Full Sus Dec/Jan 2020 by Full Sus #MTB

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#MTB D EC E M B E R/ JA N UA RY 2020 VO L 62

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I am “feeding the monster” and there is no end in sight. I am a passionate mountain biker and that passion is the reason I can’t help myself. WORDS AND IMAGES BY ROB VOGEL

FEEDING THE

MONSTER!

et me explain. About 10 years ago I made a choice to get off my butt and help rather than complain and snipe from the side-lines. There was a security problem on Table Mountain and cyclists were being attacked and robbed by criminals. Cyclists, runners and hikers were leaving the mountain, no longer feeling safe and not trusting the authorities to find a lasting solution. I had no idea what I was letting myself in for and I didn’t see the monster yet. It was still tiny, probably hiding somewhere among the proteas. I wanted a mountain that was safe for my family, a selfish goal you might say. But, if the mountain were safe enough for my family, it would be safe for yours too. I wasn’t thinking bigger picture, just trying to address one specific problem. How could I make a difference? I wasn’t a trained ninja, nor did I own a security company. I chose signage and information. Mark the tracks with a location and an emergency number at strategic locations. Inform the public about the crime situation and encourage them to claim the mountain and not give in to the criminals. My initiative was born. I finally had a reason to use the name that had been rolling around in the back of my mind for some time. The name I felt was catchy and would immediately tell you what the initiative was all about. (Table Mountain Bikers – ed) A friend designed a cool logo and I was set to send a brief to the signage company.

“I DIDN’T SEE THE MONSTER YET. IT WAS STILL TINY, PROBABLY HIDING SOMEWHERE AMONG THE PROTEAS”

INSIDE

Those little information boards were easy to get into the ground. I didn’t need to jump through any major hoops to do it. Everyone was desperate for solutions to the crime and so I had free reign of the tracks below Table Mountain. That’s how it all started.

CYCLE OUR NATIONAL PARKS

BIKE PARK GUIDE

WE TEST THE CANYON NEURON

COVER STORY

A subsequent awareness ride led to exactly that, awareness among mountain bikers that there was some kind of earlystage initiative on the go that one could get behind. Not many had the time to help, but were happy to make a financial donation to keep the momentum going. The monster peeked out from behind the Proteas. Safety signage quickly turned into a desire to make the then legal cycling routes navigable with directional arrows and a trail map. That’s where the monster stepped into full view for the first time. You’ve probably figured out whom the monster represents in this story, but it’s not always about who the monster is, but also about what the monster represents. In a recent newsletter to the members of my 10-year-old initiative, I spoke about the frustrations one goes through when the benefits of a proposal seem so obviously positive and beneficial, but the recipient just doesn’t see it. As privateers, we have been investing our time and hard-earned money into the maintenance of the cycling trail network that exists in Table Mountain National Park. We have helped with safety initiatives, disseminating of information, tracking of criminals, eradication of alien vegetation and even paying consultants for the revision of documents that govern the use of bicycles in the park. You name it; we have gotten our hands dirty and helped. Those of us that have a passion for cycling on the mountain, have created an asset for the park that cyclists pay money to use. We maintain it at our expense. We live in hope that we will eventually reach a more equitable partnership with SANParks, where give and take works for both sides. It doesn’t even have to be money. Access to more land to build trails or even just access to an existing footpath for cyclists is currency we will gladly accept. Not only did the devastating fires of 2015 lay large swathes of the park to waste, they also laid bare the kind of financial investment it would take to re-open the mountain trails, most notably the trails in Upper Tokai. The cycling community was confronted with a number and had to find it somewhere to get the trails rebuilt. From this point on it becomes quite easy to quantify the costs involved. SANParks grabbed the opportunity to ask the MTB community to revise the Environmental Management Programme (EMP) that governs cycling in the park. This cost R220 000.

“CYCLISTS HAVE CREATED AN ASSET FOR THE PARK THAT WE PAY TO USE!” There was an expectation that after the pines burnt down and the concessionaire removed the remainder, there would be a mass explosion of fynbos sprouting up among the ashes. In anticipation of this event, SANParks requested that the MTB community fund a ground study in Tokai to assess whether trails could be rebuilt or re-aligned. At a cost of R30 000 the cycling community funded the study. What came up out of the ground wasn’t quite what was hoped for, but that’s a whole other story. Next came the cost of rebuilding the trails. That cost R150 000 and was also paid for by the cycling community. Then came the issue of public indemnity and security patrols, which had been the ambit of SANParks before the fires,

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COVER STORY

THE COST OF MAKING TOKAI WHOLE AGAIN In Tokai we sit with the 10-year old problem. Privateers have to invest and the landowner is reluctant to make concessions. As I write this, R430 000 has been invested into Tokai since the end of August 2019. That is a massive commitment by the cycling community, who will do anything just to go and ride their favourite trails. Apart from the R430 000 mentioned here, there are another couple of hundred thousand that I haven’t even delved into. Fundraising around a top of the range mountain bike, funding from the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust and other private sources, the investment by mountain bikers has been massive. All of this while the Activity permit fees are collected and flow out of the park. Hundreds of millions in gate fees and royalties from the cable way follow closely behind. We know this. We ask for some of the Activity permit fees to stay behind, to create a trail maintenance and build fund in the park. We ask, why should the mountain biker be paying twice to ride the trails: Once through the purchase of a trail permit and again through the donations made to various private initiatives that are trying to maintain and build trails in the park? The monster is the landowner. He knows we will do anything to build and maintain trails, even if it means paying for it out of our own pockets. He keeps us on a tight leash, offering little in terms of freedom to really create a world class, self-funding trail product. The monster is also our passion as cyclists. It makes us forget about logic and reason. We know we shouldn’t, but we do it anyway. The irony is that since the opening of new trails around Lion’s Head, The Glen, the route through Kirstenbosch and the investment in Tokai, activity permit sales and compliance has increased dramatically. There is enough money to fund an annual trail maintenance programme and for SANParks to cover their admin costs. Alas, this is where our thinking differs. How many times have I said I am done with this? It’s not fair, we can’t keep paying and get nothing in return. It’s time to call it quits. But, then I head out on an afternoon ride to the King’s Blockhouse and I see the potential new trail link for the umpteenth time and I know I shouldn’t do it, but my mind is crafting a proposal and the next day, I sit at my computer and begin to type, “Proposal to build a new trail at ...”

but now became the responsibility of the mountain bikers. We were so desperate to get “our” trails back after over two years of closure that we got that one sorted out too. Security is an on going expense to this day. This was another one of those moments where passion blinded us and we dug deeper into our pockets. Should we have stepped back and said, hang on a minute. Isn’t this enough? We kept feeding the monster. A monster that was not making any concessions, just saying, you can have it, but you’re paying for it. I must add at this point, after three years of revising the EMP, SANParks had approved some additional footpaths that were now open to cyclists. With some very low-key fanfare, the new trails were officially opened on 1 December 2016. As part of this concession from SANParks, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens opened a transit route that was desperately needed to connect Newlands forest and Rhodes Memorial and Cecilia Forest , which connected further to the Constantia Greenbelts and ultimately to Tokai. The discussions with Kirstenbosch were efficient and fast. The curator at the time, Philip le Roux , as a passionate cyclist, saw the benefits and motivated for the opening of a cycling route to his executive committee. The decision came back in a matter of a month or so and Philip established the route as we use it today.

Since his untimely death last year, the trail is a lasting legacy to his passion and open-mindedness. The new curator has embraced the existing relationship with the cyclists and has committed to honouring the handshake agreements we had with Philip. We invest time and money in the Kirstenbosch corridor with pleasure, because we feel appreciated and supported. Moving down the mountain chain to Tokai, trail rebuilding after the fires had stagnated, due to a lack of appetite by privateers to invest there. Some new,

“THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE PASSION BLINDED US AND WE DUG DEEPER INTO OUR POCKETS. SHOULD WE HAVE STEPPED BACK AND SAID, HANGO ON A MINUTE?” energetic individuals came along and kickstarted the process and plans started falling into place again. The goals were ambitious, but they are currently all on track to being met. The local community around Tokai is growing and there is momentum and energy that needs to be harnessed in a constructive manner.

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THE TEAM PUBLISHING EDITOR Shayne Dowling shayne@integratedmedia.co.za EDITOR Shayne Dowling shayne@integratedmedia.co.za ART DIRECTOR Claire Horner studio@integratedmedia.co.za SALES Robin Moore robin@integratedmedia.co.za PR & ADMIN Dee Griffin dee@integratedmedia.co.za REGULARS Jacques Marais, Dr Mike Posthumus & Ben Capostagno, Stefan Garlicki, Adrian Penzhorn and Hendrik Lemmer CONTRIBUTORS Rob Vogel, Marc van Veen and Robin Moore. ROGUE CONTRIBUTOR David Bristow PHOTOGRAPHY Zoon Cronje, Craig Kolesky and Oakpics.com PRINTING Novus Print (Pty) Ltd P U B L I S H E D BY Head Office | Cape Town Tel: 021 685 0285 Address: Suite WB03, Tannery Park, 23 Belmont Road, Rondebosch, 7700 Postal Address: PO Box 259, Rondebosch 7701 DISCLAIMER The views expressed by the contributors and columnists do not necessarily represent the views of Full Sus or Integrated Media. Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa NPC

A L L I A N C E PA R T N E R S

2019

has been an interesting year... We said goodbye to Frans and hello to Tim as editor, but then we also said goodbye to Tim after sitting in the hot seat for two issues. So who am I? Well Full Sus is my baby, along with Seamus some 7 years ago we started this little newspaper to provide a publication for mountain bikers, by mountain bikers for the South African market specifically. I started in the hot seat and for the foreseeable future have decided to jump back on. I look forward to chatting to you, finding interesting stories and getting my hands dirty again! Most of us are lucky enough to have some form of holiday or break over the December/January summer period and it is undoubtedly one of my favourite times of the year – not only can we get in some extra zzz’s but also head out to all the trails we find every excuse not to ride during the year. Check out our Bike Park feature which covers most of the country as well as David Bristow’s guide to riding in the National Parks that form part of our beautiful country’s natural heritage – a privilege few people around the world will ever get to experience. Of course we aren’t shy to speak about those issues that a lot of us find annoying and frustrating but don’t always know how to best action them – Rob Vogel is certainly one who has a firm opinion but also backs it up with knowledge and action – most of the time to the benefit of us all. Whether in his own capacity or as head of the PPA, Rob has always rolled up his sleeves, climbed into the trenches and battled his way to a solution. His cover story is quite an eye-opener and sure to mirror other similar situations around the country. It would be amiss of me not to acknowledge the challenges the cycling and event industry have faced through 2019 as a result of the economy, new products and developments, proliferation of events all vying for the already under pressure cyclists wallet. It’s been tough. We have seen it in our advertising and also with our close contact with all facets of the industry. But we are a resilient bunch and to quote Rob from our cover story: “I am a passionate mountain biker and that passion is the reason I can’t help myself” – I think we all are similar. We love this community, we love where we ride, we love the challenges and places that events take us, we love our bikes and all the new gear that the everchanging world of cycling present us. We also always seem to make a plan! Sure we may be holding on to our bikes for one year longer, but that just gives us more time to squirrel away the Shekels so we can find the best deal for a new steed the next year! And it’s really hard to ignore some of these new steeds, they just seem to get better all the time! My biggest investment this year is undoubtedly getting closer to my LBS – it has been an investment that has ensured my valuable possession has been beautifully maintained and undoubtedly cost me less. Choose your bike shop carefully, get to know the guys and support them – you both win in the end! Finally, I can’t thank Lionel Murray and the new crew at the Tokai MTB Trail network enough – what these guys have achieved with unbridled passion, kick-ass commitment and a no nonsense approach to getting this trail network to a world class facility is incredible. I would encourage everyone in SA to come and visit, locals to buy a board and all to come join in the fun. All the very best to y’all for 2020, see you on the other side! Cheers

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MTB NEWS

MARISKE 01 STRAUSS JOINS THE CST SANDD BAFANG MOUNTAINBIKE RACING TEAM!

