TREAD Issue 6

Page 1

TREAD

TREAD

M O U N TA I N B I K I N G W I T H S O U L

M O U N TA I N B I K I N G W I T H S O U L

GET YOUR MATES ONTO BIKES

Share the feeling, grow your riding group

ABSA Cape Epic

www.treadmag.co.za

The race that consumes you BIKES TESTED • • • •

Merida One Twenty Ellsworth Epiphany Whyte E120 Trek Top Fuel 9

TRAINING – How to go from schmo to pro TECH – Convert to disc brakes for less than R3000

ISSUE 6 May/June 2010 R36.95 (incl VAT)

ISSUE 6 | MAY/JUNE 2010

EVENTS

• MTN XC/DH National Cup #1 • MTN Sabie Marathon • Subaru Sani2c • MTN Sabie Classic

TOP RIDERS | BEST RACES | SKILLS | TRENDS | GEAR | NUTRITION


Contents

REMARK-ABLE You’re a trouble-making punk. A disruption to the ponderous communion of bipeds and bum-sniffing canines on mountain tracks countrywide. You’re a yahoo maniac. A twerp on fat tyres. You look so happy. Andy Ellis, ‘Stoke’ Page 14 Problem is, with Epic, you need to think. I realised that when I woke up in a sweat at 03h00 the next morning wondering if a lung and leg transplant were possible under medical aid. Adrian Wainwright, ‘My First...’ Page 24 “Armed with a Klippies & Coke and a smoke, I watched a good mate cross the line. I remember the look on his face, the energy of the race, the sheer gravity of it all. I realised that my student days were over but my student eating and drinking habits weren’t. I knew I had to change. And I knew I had to race the Epic.” Andrew Grobler. ‘Race like the pro’s’ Page 36 “Continental Europe has been doing tests here for the past few years and they reckon that not only is our terrain among the harshest in the world, but our UV rays are extremely damaging and this also impacts on tyre wear. The tyre failure rate in South Africa is the highest in the world and that’s road bikes and mountain bikes.” Ray Earl, ‘Industry Leader’ Page 46 “I try and ride the bike at least three times a week combined with at least two spinning sessions and then two gym sessions of 30 minutes each with a personal trainer called Burger van der Merwe. Just gotta love that name, he reminds me of my favourite food!” Clinton Rhodes, ‘My Challenge’ Page 78

MAY/JUNE ’10

CONTENTS

6

4 SOUL PROVIDER Editor’s welcome DROOL Wish you were here…

FEATURE

46 INDUSTRY Leader Continental’s Ray Earl

24 The one race that completely con-

BIKES & GEAR

sumes you - ABSA Cape Epic

14

8 CLUTTER Dept. of Current Affairs STOKE

50 Tested – Merida One-Twenty, Trek Top 28 Get your buddy muddy 36 How you can ride like a pro

59 REVIEWED Cool gear and accessories

16 SKILL Befriend momentum 18 FUEL Phosphate loading to get an edge

INDUSTRY

40

Fun on a budget is still fun

TRAIL

20

Riding with Greyton’s greatest ambassador

2 |

Fuel 9, Ellsworth Epiphany, Whyte E120

44 Who is behind the MTN National Series?

70

68 TRAINING In style TECH Upgrade to disc brakes for under R3000

PEOPLE 74 MY FITNESS Paul Furbank

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Contents

Kevin Evans bombs the singletrack on his way to the National Ultra Marathon Championship in the mountains of Sabie. Photo: ZOON CRONJE

ON THE COVER Capetonians have it pretty good, as Andrew Guess demonstrates here. ‘Manualling’ with Table Mountain as a backdrop... Photo: greg beadle

SUBSCRIBE AND WIN AN ADVENTURE WORTH R42000! Page 38-39

78

76 MY BIKE Nico Pfitzenmeier MY CHALLENGE Clinton Rhodes

EVENTS

80

RACES WITH SOUL MTN Sabie Classic, Subaru Sani2c, MTN XC/

DH National Cup #1

96

93 CALENDAR Races in May and June 2010 BLEND Henry Fagan

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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Soul Provider

Editor: SEAN BADENHORST sean@treadmag.co.za Deputy Editor: DONOVAN JACKSON donovan@treadmag.co.za Contributing Editors BARRY McCALLUM, ANDY ELLIS Contributing Photographers GREG BEADLE, AUBREY JONSSON, WARREN VAN RENSBURG, RONELLE RUST, DominIc Barnardt, Dion Lloyd, Caroline McClelland, SVEN MARTIN, ZOON CRONJE. Creative Director: NOLENE SAUNDERS nolene@treadmag.co.za Contributors: Donovan Jackson, Adrian wainwright, ANDY ELLIS, BARRY McCALLUM, adele drake, Jason Bronkhorst, Kerryn Krige. Publisher: DONOVAN JACKSON donovan@treadmag.co.za Associate Publisher: JOANNE BADENHORST joanne@treadmag.co.za Brand Manager: Christopher Dutton chris@treadmag.co.za Editorial Address: 12 Insinde Avenue, Weltevreden Park, 1709 For advertising enquiries chris@treadmag.co.za . Subscriptions info@treadmag.co.za or call 0832797797 TREAD magazine is published with passion alternate monthly by Retread Publishing CC. All material is copyright and may not be reproduced or used in any form without written permission from the publishers.

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

Share the feeling

M

ountain biking is made for great

Mostly, we develop friendships with other

stories. Post-ride banter can go on

mountain bikers because we end up doing

for hours as riding buddies marvel

some rides with them and we share a

at one another’s skills or speed

common suffering, or a common success.

We get some emails from readers with

Usually both.

compliments and criticism. We’re quite

over a certain obstacle or section. Chat about

Tell us what you think

the amazing view from the top of the climb.

What about our longtime friends that

up to dealing with criticism, as long as

Discuss the merits of longer travel over shorter

don’t ride. Sure, we know they’re missing

it’s constructive and helps us improve

travel for that terrain. Work out, through much

out, but they will only know that once

our magazine. We publish TREAD for

deliberation, which is the perfect tyre for the

they’ve done their first ride. They may find

mountain bikers like you. We don’t publish

area. Debate ideal tyre pressures and SRAM vs.

mountain biking intimidating. It can be.

TREAD for advertisers, or events, or on

Shimano and hydration pack vs. bottles. Laugh

But it doesn’t have to be. Our main feature

behalf of a sponsor. We publish TREAD

out loud about close calls on the descent. And

in this edition is dedicated to helping you

because we want to. Because we love

help patch up one another’s injuries after a

get your buddy or buddies, or partner or

mountain biking as much as you do. Because

fall. But threaded through all of that post-ride

spouse onto a mountain bike. Give them

we believe South African mountain biking is

banter, is an element of fun.

something new to talk about. Something

unique and needs a magazine that reflects

It can’t be anything else, because by

new to get excited about. Something that

that. Keep sending us your feedback and

nature, mountain biking is really fun. There’s

you can share. You know they’re going to

suggestions. We want to ensure our content

so much to mountain bikes and the terrain we

love it. And who knows, maybe like you,

is always relevant and original and fresh. And

ride them on that there’s never a dull moment.

they’ll begin to live it.

your feedback helps us achieve that.

What do swimmers have to talk about after a swim in the pool? See, we’re lucky. But we

Sean Badenhorst

can only really enjoy post-ride banter with a

Editor

buddy. Or a few of them.

4 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

The TREAD Team


SRAM®, RockShox®, Avid® and Truvativ® came together to create something even more powerful: the first ever complete 2x10 MTB group set - XX™. Brakes so powerful - shifting so fast - BB30 cranks so strong to withstand the highest level of World Cup racing - put together as a lightweight but fully featured package for anyone to experience a new level of perfomance under 2300g.

XX information: www.sram.com/xx

© 2009 SRAM, LLC

Distributed, serviced and maintanied by Cape Cycle Systems (Pty) Ltd. est 1987, www.capecycles.co.za

The first 2x10 MTB group set


Drool PHOTO: Greg Beadle

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Riding the impossible.. By Greg Beadle

K

arl Platt and Stefan Sahm, defending champions as Team Bulls 1 enjoy the honour of being allowed, with special permission, to ride

on Robben Island with 100 VIPS as a prelude event to the 2010 ABSA Cape Epic presented by Adidas.

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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Media

Surf this…

Compiled by Barry McCallum

Read this… I sometimes use the words “holy roller” as a username on Internet forums or customer websites. I took this name from the Maxxis tyres I run on my BMXes, not because I throw fits and roll around on the floor. So I was pleasantly surprised when I came across a bike from Soulcraft Bike called the Holy Roller. Sean Walling started the company 11 years ago with Matt Nyiri, who has since left the company. His ethos is simple: “Passion. Commitment. Value. Heritage. Quality. You hear those words a lot these days but here at Soulcraft they’re not marketing fluff, they are the foundations on which the company was built.” He does tell a little fib in his description of the Holy Roller, “I invented the 29-inch wheel mountain bike in 1975”, before adding “…actually, that’s a lie. I was 5 years old. But I build a really nice one with geometry that takes all that blasphemy you hear about big wheels and throws it in the can. For those looking for further enlightenment, the Holy Roller is available as a singlespeed as well. I don’t preach about which path is best for you, I just counsel. This is the second book we’re recommending

Can I get an ‘Amen’?” Want one? Be prepared to pay and wait. Walling limits his production line

from Frank J Berto, whose Birth of Dirt:

to 85 bikes annually – roughly seven a month – and no amount of begging will rush him. You have

Origins of Mountain Biking was punted in the

to fill out a custom order sheet – he’ll provide advice should this be your first custom rig – and put

launch edition of TREAD. In that history

down a deposit of $500 before Walling will start work on a CAD drawing. When this is received,

he particularly stresses the importance of the

you are assigned a spot on the waiting list. After about four weeks Walling will call – “If you live

introduction of the derailleur to the growth

somewhere like Sweden, then you will be calling me” – to discuss aspect of geometry and fit.

of the sport. The component is obviously

A PDF will then be sent to you for a final sign-off. Don’t get impatient when the build starts – “

a favourite topic of his. Eleven years ago,

‘How’s my frame coming?’ is a common question. A common answer is, ‘It isn’t.’” I want one.

after finding that “publishers felt that there

Read more at http://soulcraftbikes.com/index.asp

would be no market for a $50.00 technical bicycle book with 352 pages, 80,000 words

Listen to this... It’s been a long time coming, but April 13 saw the release of Jeff Beck’s first studio album in more

and 1200 illustrations” he self-published The

than seven years. The guitar great’s Emotion & Commotion, produced by Steve Lipson and Trevor

Dancing Chain: History and Development

Horn, is a collection of original material and covers. Beck teamed up with a 64-piece orchestra to

of the Derailleur Bicycle. Published last

record versions of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma and Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of

year, the third edition, says Berto, has

Oz, but the track I’m most looking forward to his take on Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s classic ‘I Put A

“changed from a derailleur history to a

Spell On You’ with Joss Stone laying on the lyrics. The Grammy-winner also sings on the album’s

genuine encyclopaedia of the bicycle” and

closing track, ‘There’s No Other Me’.

covers everything from bicycle inventor Karl

TREAD’s Classic track: On ‘Victory’, a DVD from MTBcut.tv that follows the 2008 downhill

von Drais’s Laufmaschine right up to 2009

season, The Cult’s ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ provides a backdrop for the

developments and paying special attention

footage from the rain-soaked Bromont World Cup round. The track,

to the relatively recent emergence of SRAM

originally released in 1985, featured on the post-punk band’s second

as a serious player on the market. Staying

album Love. When asked, singer Ian Astbury would simply say “the

true to his roots, Berto says the 11th chapter,

song is about sex”. While not all fans agree with the suggestion that

The Dawn of Mountain Biking: 1975–1984,

the lyrics refer to a relationship with a prostitute, nearly all agree

which runs to 47 pages and contains 311

that they are about a social outcast who, while “the world drags

illustrations, “is my favourite chapter. The

me down”, finds sanctuary in the “burning eyes” of the subject of

real story of Repack and the invention of the

the song.

mountain bike”. Although discounted by R40,

Watch this…

it’s still carries a hefty price tag on www.

The video industry is largely responsible for the growth of extreme sports of all kinds. There are a

kalahari.net. It sells for R566.

number of dedicated and thriving mountain bike film production houses out there. But there are many, many more aspiring filmmakers among the unwashed masses too. www.mtbmovies.com is one

Got a website, book, CD or DVD you

of the biggest websites containing vids from amateur filmmakers around the world wanting to get

think we should check out, drop us a

their work out there. The clips range from shoddy productions to slick bits of filming. It’s free to sign

mail at info@treadmag.co.za and write

up and post videos, but a R180-odd annual fee will get you a Gold Membership, which guarantees

‘Media’ in the subject field.

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

your submissions front-page listings. There’s also a monthly competition for the best clip posted.


Clutter CSA gets a shake-up

The top management of Cycling South Africa got a shake-up at the Annual Congress, held in late February. Greg Till was retained at President with William Newman being voted in as Vice President. Two salaried positions were filled: Barry Mocke is the new CSA

CEO and Ciska Austin is CSA Head: Secretariat. Greville Ruddock opted not to stand for re-election as Director of Mountain Biking, with Andrew Nicholson taking over that role. Johan Wykerd and Richard Durrant were named MTB Commissioners.

3 Things… SPORTS …young riders with bright futures: 1. James Reid (Junior Men XCM/XCO) 2. Timothy Bentley (Junior Men DHI) 3. Candice Neethling (Junior Women XCM/XCO) … that recently made us smile: 1. Kevin Evans beating the roadies to win the SA time trial title 2. Burry Stander, riding without the backing of a team, finishing 4th at Emperor’s Classic road race and SA Champs Elite road race 3. Acknowledgement by riders from mountain biking hotbed provinces KZN, Mpumalanga and Western Cape that the Rietvlei Farm XC course in Alberton, Gauteng, is first rate.

>> reduces friction by forming thin protective layer >> Prevents sores, blisters and skin irritation >> Long-lasting, non-greasy, non-sticky barrier >> Protects naturally with Tea Tree oil

| 9

Northern Gauteng sales and product information call Grant: TREAD FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010 0839647929. Also Available at: Dis-Chem , Selected pharmacies, Cycle stores & Sportsman Warehouse

www.bluesteelsports.co.za |

0860 103 571


Clutter

10 |

TREAD FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010


Headsets | Bottom Brackets | Hub Sets

Precision Products | Precision Service

Williams Bike Shop - 021 851 0919 - william@williamsbikeshop.co.za Chris King Precision Components - Cycles Africa - www.cyclesafrica.co.za - 0861 GO BIKE (46 2453)

OFF-CAMBER

Different by design There’s ongoing development in mountain bike design to find the perfect blend of control, efficiency and comfort. Robert Rae has taken MTB design to what most would consider the extreme in his effort to create the perfect full-suspension bike. Rae claims that the design, for which he holds the copyright and patents, eliminates any energy loss through pedalling. Rae explains the thinking behind his design, including 39 advantages over conventional full suspension designs on his website: www.raerdesign.com

Bike Brake Tired of seeing your pride and joy slide down a wall and crash ignominiously to the ground while you sit sipping your latte metres away? That’s what the Bike Brake is for. Leave the little gizmo on your handlebars but when parking, stretch it over the front brake. Even on a properly canted pavement your bike won’t try slither off without permission. Just one thing. When you get going again, do remember to release the elastic or you could be in for some unplanned power training…. Price: R26 at bike stores. Contact: Ballistic Bike Trading, 011 023 4478 TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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Clutter

A BEER WITH…

Richard Durrant By Donovan Jackson

Ex-roadies are routinely shocked and impressed at how friendly commissaires, race organisers and marshals are when they first break into the MTB scene. Someone who plays a key role in this is Richard Durrant, frequently seen adjudicating at the big – and small – races, always with a smile and with a wide knowledge of who’s who on the bike. TREAD caught up with Richard and asked him: How’d you wind up as a commissaire? How long have you been doing

has advised recently: ‘Please ensure that each and every member, and

it? And how often are you on duty?

indeed person in your province, who dares to use a whistle in a rugby

I started helping with timekeeping at club races held by Rockhoppers MTB

game, is fully aware of the minimum requirements with regards to first

Club at the old LaFarge Quarry in Honeydew, now the Eagle Canyon Golf

aid services and equipment. And do not start a game without these

Estate. It still makes me sad to think how much fun we used to have on

requirements being met.’ The same applies to mountainbiking!

our mountain bikes in now what is just more suburbia. My son Ryan was a

What do you like about the job?

keen rider in those days, actually he still is, but more (dare I say) on the

The riders, the people and the camaraderie!

road. Back then I took him to one of the nationals in Ficksburg, where a

And what sucks about it?

commissaire course was being run. I attended and the rest is history.

What sucks - how does the saying go “there is always one in every crowd’’

This was ten years ago; I’ve been President of the SA Mountainbiking

– fortunately mountain bikers are by far in the majority nice, decent and

College of Commissaires for about eight years. My initial commissaire

honest people so we don’t have to deal with the difficult people much!

training was under the guidance of Arno Neethling (International UCI

You wear a name badge at the races. Why is that?

Commissaire) and Greville Ruddock (past President of CSA MTB).

