TSITSIKAMMA
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS JACQUES MARAIS
MTB CHALLENGE
MAY 2014
Tsitsikamma undoubtedly rates as one of SA’s favourite mountain biking regions, and autumn is a perfect time to go make tracks in these fantastic forests
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n any given weekend you have at least a dozen MTB races to choose from, but money cannot buy the tranquillity and top-class trails which comes as part of the deal at the MERREL Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge. That is the beauty of the race as well as the region: you can either go solo along an endless network of routes, or crank with the pack within the unmatched scenery of this ‘place of sparkling waters’. Do yourself a favour the next time you’re passing this way; turn off the N2 as you cruise past Storms River, and crank into the primal forests rising up on either side of the highway. Spider-webbing through these ancient trees and pine plantations, you will find a range of rollicking mountain biking and trail running routes, so make a point of exploring. The MERREL Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge event itself is based at the popular Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure Centre near Storms River Village, and riders can opt to ride anything from an easyover 28km, a challenging 42km or a gritty 70km route. Everything goes, from forest, fynbos and coastal cranking, with constantly changing views and terrain around every corner.
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For more info on the MERRELL Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge, check out www.merrell.co.za or go to www.tsitsikammamtb.co.za Find al the results at www.mountainevents.co.za
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High Trailing THE ACTION About three quarters through the race, riders emerge from the pine plantations for a quick climb onto a gorgeous fynbos plateau. A helter-skelter dual-track leads them onto the final section of the route towards the finish.
THE SHOT I clambered onto a rock to get a higher viewpoint and then composed the image so that the rule of thirds kicked in.
THE SPECS 1/800th sec @ f3.2; SONY A99-SLT + 16mm Fish-eye; ISO 50; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (0); Flash (None)
MORE INFO www.tsitsikammamtb.co.za
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About three quarters through the race, riders emerge from the pine plantations for a quick climb onto a gorgeous fynbos plateau.
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A rider gets lost within the fragrant pine plantations encompassing much of the MERRELL Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge route
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Forest Funk THE ACTION A rider gets lost within the fragrant pine plantations encompassing much of the MERRELL Tsitsikamma MTB Challenge route. The riding here is generally fast and flowing, but ‘the faster you go, the more tricky it gets’!
THE SHOT Zoom lenses allow you to compress a scene, and in this image the shady trees in the foreground frames the shot to accentuate the focal point (in this case, a lone rider).
THE SPECS 1/1200th sec @ 5.6; SONY A99-SLT + 70 - 400mm lens; ISO 800; WB Setting (Auto); No flash; AE Setting (0)
MORE INFO www.merrell.co.za
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THE ACTION
May the Sun Shine Bright on You
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Riders ascend from the woodland gloom into the welcome warmth of the rising sun. I specifically broke the rules to shoot from a low angle directly into the flare to maximise the contrast and drama of the photo.
THE SHOT The combination of a ground-level viewpoint, sun flare and being right in the action give the feeling of being inside the race.
THE SPECS 1/60th sec @ f8; SONY A99-SLT with 16-35mm zoom; ISO 50; WB Setting (Auto); AE Setting (-1); On-Camera Flash
MORE INFO www.sony.co.za
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Dem Pigs! I set up – usually with my long lens to condense the action – approximately 200m up the road, and then wait for the action to unfold... THE ACTION One of the farm roads passes a piggery, and on race day you can just about guarantee close calls between the riders and the oinkers. It adds a lovely humorous aside to the imagery (and so far no pigs or MTBers have been hurt in the process)!
THE SHOT I set up – usually with my long lens to condense the action – approximately 200m up the road, and then wait for the action to unfold...
THE SPECS 1/1500th sec @ f5.6; SONY A99-SLT with 70-400mm Zoom; ISO 400; WB Setting: Auto; AE Setting (0); No flash
MORE INFO www.xtremedia.co.za
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The Green Line THE ACTION
Part of the TSITSIKAMMA MTB Challenge route traverses a trail lined with ferns on all sides, and it remains one of my favourite spots along the ride.
THE SHOT This verdant downhill chute is set within near-constant shade, which means you need to push your ISO, even when using remote flash in order to balance the natural and artificial light.
THE SPECS 1/250th sec @ f2.8; SONY A99-SLT with 16mm Fisheye lens; ISO 250; WB Setting: Auto; AE Setting (-1); 2x Remote Flash Units on Phottix Wi-Fi transceivers
MORE INFO www.jacquesmarais.co.za
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AIS
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“The faster you go, the trickier it gets!”