South African - Elite Women mountainbiker Mariske Strauss will join the CST Sandd Bafang MTB Racing Team in the Olympic year 2020. Mariske will be the 3rd female rider, next to Yana Belomoina (UKR) and Anne Tauber (NED). Team Manager Bart Brentjens: “We are happy that Mariske will be joining our Team. Mariske is an experienced rider with a strong body and mind. She has a very positive mindset and is capable to give an enormous effort to her sport. Mariske is focused and eager to get the best out of herself. Besides that she is a teamplayer. Mariske is working towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, she is ‘still in the race’ for a qualification. We hope we can support her on her way to Tokyo and to see her ride at the Olympic Games next year for the South African Olympic Team”. Mariske Strauss, Elite Women rider: “I actually already feel a part of the team. Everyone has been super welcoming and friendly. The prospect of having a new racing family just puts a huge smile on my face and the extra support at races will definitely be the edge I have been lacking”. This year the CST Sandd Bafang Team Trainingcamp is being held in South Africa, directly after the Tankwa Trek (South Africa). The Team will ride the Tankwa Trek with 3 teams. Mariske will ride together with South African Candice Lill. They will ride together as a special occasional team.

POSITIVE SPORTS SOLUTIONS: MORE PREMIUM BRANDS THAN EVER

Specialist importers and distributors of international sports-related goods Positive Sports Solutions and TOKEN Cycling SA have announced a merger of operations, a move set to benefit cyclists and retailers across the Southern African Development Community. The Johannesburg-based companies will join forces from November 1, which means they can offer an expanded range of premium brands at even more competitive rates. Both businesses have been supplying high-quality products – backed by international counterpart brand warranties with local back-up – to the SADC market over the past five years. They cater for entry, mid and high-end markets. The company, which will operate as Positive Sports Solutions (PSS), will move into a new office and showroom featuring all its brands, onsite mechanics as well as a state-of-the art bike fitment centre. This will be open to the public at the Move Motion Centre at 1 Kikuyu Road in Sunninghill. The combined range of brands will now consist of HEAD (bicycles), Controltech (bike components), Westfalia (bike racks), Gipiemme (wheels), Luck (shoes), Uvex (helmets), Ryders (eyewear), TOKEN (wheels), Supacaz (accessories), SRT (bike components), Tufo (tyres), and TreeFrog (vacuum bike racks). More info and online store: www.positivesportssolutions.co.za

AOVE: South African rider Jone van Eeden tests one of the HEAD bikes which form part of the premium brands on offer by Positive Sports Solutions. The SA distribution company have merged operations with TOKEN Cycling SA to offer a wide range of products in the Southern African Development Community. Photo: Supplied

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 61

04 CRANKCHAOS 2019: WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CRANKED!

2020 FNB W2W: THE SWITCHBACK

The FNB Wines2Whales Switchback is no simple route reverse. It is a dramatic reimagining of the trails which usually take riders from the winelands to the whales each year. The 2020 FNB Wines2Whales will switchback; leading riders from the whales, in Hermanus, to the wines of Lourensford Wine Estate, over three spectacular three-day stage races. “Our route team, under the guidance of Johan Kriegler, has been refining the FNB Wines2Whales route since 2010,” Race Director, Hendrico Burger said. “The team has added new trails annually but to fully make use of some of the most exciting trails we had to re-look at the route. That’s where the concept of the Switchback was born. Not only is it an interesting twist on the well-established FNB Wines2Whales race format, but it also gives us a chance to utilise trails which the traditional direction simply cannot.” Stage 1, of the FNB Wines2Whales Switchback, will start in Hermanus. From there the route will snake up Rotary Drive, spreading the start batches for the Hemel en Aarde singletracks. Climbing through the wine region famous for its Pinot Noir, the race then diverts out of the valley onto the Karwyderskraal road before slipping into the Gaf se Bos singletracks. With the first half of the day’s climbing conquered, the Switchback will twist and turn through Wildekrans, along all-new trails. Then it is onwards and upwards; ascending Kat Pas, after passing through Botrivier, to Houw Hoek. Avoiding the brutal Houw Hoek switchbacks, riders cross under the N2 and enjoy the thrills of Lebanon’s trails. After dipping under the highway again it is homeward bound via Paul Cluver and a final fun section of Oak Valley singletrack. Stage 2 will remain the famous ‘Play Day’. In the spirit of switching it up, there will be investing in trail building specifically for the 2020 edition and the route will feature old favourites in new orders, interspersed with brand-new trails. Riders will be able to explore Paul Cluver and Oak Valley like never before, while also experiencing more of the Lebanon Trails and a reimagined Peri Playpark. The final stage will take riders from Oak Valley to Lourensford Wine Estate. This ensures a glamourous finale to a truly special edition of the race. Starting with a new, and as yet, top-secret route out of Oak Valley towards the Eikenhof Dam; there the revamped A to Z trails await. Then, for the first time in the race’s history, riders will descend, rather than ascend, the Gantouw Pass. It will remain a compulsory portage however, but carrying bikes down a mountain is undoubtedly easier than up it. At the foot of the Gantouw Pass, the trails of Knorhoek and Wedderville will lead riders across the Helderberg Basin onto the extensive Vergelegen farm. From Vergelegen it is fun and games on a combination of virgin trails and new approaches to existing singletracks on Lourensford Wine Estate. In summary, the Switchback will feature three stages that hover around the 70 kilometre mark. The route team has worked hard to ensure that Serious GEES wins the day.

On the 31st of October, CrankChaos riders and spectators from across Southern Africa descended on the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. CrankChaos is a mountain biking festival extraordinaire that takes place at Afriski Mountain Resort, situated in the heart of the Drakensberg-Maluti Mountains in Lesotho, from the 31 October - 3 November 2019. It is quickly establishing itself as the ultimate test for enduro and gravity riding featuring some of the biggest and most experienced names on the Southern African riding scene.

RESULTS:

DUAL SLALOM

Afriski’s main slope was transformed into a mountain biking raceway complete with custom-built start gate, tightly packed berms, rollers and final launch to the finish. For the 2019 edition, CrankChaos sported a longer, and more exciting Dual Slalom deluxe. That’s an extra 100m of bigger berms, tighter turns and a fresh new redesign. Men’s: Tim Bentley Theo Erlangsen Johann “Pottie” Potgieter Ladies: Steffanie Grossmann Beani Thies Frankie du Toit

F OX R A C I N G E N D U R O

For 2019 the Fox Racing Enduro had not just three or four, but a total of five action-packed stages to push riders to the very limit. That’s five stages of MTB euphoria, 9km’s of majestic Maluti mountain trail with one massive RedRock Beer riverside party to finish it all off. The additional stages took their toll on even the strongest of riders, but it was Tim Bentley across the line, scoring his second win for the weekend followed by Theo Erlangsen in 2nd. Juniors: Willem Luxford (18:24) Ike Klaasen (18:51) Keagan Brand (19:38) Men’s: Tim Bentley (16:29) Theo Erlangsen (16:33) Nico Velasco (16:48) Ladies: Steffanie Grossman (19:25) Frankie Du Toit (20:25) Beanie Thies (21:02)

HILL CLIMB After a brutal five stages of Enduro, riders geared up for the CrankChaos Hill Climb. The rules are simple, riders need to bring as much power and endurance to the slopes as to race directly uphill in the fastest possible time. Should a rider’s feet (or body) touch soil they are disqualified. Beating Conrad Stoltz himself, Struan Macmaster came out on the very top, beating Stoltz’s 2018 CrankChaos record.

TA L O N T O O L S D O W N H I L L E L I M I N AT O R The Talon Tools Downhill Eliminator is all about skill and the luck of the draw. After picking a downhill trail at random the four riders, will ride a different track, racing to be the first through the Redbull arch and onto the podium. Tim Bentley sneaks the win from Greg Minnaar and Andrew Neethling finishing off his three-day winning streak with a bang. Juniors: Ike Klaasen Willem Luxford Keagan Brand Mens: Tim Bentley Greg Minnaar Andrew Neethling Ladies: Frankie Du Toit Beani Thies Steffanie Grossman

WHIP OFF Despite the cold weather and a sneaky wind that day, the vibe surrounding the Whip-Off kept things nice and toasty. The Whip Off competition featured a variety of mini-events and titles to be won. The riders with the biggest cajones of the day were... Tim Bently (Best Trick) Jack Schlieman (Most Consistent) Cornelius Swanepoel (Best Bail) Duran van Eeden (Top Whip)

S T R AVA C H A L L E N G E

Throughout the weekend riders had the opportunity to tackle the Black Mountain Pass and Goldilocks trails as part of the CrankChaos Strava challenge. The winners will be announced on Social Media post-event to give the riders time to decompress and acclimatise to life off two wheels again. As the dust settled and the events came to a close, the undisputed King and Queen of CrankChaos 2019 were Tim “No Training” Bentley and his better half Frankie du Toit.

TRAILS

RIGHT OF ADMISSION

RESERVED

There is mountain biking and then there is you know, sweaty climbs, sweeping singletrack, gnarly descents and things that want to eat you. You could ride a bicycle shaped object in reserves like Cape of Good Hope, De Hoop, Bontebok, West Coast, Namaqualand, St Lucia, False Bay and the like but, unless you just want to smell the flowers, why would you when you can ride in ... By “loose canon” DAVID BRISTOW

WESTERN CAPE

Table Mountain, specifically Tokai, is arguably the best, most diverse riding venue and comparable with anything else in sunny SA. There’s a diverse network of jeep track, both easy and challenging singletrack (those zig-zags!) and black-graded downhill runs. The route Constantia Nek-Cecelia ForestKirstenbosch-Newlands Forest-Rhodes Mem-King’s Blockhouse-Tafelberg Road-Deer Park is as awesome and challenging as you’ll find. If you can ride it back again you are an e-machine. Jonkershoek Valley, tucked behind the Eikestad, is also superb and what Tokai looked like before the Great Fire of 2015 – lots of pineshaded jeep track and singletrack. Jonkershoek is a beautiful blind valley, surrounded by jagged peaks and with a river running through it. Ride to the apex of the valley and you can enjoy a mountain fresh dip in the river after a hard ride. The Cederberg offers gravel road touring rather than real mountain biking, crisscrossing the wilderness area while visiting villages and farms en route. The Paarl Rock circular ride is possibly the most underrated in terms of scenery although it lacks real technical off-road riding.