You’d be surprised that few riders, even the top competitors, have no

I do duty at least every second weekend and sometimes twice on a

idea what a commissaire is and what their functions are. We need to

single weekend. For the ABSA Cape Epic this year I was away from home

have some form of identification so that when we approach riders or their

for 10 days – I have a very understanding wife who says it is fortunate that

teams, they know who we are, where we are coming from and that we

I don’t also play golf, otherwise she would never see me!

have some status and authority around the event.

What’s your day job?

How can competitors make your life – and no doubt, theirs - easier?

I have my own consulting business specialising in occupational health and

Know the basic rules related to the competition that you are taking part

safety; more specifically, the road transportation of dangerous goods. I

in. Many riders will ride in a competition, transgress the rules and then

was employed by a large transport company up until two years ago when

get upset when they are taken to task for their actions. This applies often

I decided to go out on my own.

to young riders who are just starting out and a DQ or relegation in the race

What do you like about being the boss at the races?

can destroy them for life! Parents can often take some blame for this. You

The commissaire is not the boss, perhaps that what makes us MTB officials

will notice at race briefings for the younger categories, especially at XCO

somewhat different from our peers in the other discipline. We are there

events, we take considerable time to explain the basic and immediate

as independent representatives of the national mountain bike body to

rules to the riders on the line.

ensure primarily the safety and fair competition of the event. We have

MTB isn’t really the sort of sport which attracts cheats…but there

the capacity to stop an event if the required criteria are not in place.

always will be some. What are some of the transgressions you most

Not something that would happen easily, but with new legislation being

commonly encounter?

promulgated around the staging of live events, the responsibility and

Thankfully I cannot answer this question easily. Intentional cheating is

personal liability is becoming onerous. As one of the top rugby referees

very rare in the sport and let’s hope it remains like that.

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


I am not just your partner. I am the voice in the back of your head, screaming at you to go faster. I am your surgeon, your mechanic and your coach. In return, you will be mine. Because this monster can only be conquered if we rise and fall as one. I am not just your partner.

I am the other half of you.

We sponsor the world’s most gruelling team mountain bike race because we believe in real partnerships. Absa Business Bank. We’re in it together.

21–28 March 2010

Absa Bank Limited, Reg No 1986/004794/06, Authorised Financial Services Provider Registered Credit Provider Reg No NCRCP7


Stoke

All Downhill From Here

turning to raisins with age. I don’t get it. What is slowing me down? I mean, I can ride a bike. Why can’t I just let go and enjoy the ride? It’s as if full-throttle descents have a warrant to take me down. Dead or a barely alive. So wrong. And so naff. Do I score manpoints for all this honesty? I guess not. Truth is, I’ve missed a trick to mountain biking. I got the bloomin’ concept the wrong

By Andy Ellis

way round from the beginning. The point of all this malarkey is to have fun. Not bust a lung. Mountain bikes are at their best on the way down. It wasn’t always like this for me, you know. Oh, back in the day. The majority rode hard tails. Brakes were cantilevered and front suspension was just out of the box. Dual suspension? Only found in American magazines. Our rims squawked in the wet and our bones rattled on the ruts. Frontiersmen were we. As a result the machines of the day didn’t reveal too much of my ineptitude. I sailed merrily. But now people like you, The Dude, have emerged. You make my cross-country mentality look lame. Your bike looks more MTX than MTB. It’s heavy, with no compromise on rubber, travel or stopping

D

power. The saddle is shoved deep into the ear Dude, man on aggro downhill-

your weight, breathe from your diaphragm,

frame. If my beast is a stallion, then yours

bike-type machine. I hear you

keep the front wheel straight and ride the

is a kudu pumped on bovine EPO. You wear

long, long before I see you. Tyres

bloody bike. Easy.

baggy shorts and a t-shirt. Your helmet is a

skipping. Chain clattering. Grit

Yip, in my smorgasbord of biking life I eat

potty affair. And dude, your legs. They’re

chewing through disc brakes. My dog does

the ups. I am a mouth-breathing komodo.

flippin hairy. My dog and I (safely perched

too. You hurt his ears. To be honest, he

A masochistic flagellator whipping away

on a ledge) have watched you doing your

frikkin hates you. Even though he knows I

thoughts of a dishonourable dismount. And

hell-fire runs. You turn at the bottom.

like to ride. He deplores you. He is terrified

then, on the flats and twisty single tracks, I go

Arms outstretched, nose to the gravel, legs

of you. You’re like one those jet skiers on

for the biggest gears and try to spin the world

trailing, you are not ashamed to push-plough

Bay Watch. Jumping, bumping. Gnawing at

off of its axis. Yeah man. And on the downs I

your bike back to the top. It looks hideously

the peace. You’re a trouble-making punk. A

behave like the speeding bullet of my dreams.

painful, and graceful as pigeons mating. But

disruption to the ponderous communion of

Snot glazed to my wind-tunnelled cheeks, I

you don’t appear to care. You’re only in this

bipeds and bum-sniffing canines on mountain

am the rage in the machine. Ha ha. Hoo hoo.

thing for the descent. Are you an oracle of

tracks countrywide. You’re a yahoo maniac. A

Ja. Whatever. Because when switchbacks

the future?

twerp on fat tyres. You look so happy. I want

beckon and cliff faces threaten I’m a quaky

to be you.

bitch sporting brake pads with extra wings.

(

And on the downs I behave like the speeding bullet of my dreams. Snot glazed to my wind-tunnelled cheeks, I am the rage in the machine.

)

At the top you hardly pause to rest, turn and go. You float over the frame as it sponges the ditches. Jumps are candyfloss perfection, wheelie lifts on helium, and obstacle hops rampant. The speed is mesmerising. You’re all calm under pressure, animal disregard of consequence and you have skills. Skills are

My mountain-bike life is all in reverse. I prefer

Yip, I suck on the downs. It’s a fear rooted

what I see. Skills are what I need to cross over

the going up part. I guess it’s because I have

in the discomfort of my emasculated Mexican

to this mad-dog discipline. Which begs the

comfort in the technicalities. The required

cojones. In comparison to downhillers I have

command, Dear Pooch. We need to get you

skill set is concise, simple: know where to put

balls the size of table grapes… that are

home so I can go ride my bike like The Dude.

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


For an Epic 2010 For more info on a stockist near you visit www.firstascent.co.za or call: 021 787 9380


Skill

Momentum ‘

Momentum is your friend.’ It’s a bit of a worn-out saying, but that’s probably because it holds true. You simply have to embrace this concept if you are to enjoy your mountain biking and improve your skills, speed and the level of respect you hold among your riding peers. By Sean Badenhorst

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


CLIMBS

the descent is very tricky, you may have to

The only way to get up a climb without

moderate your momentum by braking a bit.

dismounting is to pedal like a madman (or

But the reality is that the less you touch your

woman) all the way to the summit. You don’t

brakes on a descent, the better your chances

have to look like you’re desperately clawing

are of reaching the bottom on the bike and

your way up, especially if you started the

not next to it.

climb with a healthy helping of momentum.

MUD/SAND

A climb is usually preceded by a flat

When you’re approaching a long section

section or a downhill. By looking ahead and

of mud or thick sand, you’re way more

anticipating the climb that awaits, you can

likely to get through it if you start it with

get your momentum just right to help carry

a good bit of speed. Hitting it at speed, aka

you onto the climb at first and then up to

momentum, will carry you through the first

the summit.

few metres without you even realising it. And

It’s extremely important to work out the

by continuing to pedal like mad during the

most appropriate gear for the climb BEFORE

mud or sand crossing, you’re going to keep

you start the climb. Usually this will mean

that momentum either all the way through,

shifting to an easier gear on the approach,

or for most of it.

as you’re about to hit the base of the climb.

SUMMARY

That way, you can pedal ‘into’ the gear that’s

You can’t afford not to embrace momentum.

most appropriate to get you to the top.

At first, it may seem scary because it usually

For long, steady climbs momentum

means increasing the speed with which you

isn’t as crucial as on short, steep ascents,

would normally be comfortable. This is

where you should try and power up it

where you need to realise that hundreds and

with minimal gear shifting. So your quads

thousands of hours of design have gone into

may burn and your lungs may scream for

building mountain bikes to be able to summit

mercy, but it’s a temporary discomfort. By

steep climbs, absorb the rough terrain on

powering that same gear from the bottom

descents and power through mud and sand.

to the summit (or maybe shifting one or two

You need to trust this technology to get you

clicks easier during the ascent), make use

over most terrain.

of the momentum you had going into the

Think of it like this: Put a more

climb to your advantage. Any hesitation or

experienced/skilled rider on your bike and

even trying to shift to a smaller chainring

they will use momentum to conquer terrain

could crush your momentum and leave you

challenges that you may struggle with. So it’s

floundering. Which isn’t very attractive.

not a bike limitation but a rider limitation.

DESCENTS

And that limitation is a bit like a switch that

The cool thing about momentum on descents

only you have access to.

is that gravity is your ally. Usually a rocky descent is where you need momentum in dollops to assist you to sail over rocks and

So in summary, here’s a list of momentumgaining tips:

term in this case because there’s not usually

head. You need to picture yourself moving smoothly down to the base of the descent.

• • •

Avoid braking (or braking as much) Have faith in the laws of physics Have faith in the design of your bike

The key is obviously to avoid braking because this scrubs your much-needed

Let gravity dictate your pace on descents

much sailing or gracefulness involved, but that’s the picture you need to have in your

Anticipate and choose your gear early

ruts and roots. ‘Sail over’ is a very loose

Pedal like crazy!

momentum. It’s tough at first, but you must put your faith in the laws of physics here.

Want to improve your skills with expert

I’m no physics boffin, but I can guarantee

tuition? Visit www.treadmag.co.za to find

that you’re less likely to crash on a descent

out about the TREAD Skills Clinics.

if you let gravity do its thing. Sometimes, if TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 17


Fuel

Pop this, go faster! By Sean Badenhorst

of tribasic dodecahydrate sodium phosphate or lactose placebo four times daily for six days prior to performing a second time trial under laboratory conditions. Two weeks later, the time trial was completed one last time, with those cyclists having received sodium phosphate initially switching to the placebo for six days and those cyclists having received the placebo switching to sodium phosphate. Compared to the placebo, sodium phosphate improved mean power output during the time trial by 9.8 percent on average and improved time to completion by an average of 3 percent among the six study participants. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport*.

PHOTO: Greg Beadle

The first attempts at what is now known as phosphate-loading were made during World War 1, when phosphate-enhanced foods and drinks were fed to German soldiers to delay fatigue. This did apparently make a difference, but there were no scientific experiments carried out to prove it.

If racing is your thing then you’ll always want to go faster. Assuming you have good racing condition already, it could be as simple as popping a few tablets in a process known as phosphate-loading.

B

urry Stander phosphate-loads

determine the effect phosphate loading has

before every race. The Under-23

on exercise performance. Overall, research

XC World Champion says that it’s

findings are inconclusive, but some studies

a perfectly legitimate and popular

have shown significant improvements –

performance enhancing technique among the pros.

between 6-12% – in VO2 Max. A 2008 study from Loughborough

What are phosphates? Well, they’re those

University provides the best evidence yet

very common electrolyte elements you see

that sodium phosphate loading is effective.

on nutrition supplementation labels such

Six trained male cyclists took part in the

as calcium, magnesium and sodium. Pretty

study. The subjects completed an initial

straight forward, huh?

16km cycling time trial under laboratory

Many studies have been carried out to

18 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

conditions and then ingested either 1 gram

Other studies have shown no difference in endurance performance via phosphateloading, which is why there’s no conclusive evidence that it works. But of course, as a competitive mountain bike racer, you’ll take any (legal) advantage you can get right? Should you want to give it a try, the suggested dosing schedule is at least 4g of sodium and 4g of calcium and/or potassium phosphate daily in the three days leading up to a race and just before the race. * Sodium phosphate-loading improves laboratory cycling time-trial performance in trained cyclists. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Volume 11, Issue 5, Pages 464-468; J. Folland, R. Stern, G. Brickley



Trail

Finding Greytness in Greyton By: Kerryn Krige

When I first meet Corne Barnard I have the in-grained scepticism of the mountain biker: roadies can’t go offroad. They lack the passion, the skills and the personality to enjoy the life of drop-offs and cliff paths.

20 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


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ee, Corne is a competitive roadie. But a year ago, he ditched

the speed-circuits of Belgium for the hills and mountains of Greyton in the Western Cape. His plans to cycle professionally were scuppered in 2009 when a sponsor, pleading poverty

and recession, pulled out days before SA Champs. Corne shrugged his shoulders and hung up his road bike for village life and a bike with tread and suspension. Since then he’s galvanised the town, setting up Rockhoppers bike shop just outside local restaurant in the centre of the village. It’s a fabulous place –chains and cogs are framed on the wall, the floor is all pebble

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day when it will be un-banished and freed onto tarmac. He’s got the local restaurants to sponsor trails, and has a posse of youngsters who he takes out to help build and test singletrack. “I just want to cycle,” he says effusively. “But there’s just not enough sunlight in my days.” He pauses: “Fancy a night ride?” This is Corne: a compact, wiry bundle of energy and muscle who is either always on his bike or scouting routes. It’s almost impossible to get a photograph of him as he’s constantly on the move. Ian and I are on holiday with trusty hard-tails on which we both learnt to cycle way back when, and which we now keep at a friend’s house in the village. They’ve put us in touch with Corne, who races up the next morning to give us the grand tour. He arrives in a blur of cycle shorts, cleats and a bright top with its arms chaotically torn off. We head out across the bridge and do a ninety degree into the riverside forests. Its pine and wattle – not particularly pretty, but because we’re on river sand it’s thick and technical. Corne is bouncing in the saddle up ahead, pointing out berms and jumps and eagerly asking if they’re OK – what do we think of the camber? Should he shore them up? Should that tree be taken out? His questions are fast, and difficult to pick up as he sprints ahead, a rush of sand and suspension.

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Trail He takes us across the river bed, all loose rocks, and potholes and up into the rolling hills, up dusty jeep track and down single track that has tricky corners and one of those slow motion moments where I think I’m going over my handlebars.

Blazing saddles The next day these hillside trails are a scar running through blackened fynbos after a fire, which has relentlessly been picking its way through the Overberg mountains, races up the slopes. While we’re exchanging riding war stories later that night in the pub, Corne’s trails are acting as mini-firebreaks as firefighters desperately try to control flames which, by all accounts, are out of control. But his enthusiasm as we head back to the river and forest, unaware of the pending damage, is infectious. It is on these trails that the local youngsters are learning to cycle. Jack Collins – who proudly tells us he’s just turned seven – steadily pedals his way through the white sand, crosses the wooden bridges and rolls expertly over jumps. Corne asks the youngster for his opinion of the new trails. After some thought he seriously replies that they are too small. So we build a new one: I’m despatched to collect logs, Ian is put in charge of sand deployment, and Jack manages operations. He is charmed and chuffed and proudly cycles his personal jump for the first time, just holding onto his rear wheel as it tips into the air. He lands, and in that moment, he is the Greg Minnaar of his world. But it is when Corne gives it a go – in his plakkies, on a kiddies bike and with a style and panache that defies gravity, that I am convinced. He may have been a roadie, but there’s too much going on here to hold it against him.

Cycling: the glue that binds It is this involvement – of visitors and locals - that makes Greyton an extra special cycling destination. The scenery is perfect: the high mountains of the Riviersondereinde range loom large over the colonial lookalike town, which is all white houses, green lawns and English sheepdogs. It’s just a two hour drive from Cape Town, and the options seem endless. In the three days of cycling – exploring on our own, and being shown around by Corne – we didn’t get to do half of what we could see we could do. And there’s a lot more hidden riding behind the hills, and on local farms and estates. “That is part of the fun – finding the trails, chatting to the farmers, getting them to open up their land to bikers – involving everyone in the design and build. There is beautiful riding out there and it’s beneficial to everyone if we can open it up,” asserts Corne. The trails that have been built are well marked and somehow manage to be suitable for both kids and hardened mountain bikers who want to test their speed, agility and fear thresholds. The singletrack goes on for kilometres – how many Corne can’t say, but it all links to jeep track making it a practical, easily navigable network.

There’s (trail) gold in them thar hills We have obviously passed some kind of test because the next day we are invited to ride on the other side of the village, leaving the rolling hills, which are now smouldering, for the serious gradients of the mountainside. This is where Corne thrives. The hills are seriously steep, and even though it is jeep track, the gravel is loose and tricky. He is in

22 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Trail

his element: whilst we are bent ninety degree’s over our handlebars pushing hard, he sits waiting at the top; surveying his territory. The views up top are beautiful, reaching Genadendal, one of South

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Machetes at dawn: Corne Barnard opens up a new trail though the brush of Greyton.

Africa’s oldest mission stations, and sweeping across the oak-lined and tin-roofed avenues of Greyton, to the blackened fields of the previous day’s route. Smoke still billows from the fire as it burns fiercely on the other side of the mountain. We’re trying a track that Corne has spotted and never ridden, and we sail down through the fynbos, zigzagging through the scrub until I see Corne tip over his bars and with legs flying, he heads south. It’s funny. But as I get closer I see why: the erosion has left suddenly gaping holes in the path. So we hike-a-bike down and head back onto one of the marked trails, a fabulous descent that has everything – S-bends, loose rocks and hard packed trail that has you grinning from top to bottom. It’s a finale that marks the end of the introduction to what has potential to become a great mountain biking mecca: the ABSA Cape Epic already spends two days in Greyton and the MTB festivals on outlying farms are growing in popularity. Each morning, the tables at the Oak and Vigne restaurant fill with cyclists having a coffee before heading out onto the trails. And later, we see a line of cyclists snaking up the hill at the bottom of the Knietjieshoogte single track. There must be about ten riders, all who have just rocked up at the bike shop calling a ride. And at the front shuttling people up the hills, is a blur of sponsored blue – made more distinctive, because even from a distance, the sleeves are noticeably absent. TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 23


Feature

MY FIRST...

