experts >> > Africa >> > Call Center on >> > 086 183 6237 or email [email protected] >> > >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------- >> South Africas premier free email service - www.webmail.co.za >> ------------------------------------------------------------------ >> For super low premiums, click here http://home.webmail.co.za/dd.pwm >> > > __._,_.___ > Messages in this topic (4) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic > Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar > ********* > "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If > you love what you are doing, you will be successful." > -Herman Cain > ********* > www.darkndirty.co.za > > > > www.darkndirty.co.za > > new to Adventure Racing? > check out www.ar.co.za > Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! 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