GARDEN ROUTE

Officially this region is in the Western Cape Province but is really its own region, planet even. The four main riding areas are Farleigh, Homtini, Petrus se Brand and Harkerville. Easiest is Farleigh Forest, located on the Seven Passes Road near Karatara. There are three circular routes through the forests along the base of the Outeniqua Mountains, from 7.5 to 25.5 km. Homtini is a 19 km, circular up-down, up-down ride starting at the Daleen Mathee memorial at Millwood. You ride along such delightfully named tracks as Pomp se Pad, Deurpad, Lawnwood River, Portland Heights, Boer se Pad and Krisjan se Nek. It’s foresty and mountainy and there are many places to linger and take a dip in a mountain pool. The wild plum is Petrus se Brand, a 22.5 km linear trail that runs between Diepwalle on Prince Albert Pass and the Garden of Eden on the N2. You can ride it in either direction, but inland to coast offers more downhill. Starting near the King Edward VII “big tree” this is deep forest country and also forest elephant country, so be on the lookout. Best swimming spot is upstream from the Kleineiland stream bridge. Harkerville, just west of Plett, offers two easy (yellow 13 and blue 11 km) and two hardish but spectacular (green 14 km and red 22 km) rides. While the latter two are harder they take you to some spectacular places. You could knock off two or three in a day.

EASTERN CAPE

Table Mountain National Park has a broad spectrum of trails, form the easy jeep tracks of “deer park” (seen here), to gnarly black-grade downhills in Tokai and much inbetween.

You want me to say Wild Coast but I can’t, by my own rules, given that most of the riding is not strictly through any reserve, even though it is fantastic.

TRAIL

For actual reserve riding we need to venture inland to the Amathole Mountains and Hogsback State Forest. There used to be lots of twisty turny singletrack through plantations and forests below Hog One; however, by the time you read this, clear felling of aliens might have rendered some of this trail areas DMZ. Nevertheless Hogsback remains one of the country’s most magical destinations and you can still ride the 4x4 route along the entire Hogsback ridge towards Gaika’s Kop, and then looping back via the Seymour road. Although here’s precious little forest on this route, the Afromontane setting is always invigorating.

K WA Z U L U - N ATA L

You’d think the Drakensberg would offer a cornucopia of rugged adventure, whereas in fact there is precious little mountain biking to be found in the actual uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park. Most of it is located in the foothills on private land beyond, although Sani Pass-Black Mountain is a rite of passage ride. Best you start making plans to do it before it’s all tar and what is the fun of that? When it is (all tar), start casting your eyes south, towards Sehlabathebe and Bushman’s Nek. Sehlabathebe National Park is actually in Lesotho but is part of the greater transfrontier park. Unless you have drivers this is a two-day outing, riding up Mahangu Pass to Ramatsediso border post (or being bussed up to there) and from there to Sehlabathebe village (there’s even a Mr Brown’s guesthouse in the village). It takes some organising but overnighting beforehand at the St Bernard’s Peak Lodge is likely to be a first for everyone. PS – you cannot reverse this route. Proper and regular riding in the Berg is restricted to the Cathedral-Didima area; riding up Mike’s Pass to reach its confluence with the Contour Path and then taking the Didima Gorge trail down to Emhlwazini Store (now just a ruin, alas). The ascent up pass and jeep track brings you face to face with Ndumeni Dome, Windsor Castle, Little Saddle and Didima Buttress. The descent down the Didima Gorge trail can be described only as hectic, especially when the Themeda-Festuca montane grasses are lush and high and you cannot see where you are riding. Vernon Crookes Reserve near uMzinto is nice for a day outing. In the 2 000-odd ha of coastal grassland, forest and wetland there are some 300 bird species including cranes, eagles, ground hornbills and secretary birds, while game is also plentiful with 56 mammal species. But best of all in the province might well be the Ingeli Forest Reserve trails between Harding and Kokstad. Here’s how a former colleague described the experience: “The track whips left and right, over one, two, three slatted wooden bridges. The trees blur into a green tunnel. The air stiffens and the ground goes into hyper drive and I swear I can see a string of gold coins ahead of me. One wrong move and I’ll end up eating Fruits of the Forest by the spoonful, or get wrapped around a tree like a bacon oepsie. But it doesn’t matter because the wind is also tearing a smile into my face. We’re flying again!” Does he mention the climbs? You bet he does, they’re epic. But don’t fret for the newbies since there are trails suited to all levels here, from easy and short to, well, pushing and punishing. It’s why we do this thing.

Steve, aka Henry the Navigator, Thomas navigates a sweeping corner on the singletrack in Jonkershoek.

You never know who you’ll meet when you ride in the uKathlambaDrakensberg Park, here at Sethalabathebe just inside Lesotho.

G A U T E N G A N D F R E E S TAT E

Moving swiftly on ...

T H E N O R T H – K R U G E R N AT I O N A L PA R K

Currently only Olifants Camp offers mountain biking, with morning, afternoon or all-day options (for experienced riders only). Think of these rides as game walks on two wheels, with armed guides to protect and sweep up the bits and pieces. (Toerboer offer a MTB trail from Phalaborwa gate, camping wild on the Letaba River in the Kruger F’S wrote about it: http://fullsus.co.za/new-mtbtours-launched-in-big-five-reserve/) There are three basic routes, each starting with a truck ride to a starting point: the shortest goes to the OlifantsLetaba river confluence; the slightly longer and harder Hardekooldraai route mainly following game paths through stunted mopane veld, turning around at the Olifants River; the all-day ride is the more technical, 22-km KlipkoppiesMozambican Border Trail. Although a good start, this is most certainly not the end of the riding-inreserves story. From here it’s up to you to go and find your own adventure. Thanks to Steve “daytripper” Thomas, Tyson “agent orange” Jobson and Jacques “rockrunner” Marais for their brains.

In spite of the very large topography, much of the trail riding in the Drakensberg is along well used animal tracks, also used by Basuto traders on ponies.

RIDE REPORT

THE

ROCK RACE

2019

The second edition of The Rock Race, two-day stage race, took place in Paarl from 28-29 September 2019. The relatively new race on the calendar presents itself as Paarl’s signature MTB offering and includes the wonderful riding terrain offered by the Hero Adventure Trails, as well as the Paarl Adventure Trails. WORDS AND IMAGES:

ROBIN MOORE

H E R E ’ S W H AT W E N T D O W N : Stage One Rhebokskloof – Spice Route: 55km - 1000m elevation

With a fast XCO style start from Rhebokskloof, riders have a very short section to stretch the legs and find their place in the bunch before heading into the first pocket of singletrack, climbing gradually around the Western side of Paarl Mountain into Ridgeback farm. From there an entertaining singletrack climb took us through the famous orchards of Olyvenbosch Olives and down 5km of flowing fun singletrack. Once we caught our breath, it was back to the adventure as we continued to wind our way down and around the Paarl Mountain through a variety of vineyards, orchards, cattle farms and into the Renosterveld Reserve. The last 2km climb is a leg burner and took us to the finish in front of the CBC Brewery at Spice Route. The Spice Route Destination pulled out all the stops to provide entertainment and

the day was filled with music, great food and fun for the entire family.

Stage Two Spice Route – Rhebokskloof: 45km - 1200m elevation

The second and last day of The Rock Race started from the Spice Route Destination and was a journey on the Eastern slopes of Paarl Mountain. The variety of terrain is second to none with trails beginning at Spice Route. A flat and fast 8km to start off with before heading into the new XCO Trail on Diamant Estate, better known as Tomb Raider. A super fun section, where rock formations, fast berms and flowing forest sections put a smile on our faces and had me feeling like Nino Schurter at a World Cup XCO race. Once through Diamant it was downhill to the base of the climb up to the Taal Monument – a solid 12km slog. The climb eases its way up to the radio tower at the top of the mountain, before dropping down into the Hero Adventure Trails at Rhebokskloof. This section is better known as “Superbowl” - the following 14km was pure singletrack awesomeness, heading all the way into the finish at the main restaurant. The day at Rhebokskloof, again did not disappoint with lots to eat and drink coupled with live entertainment. Amid a jam-packed MTB stage race calendar, The Rock Race caters for true and spirited mountain bikers, who love great trails, tough racing and great hospitality in sublime surroundings. With relatively short distances, compared to the bigger stage races on the calendar, The Rock Race is perfect for riders who want to experience what stage racing is all about, without the frills, fuss and hefty price tag of the bigger stage race events. I will definitely be back in 2020!

MAIN: Beautiful trails on top of the Paarl Mountain ABOVE: A rider navigating his way down a technical section of the fun, fast and flowing singletrack, which forms part of the Rheebokskloof trails.

B I K E PA R K S

FULL SUS QUICK GUIDE TO

BIKE PARKS AROUND SOUTH AFRICA By no means the definitive guide to bike parks in SA but it certainly will give you great options wherever your journey takes you over the summer holidays. Compiled by Dee Griffin. GAUTENG

M o d d e r f o n t e i n R i d e F r e e B i ke P a r k

Where: Modderfontein Nature Reserve, Aarden Road, Modderfontein, East Rand, Gauteng Website: https://www.modderfonteinreserve.co.za/ Contact details: T: 011 608 3535 Opening times: Monday – Sunday 06:00-18:00 Rider rates: FREE Food and beverage: Dobbs House Restaurant Equipment hire: Bike Hire Tracks: Four different tracks ranging from 10-42km USP: 24hr security - Chill zone - Night ride every Wednesday from 18:00-22:00

P H OTO : T h a r i e n Co e t z e e

Cradle Bike Park

Where: 520 Kromdraai Road, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp 1739 Website: http://www.thatchcafe.co.za/#bike-park Contact details: T: 071 812 8406 | Opening times: Monday – Friday 08h00 – 16h00, Weekend and Public Holidays: 08h00 – 17h00 Rider rates: Under 12 - R60, 12 and over - R80 Food and beverage: The Thatch Café Equipment hire: Bike and Helmet Hire | Basic bike repair service Tracks: Variety of tracks available for different ages/skill sets USP: At the entrance to Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

T h e B i g R e d B a r n

Where: 1A Libertas Street, off Sloane Street, Bryanston 2069 Website: www.bikepark.co.za Contact details: T: 083 725 2453 Opening times: Monday – Sunday 06:00 -18:00 Rider rates: All rates are day rates Adult: R80 - Child (Under 15) R60 - Night rider R50 (special events only) - Spectator R20 / day. Memberships available Food ans beverage: Fixies Restaurant Equipment hire: Bike and Helmet Hire Tracks: Variety of tracks available for different skills. Pump and jump tracks also available. USP: Trails built by Hylton Turvey – SA’s leading MTB course designer and builder Cycle lab skills area - Kids parties – and a kids track - Braai facilities

P H OTO : H e n d r i k St ye r

P w C B i ke P a r k

Where: 7 Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, Johannesburg 1666 Website: www.thebigredbarn.co.za Contact details: T: 078 343 6939 (08:00-16:00) Opening times: Winter (May to September): Monday – Sunday 06:45-16:30 | Summer (September to April: 06:00-17:30 Rider Rates: Adults: R50 per person/per ride - Children (under 12) R30 per person/per ride Pensioners and students R40 per person/per ride - Adult annual R450 - Children (Under 12) annual R625 Multiple tickets discount: 10 tickets R450 | 20 tickets R800 VENUE DOES NOT TAKE CASH Food and beverage: The Big Red Bard Restaurant (Tuesday – Sunday 08:30 – 16:30) Equipment hire: Adult dual suspension R220/bike for three hours, helmet included (R800 deposit mandatory) Children’s Bikes: From R100 – R150 for three hours, helmet included (R200 deposit madatory) Tracks: Tracks available for beginners to advanced (Graded as per International Mountain Bike Association). All trails are designed and built by Dominic Cullinan. USP: Park is completely fenced - Monitored by security guards at weekend - Kids parties