ABSA Cape Epic

The one race that completely consumes you By: Adrian Wainwright

Y

ou can’t quite believe how

Skype video made managing a relationship

it feels. There’s relief. Joy.

and an Epic commitment, dare I say it,

We rounded the clockwise exit circuit and shot

Disbelief. Rapture. Humility.

simpler. And I ate to ride, slept to ride,

out of the school and up the first steep concrete

Pain. Pleasure. Pride. And yes,

worked to ride. It made me a terribly

climb, catching the team ahead just halfway

monotonous dinner guest.

up. As the weaker rider, I rode in front so as not

rugged mountain bikers, there are tears.

Five fingers … four … three … two … one.

I’m not talking about my reaction to JZ’s

I was so focused on Epic that races were

most recent state of the nation speech.

just tough training rides - Crater Cruise, the

I pushed, continued to push, and pushed

I’m talking of course about crossing the

94.7, the Vit-2-Go MTB series and even the

some more, until we reached the Table

line in Lourensford to finish my first Absa

glorious Sani2c passed in a haze of HR data

Mountain cableway road about 400 metres

from my Suunto T6.

above the school about 25 minutes later. My

Cape Epic in 2009. I fell into last year’s race pretty much by accident. I’d only been cycling for 18 months when my good friend Gary scored an entry. “Shall we do it?” he asked over coffee one morning. “Why the hell not?” I replied, without really thinking. Problem is, with the Epic, you need

(

to be consigned to the hurt-box too soon.

Problem is, with the Epic, you need to think. I realised that when I woke up in a sweat at 03h00 the next morning wondering if a lung and leg transplant were possible under medical aid.

)

Yet as Epic drew closer, the nerves

average HR to that point was 182, or 94% of

to think. I realised that when I woke up

started, the training/fitness/form doubts

max. My partner took over the pace, cranking

in a sweat at 03h00 the next morning

raised their ugly heads and the anticipation

a strong TT down that road. He continued

wondering if a lung and leg transplant

mounted. I had no idea exactly what I was

downhill at breakneck speed over the marble-

were possible under medical aid.

nervous of. I just knew I was.

like gravel terrain. I retook the front up the

After realising we’d probably ride

That all changed at 10.36am on Saturday

stairlike-steepness of The Cobra climb. And we

better with others, Gary and I changed

19 March 2009.

partners. He formed a mixed team with

The start of an epic week

tag-teamed each other back to the school.

another friend. And I teamed up with a

As we rolled gently across the closely-cut

A haze of agony and ecstasy

chap I didn’t know all that well at the time,

grass and into the start chute for the 17km

I remember climbing out of Gordon’s Bay up

but someone whose riding and attitude I

prologue in Oranjezicht, my heart rate was

Sir Lowry’s Pass on the morning of stage 1 in

already respected.

135bpm – 68% of max. We were stationary.

the midst of 1200 cyclists, thinking I was the

After the prologue the days kinda blur together.

From October through March, cycling

Teams were leaving at 30 second intervals.

luckiest oke alive --- until 30kms later when

became my life. I rode at 05h00 five or

There was just one team ahead of us.

I’d spent almost two hours in 22 x 30 creeping

six days a week – from 75 minute balls-out

And then even they were gone. I vividly

up the Neuweberg and Groenlandberg. And I

spinning sessions to seven-hour MTB drags

remember people all around, the vague

remember bombing almost 10kms down the

out and around the glorious Groenkloof

realisation that this was the Epic for real,

other side like a poor-man’s Minnaar.

Reserve in Pretoria.

and then the marshal’s hand right in front

My fiancé lived in the UK at the time, so

24 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

of my face.

I remember that stage taking us just over 7 hours. And staring wildly at race briefing that


Feature

PHOTO: SPORTZPICS TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 25


Feature

PHOTO: SPORTZPICS

26 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Feature night, saying to my partner: “If we have

one hell of a view”.

I’ve learnt that while I am in no way a

another day like today, dude, I’m f...ed.”

It was. Not of the Cape winelands from

seasoned rider, with clear goals, structured

I remember us finishing in the top 80

a mountain high above. But of the stadium

training and a complete commitment to

on stage 5, dehydration and a gash down

set up at Lourensford wine estate for

leaving nothing on the trail, you can crank

to my right patella notwithstanding. And

thousands of Absa Cape Epic supporters

out a ride that will take your breath away. But

sitting in the audience that night listening

and spectators.

you have to be super-committed. I’ve learnt

to Christoph Sauser’s “forget the politics,

We crossed the line in 102nd position

that your greatest limitation is your mind, not

let the legs to the talking” speech, which

overall and 72nd in the men’s category in

your body. I would berate myself at times on

put an end to the soap opera debacle of he

a time of 38 hours and 54 minutes – two

the bike. Yet that 10km climb couldn’t care

and Burry Stander’s time penalties.

positions (and 59 seconds) outside our

less. So hunker down, quieten down, let the

I remember Stage 6 passing in a five-hour

top 100 goal. It may sound odd but at the

legs silence the mind.

blur of water points, GU’s and Armin van

time, I was broken.

Buuren’s A State of Trance at almost-max

And I’ve learnt that while I was not riding

“Fifty-nine seconds when we’ve been

this year’s Epic, my heart and my imagination

riding for almost 39 hours? You gotta be

were on very little else from 21-28 March this

And I really, clearly remember the

kidding?!?” Yet once perspective was

year. All 1200 of you who started… you have

frustration of the final stage, when my

gained (approximately five seconds into

my respect and admiration.

heart and mind wanted to mash my BB

our first post-race beer) I realised that

to dust but my legs were connected to

nothing but finishing mattered, given we’d

the pedals by two pipe cleaners and

emptied everything we had as a team into

an apology. With 5kms to go, I was still

the trail.

stuffing chopped apples and gels into my

What comes after

mouth in a vain attempt to put power into

Finishing an Epic is almost harder than

the pins.

training for it, starting it or riding it.

iPod volume.

My partner just laughed. “Dude, just relax, enjoy the ride --- this is going to be

You’re left with a new tangible challenge: ‘what now’?

The 2010 Absa Cape Epic covered 722 kilometres in 8 stages over 8 days. The field covered 14635 metres of vertical ascent before reaching the finish at Lourensford Wine Estate.


Feature

28 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Feature

M

ost of them just don’t get it. My buddies can’t understand why I love doing something that involves physical effort, occasional injury and costs a fortune. Why ride a mountain bike? The open spaces, the sights, nature, the thrills, the camaraderie, the beer. “OK, that sounds good,” some say, “I reckon I’ll give it a bash…” Compiled by Barry McCallum and Sean Badenhorst PhotoS: DINO LLOYD

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 29


Feature

T

HE BEGINNER

in traffic, Claudia was irked after she went

“Dad, she did everything,” he said.

Claudia Schaft often joins

to the wrong entrance and then did a tour

While we took a lunch break and waited

me for a post-work beer at

of the area before finding her way – okay, I

for picman Dino to pitch, I told Claudia

Grapes, my local pub. She also

forgot to tell her that you have to use the

something I believe to be true: “You need to

often joins me for coffee at the Wiesenhof

Fountains entrance on weekdays – and the

use your front brakes more than the rear.”

downstairs at the Glynnwood Hospital

two eventual no-shows weren’t answering

Well, if nothing else, she listens to advice,

during my all too-frequent visits there.

their phones. Not really being in the mood

almost to her detriment. On the rocky

She’ll tut at the tales of my latest injury

by this stage, we agreed to do a short

section down by the fence after the rickety

or cycling-induced malady. She’ll tell me,

loop of jeep track and then tuck into the

bridge, she grabbed a handful of front brake,

despite my protestations, that the sport is

cooler box. But being in the saddle lifted

and the back end jacked up. Up, up, over?

dangerous by nature; that I need to look

our spirits, as it usually does, and we did a

Nope…she collected it and rode calmly out

after myself better. She will, however,

second loop, before cracking a cold one.

of the singletrack, but did have some choice words for me at the end. This one ain’t going

never cringe at the painful details. Claudia,

Claudia’s first impressions? “I thought

you see, is in the business of hurting people.

I would have forgotten how to ride, but

She is a physio-terrorist. Don’t be fooled

I’m Dutch, right? I was most probably

The recent rains had left some crater-

by her charming smile and approachable

conceived on a bike,” she laughed as the

sized puddles on the trails. Conor wiping

nature. She’s dangerous. Even the dudes

sun started to set. She’s a regular at gym,

out into one forced Claudia to dismount and

who wield the scalpels at the Glynnwood

so she wasn’t taxed physically, but the

walk around it. “I’d have made it through if

Hospital don’t mess with her.

seating arrangements were a problem:

Conor hadn’t crashed in front of me,” she

down easy, I thought.

So, when she expressed an interest in

the narrow Specialized saddle on the ‘Dale

confidently claimed. “Then go back and do

getting into mountain biking, I thought:

wasn’t designed with a woman in mind.

it,” I challenged.

here’s an opportunity to seek revenge on

“Er, it wasn’t comfortable, you know, down

SPLASH!

behalf of all the patients she’s twisted and

there,” she said. I’m not a doctor, but, er,

I was just ahead of her so I missed the

contorted in the wards. It didn’t work.

nevermind… “So, when are we doing it

impact, but from Conor’s shrieks, it must

After more than year of talking about it,

again?” she asked.

have been a classic off. There she stood,

we finally set a date to get her on a bike

The second ride

ankle-deep in it, shaking mud off her hands,

on a Friday afternoon towards the end of

We arranged to hook up again the following

and forcing a grin. Much to her chagrin, Dino

January at Groenkloof Nature Reserve,

weekend at the same venue. I’d bring my

managed to whip out the Nikon and snapped

Pretoria.

sons Conor and Breandan. Throw ‘em in

off a few frames of her. She was unhurt.

“You won’t take me on hard stuff that

at the deep end, right? Whereas the last

Okay maybe she suffered a slightly bruised

I’ll fall on?” she asked. “No, of course,

time we stuck to the wide stuff, this time,

ego, but over drinks in the parking lot later,

not,” I replied, fingers nixed.

without warning, I led Claudia in to the first

Claudia admitted that she was hooked after

Claudia owns a mountain bike, which

section of singletrack off the tar road. The

just two rides.

she’d used to ride on the road when she

protruding rocks on the short uphills can

“I knew I would be. I love the outdoors,

stayed on a farm near Warmbaths almost

interrupt the unwary rider’s flow, but apart

the bush, and this is a lekker new way to

10 years ago. She’d tried to describe

from a brief slipped pedal, she cleaned the

enjoy what I already love,” she said. She

it to me to see if it was suitable for her

section, even managing the steepish roll-

attributed her confidence on the trails to her

maiden off-road foray. She could tell me

down back to the tar. Damn, why wouldn’t

gym work. “I have a strong core, and that

the colour, that it had those “gear thingies,

she falter?

helped me feel balanced on the bike. The suspension made for a comfortable ride.”

but no springy thingy at the front, and has

The next bit of narrow stuff was slightly

a computer thingie, but I don’t know if

more challenging, and I was craning my

We would have made it three riding

it works”. I’d later find out that it was a

neck in the hope of seeing her struggle.

weekends in a row if I hadn’t been admitted

suspension-less Raleigh M700 shod with

No such luck, nor in the next two sections.

to Glynnwood Hospital for an emergency

slicks.

Maybe a loop of Fountains would catch her

operation on the Friday. After the relatively

She was spoiled for her first real

out? Halfway through, a puncture forced

minor procedure, I met her for coffee and a

mountain bike ride. I dug out an old

Breandan and I to return to the parking

muffin in the Wiesenhof.

Cannondale F900SX, wrenched on a pair

lot.

Claudia tutted, shook her head and said: “I really hope you get better soon…you have

of flat pedals, and met her and another

“Take her on all the rough stuff,” I

cycling buddy, Amanda Corbitt (see

whispered in Conor’s ear. He got that evil

separate story), at Groenies. We were

look in his eyes… But, half-an-hour later,

She smiled. Then frowned.

all a tad stressed that afternoon. It was

a beaming Claudia arrived back in the

“But can you please change that

Pretoria-sticky-hot, Amanda had got stuck

parking lot with a sheepish Conor in tow.

30 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

to take me riding again.”

saddle?”



Feature

32 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Feature What to expect So, having helped out some people over the years, here are some things I’ve learnt. If you’re known as a MTB nut, to your new biking buddies you are no longer just a friend… add mentor, advisor, mechanic and bicycle broker:

Expect lots of really silly questions involving phrases like “those stickyout thingies on the bars on so-and so’s bike”, “that jobbie I read about in the mag”, etc. You must know everything.

Expect to be called upon to do all sorts of pre-ride and trailside repairs, because your mates are too lazy to take their bikes to the shop to be fixed. Try get them to bring their bikes over a day or two before any planned ride.

You may be expected to source everything for them. Oblige, but gradually get them educated to be able to do their own sourcing.

Don’t rely on other riding buddies to pitch with the stuff they’ve promised to lend your newbie friend. There is nothing worse than sitting in the park for their first ride, lacking a promised loaner bike, helmet, etc.

Expect to have your patience tested. Try to show compassion and sympathy and understanding. Listen lots and patiently offer advice in a non-condescending tone. Remember, this may be your thousandth ride, but it is their first…

S

TARTING AGAIN There

were

three

things

motion, first fell onto her side, then slid off

still blonde, still cute and still drinks beer,

the bridge, making contact with the river

but here’s hoping neither of us needs any

sand about two metres below, first with her

further medical attention.

head, neck then shoulder.

What to ride

Amanda isn’t a mate I got into the sport;

Whether it’s their own bike, or a borrowed

she’s a mate I made while helping her

bike, the most important elements that

get back into the sport. Her introduction

need to be present for a newcomer to want

to mountain biking wasn’t the greatest.

to ride a mountain bike again, are comfort

Inspired by seeing a Cycle Mashatu group

and control.

head off during a trip to Botswana, she got

Comfort is reliant on:

kitted out at Fritz Pienaar Cycles, and rode

Bike size

about three rides with that shop’s group,

Bike set-up

before a catastrophic fail on the paved

Type of saddle

roads of her residential complex resulted in

Appropriate shorts

a broken ankle.

Gloves

She’d just gotten back into cycling when

Control is reliant on:

we met, and was slowly building up her

Good brakes

confidence when the Cycle Park incident

Appropriately set suspension

occurred. Although she insisted it wasn’t

Correctly angled brake levers and gear shifters

my fault, I felt a wee bit guilty about the crash, and fretted that I’d put paid to her

Good tyres with correct pressure

brief cycling career. So, imagine my surprise

Properly-set gears

when, weeks later, Amanda contacted me

Make time to get all of the above right for

to say the physio course to mend her upper

your buddy. He or she needs to feel as much

body and damaged ribs was going well and

a part of the bike as possible in order to get

she could get riding again. And she was

maximum enjoyment from their ride.

prepared to ride with me again. Brave girl.

Any mountain bike will do for a first

“I was determined to get back on the

ride, but usually, the simpler, the better.

bike,” says Amanda. “I was starting to enjoy

A hardtail with an efficient front shock,

it and couldn’t allow a crash to put me

sharp brakes and smooth shifting are the

off.”

minimum requirement. Try ensure it’s a

The first outing, back at the Cycle Park

mountain bike that’s available at a specialist

was, thankfully, incident-free, although

bike shop. Bikes that cost under R2000 are

Amanda had developed a phobia for bridges.

usually from a mass store and carry very

Her skills grew and her confidence was

low-specced parts that can make a ride

restored as we expanded her repertoire with

more challenging.

visits to Rietvlei and Van Gaalen (she lists

Where to ride

the singletrack there as her favourite), and

It’s no good taking your buddy on terrain

regular sorties to Groenkloof.

that’s going to intimidate him or her. Just

I

Amanda’s come a long way in a year.

because you can ride drop-offs and rocky

immediately liked about Amanda

She gets out gets out every weekend, rides

ascents, doesn’t mean they can. Start with

Corbitt when I met her. She was

with assurance and is keen to take on new

the most predictable terrain you can find,

challenges.

preferably with minimal gradient changes.

blonde, cute and drank beer. That took my mind off the pain of the three ribs I’d just broken at Groenies. The second time we met, she was the one needing medical attention…

“I’m loving it,” she says, “I look forward

Dirt roads, jeep track and some

to every weekend. I have had some good

straightforward singletrack are usually best

people help my riding, and am looking

for introducing someone to the sport.

forward to learning more and more.”

Where there are marked trails, obviously

On the ramp to the bridge on the northern

While Amanda’s raising the bar, I’m

start with the most basic (usually marked

side of the Toyota MTN Cycle Park, she

propping it up. I haven’t ridden with her

as green). Don’t be afraid to repeat trails

suddenly lost momentum despite spinning

as much as I’d have liked to so far in 2010,

and rides that they enjoyed. This will help

the cranks for all she was worth. I watched

having suffered a spate of stupid injuries

them build confidence and an affection for

– helpless and horrified – as she, in slow

from talent-challenged lie-downs. She’s

mountain biking.

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 33


Feature How to ride

a second pair, lend it to them to

Keep the pace steady enough so that the

use until they get their own.

ride flows smoothly. If they’re not that

Basic set-up

fit, let them set the pace where possible.

This is where you can fine-tune their

Be very patient with them. In more tricky

comfort and control:

sections, ride ahead and let them follow

Saddle height – not as high as on

you, this gives them an idea of how to tackle

a road bike, especially if you’re

certain types of terrain.

going to be riding some slightly

Stop occasionally for a short rest and to

challenging terrain. They need

allow them to stimulate all their senses:

to be able to slide back off the

sights, sounds and smells all contribute to

saddle on descents.

the pleasure of being outdoors. Don’t ride

Reach – this is more difficult to

for more than 60 minutes unless your buddy

change and shouldn’t be necessary

is already quite fit and wants to ride further.

if the bike is sized correctly to

You want them to finish the ride wanting

your buddy. However, a shorter

more, not being shattered and battered

or longer stem can usually make

resenting the suffering.

a small difference to their reach.

Basic gear

They need to not be too bunched

Besides the obvious helmet (make sure you

up or to stretched out. Use your

adjust it to fit your buddy’s head), the key

own reach as a guideline to what

items of beginner gear relate to the three contact points between body and bike:

Brake levers/gear shifters – the angle of these should make them

buddy’s grip on the handlebars

easy to reach and operate. Too

more comfortable and also protect

many bikes have the brake levers

the hands from abrasion from the

and shifters angled too high so

grips and cuts and grazes in case of

the rider’s wrists take strain. Let

a fall.

their fingers rest on the brake

Feet – most newcomers are unlikely

levers at the same angle as their

to have mountain bike shoes and

arms as a starting point and work

clipless pedals, which is actually

from there. They need to feel

just perfect. There’s a lot to think

comfortable when braking and

about on a mountain bike ride, let

shifting.

Tyre pressures – not too soft, not

in and out of pedals. Buy a pair of

too hard. Anything from 2-2.5

cheap flat pedals so that they can

bars should be fine. Inflate a on

have freedom to dab their feet

the harder side for heavier riders

whenever they feel they need to.

and the softer side for lighter

Backside – For women, fit a

riders.

women-specific saddle to the bike.

their body position should be.

Hands – gloves will make your

alone having to remember clipping

Shock setting – if the shock has

They’re slightly wider to properly

various settings, give your buddy

support the female pelvis. Make

a medium setting on rebound

sure they’re wearing a reasonably

and compression. Don’t confuse

good quality pair of cycling-specific

them by trying to explain it to

shorts with padding. Women should

them right away. Let the ride

wear women-specific shorts.

regularly and then tell him/

Eyes – they’re not a contact point

her how adjust the settings

between body and bike, but they’re

accordingly. Discourage them

your contact point with the trail and

from using lockout initially. This

should be appropriately protected

complicates the ride, especially if

from grit, insects and dust with a

they forget to unlock ahead of a

decent pair of eyewear. If you have

bumpy descent!

34 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

Kitting out Claudia

Claudia’s introduction to mountain biking has so far cost less than R1000. She came to see me at Pro Cycles, the shop I moonlight in at weekends. “I’m not keen on girlie colours,” she said, turning her nose at the pink sleeveless tops. Instead she decided to try on some men’s tops. “You cycling boys are wimps,” she laughed, her right bicep straining the seams of the sleeves. “Okay, I’ll try the women’s top. But the white one, not the pink.” A fit of giggles came out of the dressing room. “Check it out, instant Wonderbra! I look like Pamela Anderson,” she said after trying on the first Velotex shirt. “Oops, too small!” The next size up was a perfect fit, and the ensemble was completed with a pair of Indola baggies, Louis Garneau gloves and BondiBlu specs. Claudia is now in the market for a bike, but for now she’s using the ‘Dale and will buy a helmet when she takes the plunge.


Feature

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 35


Feature

Race like the pros Mountain biking has to be one of the most rewarding of all sports. Put in the hours, apply discipline, eat properly and most of us are quite capable of participating in even the big events. Like the Subaru Sani2c. Like the ABSA Cape Epic. And many of us are capable of racing at the level of the big names of the sport. The Grobler brothers, Rowan and Andrew, provide a great example of how such dedication can have you racing like the pros...

36 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

By Adrian Wainwright PHOTOS: DOMINIC BARNARDT


A

Feature ndrew and Rowan Grobler are

Specialized MTB race team for which Burry

two regular guys making a name

Stander and Christoph Sauser race.

Ferreira, vet road-racing star. “Before working to a programme, I was

for themselves on South Africa’s

“Cycling was a way to stay fit, compete

just riding – as hard as I could, as often as I

marathon racing circuit. But

and make friends. I focused purely on road,

could,” says Andrew; “I also just rode, but

they’re not full time bike riders. Far from it.

and thought that would always be the case.

often without enough intensity or any real

Both have relationships and full-time jobs,

But years later, after I’d moved back to SA,

direction,” adds Rowan.

both ride early mornings and weekends as

I really needed a challenge, something to

Ferreira created a simple, clear and

that’s their only option, and both “lost fat

stretch me mentally and physically,” he

focused programme tailored to the riders’

and got fast”.

says.

lactate thresholds. Both brothers credit

What sets them apart is that through

“I got an opportunity to ride the Epic in

Ferreira with single-handedly revamping

training, patience and discipline, they’re

2008. There was a lot of doubt – from me,

their performance and giving them

knocking on the doors of the pro’s. And the

from others – around whether I could switch

much-needed direction, guidance and

good news is their transformation is not out

to mountain biking and get through a race

mentorship.

of your reach.

like that. But my competitive nature meant

The programme has them riding two weeks

‘no’ was never an option.”

on, one week off, all year round. There’s a

Andrew (28), a relationship executive for ABSA, has been riding for just three years.

Originally a power rider by his own

healthy dose of controlled distance riding,

“I remember the day clearly. I was in

admission, Rowan lined up at that Epic with

some brutal hill and sprint intervals, and a

Kleinmond, standing at the stage finish of the

84kgs perched on his Merida Team hardtail.

good amount of rest.

2007 Absa Cape Epic,” he says. Their father,

He completed the race, 72nd in the men’s

“The intervals kill you – 10-minute

Oscar, was Absa’s executive ambassador to

category; his weight and result were exactly

climbing repeats at threshold, two minute

the race at the time.

the same in the 2009 Epic. But there was the

climbing repeats at max or never-ending

potential for much, much more.

short sprints,” explains Rowan.

“Armed with a Klippies & Coke and a smoke, I watched a good mate cross the

“I’d regularly eat large portions – I think

“But it’s the recovery – man, it’s the

line. I remember the look on his face, the

I was put on this earth to eat,” he jokes.

recovery that makes the difference. You see

energy of the race, the sheer gravity of it

“I could’ve also been mistaken as being

people training hard all the time. But you

all. I realised that my student days were over

sponsored by Peroni.”

rarely see them off the bike. It’s just not

but my student eating and drinking habits

Today, after a few months dedicated to

sustainable. You have to ride hard, smart

weren’t. I knew I had to change. And I knew

smaller portions of “high quality chow”,

and focused, and rest harder, smarter and

I had to race the Epic.”

less alcohol and dedicated training, he lines

more focused.”

A week later, Andrew bought his first full

up at 75kgs. Yet he puts out more power at

The big result

suspension bike. At the time he weighed

threshold – a cool 340 watts. And he’s far

It wasn’t until the 2009 Sabie Experience

(

83kg. He ate whatever he liked, drank often,

more than just a ‘power rider’ now.

“In my first Epic, I learnt to ride for someone else. With this new training and racing schedule, I now know my own limits. And for the next Epic … well, bring it on.” – Andrew Grobler.

and smoked between 10 and 20 a day.

The hard graft

)

that the impact of this transformation came to light. The week before, they offered the usual rhetoric: “Ja, the legs feel a little heavy, we haven’t really ridden this last coupla weeks, so we’ll see how we go.” But the brothers rocked SabieX. The time trial (“Ja, not sure, TT’s are not our speciality so we’ll see”) saw them cross

Starting slowly, he rode for six months,

This transformation didn’t come from sitting

the line just three minutes behind the pro

shed 8kg and felt the gradual fat-tyre

in a slipstream, though. Following the 09

DCM Chrome team of Max Knox and Brandon

addiction many of us know so well.

Epic and some top 10 results in one-day

Stewart. This placed them 5th overall.

Today, he weighs 65kg in his MTN Club

marathons around Gauteng, Andrew and

Rowan says that he’s never been put in

100 (size small) shorts, taps out around 275

Rowan made the commitment to race the

the hurt box like that on the climbs before.

watts at threshold and, to quote his brother,

2010 Cape Epic as a team.

Andrew just remembers people looking at

‘climbs like a homesick angel’.

“I’d had good partners in the past but it

them like they’d taken a short cut.

By contrast, Rowan (30), a financial

was time to crank it up a level. I also really

Day two was muddy, cold and miserable.

solutions specialist at Wesbank, has over 12

wanted to deepen my relationship with

It also kicked off with a 35km, +1000m

years of riding in his legs.

Andrew – and what better for that than a

climb. They rode the first 20kms with the

top 50 goal at the Epic and a year of training

front bunch and then watched team tactics

towards it?” says Rowan.

and attacks unravel the top ten teams. They

On a work stint in the UK, he knew two triathletes who got him hooked on cycling; one of whom, Barry Behan, now manages the

The brothers hooked up with coach Jaco

rode within themselves, at or just above

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 37


Feature

The training programme The brothers ride two weeks on, one week off. Here’s an example of a typical hard training rotation leading up to the 2010 ABSA Cape Epic: Monday

Rest

Rest

Rest

Tuesday

Road group ride + hills

Road group ride + hard hills

Rest

Wednesday

LSD/rest

LSD

Recreational ride

Thursday

Road group ride + sprints

Road group ride + hard sprints

Rec ride

Friday

Club 100 Surf & Turf

Club 100 Surf & Turf

Rest

Saturday

Long MTB

Long MTB

Rec ride

Sunday

Long MTB

Long MTB

Rest

38 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Feature threshold, for the rest of the stage.

of 350 teams, just over an hour behind the

“We knew that the Labuschagne brothers [David and Johan, the legendary Cycle Lab

pro pairing of Knox and Stewart, and 20-odd positions ahead of their goal.

pairing] were only a couple of minutes behind

“We’d peaked for Sabie, no doubt,” says

us. We also knew that we were in good shape

Rowan. “We had no idea we could race like

when we crested the mountain and flew

that, none at all,” adds Andrew, sporting

down the other side in 4th place. I just said

what seems more a ‘WTF?’ expression than

(

to Rowan, ‘enjoy it, boy, this doesn’t happen

one of accomplishment or pride.

“My first two Epics created bonds that last a lifetime. They also created boundaries. This work has shown me just how those boundaries can be broken. It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had on a bike.” – Rowan Grobler. The future

often’,” says Andrew.

)

Day three saw them lose time thanks to

After some recovery and a period of long,

Rowan’s need to experience the Sabie forests

slow distance in January, the brothers set

face down, but they still finished 9th on the

their sights on the 2010 Absa Cape Epic. All

stage and maintained 5th overall.

were are on Africa’s toughest stage race

“It was more of a tactical race – we’d considered attacking 4th place but decided

down in the Western Cape. But neither would be drawn on their goals for it.

to rather defend our position, hold time, race

“It’s something between the two of us,

smart. Until that moment, every race we’d

something we’re working towards as a team,

ever done was about banging it as hard as

something that’s deeply personal and about so

we could and seeing where we ended up,”

much more than the finishing position,” says

says Rowan.

Rowan, four weeks ahead of the Epic start.

For day four the strategy was hardly

Andrew nods, eats his breakfast and stares out the window.

complex: klap it. And klap it they did. “We’d woken up pretty negative that

“On my first Epic I learnt to ride for

day – the crash, the pain in the legs, the

someone else – my partner. During my training

perceived pressure of doing better than we’d

this year I learnt where my limits lie, and how

ever done,” says Andrew. “But that paled

they can be over-stepped. During Sabie X, I

away on the first climb, and we just let our

learnt what pain and pride really mean. Who

bikes have it.”

knows what this Epic will teach me… but

The Club 100 Brothers finished 6th out

whatever is, bring it on.”

The numbers

Rowan

Andrew

Age

30

28

Weight

75kg 65kg

Height

1.76m

1.75m

BMI

??

??

Lactate threshold

165bpm

155bpm

Power at threshold

340W

275W

Watts/kg

4.53

4.23

Max power

>1000W

890W

Making it work for you What can be learnt from the Grobler brothers’ journey? You need the will to succeed and the drive to change, that’s for sure. Riding five or six days a week is no mean feat, but for many of us, it’s possible for a defined period of time. The change in eating and drinking habits is also key – as Einstein said, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Eat kak, drink kak, ride kak. Simple. For training, get your threshold and power tests done, work with a coach to design even a basic programme, follow that programme to the letter and become a pro at resting. We’ll say it again. Rest. Rest. Rest. You can’t be the guy on the front of Joburg’s legendary Engen-to-Engen ‘Classic’ from Tuesday to Friday and the long club MTB rides, weekend in weekend out. You will burn out, blow out and just plain lose it. Strive for balance. We don’t get paid for this – “I’m a banker who loves to ride bikes,” says Andrew – so we shouldn’t treat it like a job. Make time for your family – “I am the luckiest guy alive to have Chantelle, the world’s most understanding wife,” says Rowan. Claire, Andrew’s girlfriend, also gets a big up for accommodating what he acknowledges is “a big sacrifice for a big goal”. Lastly, keep the enjoyment factor number one on your list of priorities. With that in mind, the brothers leave the interview with a final thought, something I’ve heard them say before but which still bears sharing. “We work because we have to. We ride because we love to. If we’re not loving our riding, we’re doing something wrong. But right now, we’ve never loved it more.”

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 39


Consumer

You don’t need a great bike for a great ride There’s a good parallel between cyclists and golfers. We tend to believe that any amount of money spent on trying to get better equipment is perfectly justified. Last year’s stuff is just that; it’s so, you know, last year. We’re constantly compelled to shell out ridiculous sums of money for the latest kit, hoping it will give us the edge. But it doesn’t have to be like that. By Donovan Jackson

40 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


O

Consumer

ut on a training camp in

young daughter’s entry-level Silverback

Sabie, along with the Toyota

was on hand to save the day. A quick swap

So, how was the ride? Fantastic. The rig

CycleLab crew, the unthinkable

of the plastic platform pedals for a set of

probably weighed a good 15kg, but I was

happened. My frame broke

XTRs, an equally rapid raising of the seat

having as much fun as anyone else, and since

after only the second day out. My R80 000

(a ladies Specialized BG) and I was good

everyone had raced the day before, the

to go.

pace was quite agreeable. Even on gnarly

machine was in pieces and I was likely to miss out on probably the best ride of the outing. See, Burry Stander, Ben-Melt Swanepoel, Andrew McLean, ex-rugby player (and now keen and competitive mountain biker) Jeremy Thompson, Dusilegend Martin Dreyer, celebrity Michael Mol

(

‘never’ see any more.

The question we should ask ourselves is this: Is it really necessary to ride a machine that costs close to the price of a small car?

)

Now the bike has specs that make your

singletrack sections, the old Silverback

eyes water. RST ‘boing boing’ polymer

was quite up to the task…and the seasoned

joined the camp after the MTN Barberton

shock; Tektro V-brakes, Shimano SIS gears

pros had a good chuckle at my expense…

race. And here I was with a schmangled

(with Deore XT rear derailleur!), no-name

especially at the ladies’ saddle. And the

bike.

and a host of other interesting folks had all

alloy cranks, alloy wheels with some

Toyota CycleLab support crew was yelling

Not to worry, though. Toyota marketing

serious tread and tubes with Schraeder

‘SILVERBAAACK’ every time I clattered past

director Andrew Kirby had a solution; his

valves. You know, the old, fat valves you

with a grin on my face. We were on the Sabie Classic route, so many readers will know that this is ‘real’ mountain biking; most will also appreciate that with the calibre of riders on this jaunt, even a slow ride means a fair trot. The lesson which emerged with abundant clarity, is that here I was, ‘proper’ mountain biking, with a machine that probably cost less than R5000 brand new. Second hand, as it was, the Silverback might fetch just R2500. A far cry from my usual race rig - but without question sufficient to get into the woods and have a blast. The question we should ask ourselves is this: Is it really necessary to ride a machine that costs close to the price of a small car? The answer is simple: Absolutely not. You really don’t. But, do you want to spend that much on your bike? The answer is equally simple: of course. Our hard work earns us money which we spend on our hobbies. For most of us, there won’t be that much difference between a R25k bike and a R80k bike…but spend the money and you will get the satisfaction of riding the bike you want to. There is an old saying that to get the most from your sport, buy the best bike you can afford. I fully agree. But the other side of it is that when you do get your mates into mountain biking (see feature in this issue), they don’t have to spend tens of thousands of Rands. They can get in pretty cheaply. Until the bug bites, of course. TREAD MARCH/APRIL 2010

| 41


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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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| 43


Industry Focus

Who is behind: The MTN National MTB Series? Fritz Pienaar is a former multiple national Elite men’s XC champion. But these days, he’s more active behind the scenes at races, and is the Series Director of both the MTN National XC/DH Series and the MTN National Marathon Series.

piece of singletrack space. We’ve started to address this with a new seeding system.