P H OTO : Zo o n C ro n j e & A d ve n d u r a n c e N i s s a n Tr a i l s e e ke r

B u f f e l s d r i f t M T B P a r k

Where: Buffelsdrift, Pretoria 0130 Website: http://buffelsdriftmtb.co.za/ Contact details: T: 083 269 0841 | Email: info@buffelsdriftmtb.co.za Opening times: Summer: Wednesday – Friday 08:00-18:00 Sat & Sun 06:00-18:00 - Winter: Wednesday – Friday 08:00-18:00 - Sat & Sun 07:00-18:00 Rider rates: Tickets must be purchased before 12:00 at the office Adult: R55 per day - Kids (under 12): R10 per day - Annual adult membership: R658 - Annual children (12-18): R500 Annual pensioners: R500 Food and beverage: Coffee shop Weekdays 08:00-12:00 | Weekends 07:30-14:00 Equipment hire: Yes Tracks: Six trails available of different levels |7km – 50km | mix of singletrack, jeeptrack, fun climbs and fast downhill. USP: Great wildlife spot – park is within a nature reserve - Floating bridge

W o l w e s p r u i t M T B a n d T r a i l P a r k

Where: 501 Jochemus Street, cul de sac, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, Gauteng Website: www.wolwespruit.co.za Contact details: info@wolwespruit.co.za Opening times: Monday – Friday 05:30-18:30 | Saturday – Sunday 05:30-18:00 | Night riding (Tuesday only) 18:00-21:00 Rider rates: Entrance fee R40 - Yearly MTB membership R720 (price correct at time of print) Food and beverage: Pltfrm Restaurant Equipment hire: Bike rental Tracks: From beginner to advance | 23KM MTB singletrack | 300m climbing | USP: One of the largest pump tracks - Skills clinic - A jump line - Night riding on Tuesday - Bike shop on site Group training classes - Cryo Recovery – Sports injury rehabilitation centre - Kids Parties

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 62

WESTERN CAPE

U i t s i g B i ke P a r k

Where: Constantia Uitsig Wine Farm, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town 7806 Website: www.bikeparkuitsig.co.za Contact details: T:081 833 4488 | Email: bikeparkuitsig@gmail.com Opening times: Monday – Sunday 08:00-18:00 Rider rates: R65 per day or R850 per year. R40 off peak (Between 8am-9am daily) No spectator fees. Food and beverage: On the farm Equipment hire: Bike repair facilities Tracks: Designed by Downhill World Champion, Chris Nixon offering a variety of tracks from beginner to expert, totalling 2.8km USP: Rock garden - Suspension bridge - Bike barn – hideout for spectators Dual slalom race track - Party hire

G r e y t o n G e n a d e n d a l M T B

Where: Greyton 7233 Website: www.ggmtb.com Contact details: (T) 082 399 0395 Opening times: All year round Rider rates: Day permits R50 | Annual permits R480 Food and beverage: The Hub and Spoke Trail Head Equipment hire: Bike Hire as well as Bike mechanic available Tracks: A variety of trails available with different lengths and suitable for a variety of skill sets USP: Right outside Greyton village which has a variety of shops, B&Bs and restaurants. Breath-taking mountain views - Brand new trail head

Hazendal Family MTB Park

Where: Hazendal Wine Estate, Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch WC Website: https://www.hazendal.co.za/family-mtb-park/ Contact details: (E) adrian@trail-blazers.co.za (T) 072 852 8272 Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 08:00 – 17:00 (closed Christmas Day) Rider rates: Tickets available at Bike Park Office Day Rate R50 per person with a bike - Non-riding family members are free Annual permit R300 Food and beverage: Babushka Deli Equipment hire: no Tracks: Designed for riders of all ages and abilities. Includes a pump track, flow trail, skills trail, kiddies skills trail and more. USP: The variety of trails available covers the needs of everyone, there are designed areas for skills testing and balance control. A family park - Play area for non-cycling kiddies – can also be booked for private parties.

K WA Z U L U - N ATA L C a s c a d e s M T B P a r k

Where: Cascades Crescent 11, Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg 3231 KZN Website: https://www.facebook.com/CascadesMtbPark/ Contact details: (T) 082 776 1101 Opening times: Monday – Saturday 08:00-18:00 | Sunday 09:00-17:00 Rider Rrates: Free to visit and ride all year Food and beverage: Yes, café in the park Equipment hire: No Tracks: A variety of trails suitable for all levels of riders. Trails are built and maintained by the volunteer organization, The KXN MTB Comission. USP: Near a shopping centre so easy access and lots of parking - Very good downhill track - Free to use and open all year round

Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park WO R D S A N D I M AG E S BY B R E T T F O U R I E

Where: 110 Stockville Road, Westmead, KZN 3610 Website: www.gibagorge.co.za Contact details: (T) 031 769 1419 | (E) info@gibagorge.co.za Opening times: Wed and Fri 07:00 – 20:00 | Thurs and Sat – Tuesday 07:00 – 17:00 Rider rates: Adult R70 per day | R85 per month | R1020 per year - Child (under 12) R40 per day | R50 per month | R600 per year Non-rider R10 - Pensioners R40 per day |R50 per month | R600 per year Food and beverage: Afros Chicken and Pizza Club Equipment hire: Bike and Helmet Hire Tracks: BMX and singletracks offered for a variety of skill levels USP: Suitable for families - Great picnic spot - Horse riding available Cycling club offered - Parties / Functions can be booked

P H OTO : A d r i a n W i n s o r

TEST ZONE

LOOKING COOL ON THE TRAILS

It’s Summer holidays and time to hit the trails – no racing, no events, just you & your mates or family hitting those trails you never have time to get to in the year. It’s important to have great kit but also to look sharp while shredding! Shayne Dowling reviews some cool trail gear.

SPECIALIZED ATLAS PRO SHORTS Colour: Carbon/Charcoal My riding style, speed and what I like to do most means that I am firmly in favour of baggies when it comes to MTB. Actually I think ALL mountain bikers should wear bags! Not only do they look cool but are also practical on the trails. More protection, handy pockets and of course did I mention they look cool! The Atlas Pro Shorts are baggies that you would wear over your favourite chamois but can quite easily be worn casually off the bike. They fit well with bibs and using the sneaky hidden adjuster, which is inside a handy little pocket in the back, getting comfortable is a synch. The shorts are also cool, made from Spec’s light VaporRize fabric, that also has some nice stretch to it as well as strategically placed air holes that ensure a good airflow. A zip and press-stud mechanism up front keep the shorts firmly on your hips. The two zipped pockets are perfect for the coffee cash, a gel and your keys. All in all a great product that doesn’t mind what chamois your wear underneath, offer that additional layer of protection and you look cool shredding the trails.

Available at all Specialized Stores R R P R 1 7 0 0 . 0 0

VYE AERO SOCKS New to the ever growing Vye range of kit are the Vye Aero Socks. Available in black but essentially for custom print. Although aero socks are traditionally worn by roadies, they are damn comfortable and the large silicon “sticky band” (gripper) on the inside of the leg keeps the sock up as well as snug and well “aero”. MTBers will enjoy the lightweight, breathable leg which hold less moisture in wet conditions and are much cooler in the heat. Vye manufacture and print in-house and offer a minimum order of 10 units only

www.vyecyclekit.co.za R R P S TA R T I N G AT R 1 8 5 E X VAT.

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SPECIALIZED MEN’S ENDURO DRIRELEASE® MERINO 3/4 JERSEY Colour: Blue This is one of the first times I have spent a lot of time in a “trail” style jersey. It is extremely soft, made from Drirelease© Merino – Spec’s moisture wicking, quick drying material. It is unbelievably comfortable and I have to say quite flattering in that it doesn’t hug all the bigger bits that us weekend warriors work so hard to maintain. It really does look sweet! The shirt has a little pocket to put something in but really it’s not meant for carrying all your stuff in – I use the Spec Bibs with integrated pockets for the longer rides and to carry my phone etc. I wouldn’t recommend this jersey for a really hot day (direct sunlight) but it is brilliant for the slightly cooler occasions or if you ride in shaded forest – and remember this is a trail shirt and not meant for a long ride or stage event! I love the confidence Spec have to go in with subtle branding – it’s classy and definitely encourages me to wear it. I’m a fan!

Available at all Specialized outlets R R P R 9 5 0 . 0 0

LEATT DBX 1.0 BLACK I prefer full fingered gloves. Yes they do get hot in summer and there have been times where I have had to take my gloves off when it’s like an oven and I’m climbing (never on a descent for me!). It’s a challenge to find full fingers that are cool. But why full fingered gloves? Simple, I have seen what happens when hands hit the deck, it’s not great when all the skin on your fingertips are removed, nails ripped off etc. You get the picture. Leatt is known for their safety gear, it makes sense then that their gloves are going to cover safety first but it’s a fair assumption that you will get superior quality you expect from Leatt. The DBX 1’s don’t disappoint. I bought them specifically as they have a really lightweight stretch fit upper, a lekker hidden rubber cuff and vented side panels around the fingers. The thicker “MicronGrip” woven palms that are seamless (HUGE bonus – anyone who has spent a long day on the bike with a seam rubbing your palm will know what I’m talking about) are thick but soft and also have a padded pocket on the palm that is just big enough to give added comfort without taking away from feel. The gloves fit – well like a glove – really, really comfortable and maintain a good grip in dry and wet weather. For me on the Full Sus travel score – 8/10 STOCKIST: https://www.leatt.com/where-to-buy/ RRP R500

GEAR

STAN’S NOTUBES DART

Stan’s NoTubes has released its own take on repairing tears and holes in tyres too big to be filled by tubeless sealant alone. The DART tubeless plug system is claimed to react with the company’s tubeless sealant to effectively plug holes. The Stan’s DART comes in a compact tool that includes a built-in valve core remover and two pre-loaded DARTs for sealing multiple and larger punctures.

https://twowheelstrading.co.za/ RRP R435

RIDE CONCEPTS HELLION

The Hellion All-Mountain mountain bike shoe is the pace-setter of the session series, with an all-out emphasis on increased protection, durability, and awesomeness. For hard-charging riders who seek out the gnarliest conditions, the Hellion ups the ante when it comes to foot comfort and pedal control. Available in men’s and women’s colorways.

https://getstoked.store/ RRP R2580

HOT GEAR FOR A COOKING SUMMER

THULE UPTAKE HYDRATION BACKPACK

Following the success of the 2018 Red Dot award-winning Thule Vital Hydration pack collection, the new versatile Thule UpTake has just been launched. Ideal for biking and hiking, the best news is that the Thule UpTake range includes a pack specifically designed to fit younger riders, so the little ones can also enjoy a great day out. Thule UpTake is an all-around, versatile hydration pack ready for any excursion. Consistent throughout all of Thule’s hydration packs, the integrated magnetic ReTrakt hose system allows for hands free hydration and focus on the trail. The included 2.5L Hydrapak reservoir features a locking valve to prevent leaks and slide closure for easy cleaning. With sleek design aesthetics, organizational pockets, and optimal storage, the Thule UpTake also has convenient side pockets that offer quick access to smaller items, while dedicated internal pockets are perfect for tools and extra layers. Available in 4L, 8L and Youth.

https://thulestore.co.za/ RRP R1899 (4L)