The Sabie Classic finally became part of your series this year. Was this because of the conflicting sponsors in the past? Sabie Classic was part of the Series in the

By Sean Badenhorst

early days (around 2002), but there have always been some conflicting sponsors and

You co-own three bike shops in Gauteng; how did you become involved in the country’s largest, most prestigious racing series?

events, and basically act as link between

we were unable to put it in the Series in

sponsors, riders, Cycling SA and the event

recent years. I am ecstatic to have the event

organisers and make sure that everyone’s

back in this year; the fact that it doubled as

expectations are met. Advendurance also

the National Marathon Championships is a

It actually started while I was racing

assists organisers by doing marketing,

further bonus.

competitively in 2001. We (my business

branding, route inspection, sponsorship

partners and I) wanted to start the first

support and media work. Our aim is to give

professional MTB team in SA. I was SA champ

riders the opportunity to participate in

Which of the MTN Series events does Advendurance actually own?

at that stage and there were no sponsorship

world-class events and we continually strive

Advendurance owns (organises) the MTN

opportunities, so we approached some

to improve the standard of local races.

Clarens and MTN Cullinan events. We felt

than teams so we proposed the national series

Obviously the marathon events are the most popular; are they still growing in numbers, or leveling off?

to them and they accepted and we started

It seems like all South Africans are suckers for

also owns a number of Gauteng-based events,

the Mazda (Drifter) National Series in 2002.

punishment and the growth in the Marathon

which are currently sponsored by Nissan and

Mazda was so impressed with the running of

series is unbelievable. There was growth of

form the Gauteng provincial series.

the series that they asked us to start a team

31% in the MTN Cup Series (XCO and DHI)

too. So we ended up running the National

from 2008 to 2009 and 35% in the Marathon

Series, a professional racing team and a

(XCM) Series for the same period – and this

How do you determine which events will be part of the marathon series each year?

bike shop (now grown to three). My partner

during the recession! So far 2010 has showed

We contact events that we feel qualify for

(Theo Grobler) was running the series, while

even bigger growth and I predict a further

the Series on various levels and will then

I managed the shop and the team. But Theo

50% growth from 2009 to 2010.

discuss the possibilities. But event organisers

sponsors and ended up at Mazda which was keen to get involved in mountain biking. Mazda preferred to sponsor events rather

emigrated in 2008 at which point I took over the running of the Series.

What is your role personally with the MTN racing series? And what does that involve?

Wow! That’s significant. Can the events handle that much expansion?

the need for Gauteng- and Free State-based events in the National Series and thus decided to create these events to ensure that we have good national representation. Advendurance

can also contact us and tender to become part of the Series.

I am the National Series Director and run

Many of the routes cannot cater for

You added the Ultra-marathon section to the marathon events in 2009. How has this addition changed the racing?

a company called Advendurance, which

larger numbers of riders – safety risks and

The MTN Ultra Marathons were the most

coordinates the National MTB series. We

bottlenecks can arise if these events are

exciting addition to the 2009 Series and were

put together a the National MTB series

not well administered. Mountain biking is an

well received by the top riders. The Series

which comprises some of some the best MTB

environmentally friendly sport, but routes

now offers the professionals opportunities to

events in SA. We also procure and manage

are becoming wider and vegetation is lost

compete in world-class marathon events on a

the sponsorship (MTN and MiWay) for these

when thousands of riders are gunning for a

regular basis and this has certainly lifted the

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

Well, the increased number of entrants has certainly created logistical challenges.


Industry Focus standard of local racing, which was evident in Kevin Evans’s top-10 performance at the 2009 World Champs.

Why so few MTN Series events in the Western Cape this year? With only seven marathon events and 11 provinces, it is impossible to have events in all provinces every year, but we are currently looking for a good event in the Western Cape, which we might add to the series in 2011.

Does it detract from the prestige of the marathon race in any way? In a way, yes, but it also offers more opportunities to amateur and age-category riders to compete (without the Elite riders) for recognition.

Do you see XC racing growing at all in the near future? XC and DH racing is growing (31% in the last year) and it’s got potential to grow more, but it will never be as big a marathon racing due to the technical nature of the courses and the limitation to the amount of riders that the routes can accommodate. These disciplines are spectator-friendly and I would like to see them being run in conjunction with some marathon events where big numbers of riders are present and able to see what it’s about. It might also be a good idea to bring some XCO and DHI events to the major cities on man-made courses in an effort to attract spectators.

Does the DH Series have to follow the XC Series? Not necessarily, but it costs more to split them so it’s the best option for the time being.

PHOTO: ZOON CRONJE

We see you’re back racing again in the Sub-vet category. Do you have any racing goals or are you just racing because you can?

Any major changes we can expect in future?

I got involved in the sport because I’m

At the marathon events, seeded batch starts

passionate about it but ended up working

and hopefully UCI points on offer to attract

too hard and I didn’t make time to ride. I

international riders. Possibly having XC and DH

decided to make some changes to my life

races on the same weekend as the marathons

I wouldn’t like to see this discipline moving

and I’m riding again (I’ve lost 7kg so far),

to get more spectators.

away from Gauteng. Despite the limited

but I don’t have any ambitious goals yet,

venues, the Gauteng-based riders are

and my family and businesses will always

How do you go about improving the two series each year?

keen to develop some good courses in the

take priority. However, I miss competitive

We always try to lift the standard of the

Magaliesberg area and we’ll hopefully have

racing tremendously and might change my

National Series and aim to offer riders a great

good Gauteng-based courses in the near

mind.

MTB experience and awesome value. We are

future. We had the first leg of the 2010 MTN

currently working on better registration systems

Cup in that area and I was impressed with

How big is your organising team for the two MTN racing series?

the course.

I have a great team of six people who run

areas with bikini girls, better routes etc.

You have to admit the Gauteng DH courses aren’t the most spectacular and most of the country’s DH racers live in KZN and the Western Cape. Do you see the XC and DH series splitting for some rounds in future?

the events company (Advendurance), but we obviously get more help on event days.

(shorter queues), better water points, bike wash

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 45


Industry Leader

Ray Earl By Sean Badenhorst

When you list the really good okes in the South African cycling industry, one of the names that always gets mentioned is Ray Earl. He is a co-owner of Interac, importers and distributors of Continental tyres and tubes.

Q Q

How long have you been involved in the industry? A long time – almost 25 years now. I became involved in the

cycling industry in 1986. You don’t come from a cycling background, so how did that come about?

We were importing motorcycle tyres, parts and accessories. We

third overall. They put Mountain Kings on the front and Race Kings on the rear, a combination that’s now extremely popular. Of course the

Q

product has to be good too. And it is. Is the South African terrain that different to other countries?

Oh yes! Continental Europe has been doing tests here for the past

imported Continental motorcycle rubber, but in the mid-1980s their

few years and they reckon that not only is our terrain among the

pricing became ridiculous so we told them we can’t import their tyres

harshest in the world, but our UV rays are extremely damaging and

anymore. They asked if we’d be interested in doing their bicycle

this also impacts on tyre wear. The tyre failure rate in South Africa is

kicked us out. He said that now that cycling was becoming popular,

Q

Q

we were just jumping on the bandwagon. But he later became one of

they have a lot to learn about tyre weights. Most mountain bikers

our best customers. We’ve become an integral player in the industry

are on this weight-saving mission, which is actually crazy because at

Q

the moment, the lighter tyres are the tyres with the highest failure

inventory instead. It made business sense, so we accepted. How did the cycling market react? Well, we took them to Alan van Heerden at his shop and he

over the years. Do you import any other cycling brands? No, which is good and bad. Good in that we’ve been able

to really focus on doing the tyre and tube market properly, but bad

the highest in the world and that’s road bikes and mountain bikes. Do South African mountain bikers still have a lot to learn about tyre pressures?

No, I think they’re up to date in that regard. However, I believe

rates. My advice is to run tubeless tyres with tubeless rims. Converted tubeless setups mean the tyres have very little sidewall support which is the main reason for tyre failure.

in that we call on a whole dealer network for one product. We do

Here’s an interesting bit of information: When Christoph Sauser and

also still import and distribute aftermarket motorcycle parts and

Roel Paulissen raced the 2005 Cape Epic together for the Cannondale

Q

Vredestein team, I got to see one of Sauser’s tyres afterwards. It was

accessories. How has mountain biking’s growth over the past five years

a tubeless and it weighed 900g! They opted for durability over light

affected your business?

Q

It’s the best thing that could have happened! I’d say four or five

years ago, less than 1% of South African bicycles were fitted with

Q

Continental tyres. Now we estimate that figure to be around 25%.

weight. That’s still a good choice. That’s heavy! But surely the weight of UST tyres is going to come down?

For sure. Continental is working on a UST tyre that will weigh

All because of mountain biking becoming popular in South

under 500g. But it’s not easy, because you don’t want to compromise

Africa?

Q

Yes, and races like the Cape Epic and Sani2C stimulating a more

discerning tyre-buying mindset among consumers. The Mountain King

tyre resilience and performance for light weight. And the 29-er market, what’s your take on that? It’s certainly growing. I reckon the first tyre manufacturer

and Race King are very popular Continental models for the Cape Epic.

that can bring out a decent UST 29-inch tyre will have huge success.

This we believe is partly due to the fact that Kevin Evans and David

At the moment, the weight compromise is the biggest obstacle. But

George used them in 2008 when they won two stages and finished

I’m sure we’ll see progress in this category soon.

46 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


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Gear

CHOICES, CHOICES‌ Our test team tell it like it is when it comes to locally available bikes and gear. *Gear prices supplied: RRP

PHOTO:DINO LLOYD TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 49


Tested

MERIDA ONE-TWENTY TFS 800-D | R18500 Better known as a World Cup XC-race winning

neither of which we’ve encountered

steady and smooth on ascents. We did find the

brand, Merida is also making inroads into

before.

need to lockout the front and rear shocks for

the five-inch travel trail bike market. We

It’s a striking bike in terms of looks,

spent some time putting its sub-R20K model

but wasn’t that striking in the weight

long smooth climbs, but on rocky, rutted rises,

through its paces.

department when we gave it the old two-

THE BIKE

handed lift test.

steep for a trail bike, but we actually found no

The bright red and white frame is very

THE RIDE

disadvantage. In fact we took it down steep

eye-catching and closer inspection reveals

We only weigh test bikes after they’ve been

drops with relative ease and good stability.

that the toptube and downtube have been

test ridden to eliminate any prejudicial

The rear shock worked well for a brand we’ve

squared and tapered to add strength, but

feedback from our testers. And we are

not ridden before. Not surprisingly, the braking

keep weight down where possible. The cables

occasionally surprised by bikes that ride

was excellent, no doubt as a result of the large

have been neatly routed along the top of the

lighter than they weigh. At 14.0kg, the One-

185mm diameter rotors at front and rear.

downtube and along the chainstays and the

Twenty TFS 800-D is firmly in that category.

Cornering was very sure and predictable, even

four-bar linkage suspension design allows for

It accelerated reasonably quickly for a trail

on tight, twisty singletrack.

a bottle cage placement in the main frame.

bike and although not a snappy climber, was

The Manitou Minute fork went through its

left both active for optimal traction. The seat tube angle (73.5 degrees) is quite

The Fusion X RC 120mm travel rear shock

bump absorption duties fine, but lacked the

(with lockout lever) joins the main frame

smoothness we’ve come to expect from Rock

to the four-bar rear triangle. The white TFS

Shox and Fox models that are so much more

rims, rocker link and Avid Elixir S hydraulic

common. It’s not featherweight either and

brake levers and disc mounts are nice colour-

undoubtedly bumped up the overall weight of

coding touches.

the bike.

A mixture of Shimano Deore XT and

THE VERDICT

SLX components have been used for the

If you’re a newcomer to mountain biking and

drivetrain and shifting, while a Manitou

set on spending your cash on a dual suspension

Minute fork with 120mm travel and lockout

machine, the One Twenty TFS 800-D is a solid

takes care of front suspension.

option. Also consider some of it’s slightly more

There’s no compromise on braking

pricey stablemates should you want a better

power with both hydraulic disc rotors being

fork. It’s comfortable enough for long trail rides

185mm in diameter, while the bars, stem and

and will confidently get you through a marathon

seatpost are from the FSA stable.

or half-marathon race, making it a versatile

The TFS rims are mated to Xero hubs,

50 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

performer at a budget-friendly price.


Tested

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 51


Tested

TREK TOP FUEL 9 | R34999 Trek hasn’t been a podium threat on the XC

accessories you’d expect on a Trek, but

somewhat. Although, to be fair, this is a

World Cup circuit for a while, but with five

sported FSA bars, stem and crankset and

race bike and big hits aren’t that common

stage podium finishes – two of those wins –

a WTB saddle and tyres. The wheels were

in race environments. Comfort wasn’t

and second overall at the 2009 Absa Cape

DT Swiss X430 rims with Shimano XT hubs.

bad, but long rides took their toll on the

Epic, the Trek Top Fuel is undoubtedly still

Gears were Shimano Deore XT shifters and

lower back of one tester not conditioned

a racing thoroughbred.

derailleurs and brakes were Avid Elixir R

to riding in ‘race crouch’ for extended

THE BIKE

hydraulic disc units. The fork was a Fox

periods.

Lithe is probably the best single word to

RL with 100mm travel and lockout: all

Braking was solid and shifting was

describe the Top Fuel 9, which is designed

decent components that hold their own at

crisp, while the WTB tyres impressed

with aggressive racing angles and which

this price point.

with their management of some quite

comes in bold black, white and red

THE RIDE

varied conditions.

colouring. Made from Trek’s Alpha Red

Our testers were immediately forced into

THE VERDICT

Aluminium, the frame sports a steeply

a low racing position when mounting the

The Top Fuel 9 is an aluminium version

sloping toptube with a small support tube

Top Fuel 9, the long (600mm) toptube no

of the higher-graded carbon fibre models

extending to just below the seat clamp

doubt added some stretch to the 73.5

(9.8 and 9.9 SSL), making it somewhat

on the seat tube. The downtube is curved

degree seatpost angle. But it wasn’t

at the headtube and bottom bracket

uncomfortable. If anything, it made our

and sports two bottle mounting position

testers want to ride fast.

options within the frame (one higher and

Climbing was quick, especially with the

one lower on the downtube) which is quite

ProPedal switched on. On long, smooth

a nice touch. The cables are very neatly

climbs we locked out the fork for added

routed underneath the toptube, keeping

efficiency, but generally left it active

them far from grit and grime.

most of the time and found it combined

Trek’s very compact Full Floater rear

well with the rear shock to make for very

suspension design sees a small rear triangle

smooth riding which made the bike feel

with asymmetric chainstays connected to

efficient and fast.

the main frame by a magnesium EVO link

Cornering was also swift. The

heavier, a fair bit cheaper, but no less

plate and Fox RL shock with 100mm travel

70-degree headtube angle seems to offer

of a serious race machine. Ideal for

and ProPedal switch option.

greater control in fast corners. Descending

XC, marathons and stage races, the Top

Ours was an early demo model so

was fine over bumpy terrain, but big-hits

Fuel 9 offers big-brand confidence and

didn’t have the usual Bontrager parts and

seemed to challenge the rear suspension

podium-proven race pedigree.

52 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Tested

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 53


Tested

Ellsworth Epiphany | R24495 (frame and Fox RP23 shock only) Ellsworth makes no apology for selling pricey

Pro 2 hubs breaks the all-black monotony,

(there’s an impressive video demonstration of

bikes. The brand, which designs and makes

while a Thomson seatpost and stem and

this on the Ellsworth website).

its frames in the United States, is confident

Easton Monkeylite SL low-riser bars form

The Epiphany is a swift climber, more swift

that it offers possibly the most efficient dual

a quality cockpit. Shimano XTR crankset,

than most 4-inch-travel bikes we’ve tested

suspension design and that kind of confidence

Avid Juicy Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes

and sometimes felt like a XC machine rather

sells at a premium. The new design of the

and SRAM X-O gears complete the set-up.

an all-day trailblazer.

Epiphany will start hitting our shores later

THE RIDE

this year, but we figured we’d test it’s highly-

Any perception of heaviness you get

rolls well over rocks and ruts. We loved that

rated current design to see if it’s as good as

when looking at the Epiphany is quickly

we could adjust the fork travel and did,

it’s claimed to be.

dispelled when you start pedalling. There’s

giving it the maximum 150mm for big hits and

THE BIKE

a noticeably efficient transfer of energy

tightening it up to 120mm for long climbs and

There’s a no-nonsense look about the

from the pedals into the acceleration. It’s

tight singletrack. The short stem and riser-bar

Epiphany. There’s not a hint of glamour in

actually noticeable every time you ride

gave us confidence on technical steep drops,

the frame, which is tapered black anodised

the Epiphany, which is very reassuring,

but didn’t feel too freeride-like elsewhere.

6061 aluminium tubing, none of it too unique

especially when you’re in race mode - or

One tester caught himself getting excited

in shape, just pretty straightforward looking

just racing to beat a thunderstorm.

about his next ride on the Epiphany, not once,

It is very steady on tricky descents and

with a small gusset adding some strength

We switched to ProPedal on long, steady

but daily. Not a common phenomenon for guys

where the top tube and seat tube meet. It’s

climbs and noticed only a small difference

that get to ride so many bikes, but certainly

mated to a four-bar linkage rear triangle,

to the fully active setting. Ellsworth is so

one worth noting.

which is more square than triangle in shape

confident in the efficiency of its design

THE VERDICT

due to the long rocker link, which is attached

that it recommends speccing the bike with

Besides a bit of creaking of the linkages

to a 5.25-inch (125mm) Fox RP2 shock with

a Fox Float R (fully active) shock – an option

(solved with some cleaning and lubrication),

ProPedal.

through the SA importers if you’re a purist

we actually couldn’t find fault with the

trail rider.