SPECIALIZED HOTWALK

Starting early is the key to teaching your young ones the joys of bicycle life, and there’s no better way to do so than with the Hotwalk. It’s for kids 18 months to 4 years old, and it’s designed for less crashes and more smiles to make learning to ride a bike as easy as can be. With no pedals or gears, we made the Hotwalk to help your little ripper find their balance by making it as easy as possible to put their feet down. In fact, scooting around with their feet is how the bike moves (outside of gravity), so they’ll get used to the feeling of riding without much of the risk. And with a redesigned frame, the new Hotwalk features a lower stand over height to accommodate little riders, as well as a longer wheelbase for more stable scooting.

https://www.specialized.com/za RRP R2400

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 62

THULE PRORIDE 598

Upright bike rack for the quickest, most convenient mounting for bikes up to 20 kg. Automatically positions your bike when you secure it, thanks to the uniquely designed frame holder and wheel tray. Quick and easy bike securing – the torque limiter dial controls the force going into the bike frame with a clear sign of correct mounting. Pressure is spread via large, soft claw pads that adapt to your bike’s frame tubes – minimizing the risk of frame damage.

https://cycledepot.co.za/ RRP R2950

CSIXX MUDGUARDS

Add some colour to your bike with the CSixx Mudguards – not only do they look cool but, they protect you and your bike, they help save your fork seals from getting clogged up, keep the dust out of your eyes, stop all those little sticks and stones from flicking up and may stop some mud in the process. They are available in 19 different colour combinations. And if you can’t find the combination that you want, no problem CSixx will make up custom designs as well!

https://za.csixx.com/ RRP R150

CAMELBAK PODIUM CHILL BOTTLE 620ML

With double-walled construction to keep water cold twice as long as other bottles, the insulated CamelBak Podium Chill is the best-of-the-best for delivering cold, consistent cycling hydration. Features like optimized cage fit and improved cleanability continue to make this bottle a favourite among professionals and recreational users alike. It is and always has been 100% free of BPA, BPS and BPF.

https://www.capecycles.co.za/ RRP R210

POCPAC MOBI 4X

The Mobi 4X is the perfect storage pouch for your smartphone and valuables when outdoors in the sun, rain or snow. This water resistant, weatherproof smart phone pouch, also has a separate inner sleeve to store your bank card, money and drivers license. The pouch is touch screen enabled, enabling most smart phones to still be used for texting, navigating, taking calls or photos without having to take your phone out of the pouch. The front panel is lightly tinted which makes it easier to see your screen whilst outdoors.

https://www.bikalot.com/ RRP R220

GIORDANA FUSION |BIB SHORTS

Everyone deserves authentic made-in-Italy cycling apparel. Defined by a relaxed fit and straightforward style that will provide value and performance for years to come. Fusion offers a solid foundation on which to build your cycling wardrobe. Comfort and quality combine through the use of time tested microfiber fabric that gives the Fusion Bib Short maximum value and performance. The front, rear and side panels provide muscle compression while wicking moisture to keep the body cool and dry. Bib Straps, Leg Bands, and Reflective Accents. LoPro OTM soft wide elasticmicrofiber bib straps are seamless, comfortable and supportive and feature the 190 MeshTM at the centre of the bib uppers which moves moisture and keeps the body cool and dry. LoPro 45TM: wide soft elastic leg cuffs with subtle logo treatment and silicone gripper on the inside keep the short in place while remaining non-restrictive. The bib short is richly finished with Giordana rubber logo, reflective accents on both legs and includes the Giordana Cirro chamois.

http://www.nationalcycles.co.za/ RRP R2300

ASS MAGIC TRAVEL CREAM TRAVEL PACK

Ass Magic Chamois Cream Travel Pack brings your favourite chamois cream to you in convenient, easy to use, travel friendly packaging. Each travel pack consists of 10 x 8 ml snap-it sachets. With 8 ml of chamois cream per sachet you will find this more than ample for a single use. Pop in a couple of snap-it sachets into your bag when traveling to your next event, or even to take with for really long days on the bike, when you feel like you might want to re-apply. The lanolin based cream with added beeswax is made with a secret blend of essential oils, each included in the recipe for a specific reason. The cream thus poses: anti-septic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Apply a generous serving of ASS MAGIC to your nether regions and enjoy the ride of your life, every day.

https://www.bikalot.com/ RRP R130

RIDE REPORT

STBB MTB O V E R G A AU W W I N E E S TAT E AND RENOSTERVELD C O N S E R VA N C Y 60 Km - If you like “Snakes and Ladders” this is your route! W O R D S A N D I M A G E S : M A R C VA N V E E N

o open up the lungs and warm those legs up, we carved our way up through vineyards and the natural bush to rise 500 m using gravel roads and singletrack in the first 10km. During this heart-pounding experience, you get to participate in the King/Queen of the Mountain competition, get to the highest point of the ride and get to view (if you take the time) some awesome scenery - the Jonkershoek Mountains, False Bay and even Table Mountain. From here the real fun begins: you wind up and down the valley through some awesome well-manicured singletrack and switchbacks - all in the most splendid forest and fynbos surrounds. One thing which became apparent during this part of the ride is that skillsets vary dramatically going through the “snake and ladder” labyrinth and a bit of pre-switchback training is recommended before starting this ride! However, regardless of a few bumps and stoppages, the generally amicable atmosphere in the field was fantastic, and showed that either the racing snakes were too far ahead or that the general purpose of the riders was to have a challenging but fun day out! The first water point arrived at the perfect time, well-stocked with great goodies and drinks and a great place to catch your breath before soldiering on. Here the route changed its profile quite dramatically with awesome fast flowing singletrack and gravel roads through the vineyards and plantations.

After the fun you came to another well stocked oasis which was also the juncture where you start questioning your route selection with the 45 km route heading along a meandering gravel road and the 60 km route taking a sharp right turn into the steepest switchbacks of the race. With 40 km in the legs at this point, and the hurt starting, the temptation is to head off and follow the 45 km route - however, this is what we are here for and digging deep you are rewarded with the next major highlight of the ride: the enchanted forest of the Kingfisher. Here the singletrack meanders next to a dam and through a cool forest slowly turning toward home. Exiting the forest you hit the final gravel road and it’s homeward bound, through the well-manicured vineyards, while you are imagining (with a parched mouth) the consumption of the decomposed and fermented product at the finish line. Then as the legs start doing the funky chicken you can see and hear the finish village and all important chill zone but with one major challenge in the way: the 80 m long floating bridge (although the option for sissies does exist to go round it) – head up and pedal your mealie off and think BEER! Then it’s back to the festive STBB village and the final major decision of the day: should I get that bottle of fermented grapes or the luscious craft draft beer? Frankly the perfect dilemma to what is close to a perfect one day race! Either way I had a huge grin on my face and thought: “Now that was lekker!”

RAISING FUNDS FOR THE MILES FOR SMILES FOUNDATION. Miles for Smiles was established to assist Operation Smile in creating awareness for the plight of children born with cleft lips and palates and to raise funds to perform corrective surgery on them. The initiative has a fundamental aim: to inspire and challenge individuals to go out and make a difference in the lives of those around them, by challenging themselves to achieve the impossible. One in 10 children born with a cleft palate and lip will die before their first birthday. The annual STBB MTB Race has been supporting the foundation since the beginning.

RIDE REPORT

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 62

AROUND THE POT

SWELLENDAM

Saddle up and tap into the magic of Overberg mountain biking amidst a patchwork of canola and wheat fields lining the picturesque Around The Pot 100-Miler route. This may just be South Africa’s ‘greatest gravel grind’, but the good news is you can ride it solo any time! WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS: JACQUES MARAIS

LOCAL BUZZ:

Welcome to Swellendam, my Bru! This lekker dorp stands proud as the third oldest settlement in all of SA, and easily rates as one of my favourite riding destinations here in the Western Cape. You cannot miss Swellies where it nestles against the foothills of the spectacular Langeberg ranges. These magnificent mountains ruck up along the verdant course of the Breede River, with some really top MTB trails just waiting to be explored within this scenic and fertile valley. At its heart, Swellendam is still a proper boeredorp, with bakkies lining the main street and a co-op where farmers pull in to sip on a cup or two of ‘boeretroos’ while discussing the weather. Gracious architecture, the grandeur of the mountains, excellent restaurants, year-round rainfall, a temperate climate and a glorious river all add up to exceptional views across the bars, wherever you may decide to ride. Finally, the fact that it’s pretty much halfway between Cape Town and the Garden Route positions it as the perfect biking stop when next you’re cruising the N2 ... More info on the area at www.visitswellendam.co.za

TRAIL LOW-DOWN Ja-ja ... I know this is a race. And I know it’s a bit gravel-bikish, but what the hell. These #Groad rides have become all the rage right now, and you can go and ride 100% of this 161km humdinger solo

(or with your mates, otherwise it might become a bit boring in that pain cave). This makes for good race prep and the event can be done solo, or in teams of 2-4. Riders crank from the Swellies showgrounds for a few kilometres of tarmac highway-swanning, before turning left towards the hazy and rather distant Potberg mountain. Most of the riding is along the generally good quality gravel roads bisecting the rural farmlands. The anti-clockwise route is pretty straight-forward to follow,

“GRACIOUS ARCHITECTURE, THE GRANDEUR OF THE MOUNTAINS, EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS, YEAR- ROUND RAINFALL, A TEMPERATE CLIMATE AND A GLORIOUS RIVER ALL ADD UP TO EXCEPTIONAL VIEWS ACROSS THE BARS”

as long as you keep an eye open for the signs indicating Malgas. During the race, there is a 45 min neutral zone here, allowing riders to tuck into a deliciously decadent roosterkoek, an item arguably more prized than the finishers’ medal. Nothing stops you from packing your own carb doorstopper to tuck into before crossing the Breede River on the Malgas Ferry. This is the only remaining human-operated ferry in South Africa, but not for long (rumours are rife that the ferrymen will be replaced soon). From here, it is a hard grind home along the final 60km return ride to Swellendam (and somehow it all feels uphill). All in all, you will clock a solid 1 600m of altitude gain over this challenging 100-Miler, and you can safely say that ‘Around The Pot’ is a true test of endurance. If you did not pack a roosterkoek, make sure you stop at the Buffelsjag BP Service Station on the way back ... you’ll need one of their homemade roosterkoeke to boost your flagging energy levels! And if 160km sounds like a bridge too far, the route offers several short-cut options for both solo riders and racers ... skip Potberg for a 98km shortcut across the ferry, or opt for an adventurous and rather bumpy 40km mountain biking 25 Miler ’Chicken Run’ meander via Bontebok National Park. www.aroundthepot.co.za

FAST FACTS: ATP ROUTE

+ G RADING: Moderate (no technical riding + D URATION: 6 – 10 hrs + CONFIGURATION: Circular 160km / 98km / 40km / 25km + S TART POINT: Swellendam Show Grounds + T ERRAIN: Gravel roads and jeep-tracks + P OST-RIDE BEER: Enjoy a beer at the finish line while your bike gets a free wash + M UST-DO EVENT: Around The Pot 100 Miler + A CCESS: Public Roads + C ELL RECEPTION: Yes + A CCOMMODATION: Tent village, or accommodation through www.visitswellendam.co.za + C OORDINATES: S34°1.683’ / E20°26.546’ + C ONTACT: www.aroundthepot.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 866 6176

GETTING THERE:

From Cape Town, follow the N2 in an easterly direction for 220km. On entering Swellendam, turn left into Cooper Street and then your first left onto Station Street. The showgrounds – where the annual #ATP Event starts – are on your left, but you can start from any given spot.