Epiphany. Whatever challenge we put to it,

Ellsworths are usually sold only as a frameset, so parts spec is usually personal.

When looking down while climbing, you

was conquered; whether it was racing fast

The test model we were sent has a Rock

see the cables moving and some movement in

around a tight XC lap or rolling along on a

Shox Revelation U-Turn fork with adjustable

the rear shock, but strangely, you don’t feel

steady trail ride. It’s easily one of the most

travel from 120mm to 150mm, which, when

robbed of any efficiency. This is apparently

versatile bikes we’ve ridden and certainly

you adjust it, noticeably alters the top tube’s

due to the ICT design, which is has been

one of the most efficient in terms of rear

angle to the ground.

developed around minimising potential

suspension – not a bike you’re likely to top

energy loss through the suspension system

very easily.

A set of white Stan’s ZTR rims and Hope

54 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Tested

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 55


Tested

Whyte E120 | R38 200 Whyte is a British bicycle company that

The dominant colour of the frame is

carbon linkage. On very steep climbs,

designs and tests all its models in the UK.

raw black carbon with a gloss coating and

where we needed the small chainring,

The brand only creates high performance

white and silver detail. With the mechanics

there was some noticeable shock

mountain bikes so there’s that MTB-only

of the rear suspension dominating the front

movement which switching to ProPedal

focus that’s translates into the design of the

triangle, the only place for a bottle cage is

seemed to minimise. The ProPedal lever

bikes which can be seen and felt from the

beneath the downtube.

is a bit obscured by the linkage, so takes

first impression, right down to the detail.

The E120 is reassuringly fitted with a full

THE BIKE

Shimano XT groupset, including wheels and

There’s something awkward looking about

bottom bracket.

some getting used to and we had the frustration of the occasional fumble. The rear swingarm is designed to offer

the Whyte E120. Its beautifully crafted full

There’s a Fox 120RL fork with 120mm

plenty of mud clearance, but riders with

carbon fibre frame is mated to a similarly

of travel and a 15mm thru-axle to manage

large calves will find their lower limbs

crafted single-pivot swingarm, joined by

front-end suspension, while Avid Elixir

occasionally brushing the swingarm.

carbon suspension links, titanium bolts and

hydraulic brakes take care of the braking.

On twisty singletrack, the E120 was

a Fox RP2 shock with 5 inches (120mm) of

We found it a bit strange that a 5-inch trail

swift and sure, but we felt a bit of rear-

travel. They all meet in a somewhat bulky

bike didn’t have a larger rotor up front, but

end wandering from time to time on

union in the front triangle at the mid-to-

had two matching 160mm rotors.

high-speed turns.

bottom of the downtube. This, combined

No matter how long you look at it for

The relaxed head tube (69.6 degrees)

with the rear swingarm being more seatstay

– and you do catch yourself staring – the

combined with the moderate seat angle

than chainstay in design, makes for an

E120’s frame remains, well, interesting.

(71.6 degrees) give you confidence on

ungainly look.

THE RIDE

downhills, especially fast rocky descents.

The swingarm boasts Whyte’s unique

But you only have to point the E120 up a

There’s also noticeably good bottom

Big Gripper rear wheel clamp system,

climb to quickly forget about how the

bracket clearance. We did find the cockpit

which allows any rear wheel or hub to be

frame looks and experience how responsive

a bit on the compact side so check sizing

converted to a thru-axle, which Whyte

it feels. It reminded our testers of the Ibis

carefully before you buy.

claims makes for improved handling and

Mojo in terms of its climbing agility and

THE VERDICT

rear wheel tracking. Also unique to Whyte

acceleration. Push down on the pedals and

If me-too brands aren’t your thing and a

is the Getta Grip quick release seatclamp,

feel the bike move swiftly – very responsive

light trail bike is on your radar, consider

which minimises grime in the seattube,

and efficient on steady climbs, both with

the E-120. It’s got standout character,

while its low clamping pressure allows it

and without the ProPedal activated. This is

climbs better than most four-inch travel

to grip carbon seatposts firmly, but not

probably a result of a combination of the

XC/marathon bikes and has a plush,

forcefully.

relatively light weight – 10.8kg – and burly

quality feel.

56 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010


Tested

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

| 57


58 |

TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010 GEOMETRY SIZES: XS, S, M (tested), L TOP TUBE LENGTH: 596.2mm SEAT TUBE LENGTH: Not given HEAD TUBE ANGLE: 69.6 degrees SEAT TUBE ANGLE: 71.6 degrees CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 420mm WHEELBASE: 1083.8mm SPECS PRICE: R38200 COLOURS: Raw black carbon gloss finish with white/silver detail WEIGHT: 10.8kg (without pedals) FRAME: Multi monocoque carbon front triangle, single monocoque rear swingarm with carbon linkages, titanium pivot bolts and Fox Float RP2 120mm-travel shock with ProPedal. FORK: Fox F120RL 120mm travel with 15mm thruaxle GEARS: Shimano XT levers and front derailleur, Shimano XT Shadow carbon rear derailleur BRAKES: Avid Elixir hydraulic disc with 160mm rotors front and rear CRANKSET: Shimano XT with carbon middle ring 44/32/22 WHEELS: Shimano XT rims and hubs, with 15mm thru-axle front TYRES: Continental Mountain King 2.2-inch front and rear COCKPIT: Thomson In-line seatpost, Fizik Gobi saddle, Easton EA50 90mm stem, Easton Monkeylite XC Low Rise bars CONTACT: www.intltrade.co.za; 087 7203951 X C - M A R AT H O N - T R A I L - F R E E R I D E

WEIGHT: 12.3kg (without pedals) FRAME: Alpha Red Aluminium with Fox Float RP-2 race-tuned shock with 100mm travel and ProPedal FORK: Fox RL with 100mm travel and lockout GEARS: Shimano Deore XT shifters and derailleurs BRAKES: Avid Elixir R hydraulic disc with 160mm rotors front and rear CRANKSET: FSA Afterburner 44/32/22 WHEELS: DT Swiss X430 rims, Shimano XT hubs TYRES: WTB Wolverine 2.2-inch front and rear COCKPIT: FSA bars and stem, Bontrager seatpost, WTB saddle CONTACT: www.justfunsports.co.za; 011 4053300 X C - M A R AT H O N - T R A I L - F R E E R I D E

WEIGHT: 14.0kg (without pedals)

FRAME: 6061 Techno Formed Aluminium with Fusion X RC shock with 120mm travel and lockout

FORK: Manitou Minute with 120mm travel and lockout GEARS: Shimano Deore XT

BRAKES: Avid Elixir S hydraulic disc with 185mm rotors front and rear CRANKSET: Shimano SLX 44/32/22

WHEELS: TFS rims with Xero hubs

TYRES: Merida Trail Lite 26x2.25 front and rear

COCKPIT: FSA bars, stem and seatpost, Mission X saddle

CONTACT: www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/ INT_en.; 021 8520509 X C - M A R AT H O N - T R A I L - F R E E R I D E

WHYTE E120

GEOMETRY SIZES: 15.5, 17.5 (tested) 18.5, 19.5, 21.5 TOP TUBE LENGTH: 600.5mm SEAT TUBE LENGTH: 437.5mm HEAD TUBE ANGLE: 70 degrees SEAT TUBE ANGLE: 73.5 degrees CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 427mm WHEELBASE: 1112mm SPECS PRICE: R34999 COLOURS: Black, white and red

TREK TOP FUEL

GEOMETRY SIZES: 16-inch, 18-inch (tested), 20-inch, 22-inch TOP TUBE LENGTH: 590mm SEAT TUBE LENGTH: 359mm HEAD TUBE ANGLE: 69 degrees SEAT TUBE ANGLE: 73.5 degrees CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 435mm WHEELBASE: 1100mm SPECS PRICE: R18500 COLOURS: Red and white

MERIDA ONE-TWENTY TFS 800-D

X C - M A R AT H O N - T R A I L - F R E E R I D E

TYRES: Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.1inch rear and Kenda Nevegal 2.1-inch front COCKPIT: Thomson straight seatpost, Specialized Phenom SL saddle, Thomson X4 stem, Easton Monkeylite SL bars CONTACT: www.ellsworthbikes.com; 012 3620080

WHEELS: Stan’s ZTR 355 rims, Hope Pro 2 hubs

BRAKES: Avid Juicy Ultimate hydraulic disc with 185mm rotor (front) and 160mm rotor (rear) CRANKSET: Shimano XTR 44/32/22

FORK: Rock Shox Revelation U-Turn with adjustable travel from 120mm–150mm GEARS: SRAM X.0 shifters and rear derailleur

GEOMETRY SIZES: S, M (tested), L, XL TOP TUBE LENGTH: 587.5mm SEAT TUBE LENGTH: 425mm HEAD TUBE ANGLE: 70 degrees SEAT TUBE ANGLE: 73.5 degrees CHAINSTAY LENGTH: 422.5mm WHEELBASE: 1097.5mm SPECS PRICE: R24495 (frame and Fox RP23 shock only) COLOURS: Black anodised, Nebula Blue anodized, Project Pink, Smoke anodised WEIGHT: 12.2kg (with pedals). Can be specced to sub-11kg FRAME: Tapered 6061 aluminium with Fox Float RP2 shock with 5.25-inches of travel and ProPedal.

ELLSWORTH EPIPHANY

Tested


Gear GARMIN EDGE 705 Review by Greg Beadle

Forget wired bike computers, in fact forget wireless bike computers. Garmin has the answer. Not being one to fiddle and adjust and check alignment on things, I loved the Garmin Edge 705 from the time I opened the box. Two cable ties to secure mounting bracket to handle bars and we are ready to go. (Ed’s note: Garmin brackets are a major source of complaints. Take extra precautions to secure your unit!) The Edge 705 locates satellites super quick and within seconds its time to hit the trails. First screen shows speed, ave. speed, cadence (bits in box to fit to bike for this to work). heart rate (comes with belt) calories, ride time and actual clock time. You can customise the fields as you like. One press of the mode button and we have a detailed map, including all district roads, contours and even locations of water, should you need to re-fuel. So many impressive functions, including a back to start navigator should you get lost (impossible with this genius co-driver on-board). Next push of the mode button shows you your altitude and graph of climbs, including accumulated ascent and descent. With it’s ANT function you can share ridden trails with your Edge(y) mates. All data downloads to PC or Mac in a useful graph system, allowing you to monitor your performance, comparing the various factors, climb, heart rate, speed, etc. This unit is compact (5.1 x 10.9 x 2.5 cm) and lightweight (104.9 g) and runs on re-chargeable batteries. That brings me to my only gripe. You need to charge the Edge 705 after every ride (3 hours) otherwise like I have experienced, you head out into the wilderness with a sleeping navigator. I like it and will be purchasing one very soon! Price: R4,995.00 www.garmin.co.za TREAD MARCH/APRIL 2010

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Gear PRO Target Summer Gloves

PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

White Lightning Crystal Clear Grease Grease, monkey! DIY-types, draw nearer. White Lightning, renowned for the stuff you slather on your chain, has produced a pot of lube likely to last into antiquity. Its Crystal clear grease is designed to molly the coddles of bearings for longer by being waterproof. It smells nice (important for a grease) and is apparently tasteless (please don’t eat any). It is aluminium-based, bio-degradable and won’t damage seals, carbon fibre or paint finishes. It comes in a 454 gram pot; we used it on headset and bottom bracket bearings on two bikes and were suitably impressed. However, 6 months later, there is a dent in the goop just one finger-scoop in size. That means this item is likely to last at least 10 years in a two-bike household, which pretty much makes it a once-off purchase. Price: R235.00 (454 grams, 16 ounces) Contact: Cool Heat, www.coolheat. co.za 011 608 2003.

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PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

PRO is Shimano’s range of accessories which have taken the market by storm. Almost certainly because the range offers great quality at a reasonable price. In the Target summer gloves, we have a good, honest, no-nonsense item. Almost industrial in look; you’re not going to impress chicks when out on the trail with these babies, but then, that’s not why you’re out there. The construction is durable, the fit snug, and with gel strategically placed under the pads of the palm, the PRO Targets deliver day-long comfort. The generous (and notably thicker than any other glove we’ve looked at) terry snot/sweatwiper is a standout feature; for some, this is a deciding factor in choosing a glove, so get a look at these wellpriced puppies. Available in black or blue, in sizes XS-XL. Price: R 240.00 Contact: Cool Heat, www.coolheat.co.za 011 608 2003.


Gear

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Gear NO FLATS PHOTO: DINO LLOYD

No Flats is No Nonsense gunk for your tyres. It’s a water-based concoction and unlike the silicon rubber sealants, it won’t turn into a bouncing ball inside your tyre when you klap it with a bomb out in the field. More than that, the manufacturers reckon a dose of this muti should last the lifetime of the tyre. All we know is, pumped into one of our test rigs, the result was....no flats. Price: R150 Contact: www.noflats.co.za; 0861 468228 (INTACT)

FIZIK Gobi XM Carbon Rail Saddle Oh sit down, oh sit down…in comfort. Cause there shouldn’t be any other way. Many mountain bikers have discovered the joy of a Gobi saddle. While the right seat for you is a very personal and idiosyncratic thing, TREAD has no hesitation in recommending this one. Why? Because this tester has ridden a Gobi through two Epics and plenty more. However, the best advice where seats are concerned is to find one that you really like and then buy two of them. Just in case the first breaks, as manufacturers can and do take products off the market which could leave your sensitive bits incensed. Or worse, inflamed. What you’re looking at here is the Gobi XM with braided carbon rails. It’s definitely not cheap, but for a properly comfortable seating arrangement (ultra-lights are not for everyone’s ‘area’) it tilts the scales at a claimed 229 grams. Not bad. Not bad at all. Do remember, however, that carbon may be lighter, but it has different characteristics to metal. KIUM, the alloy that FIZIK uses for its ‘midrange’ saddles, will bend. While it is strong, carbon shatters. That makes the KIUM-railed version the preferred choice for TREAD. Any FIZIK saddle also has a clever little clip integrated into the back. Come winter, snap a FIZIK light into there, or there is a range of saddle bags that can clip on. Nifty. Price: R2250 (R1450 for KIUM-railed version) Weight: 229 grams Contact: Nsquared Distribution, www.nsquared.co.za, 011 462 4616

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Gear Giro Ionos Helmet Remarkable what we cyclists consider to be cool. Take the Giro Ionos helmet, one of the finest specimens on the market. To an ordinary member of the public, it looks more at home on the set of Star Trek and may rightly be considered ludicrous in form (if not function). To a mountain biker, it’s one of the ultimates in headgear. Comfortable, excellent aeration and the promise of good protection. Which, we hapily report, we did not put to the test. Price: R2500.00 Contact: www.omnico.co.za

ESI Silicone Grips Available in chunky or slim (a bit like chocolate bars in this respect) ESI’s grips are so lekker that we couldn’t wait to colour-code our bikes with them. For those using Grip Shift, one grip is good enough for both sides if cut in half...and if you like a fairly compact cockpit. The soft, rubbery grip is great for comfort, too. Available in a range of colours to suit the finish on your machine. Price: R199.00 Contact: www.balisticbiketrading.co.za

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Gear Sigma BC1009 Cycle Computer What immediately caught the collective TREAD eye with the Sigma BC1009 STS cycle computer was the ‘Tool Free’ logo on the box. We like that, we do, the ability to put cool stuff on our bikes without having to use the cutlery or to start a search for the screwdriver set. We also liked the ‘Digital Wireless’ logo. We are, after all, that far into the new millennium that we don’t even think of it as ‘new’ any more. Things should not have wires in this fabulously advanced day and age. Just like it said, we were able to get the gadget fixed up and installed without reaching for the toolbox. In an age of Garmins and Polars, iPods and Nokia N79 Actives and other high-tech new fangled electronica, using a good old fashioned bike computer came as a refreshing breath of air. No complications, no hassles, just a small screen displaying the essentials – speed, average speed, distance (trip and odo), time, elapsed time, max speed – and no batteries to charge. Price: R495.00 Contact: Omnico, www.omnico.co.za 011 794 3808

MagicLight To appreciate how bright the MagicLight is, you really have to see it for yourself. At night, preferably (obviously!), but even in the harsh light of day, this thing is impressive. Imported and distributed by Brad Jackson, the box in which it arrives has a ‘personalised’ manual which he has written himself to help you get the most from your light. We liked that. But the light itself. Wow. It quickly became one of our most essential accessories. While we’re the first to admit that there’s no fun in the impending winter months, you should not be without one of these. More than that, night racing/trail riding is increasingly popular. You will see where you’re going with this light. The headlamp fits snugly and quickly to the handlebars with an O-ring, or there is a complex looking helmet-mount bracket in the box. We stuck with the handlebar mount. The lithium-ion battery back slots nicely under your stem and keeps that LED burning for just over 3 hours on its ‘high’ setting, 4.5 on the ‘dim’ (if ever a word was inaccurate, it is ‘dim’ when referring to the MagicLight) and indefinite on the ‘flashing’ setting. Charging the battery takes a good few hours, though, so make sure you either have a spare always available, or remember to charge it up before you hit the night time trails. We took to using it by day, too, on flashing mode. Even when a kilometre away, people in cars would stop before making right turns. A big thumbs up for the MagicLight from motorists! Price: R1400.00 (spare battery R600) Contact: www.magiclight.co.za Cell: 082 651 9182

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Gear GEAX Saguaro Tube of Tyres We loved the packaging from GEAX on its tube of tubeless tyres with sealant. Grab a pair of Saguaros along with the necessary goop all packed away in something that would be quite at home under the Christmas tree (what time of the year is it again – Ed). The Saguaros are a medium/hard compound tyre so will last for a good long time. That’s something we’ve put to the test, running a Saguaro on a front wheel for over a year, only chucking it out the first time it punctured…by which time it was totally knackered anyway. That harder compound means grip is sacrificed for longevity; it’s not the stickiest of tyres and it’s also not great in mud. However, it rolls beautifully in dry and rocky conditions, making it the choice of tyre for the races we love: the Cape Pioneer Trek and the Absa Cape Epic. These are available in the ‘whitewall’ style too. But remember, that style says something about you and we’re not quite sure what. They’re not the lightest tyre at 650 grams apiece, but that weight means the resilience you want to avoid mucking about fixing flats. Price: R1100.00 (includes two tyres and sealant) Contact: Nsquared Distribution, www.nsquared.co.za, 011 462 4616

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Training

Training in style

T

his innocuous little group contains some of South Africa’s finest MTB talent, young and old. It’s the final day of the Toyota CycleLab Cape Epic training camp held recently in the picturesque Mpumalanga town of Sabie. In bunch are Burry Stander, Andrew McLean, Ben Melt Swanepoel and several other riders. While the weather

was atrocious, the cycling wasn’t, delivering up a good 3 to 5 hours of riding each day, complete with CycleLab hospitality. Those on the journey got plenty of Epic preparation, right down to what to pack, how to eat and what to expect for the 8 glorious days of the country’s biggest MTB stage race.