JACQUES MARAIS is a GIANT (RSA) Ambassador and SA’s MTB Trail Guru, with six mountain biking trail guides and the www.mtbroutes.co.za to his name. If he’s not on his bike, chances are he’s out trail running or surfing in some wild corner of the country... His latest book, ‘A Guide to More MOER & GONE Places’, will be on shelf later this year. Follow him on Twitter @JacqMaraisPhoto or www.jacquesmarais.co.za

RACE REPORT

W2W ON E

When I first got wind of the news that the 11th edition of the iconic three-day W2W was introducing an e-bike category in the Pinotage event (Monday to Wednesday ride) my eyes lit up, my ears buzzed and my heart palpitated! I had already e-xperienced the two-day Origin of Trails event on my e-bike so I sort of knew what to expect and how much fun it would be. W O R D S A N D I M A G E S : S T I R L I N G KO T Z E S N R

ack in 2015 I was introduced to the e-bike experience in and around Leogang, Austria. Riding pedal-assist e-bikes on the road and gravel and then given the chance to ride the original Turbo Levo e-MTB at the Leogang Bike Park on the enduro runs and the middle and lower section of the World Cup Series Downhill runs – epic! My son, SJ and I extended our stay by three days and we were generously granted access to the dealer launch test fleet. Three more days of self-shuttling and shredding on the Levo and my journey as an e-MTB pioneer had begun. I have un-e-quivocally become an e-MTB e-vangelist preaching to e-theists with a smile on my face and passion in my delivery. With an abundance of sales success and happy customers I might add. Quite simply e-bikes have changed my life and renewed my desire to be on the mountains riding with anybody I want to - slow or fast, unfit or super fit, young or old, fat or thin - put it this way: I have become an e-born mountain biker!

Napoli 94-2) was officially registered, we downloaded and signed the E-Bike indemnity form (enough to put the fear of the e-gods into us) and the E-Bike Tour information sheet which clearly explained we were on a TOUR and definitely not in a RACE! Our initial testosterone induced competitive streaks had us questioning our decision to enter a TOUR! After a careful read of what turned out be a very useful set of guidelines, advice and accommodation of such a unique category our trepidation was mostly alleviated and our e-xcitement reignited. After all, we were about to be the e-bike pioneers for e-MTB participation at one of the country’s foremost three-day stage events. We were making W2W history if not the podium! Lining up at the start in Lourensford, Gerald de Kock announced and pointed to our guide who then verbalised the rules of e-ngagement. Between the e-xcitement, the chilly weather and a threatening rain cloud I listened with half an ear and thought “What the heck, let’s see how this

This article is not a blow by blow report on the W2W ride but rather about the challenges faced on an e-MTB. After a long, cold wait at Idiom water point we were transported, four to six bikes at time, to recommence our ride after the Gantouw Pass. This process took a long time due to fairly extreme weather (rain, wind, thunder and lightning) conditions and delayed logistic implementation and riders jumping the queue. Standing water was a constant threat to e-bikes during the entire three days.

Day three saw us having to cross a vlei that is usually ankle deep but had risen to chest height with a slippery wooden “bridge” floating well below the water’s surface. Many self-propelled riders slid or fell off into the water. However, this simply was not an option for an e-bike as the resultant water damage would almost certainly be terminal. I have never been this apprehensive in 30 years of mountain biking about a stretch of just 100 meters of riding. Pure relief getting to the other side. Phew!

PA R T I C I PAT I N G I N T H E E - B I K E C AT E G O R Y D E F I N I T E LY B R I N G S A LOT MORE ADMIN AND PLANNING WITH IT:

+ o rganising a second battery

(most riders don’t own a second battery)

+ charging both batteries each day + dropping the second battery off at the race office each morning

+ c hanging batteries out at the designated water point and installing battery one into your bike each morning at the bike parking area

+ p ersonally overseeing your bike

wash each day to avoid high pressure spray getting into the motor, battery connection area and switch mechanism.

“FORTUNATELY, THE LATE START EACH MORNING MEANT THE E - BIKE RIDING NEVER INTERFERED WITH THE SHARP END OF THE FIELD.” Thankfully, Full Sus, along with the W2W organisers were as e-nthusiastic as I was and approved my media accreditation for Full Sus so I could add more voice to the e-MTB revolution and share my e-xperience with thousands of readers. Naturally, I was very inquisitive as to how the organisers were going to integrate e-MTBs into the event given the potential discord between competitive riders and e-bikers. I’m talking purely at a practical level. Full Sus extensively covered the emotional side such as prejudices, etiquette and attitude between E and in normally-aspirated riders in the previous issue (volume 61). Once our Revolution Cycles Team (Stirling Kotze 94-1 and Raimondo

tour guide thing pans out”. It was required that the e-bikes had to stay behind the “guide” but this quietly fell away as it became clear the e-bike group would in no way interfere with the competitive part of the event. Off we went! By the time we got to the top of the Vergelegen Climb, drenched by a deluge of rain, our bunch had separated and we were in full race mode but within the reduced pedal assist limits we had set for optimum battery efficiency for a 65 km day and 1700 meters of climbing. Given that we e-bikers elected not to portage heavy e-MTBs up the Gantouw Pass (following the sage advice of the organisers) we chose not to do a battery swap on day one as we had sufficient charge left.

MAIN: Priority one: Stay on the bridge. ABOVE: Clean suspension stroke. Muddy bike. Day 3: No more rain jackets

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 62

One rider had to abandon at the start of day two as the harness from the motor to the battery had corroded. He had to take his bike to a shop in Somerset West where the harness was fortunately replaced and he happily re-joined us on stage three. A few riders ran out of battery before the finish but were fortunate enough to pedal it out - not e-asy! Another delicate challenge was passing technically-inefficient backmarkers without spooking or interfering with them. Without a doubt there were a few grumpy interactions between slow riders and e-bikers - mainly because we were having so much fun and they weren’t! Fortunately, the late start each morning meant the e-bike riders never interfered with the sharp end of the field. I was generally impressed with the skill level of the majority of e-MTB’ers in the event, they were really good, well-known riders shredding the singletracks, manoeuvring their heavy machines and hitting any jump they could find. I have to say something about our accommodation. We upgraded to the luxury tents and took the R6 000 hit. At the end of stage one, after burgers, battery and bike wash missioning, we wearily dragged ourselves and our bags down to our tent only to find it ankle deep in water - inside, outside and in the pathway to our tent. We gave the tent the afternoon to drain but the standing water doggedly remained at a shoe-soaking level. We hightailed it out of the race village to a mate’s house in Benguela Cove 35 km away. We visited our tent again after stage two and the standing water hadn’t dropped even an inch. I managed to achieve my target of one fall a day. Stage one: I called “passing right” out to two ladies only to lose the front wheel

20 meters ahead of them landing a large muddy patch and a bruised ego. Stage two: I catapulted off a two meter high wooden bridge landing hard on my back (my Leatt hydration pack’s built-in back protector saved me from potential serious injury). Turns out some loose chicken wire had ensnared my left Boomslang flat pedal. That’s why I was on my back with no air in my lungs and my bike was still hanging off the bridge! Stage three: Riding hard and fast down the Houwhoek switchbacks I had a right side pedal strike that launched me over the bars, fortunately missing the surrounding trees and landing on soft soil and lush foliage. Rai, my riding partner, had only one “off” and a big one it was. Ahead of me, descending Onrus Gorge before the start of the flowing Hemel en Aarde trails, Rai made the rookie error of trying to pass a rider on the left. Hearing Rai rumbling behind him, the rider moved - you guessed it - to the left, sending Rai over the edge (and this horror movie is playing in front of me!) of a steep, rocky, diagonal cliff. The heavy e-MTB cartwheeled and Rai bounced and slid for 15-plus metres. Less than 10 km from the finish line and our race was over! However the tough bastard from Naples stood up battered, bruised and bleeding - and dragged the heavy bike back up. Shaken and stirred he limped down the valley with me full gas ahead setting up PB’s all the way down, my concern for my riding partner a thing of the past. For the record, we crossed the finish line at the Onrus Campsite with a fourth place in the E-bike Category, finishing in 11 hours and 54 minutes for the three days. Although this wasn’t a race, it turned out to be a most successful “tour”! We had a memorable time and look forward to more e-bike categories in future MTB events.

ABOVE: Brown bikes. The 2019 W2W colour-way

DHI

NEW WHEELS

NEW YEAR NEW MOJO!

It’s been a tough year with a lot of introspection, painful recovery and appreciating my health. 2020 is definitely a time for new beginnings. WORDS AND IMAGES: STEF GARLICKI

’m back at home after my trip to Germany and enjoying the warmer weather!. I am not a big fan of the cold haha! I have been back on my bike for a couple of months already and feeling stronger day by day. I think people underestimate how long your body takes to build up again after a big injury. Even when you feel good again it is still not where it was. To get back to the same strength, balance and power can take a couple of years. So lucky me, I got the two for one special of having two big ones back to back. I am so looking forward to feeling “normal” again. As with many of us, I took health for granted but boy, have I learned that health is precious and we need to look after our bodies. But in any case, back to bikes, I have some big news. I have signed with Scott Germany for the 2020 season! I am over the moon about this and the bikes are some of the very best out there. It has been a dream of mine to work with a big brand like Scott and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next. I was unsure after the injury if I wanted to keep racing downhill or make a change to enduro or even something else. When this opportunity came up I knew it was right for me. The focus will be on German/European racing which is perfect for me for 2020. I needed a change and to step away from world cup racing for the time being so that I can build up my strength and confidence again. I think after the first injury I raced to get back too quickly. Even though I felt good physically I think I misjudged the mental pressure I put on myself to perform and this took the fun out of it. I made a decision that the only way I was going to keep racing was to take a step back and take the pressure off of myself. I also did not want to travel so much and always be living out of a suitcase. So for 2020 I will be basing myself in Munich for the season and be doing the events I want to without needing to travel all over the world. I will be doing the IXS German/European series along with some other cherry picked DH or enduro events in SA and Europe. The main thing is for me to rebuild my base and enjoy racing again. As an athlete I started riding because it was fun and, although it is a job, the enjoyment factor needs to be there or else what’s the point? I am in SA for another few weeks then I am setting off for Germany for Christmas to spend time with my girlfriend aaaand collect the new steeds! I am so excited to get rolling on the new bikes, honestly they look incredible! No better way to add motivation than a new bike or bikes. I know I still love riding and racing, I think things just got a little too serious for a while. Right now I feel like I have fixed a lot of things that were bothering me mentally and this is key to being happier which ultimately lets you perform better. Thanks again to everyone behind me, bring on 2020, let’s do this! Until next time ...

NOT THE LATEST BUT BRAND NEW

! H SIG A TO GET T N A W I REALLY & I KNOW DEE E OO NEW BIK E ONE T V O L D L WOU

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IT’S REALLY COOL – THEY HAVE TONS OF BIKES & GEAR – ALL NEW – AT LAST YEAR’S PRICES

d to e r e h Deliv or! Wit do ! your rranties Wa Ca

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THANK YOU CYCLE DEPO T!

And the Depot’s prices where so good I got Dee & the kids bikes too!

TO BE CONTINUED ...

YOU CLICK

WE DELIVER!

COACH DIETICIAN

THE SECRET

THE 15

TO IMPROVED

PERFORMANCE ycling is one of the few sports where we can purchase speed. Lighter bikes, dual suspension, carbon fibre wheelsets and correct nutrition practices can all result in faster speeds. However, the biggest change to your performance will come from your preparatory training. The 2020 South African mountain bike season is fast approaching, and the first quarter of the year has three of the biggest races in the country, namely, the Attakwas, Tankwa Trek and the Cape Epic. Recreational riders compete on the same route as the world’s top professionals. The training practices will be as different as the participants, with some cyclists making these races the focus of their seasons, while others may be more focused on events later in the year. Whatever your current level of performance, well-structured training can help ensure that you perform on the day. Training will require time, which is a rather precious commodity for most of us. Long rides on the weekend mean time away from our families. Early morning sessions ensure that we aren’t late for work, but result in less sleep. These are tough sacrifices to make, so you want to know that this time isn’t wasted and you are getting the most out of your training. The performance continuum at an event like those listed above is large, with the winners finishing hours before the majority of the field has crossed the line. No matter your level, your training should be well-structured and individualised, whether you are looking for a 1 % improvement or a 30 % improvement. Sadly, there is no one-size fits all training programme which will guarantee success for all individuals. However, there are certain steps you can take to ensure that your training is beneficial and will

get to the event, the more specific the training sessions should become to that event. It is often a good idea to include other races as part of the training programme to help sharpen up your fitness and skills. Monitoring intensity is a critical component of training and ensures that you are training correctly. Previously, weekly distance (kilometres covered in training) and hours spent training have been used to quantify training. However, failing to monitor intensity could result in under performance through training too hard or too easy. There are numerous methods to quantify intensity, with the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) being the most simple and affordable. Intensity is rated on a scale of 0(rest) to 10 (maximal effort). RPE has been used with some success, but it is important to be aware of the factors that could influence your perceived exertion. Caffeine, environmental conditions (high-temperature and humidity) and intermittent vs. continuous exercise have been shown to influence RPE. Alternatively, heart rate has been used to monitor training intensity since the ’80s and the affordable nature of heart rate monitors has made them common training tools. It is recommended that you perform a maximal incremental exercise test at a recognised sports science institute to help determine your personal training zones. Training according to specific training zones, which are based on your physiology will improve the quality of your training. Similarly to RPE, heart rate can be influenced by external factors such as fatigue, environment (heat), caffeine and illness. These factors do affect the reliability of heart rate data, but heart rate is still a very effective tool for monitoring training intensity.

“THERE IS NO ONE - SIZE FITS ALL TRAINING PROGRAMME WHICH WILL GUARANTEE SUCCESS F0R ALL ” bring you closer to achieving your goals. The most direct measure of cycling No matter your current performance intensity is power output. It is not level, or the time you have available to influenced by external factors and cycling train, intelligent training can result in is one of only a handful of sports where noticeable gains. Novices should look at power output can be measured during focussing on the areas which will result both training and racing. Power meters in the biggest gains while more advanced have become increasingly more affordable or experienced riders should focus on and, as a result, their popularity has refining their training. A well-structured increased among cyclists of all levels. If training programme consists of different you are a more experienced cyclist looking periods or phases which target specific to monitor your progression, then I would areas of performance. These phases strongly recommend that you consider are often referred to as mesocycles or investing in a power meter. Apart from training blocks in the training literature. monitoring intensity during training and A programme should begin with very racing, power is a great way to monitor general conditioning sessions aimed at progression. improving general fitness. The volume of I would like to wish you well with your training (time spent on the bike) should preparations for the 2020 racing season. increase steadily over the first few weeks I hope the hard work you put in to your of training till the maximum is reached. training results in the performance you Once the maximum volume has been were expecting. reached, it should slowly decrease as the intensity BENOIT CAPOSTAGNO of the sessions increases. currently works for Science Do not make the fatal error to Sport in Cape Town. He is currently completing his of trying to include high PhD at the University of volume and high intensity Cape Town and is in the same session. In investigating training addition, the closer you adaptation and fatigue in cyclists. For more info: www.sciencetosport.com

UTENSILS

Y O U H AV E T O H AV E hrough this series we are going look at the different items, gadgets, ingredients and techniques that will make your performance in the kitchen better and through that your performance on the road or trails better too. By creating the best food and nutrition environment and upskilling you along the way we will hopefully take out some of the drudgery of food prep, add some flavours and tasty goodness to your meals and kickstart some healthful habits. We are going to move you from the couch, to the kitchen, to the pedals and keep you coming back for more. If we can get you better in the kitchen we will get you better on the bike. The first few steps in the journey are all about creating the right kitchen set-up. In this article we start with the utensils that will make your life easy. Some of these you should already have but an upgrade for one or two of them really will change your relationship with cooking.

KNIVES - you do not need a Japanese arsenal. 1. A good quality chef’s knife with

a nice weight is a worthy investment. You can use this for almost every job in the kitchen. 2. While you are at it make sure you get a sharpening steel too. Your knife is only as good as its blade and slicing easily through an onion or a well prepared steak will not only save your fingers but save you time and profanities too. I truly believe this will change your life. Keep it sharp, a quick run through before each use is all you need. 3 and 4. Add to your set a small paring knife and a serrated Victorinox and this will cover all your needs for smaller jobs, fruit and veg and boning if need be. 5. Finally a good chopping board will also improve your knives’ lives. Wood looks great but is not the best for hygiene, you can get fancy with multi-coloured boards for different ingredients but simply one or two thick high density plastic boards that you can clean easily and replace yearly will have you sorted.

GADGETS can make your life easier but there is no need to fill a drawer with them. 6. Start out with a few basics like a

Tongs. They are way easier and a mess-free alternative when turning any meat or vegetable on the stove, in the oven and obviously around the braai. 9. Your spatula should match your pots and pans. Stainless steel for steel cookware and plastic for non-stick. Don’t ruin your non-stick with steel utensils. 10. A sieve or colander to rinse your fruit and veg and to double up as a strainer.

COOKWARE of various shapes and sizes 11 and 12. One small pan and one

big pan, both with the thickest bases you can afford. The thicker the base the better the heat distribution and holding. Make sure it matches your cooking hob whether it is ceramic, gas or induction. In The Performance Kitchen we prefer stainless steel to non-stick, if you do go non-stick rather spend a little more for the best quality you can afford. Get something that has a handle that can go in the oven for finishing off dishes or keeping warm. I have a miniature frying pan (single egg size) that is in daily use too (although it always has two eggs jammed in there!). 13, 14 and 15. A small saucepan, a medium pot and a stock or pasta pot with strainer will be all you need. The little saucepan is great for sauces as the name suggests or a single serving of soup or stew. The medium size should handle most your boiling and stewing needs, you can use a sieve or colander to steam over this too and it is the perfect vessel for your popcorn! The stock pot or pasta pot with a strainer really is useful for cooking pasta or potatoes and getting them out of the water mess-free. If you are an avid cook and looking for a healthy addition to your weekly routine this pot can bang out your stocks or bone broths in great volume too. The super-sub gadget to throw into the mix is a micro-planer or grater. For adding zest, grated dark chocolate, parmesan or freshly grated nutmeg you can use this almost daily for those finishing touches and flavours. Rummage through the cupboards and drawers at home and make sure you can tick off each item on this list. Invest in something new to invigorate your time in the kitchen, and while you are at it, make sure the corkscrew is on hand too.

cheap and cheerful Y-shape potato peeler. This will peel your veg, slice your cheese and even make fancy looking carrot or courgette strips in no time at all. ADRIAN PENZHORN is 7. Some good quality the founder and owner of Food for Sport, a scissors are next on the performance nutrition list as a quick and easy company and consultant hack for chopping herbs, dietician in private practice at 36 Palmyra Road cutting up a chicken and Claremont, Cape Town. getting into any bags and For more info log onto packaging without hassle. www.foodforsport.co.za or call 082 623 7609.

S TA G E R A C E C A L E N D A R

2020 STAGE

RACE CALENDAR Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your 2020 stage race calendar, pull it out, stick it up and scribble on it. All the best with your training and achieving your riding goals. Enjoy! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THE FULL SUS TEAM

J A N U A RY 18 Momentum Healthy Attakwas Extreme Presented by Biogen www.atta.co.za 25 Barberton XCM MTB Challenge www.barbertonxcm.co.za

F E B R U A RY 1-2 Euro Steel Drak Descent in partnership with FNB www.drakdescent.co.za 1-2 Fairtree Simonsberg Contour MTB Stage Race www.stageraces.com/event/simonsberg-contour/ 1-3 Sky Ride www.skyride.co.za 2-8 TransCape MTB www.transcapemtb.co.za 6-9 Momentum Health Tankwa Trek www.tankwatrek.co.za 6-9 Prudential PE Plett www.peplett.co.za 7-9 Algarve Bike Challenge www.algarvebikechallenge.com 8-9 Lighthouse to Lighthouse MTB www.stageraces.com/event/lighthouse-2-lighthouse/ 14-16 Bridgestone Route 66 MTB Experience www.route66mtb.co.za 19-22 Knysna Bull www.knysnabull.co.za 22 Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge www.imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za 22 Ride the Karoo www.ridethekaroo.co.za 28-1 Bridgestone Route 66 MTB Experience www.route66mtb.co.za 29-1 Stanford MTB Classic www.stanfordmtbclassic.co.za

MARCH 1-5 HotChillee Cape Rouler www.hotchillee.com 1-6 Tour de Boland www.tourdeboland.co.za 2-6 Tour of Good Hope www.tourofgoodhope.co.za 10 Karoo Gravel Grinder www.karoogravelgrinder.com/ 14-17 3 Mountains Challenge www.3mountains.co.za/ 15-19 Race to Rhodes www.freedomchallenge.org.za 15-22 ABSA Cape Epic www.cape-epic.com

15-29 Lord of the Chain Rings www.stageraces.com/event/lord-of-the-chain-rings/ 27-29 Sabie Xperience Mpumulanga www.sabiexperience.co.za 27-29 Ride the Cape www.ridethecape.co.za/ 28-29 Route Six 2 Trails www.facebook.com/RouteSix2TwoTrails/ 28-29 Marriott Freedom Race www.freedomrace.co.za

APRIL 3-5 Glacier Cradle Traverse www.cradletraverse.co.za/ 4-5 Cradle Mountain Trophy www.mountain-trophy.co.za/ 9-12 The Volcat Tour, Spain www.volcatbtt.com/en/volcat-138/ 11-12 Bike Girl 2 Day MTB www.stageraces.com/event/ mtbike-girl-2-day-mtb-tour/ 16-18 Trail and Trout MTB www.stageraces.com/event/ trail-and-trout-mtb/ 17-19 Cape Winelands MTB Encounter www.capewinelands.capetown 24-2 Joberg2C www.joberg2c.co.za 24-26 36ONE MTB Challenge www.the36one.com/ 27-1 Bikingman Corsica, France www.bikingman.com 30-2 Great Kei Trek www.greatkeitrek.co.za/