PHOTO : DOMINIC BARNARDT

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Masterclass

Better brakes = better rider The better your brakes, the better you ride. Seriously. Speed moderation is an integral part of being able to ride faster and with greater control. You only have to ride with hydraulic disc brakes once to realise just how much better they are than V-brakes – especially in the wet. Here’s a guide to help you make the conversion. By Donovan Jackson

T

wo key factors need to be considered when making the conversion: 1. Your frame has to have disc caliper mounting brackets (there are two types of disc caliper mounts: Post- and IS-mount). You’ll see these as ‘eyelets’ on the left side of the fork and rear dropout.

2. You’ll need specific hubs that accept a disc, which could mean having to change hubs or even wheels. You can convert your bike – or that of a friend new to the sport – for under R3000. That’s what it cost us, using Alexrims’ TD24 wheelset and a Tektro Auriga Pro brakeset. Considering that this includes the wheelset, the brake levers, the calipers and hoses, and the discs, which bolt to the wheels, that’s not bad. But that’s if you do the job yourself. We went to mountain bike specialists, Mike’s Bikes in Greenside, Johannesburg to do the conversion.

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Masterclass

What you need In addition to the wheels and brakeset, we have: • A Shimano Deore LX cassette, ideal for a set of training wheels • Stan’s Tubeless Conversion Kit and GEAX AKA 26x2.0 TNT tyres. • Other than a multitool, nothing fancy is required, except for a T-25 Torx driver for fitting the discs to the wheels (some multitools have this tool anyway)

Fit the discs to the wheels. A simple task, but an important one. Make sure the screws have Loctite on them (they are supplied as such) and tighten to around 30-40Nm – that’s ‘firm’ if you don’t have a torque wrench. Disregard what Christoph Sauser does (he uses three to save weight) and use all six bolts.

Each brake is supplied with a hydraulic hose connecting the lever and the caliper. This can require some ‘finesse’ in routing the cable, as it Remove the grips and bar ends, brake levers and V-brakes from the bike

has the unwieldy caliper attached to it. Be careful not to pull the brake

as well as the old wheelset. Note the 5mm Allen key and the carbon

lever as this will force the brake pads together, making it difficult to

frame: Even relatively new bikes are candidates for a conversion.

slot the disc into the caliper when you fit the wheel.

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Masterclass

WIN

WIN a Volcan FS1 bike plus Volcan’s pro-team backing for a year, including spares, team mechanic and race support all worth R100 000.

Use the 5mm Allen key to fit the levers to the handlebar; check to ensure you fit the front and rear brakes respectively, to the correct sides. Stick with the configuration you’re used to.

Creative? Obsessive? Discerning? We don’t care where your motivation comes from. All we want are your photos showing your devotion to mountain biking. You don’t have to own a Volcan to enter, you just need to think like a mountain biker with soul.

This is my Volcan

To find out more, visit www.treadmag.co.za

Route the caliper to the mounting, choosing a sensible line for the cable where it won’t rub or get in the way of anything else, and tighten the caliper to the mount. Use cable-ties to secure the hose.

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Masterclass

This is arguably the trickiest bit; fit the wheels. If the caliper won’t admit the disc, press the pads apart gently with a broad, flat screwdriver. Force will damage the brake pads. With the wheel in place, loosen the caliper mounting bolts and pull the brake lever; then tighten the mounting bolts. This should centre the brake pads so they don’t rub. With some mountings (IS-mount) you may need to shim up the mounting bolts until there is no rub. Here we see the mechanic tightening down the caliper; again, here you want to make sure of two things: Loctite and decent tightening, of some 60-80 Nm (very firm). We also see that he was working at 10h19, a time when many might be on a tea break.

The gear we used for our conversion: Alexrims TD-24 Disc wheelset: R895.00 Tektro Auriga Pro brakeset: R1995.00 Stan’s Tubeless Conversion Kit: R550.00 (not essential) Shimano Deore LX Cassette: R550.00 (not essential) GEAX AKA TNT tyres x2: R1100.00 (not essential) Labour: Should you opt for a specialist like Mike’s Bikes to do the full

You’re good to go! Your bike now boasts technology that has revolutionised

conversion (recommended, but not absolutely necessary), expect to

mountain biking. And all that for less than R3000. If you haven’t used

pay around R200.00 including the fitting of tubeless conversion, tyres

disc brakes before, you’re in for a treat; particularly in the wet, they far

and cassette.

outperform V-brakes. Now get out there and ride - better!

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My Fitness

PHOTO: CLAIRE FURBANK

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My Fitness

Faster Master!

There are many cool things about bicycles. One of them is that they’re a great antiaging tool. Yep, they allow older people to beat younger people and feel good about themselves. Take for example Paul Furbank. He’s 55 years old, but he rides like a 25-year-old and he has the race results to prove it. Scan through the finishing times of most of the major road or mountain bike races over the past few years and you’ll see Paul’s name usually within the first 25% of the field. He’s also a very regular podium visitor as he seldom finishes outside the top three in his age group. Most often though, he’s first. Here’s how he ticks. By Sean Badenhorst

H

ow long ago did you start

What is your occupation?

a marathon mountain bike race I’ll have a

racing bicycles?

I have a company that imports and

recovery drink.

distributes medical products.

What keeps you motivated?

Do you have a wife and children? Do any

I enjoy the challenge of setting a goal and

ago, but what got me to be a more serious

of them ride?

trying to achieve it. If I could, I’d train on

racer was going to watch the Tour de France

I am married to Claire and we have three

a mountain bike and do mostly road racing.

in 2003. Because the trip involved a lot of

kids, two sons (19 and 21) and a daughter

I like the difficulty and the environment of

riding in big mountains, I had to train for it.

(24). My oldest son enjoys cycling but he’s

mountain biking and I like that road races

As a result I trained right into winter. Then

a student now and therefore he currently

aren’t necessarily won by the strongest

of course I got even fitter while in France

has lots of other interests, none of them

on the day – they’re more cerebral and

and started to get some decent race results

cycling-related. Claire does some road

tactical.

in road races.

cycling. She did her 10th Argus last year.

What is your best achievement as a

And when did you begin racing mountain

On average, how much time do you get to

mountain biker?

bikes?

ride in a week?

I’d say winning the African Champs XC title

When I was about 50. A clubmate of mine,

It varies throughout the year, but I’d say on

last year. But the field wasn’t that big so

Johan Spies, invited me with him to do a

average, I ride 10 hours a week.

I’m keen to win the SA title where the field

XC race in Pietermaritzburg and I carried

What does an average week look like in

usually has more depth. I like to peak for SA

on from there. That year I finished tie

your peak racing season?

championship events because that’s where

first with Kim Philips on points in the 50-55

I do one or two long rides and some

the toughest competition usually emerges,

category in the National XC Cup Series.

threshold or power intervals. It’s usually

making any win even more rewarding.

You also do marathon racing, which do

five rides a week, mostly in the mornings.

You’re doing your first ABSA Cape Epic

you prefer?

Do you train scientifically or by feel?

soon (interview done in mid-March 2010 –

Definitely XC! It’s a lot more fun and the

When I started getting serious about

Ed), for a guy that’s not big on marathons,

suffering is over quickly. I only really do

racing, I was coached by Dr Carol Austin,

that’s quite a thing?

one or two marathons a year because

who coaches scientifically using power

[Laughs] Oh yes! I’m not sure if it will be a

it takes me about a week to feel better

measurement. I still use those principles,

good experience or a bad one. Either way, I

afterwards.

but now I train more by feel. Usually comes

decided to try it at least once. I’ll be riding

You’ve got a few national titles, which

down to what I feel I can do, although as I

with Chris Brand and we’ll be masters in

ones exactly?

get older, it’s dictated more by what I feel

the veteran category, so we’ve not got any

Well I’m really missing one now. I have won

I can’t do!

expectations. We just want to finish it and

national titles in the road race, time trial

Do you use any nutrition supplements?

enjoy it as best we can.

and marathon. Last year I won the African

Nothing special. I am fortunate to be

Who is your biggest supporter?

XC title, but my goal is to win the South

able to follow a very balanced diet. I

My wife, Claire. Her support is wonderful

African XC title. I’ll be aiming for that in

use a decent quality carb drink when I’m

and unrelenting and very much a part of my

July this year.

racing and after a very hard road race or

being able to achieve my personal goals.

I got serious in my late 40s.

I did ‘The Argus’ about 11 years

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My Bike

Nico Pfitzenmeier’s Rocky Mountain Team Element

I

f you’ve seen a lanky, grey haired bloke right near the front of some serious races (mostly in the Western Cape), chances are it’s Nico Pfitzenmeier. The German has pretty much made South Africa his home and bike racing is something he is not only passionate about, but bloody good at to boot. Interestingly, despite his achievements and skills, he leaves the nuts and bolts of his trusty steed to those who know more about it…

By: Donovan Jackson

So, Nico, tell us about your bike.

Yes, my riding position is definitely crouched

It’s a Rocky Mountain Team Element. I got it

down. For my height, I always ride a smaller

directly from Rocky Mountain in Canada, for

frame with a longer seat post.

last year’s Absa Cape Epic, which I rode with

Any clever things you take with when

Alison Sydor. (Ed’s note: Alison and Nico won

racing?

the highly competitive mixed category and

I just pack a plug kit on my lower top tube

placed 25th overall).

and a bottle of sealing foam, which I attach

What do you dig about it?

to my seat tube. Occasionally, I might also

Being a dual suspension, the Team Element

pack a small tubby bag under my seat, which

is very agile in technical terrain. The back

contains a spare tube, a multitool and some

shock works very well to soak up the terrain,

bombs.

so there is no speed limit on the downhills!

(This is the interesting bit!) Finishing

More than that, this bike seems to be

that frame off: What’s your choice of

indestructible.

accessories and forks?

What made this the weapon of choice?

Actually I’m not a bike tuner at all. I just

Well, to be honest, it was a sponsorship; I

like to ride fast on any bike!

got the bike directly from Rocky Mountain in

OK, wow! What about wheels and tyres,

Canada for last year’s Epic.

any specific choices where these are

So, what bike did it replace then?

concerned?

Prior to getting this full suspension, I had

That’s an easy one; there is only one tyre

always ridden a hard tail. The year before, I

for me: Maxxis Crossmark. There is no

was on a Scott Scale 10 for two years.

compromise where this is concerned. For

You’re a pretty tall bloke: What size frame

me, these are the best tyres available, with

do you ride?

amazing side traction that allow me to drift

I have always preferred smaller frames;

around corners with both front and back

this gets me around the singletracks at full

wheels (Ed: powerslides – scary for most!).

speed. That makes my frame a medium.

So far, Crossmarks have taken me through

And does that affect your riding position?

three Cape Epics with only one slow flat…

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My Bike PHOTO: GREG BEADLE

By: Donovan Jackson

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My Challenge

Who are you calling tubby? By: Sean Badenhorst

Cricketing legend, Jonty Rhodes is a South African sporting icon. A legend in his own lifetime. His younger, more rotund brother Clinton, is a legend in his own lunchtime. Jonty got his obese brother onto a mountain bike a few months ago and, while it continues, the transformation so far has been remarkable. What made you decide to start mountain

and the fact that my only exercise was

with whom you wouldn’t hesitate to go to

biking?

from couch to fridge and back during TV

war. I hope that I am privileged enough to

My fitness freak of a brother, Jonty, forced

commercials was a major contributing

compete in this great adventure for many

me. He was invited by Subaru Southern

factor to my obesity.

years to come.

Africa to take part in the Subaru Sani2c

What is your weight-loss goal?

What is the best thing about mountain

mountain bike stage race and he wanted

To be like a hunting dog in winter – just

biking?

me to partner him in the event. He thought

ribs! Probably around 95kgs.

The Lycra… NOT! Probably the scenic areas

that he would show me some tough love and

Has mountain biking changed your life?

that you get to ride in. It’s far better than

get me off the couch with a major culture

If so, how?

the view from my couch.

shock. It sure did work.

Of course it’s changed my life. I had never

And what is the worst thing?

had a rash on my butt until now!

Did I mention the rashes?

Why mountain biking? Well, imagine me on a road bike – those little tyres would have burst for sure and besides I can’t fit in a canoe and there is not enough space in an emergency lane for me to waddle along in road running events. You’re tubby guy, what do you weigh?

(

Tubby! Who’s your tubby? I am 126kg of quivering prime South African beef. If I were a Zulu I would be regarded as the wealthiest man in the kraal.

)

Tubby! Who’s your tubby? I am 126kg of

What bike do you ride?

Do you train alone or with friends?

quivering prime South African beef. If

A very, very big one with all the bells and

Never alone! I have a group of about 10

I were a Zulu I would be regarded as the

whistles that can possibly be installed on a

friends with whom I have sweated and

wealthiest man in the kraal. Tubby! Come

bike. Apparently these extras make you go

cursed with over the past six months.

on, stop discriminating!

faster but they don’t seem to be working

I could not have done it without them.

What did you weigh before?

on mine so I’m gonna ask for a refund.

Actually, I probably could have, but then

Ten pounds – when I was born that is. No,

You and Jonty recently finished the

that would have been rather lonely.

my heaviest was 149,6kg before I started

Subaru Sani2c. Well done! What did you

What kind of training do you do?

riding my bike a few months ago.

think of the event?

I try and ride the bike at least three times a

How did you pick up so much weight?

Thanks. It is difficult to describe, but

week combined with at least two spinning

I wish I could say it was my underactive

people who have finished it will understand

sessions and then two gym sessions of 30

thyroid, or even my poor gene pool. But

what I am saying. It is so emotionally and

minutes each with a personal trainer called

sadly, I have only myself to blame, as I

physically tough that I wanted to cry at

Burger van der Merwe. Just gotta love that

gorged myself on all the yummy things such

the halfway mark every day but then

name, he reminds me of my favourite

as pies, KFC, hotdogs, hamburgers, chips,

I felt as strong as Russia when I came

food!

ice cream, bunny chows, fizzy cooldrinks,

within 10km of nearing each day’s finish.

You’ve got quite a fan base on your

and any other type of sweet that tasted

The organisers and the participants are

Facebook page. Has that helped with

good but was bad for the gut. Oh yes

a wonderful group of riding enthusiasts

your motivation?