M AY 1-2 Gravel and Grape Adventure www.stageraces. com/event/gravel-and-grape-2/ 1-3 Gravel and Grape Extreme www.stageraces.com/ event/gravel-and-grape/ 1-3 Trek 2 Teebus www.petrichoradventures.co.za/t2t 1-3 Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge, Namibia www.klein-aus-vista-mtb-challenge.com/ 2-3 Houw Hoek MTB Tour www.mtb-adventures.co.za/ events/houw-hoek-mtb-tour 8-10 Cape Winelands Encounter www.winelandsencounter.co.za 8-10 Croc2Croc www.stageraces.com/event/croc2croc/ 12-14 KAP Sani2C Trail www.sani2c.co.za/ 13-15 KAP Sani2C Adventure www.sani2c.co.za/ 14-16 KAP Sani2C Race www.sani2c.co.za/ 14-17 Mauritius Tour Beachcomber MTB www.beachcomber-events.com 16-17 Recce MTB Mission www.stageraces.com/event/recce-mtb-mission/ 16-17 Masgcor Cederberg 100 Miler www.cederberg100miler.co.za 17-22 Windhoek Light Namib Quest www.windhoeklightevents.com/events/namib-quest/ 23-24 Ride the Berg www.ridetheberg.co.za 24-30 Ride the Rail www.ridetherail.co.za 29-31 PwC Great Zuurberg Trek www.greatzuurbergtrek.co.za/ 30-31 Bezhoek Extreme MTB Festival www.bezhoekextreme.co.za/race-info/

JUNE 1-4 Kilimanjaro 2 Natron MTB Stage Race ww.k2nstage.com/ 4-30 Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa www.freedomchallenge.org.za 5-7 Waterberg MTB Encounter www.waterbergencounter.co.za/ 6-8 FQM 1Zambia MTB Race www.stageraces.com/event/fqm-1zambia-mtb-race/ 10-15 Freedom Challenge Race to Rhodes www.freedomchallenge.org.za 12-13 Katberg Quest www.katbergquest.co.za 12-14 The Greyt Escape www.stageraces.com/event/the-greyt-escape/ 13-13 Fish River Sun MTB Challenge www.mountainevents.co.za 13-15 Trans Augrabies MTB Stage Race www.transaugrabiesmtb.co.za 14-20 Transpyr Coast to Coast, Spain https://transpyr.com/en/

J U LY 10-12 Zambezi Cycle Challenge www.zambezicyclechallenge.com/ 13-17 Namib Desert Challenge, Namibia www.stageraces.com/event/namib-desert-challenge/ 15-19 Pondo Pedal www.pondopedal.com 19-22 Imana Wild Ride www.wildride.co.za 19-25 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, Italy https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/en/ 21-26 Nedbank Tour de Tuli www.tourdetuli.com/2020-tour/

AUGUST 2-8 Aug La Leyenda Del Dorago, Columbia www.en.la-leyenda.com/ 8-10 Glacier Storms River Traverse www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za/ 15 Trans Baviaans Race www.transbaviaans.co.za 15-16 UMKO Adventure www.umkoadventure.co.za 20 Trans Baviaans Repeat www.transbaviaans.co.za 28-30 Namaqua Quest www.namaquaquest.co.za/ 30-3 Imana Wild Ride www.imanawildride.co.za/

SEPTEMBER 2-5 The X-Tremtb Non Stop www.quantumadventures.co.za 5-6 The Greyton Tour www.mtb-adventures.co.za/events 6-12 Cape Pioneer Trek https://capepioneer.co.za/ 11-13 Ride2Nowhere www.ride2nowhere.co.za/ 17-19 Dr. Evil Classic www.drevilclassic.com/ 22-26 Rift Valley Odyssey www.riftvalleyodyssey.com/ TBC Homeward Bound Challenge www.homewardboundchallenge.co.za TBC De Hoop Vlei MTB www.dehoopvleimtb.coza TBC Lesotho Sky www.lesothosky.com TBC Isuzu Mankele 3 Towers Challenge www.3towers.co.za TBC Varsity MTB Challenge www.varsitymtbchallenge.co.za

OCTOBER 2-3 Berg & Bush Descent www.bergandbush.co.za 6-8 Berg & Bush The Great Midweek www.bergandbush.co.za 8-10 Inyatsi Swazi Frontier www.swazifrontier.co.sz/ 10-11 Berg & Bush 2 Day www.bergandbush.co.za TBC Eselfontein MTB Stage Race www.eselfontein.co.za TBC Bittersweet MTB Challenge www.roag.co.za TBC The U MTB Stage Race www.piketbobergtrails.co.za TBC Wild Corridor www.wildcorridor.co.za 30-8 FNB Wines to Whales www.wines2whales.co.za

NOVEMBER TBC The Munga www.themunga.co.za TBC Origin of Trails www.stillwatersports.com TBC The Magalies Adventure www.magaliesadventure.co.za TBC To Hell and Back www.tohellandback.co.za

DECEMBER TBC

Sondela Stage Race

P H OTO : kev i n L a w s o n ( W 2 W )

CALENDAR

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

WESTERN CAPE

1-2

Euro Steel Drak Descent in partnership with FNB

1-2

Fairtree Simonsberg Contour MTB Stage Race

2-8

TransCape MTB Encounter

6-9

Momentum Health Tankwa Trek

8-9

Lighthouse to Lighthouse MTB

The Leopard Crawl

19-22

Knysna Bull

Karooburn

Night Series, Spice Route, Paarl

Sneeuberg Crawl

21 Windpomp Sjerrie Challenge The Windpomp Sjerrie Challenge is a one-day mountain bike event that consists of two distances. It takes place in Still Bay, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This event will prepare you to survive the Attakwas ... especially the 90km route. We’ve built about 30km of singletrack road. The end venue is an ideal spot for families to chill! http://windpompmtb.iala.co.za/ 26

Hartenbos MTB Race

Cape Agulhas MTB Classic

EASTERN CAPE 8

Longmore Classic

28-12

Kariega Classic MTB Race

GAUTENG 4

Serengeti MTB and Trail Race

KZN 5-7 uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge The 2019

edition of the uBhejaneX MTB Challenge from Hillcrest to Hluhluwe from 5-7 December in aid of rhino conservation has already set a new record entry and is once again proving to be a popular choice for mountain bike riders of varying abilities. https://ubhejanex.org/

JANUARY WESTERN CAPE 18 Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge: South Africa’s premier one-day mountain bike race stages its 14th edition this year. This is the race to do if you want to test mind, body and machine. https://www.atta.co.za/ 18

Attakwas Mini MTB Challenge

MPUMULANGA 25 Barberton XCM MTB Challenge: The Barberton XCM Mountain bike challenge grew over the years to become one of the toughest, if not THE toughest oneday mountain bike race that South Africa, Mpumalanga or the Lowveld has to offer, hence the slogan – NOT AS DELICATE AS A DAISY! This “not so delicate” race will be a rude awakening for those who over indulged in eating all the Festive Season treats rather than spending some time on the saddle. The race is open to cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes, unfit, fit and super fit! The race will consist of five routes. https://barbertonxcm.co.za/wp/

F R E E S TAT E 24-25

Lindley Gravel Grind

22 Imbuko Big Five: The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge aims to be the only South African race that tests riders on an international level when it comes to hill climbing. We aim to grow the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge in becoming THE benchmark event to test skill and endurance to compete in the ABSA Cape Epic and other international mountain bike races. The route is designed by Pieter Van Wyk, who worked on the route design team of the ABSA Cape Epic for many years. Five major climbs (Imbuko ‘Big Five’) will be the main challenges in the race and will take riders through the iconic singletracks of the surrounding mountains of Wellington. Riders can enter as solo, or teams of two riders each (male, female or mixed). There will be a substantial prize purse for the winners, and all riders will receive goody bags upon entering the event. The whole family can join at the finish line, where there will be food trucks, live music, MTB stalls and much more to keep everyone entertained. https://imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za/ 29-1 Stanford MTB Classic: Mountain bikers are invited to gather for two days of MTB fun at the Stanford MTB Classic. An event where entrants set their own personal goals, and to us everyone is a winner! For the racing snakes who need a challenge and reward, STRAVA sections will be incorporated on the routes, and prizes will go to the overall winner of the Ladies’ and Men’s categories. This way everybody gets to have a good time on their mountain bikes. The event boasts an amazing relaxed country village atmosphere, spectacularly scenic riding through fynbos and farmlands, and is hosted by the well-known and sought after Stanford Valley Guest Farm. Be sure to join in the festivities at Stanford Valley. Our aim is to create a relaxed vibe and experience on the bike, but do not underestimate the challenge of the route. Riders need to have a reasonable level of fitness and skill to participate. https://www.stanfordmtbclassic.co.za/

Herald Cycle Tour – MTB Race

Ride the Karoo

GAUTENG 28-1

Route 66 MTB Experience

F R E E S TAT E 29-1 Trans Xhariep 2020: The Free State is wild, unexplored and mostly used as a stop over for families traveling to their chosen destination. The Free State is also Beautiful, friendly and generous. Take it on with your bike and it becomes an even better adventure. Its not always about the destination, its always about the journey of getting there and the Trans Xhariep is no different. With the perfect combination of jeep track, farm roads, gravel and tar sections the journey between the Gariep Dam and Vanderkloof Dam becomes all the more worth it. Experience the Free State like never before. Have a look at the beautiful scenery the Xhariep region has on offer and enjoy the fabulous check points with local flavor everywhere you look. Stop and have a swim, wave to a friendly farmer passing by and remember to take a selfie for good measure. http://www.transxhariep.co.za/

MARCH WESTERN CAPE 1-5

Cape Rouleur

15-22

ABSA Cape Epic

27-29

Ride the Cape

MPUMULANGA 7

Demacon MTB Series #1

27-29

Sabie Xperience Mpumulanga

KZN 15-23 Freedom Challenge: – Race to Rhodes The Freedom Trail was established in 2003 with the aim of opening a fully serviced mountain bike trail running across the interior of South Africa. The trail that exists today relies on the use of local accommodation and services thus allowing riders to ride between stops without having to carry all their own food, water and overnight gear. The Freedom Trail passes through many wilderness areas, nature reserves, public and private land, showcasing the diverse landscape, fauna and flora along the way. https://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/ 21

Berg 100

MPUMULANGA

24-29

The X-Berg Challenge

15-16

28-29

Marriott Freedom Race

SA MTB Cup Series XCO #1

EASTERN CAPE 6-9 Prudential PE Plett: Join for a truly unique journey on your mountain bike, up the Eastern Coast of South Africa: the 2020 staging of the Prudential PE PLETT. The eighth staging of the Prudential PE Plett will be set off from the prestigious Kurland Polo Fields, only a few minutes drive from the heart of Plettenberg Bay and finish four days later on a massive downhill flow trail run into Crossways Farm Village. https://www.peplett.co.za/

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT IN FULL SUS AND WE WILL SEND YOU COPIES OF THE PAPER FOR YOUR GOODIE BAGS OR REGISTRATION TABLE. CALL DEE ON 021 685 0285/6 GET YOUR EVENT LISTED HERE FOR FREE! EMAIL ALL YOUR 2020 EVENT DATES AND DETAILS TO SUSSED@FULLSUS.CO.ZA TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON THE COVERAGE.

CLASSIFIEDS

DEC/JAN 2020 VOL 62

TURN AN Y GL ASSES I N TO M AGNIFYING G L A SSES WITH SUPERIO R C L A RITY

Just add water and adhere. Lenses are 3cms in diameter and are removable and reusable. Great for those who require magnification for eyewear that is not prescription, like riding glasses. Hydrotac™ lenses can be trimmed to size with a sharp scissors and positioned anywhere on the lens. They do not interfere with forward vision and work well with photochromic lenses. Price R345 per pair, R600 for two plus P&P. Go to our Facebook page for ordering details or WWW.HYDROTAC.CO.ZA | EMAIL ADRIAN@HYDROTAC.CO.ZA | 072 852 8272

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