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My Challenge No. They are very demanding and even

PHOTO: Caroline McClelland

got grumpy when I didn’t lose enough weight. I think they are there just to see the pictures of when I fall off my bike. All jokes… No, the people ‘fans’ on this page have been wonderfully supportive and yes it has definitely motivated me to get out there and train a bit harder than I normally would. Some of the comments have been really comical and I have enjoyed being part of the banter. I think that we will continue to utilise the site in the future with any other events we are planning to take part in. What advice would you offer others that are very overweight? You are what you eat, so stop complaining. Eat in moderation and do some exercise you fat bastards. It’s called tough love! How old are you? I am 38 but I am stuck in a 68-year-old body at the moment. Hopefully the fitter I get the more the numbers will align themselves correctly. Where do you live? In a little garden hut in Durban North. It’s awesome as I never have to mow the lawn or clean the pool but I get to use both. My thatch roof also smells like the bushveld and my DSTV is my special live in friend. Oh yes, and did I mention that the gate is electric? I live in bachelor’s heaven. What is your profession? I am confused with this question… obviously I’m a professional cyclist? Come on Lance, I’m still waiting for your call from Radioshack. You can ask my assistant Dianne, what my profession is, although she is biased and reckons I do FA! Are you married/do you have children? I am not married, but do have a wonderful ‘weekend’ girlfriend in Pietermaritzburg who is far too good for me. As for the children, I have not been informed of any little ‘Fat Boy Slims’ running around out there, and if there are any, then, “sorry I have neglected you little ones but come home to daddy!” Anything else you want to mention? Yes, if you EVER come behind me on a single track and try to pass, do it at your own peril. I will KLAP you. Fat boys rule! TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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MTN Sabie Classic Monster By Adéle Drake PHOTO: ZOON CRONJE

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N

ear perfect weather - overcast but not raining - welcomed riders from across the country to the 12th running of the Sabie Classic marathon race in the picturesque Mpumulanga town. With MTN as new sponsor on board, the race served as national marathon champs for 2010 and all the ‘who’s who’ of cycling pitched to make their mark. By the close of an exciting edition of the race, Kevin Evans and Yolande Speedy (MTN Energade) confirmed their status as South Africa’s top marathon racers. A record 2669 entries were received for the 5 distances offered; a 110km ultra marathon, 75km marathon, 40km half marathon, 15km fun ride and a 2km for young aspiring cyclists. Highway to hell

Race with Soul

New Hope Race X2 superlight XC race brake

RACE LEVER LEVER: MACHINED SUPERLIGHT ALLOY BLADE TOP CAP: ALLOY CHASSIS: 2014 T6 ALUMINIUM ALLOY ADVANTAGES: SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT, MAXIMUM CONTROL, RACE PROVEN DESIGN

The route director, Dennis ‘the menace’ Lawrie, had pain and suffering in mind when he sent innocent riders up a relentless 13km ‘puke-yourlungs-out’ climb straight from the start. The monster climb consisted of a wide open road with a gradient of 1:14. Commissaire Richard Durrant’s face at the top of the climb (there to identify the King and Queen of the mountain), was a sight for sore eyes and jellied legs. The other side of the mountain At the summit, riders were greeted by a welcoming cool breeze blowing from the In De Diepte valley. A swooping, well maintained singletrack

X2 CALIPER MOUNT: 9.74 CALIPER WITH ALL MOUNT OPTIONS CONNECTOR: WIDE ANGLE HOSE CONNECTOR MOUNT CHASSIS: 2014 T6 ALUMINIUM ALLOY ADVANTAGES: SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT, TOP ENTRY PAD fITTING, RACE ROVEN DESIGN

lead riders to the first water point at the Stables hiking hut, which has an awesome view of rolling grasslands to the North. A series of exhilarating singletracks kept the child inside entertained: from swoopy Bruce’s, to steep rocky technical stuff, to ‘now-would-be-a-good-timeto-bail’ and ‘Yee-hah! Let’s do that again!’ singletracks. Man, it was superb riding. A technical break-neck rutted descent down to Christmas Pools and a short steep jeep track climb out again, took riders to the main gravel road towards the second water point. The long walk (ride) to freedom At the 40km mark the second of three climbs awaited: four kilometres long, slippery and rutted in places. A short fast descent was a welcome breather before the last climb aptly known as ‘ugly-words-climb’. The downhill home consisted of a ‘no-inhibitions’ ten kilometre technical section followed by five fast and furious kilometres on the Bell road. About halfway down the hill, the half-marathon route joined up with that of the marathon and it became a game of dodgem cars… er, bikes. Two new single tracks ensured that any energy left in the tank was tapped before finishing off in the Lovers-lane single track running along the meandering Sabie River. The Lowveld Chain Gang put together another kick-ass event with excellent organisational skill combining with great camaraderie and a

Weight: from 272g (complete with all fixings, fluid and bits you need to make it work!)

touch of torture. All this ensures that this race will continue to grow in stature in the mountain biking Mecca of Mpumalanga. Evans’ win ahead of Specialized’s Burry Stander sees him assume the title of National Ultra Marathon Champion while his teammate Speedy took the Ladies Marathon ahead of Karien van Jaarsveld.

| 81 Imported and distributed nationally by International Trade: 011-486-0060 TREAD MARCH/APRIL 2010


Race with Soul

Sani2C: the stage race for everyone By: Adrian Wainwright

When we get caught up in our daily grind, it’s easy to forget what a remarkable, striking, breathtakingly-beautiful country we live in. It’s also easy to forget just how brilliantly-suited it is to our chosen sport. But if you do need a clear reminder once a year, look no further than the legendary Subaru Sani2C.

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PHOTO: Jon IViNS

T

Race with Soul he three-day race starts from the welcoming hamlet of Underberg at the foothills of the Sani pass and wends its way about 250kms

south east to the small sea-side resort of Scottburgh. The 700+ two-rider teams in the ‘adventure’ category set off on the Wednesday; those 700+ teams taking part in the ‘race’ roll out on the Thursday. What follows them is possibly the most talked-about collection of single-track of any race in the country; views that blow the mind; the odd climb to test the mettle; and hundreds of kilometres of trail that literally flow their way to the sea. The 75km first stage of this year’s race took off from Underberg at a fair lick of a pace along 20kms of farm track undulating enough to sort men from boys right up front. My partner and I followed mountain biking legends Steve Peat and Greg Minnaar into the day’s first piece of single track. We hung on for dear life, which we considered an achievement, until we realised the track was practically flat, if not a little uphill. That was the last we saw of the downhill world champions.... The rest of the day saw us heading through damp and muddy forest tracks, a few select pieces of technical single track, and then the rolling farm roads towards the finish at McKenzie Farm. Rerouted second stage The 93km second stage started out as a shocker. Thanks to the overnight rain, the organisers had chosen (wisely) to route us around the 20kms Murray’s Meander and Nick’s Pass single track that are the very signature of the race.* However, the alternate route down into the Umko Valley was a forest road made slick with an inch or so of clay mud, and made deadly by the +50km/h speeds of myriad mountain bikers. Mud everywhere, less than 5m visibility, okes to your left, right, front and back, and breakneck speeds. The sun came out not long after and encouraged riders through the Valley and up the start of the ascent on the other side. Three short, sharp climbs woke up the legs ahead of the enforced 10-minute TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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Race with Soul stop at the 60km mark, designed primarily to reduce riders’ core body temperature given the +40 degree temperatures they were facing. Another short steep affair lay in wait for riders after the stop --- Push of a Climb (or the Positively Onerous and Extremely Sketchy climb as it became known by many, purely for the acronym). For most, this was enough to simply get up without putting a foot down, and keep it all tidy for the remaining 30kms into Jolivet Farm. On to the Indian Ocean For the 76km final dash for the sea the next day, it was about swooping speed and fun for the most part. A couple of telling climbs reminded everyone that ‘life is not all downhill’ (as the race proclaims brightly at all times) but it was all worth it for the first taste of the sea breeze and the roll down into the finish at Scottburgh. While the routes of Sani are some of the very best in the country, the drive home sparked major debate: what makes the Subaru Sani2c stand out, year after year? For a start, it’s easier to get a straight answer on Julius Malema’s tax affairs than an entry to the race - a criticism from many corners of the MTB world. Then there’s the pancakes and doughnuts at the water points. The smiles and warmth on faces of the patients and carers from the Pevensey Place adult cerebral palsy centre who break your heart at the water point on day 2 The rocking free-drinks happy hour(s) at McKenzie Farm? It’s hard to say. All we know is it’s a privilege. A privilege to ride through areas that humble the senses and remind you of exactly why you started mountain biking in the first place. A privilege to know that anyone with a fair degree of training and riding prowess can make it from start to finish, no problem. And a privilege to know you are part of something iconic, something mythic, something seriously special on the MTB calendar.

*You can still check out the trails that we missed here –http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8xPb7aREL9E

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Race with Soul PHOTO: Jon IViNS

TREAD MARCH/APRIL 2010

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A

lberton’s residents like to call the industrial town the Soul of the South. And on Saturday 6 February more than 230 riders from around

the country got to experience some of that soul at the first round of the 2010 MTN National XC Series. It didn’t have the mountains of Stellenbosch, or the ocean views of George, but the course, located at Rietvlei Farm, about

12km south of the City of Joburg, boasted a superb track, rated by the riders as one of the best in the country. A distance of 6.2km offered an almost textbook XC challenge for participants in various age categories as well as the country’s top professionals. Short, steep climbs, twisty forest singletrack, rocky descents and gloriously sunny skies ensured every participant was tested to their limits as they chased national series rankings points. It was also an opportunity to see who was in good form early in the year and in the Elite categories there really were no surprises. Burry Stander (Specialized Mr Price) and Yolande Speedy (MTN Energade) continued their dominance of the men and women’s divisions respectively. For Stander it was his first XC race outside the Under-23 division of which he is the 2009 World Champion. He reeled off the six laps with enviable composure and consistency to win by more than five minutes. “Even though there were no big climbs or downhills, it was still one of the most challenging courses I have ever ridden. The route was so challenging that you had to stay focused all the time. If you read one line incorrectly you paid the price,” remarked Stander afterwards. By contrast Speedy’s win was less straightforward after a pedal problem on Lap 2 forced her into chase mode. But the Beijing Olympian’s combination of speed and skill saw her quickly reclaim the lead and capture maximum points. The event proved to be the ideal start to the 2010 national XC series and while the final winners of the prestigious series were still months from being decided, the course made an impression that’s likely to see a lot more top class racing in future. For a full list of results, visit www.cyclingsa.com

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Alberton passes XC test with honour By Sean Badenhorst PHOTOS: Dino Lloyd


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Race

Minnaar tames the Magaliesberg By Sean Badenhorst PHOTOS: Dino Lloyd

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Race

T

he only mountain range in Gauteng

technically tricky, requiring uninterrupted

Potgieter, who accounted for second and

is the Magaliesberg. In mountain

concentration from the riders as well as

third respectively.

terms, it’s not particularly

lower shock pressure settings to what

The Magaliesberg is a minnow when

majestic, but offers steep, rocky

they’re accustomed to riding on the more

compared to the major mountain ranges

gradients on both sides and is pretty much

predictably surfaced slopes at most other

Minnaar is accustomed to racing down, but

the best place to hold a downhill race in the

race venues.

his appearance on a hot Highveld summer’s

gradient-challenged province.

The occasion marked the first appearance

day showed good loyalty to his local fans. It

The first round of the 2010 MTN National

by Greg Minnaar in a South African national

also gave him a confidence boost following

Downhill Series was held on the southern

series race since 2008. And the former world

his recent recovery from a broken collarbone

slopes of the range at Skeerpoort, near

champion and multiple World Cup winner

and surgery to remove blood clots from his

Hartebeesport Dam on Sunday, 7 February. It

didn’t disappoint his fans, claiming overall

right leg.

wasn’t a long downhill course, but that didn’t

victory, albeit by a narrow margin over

make it any less challenging.

rising star, Timothy Bentley, and current

The rocky terrain made the course

South African and African champion, Johann

Carla Freysen won the women’s event comfortably. For detailed results, visit www.cyclingsa.com TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

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Greg Minnnaar, winner of MTB DH

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Carla Freysen, DH women’s category winner


Calendar

RACE DIARY

MAY

Schedule of South African mountain bike events Place

Date

Race

Dicipline GAUTENG

Distance

Contact Person

SVJ Farm, Pretoria North

Sat 1st May

AmRic SVJ Series

XCM

30km/15km

Richard Sutton

Maropeng, Muldersdrift

Sat 1st - Sun 2nd May

XCM Stage Race

80km/50km

Rob Jackson

Krugersdorp

Wed 5th May

Cradle Lifestyle & Adventure Festival Moonlight Series

XCO Night Race

One hour (1.6km lap)

Lynne Venter

Krugersdorp

Wed 19th May

Moonlight Series

XCO Night Race

One hour (1.6km lap)

Lynne Venter

Base 3, Midrand Babas Lodge, Pretoria

Sat 22nd May Sun 23rd May

Dylan Victor Cup #1 Babas Lodge #5

XCM XCM

60km/30km 65km/35km

Sharlene André de Beer

Shiloh Shalom, Parys

Sat 1st May

XCM

Bloemfontein Parys

Sat 1st May Sat 1st - Sun 2nd May

XCM XCM 24-hou

60km/30km/10km/5km Belinda Basson (10km lap) Night Race Hennie Verster ±7km lap Ride Magazine

Petrusburg Kroonstad

Sat 8th May Sat 29th May

Parys Island Dirtmax MTB Series #4 Noordstad Ride 24-hour Southern Skies MTB team relay Human Auto MTB Saley’s Winter Challenge

XCM XCM

60km/30km/10km

Gateway, Umhlanga

Sat 1st May

Tour Durban MTB Classic

XCM

50km/25km/10km

Margie Gallagher

Bonamanzi Dam, Paulpietersburg Cascades, Pietermaritzburg Karkloof Country Club, Karkloof Karkloof Country Club, Karkloof

Sat 1st May

Safire Dumbe MTB Challenge Momentum Health XC Series #4 Mr Price Karkloof Festival

XCM

60km/20km/10km

Renier Steffen

Sun 2nd May Fri 7th - Sun 9th May Sat 8th May

Underberg Showground, Sat 15th - Sun 16th May Underberg Alpine Heath, Drakensberg Sun 16th May Monzi Golf Club Bee Hive, Greytown

Sun 16th May Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd May

Cascades, Pietermaritzburg Mtunzini Country Club

Sun 30th May

Sat 29th May

Momentum Health XC Series #5 & KZN Championship Drak MYB Xperience Royal Drakensberg Challenge Monzi Hippo Classic Big 5 Greytown MTB Festival / Super Classic #4 Greg Minnaar Mongoose DH Series Mtunzini Super Classic #5

FREE STATE

KWAZULU-NATAL

Hendrik Strydom Jan Olivier

XCO

Maverick Cycles

XCM, XCO, XCM Night Race 20km/75km/35km

Stu Berry

XCO

Stu Berry

Contact 082-901 8703 www.amric.co.za 082-550 1628 www.leveragecorporation.co.za 079-878 5379 www.goldfieldscyclingclub.co.za 079-878 5379 www.goldfieldscyclingclub.co.za 083-327 2499 082-490 5061 083-595 8439 083-702 1932 011-888 8288 www.ride.co.za 073-289 5111 082-358 6885 www.nfscycling.co.za 082-714 2471 www.tourdurban.co.za 082-776 4227 www.safireinsurance.com 031-765 6222 083-456 8435 www.karkloofclassic.co.za 083-456 8435 www.karkloofclassic.co.za

XCM Stage Race

40km/60km

Bruce Hansen

083-777 8420

XCM

45km/25km/10km

Jowetts Cycles Events

XCM XCM Stage Race

50km/25km/10km 60km/42km/30km/25km

Shaun Nalson Martin Platt Brian Dinkelman

083-659 8605 www.jowettscycles.co.za 083-456 1405 082-823 2032 www.greytownmtb.co.za 084-693 1502

40km/20km

Cobus de Vos

072-344 3643

6km lap

EPMBA/Fattracks

70km/40km & 50km

Neels Ferreira

083-760 8968 www.fattracks.co.za 083-400 7193 www.queenstown.co.za 073-197 5161 www.hillbillies.co.za 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com 071-140 5549 www.amatolamtb.co.za 041 484 7860 www.kentonXtreme.co.za 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com

DHI XCM

EASTERN CAPE

Thornhill, Port Elizabeth

Sun 2nd May

EP Cross Country & Fun

XCM

Longhill Game Park, Queenstown Saasveld, George

Sat 8th - Sun 9th May

Twizza Double Trouble

XCM Stage Race

Sun 9th May

SCMBA XC

XCO

Rob Lotter

Saasveld, George

Sat 15th May

MTN SA Cup XCO #3

XCO

Advendurance

Joy Valley, East London

Sat 15th May

Club Race #4

XCO

Amatola MTB Club

Kenton-on-Sea

Sun 16th May

SPAR Kenton Xtreme

XCM

Saasveld, George

Sun 16th May

MTN SA Cup DHI #3

DHI

Greyton

Sat 1st - Sun 2nd May

Dirtopia MTB Festival

Various

Calitzdorp Spa, Calitzdorp Sat 1st - Sun 2nd May Durbanville Sun 2nd May

Klein Karoo Classic Fair Cape MTB

MTB XCM

40km/20km

Elmarie V/D Walt Tricia Holtzhausen

Grabouw Montagu

Sat 8th May Sat 8th May

Tru-Cape MTB Montagu Mountain Mania

XCM XCM

40km/20km/10km 80km/40km/15km

Carel Brand Mitzi Knipe

Worcester Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, Oudtshoorn Montagu

Sun 9th May Sat 22nd May

Nando’s Willow Creek XCM Buffelsdrift MTB Challenge XCM

60km/30km/10km 70km/50km/20km

Francois Esterhuizen Ecobound

Sat 22nd May

Amarider 100 Miler

XCM

160km

Dirtopia

Hex River Valley

Sat 29th May

XCM

55km/35km/15km

Nienke Jordaan

Avalon Springs Hotel, Montagu

Sat 29th May

Hex Valley Autumn Splendour Red Stone MTB

60km/40km/21km

Dryland

082-379 1177 www.dryland.co.za 082-467 3079 www.forest2falls.net 083-654 1367 www.dullstoommtb.co.za 082-774 5821 082-429 0679 www.indunaadventures.com

MacMac Forest Retreat, Graskop Dullstroom Nature Reserve, Dullstroom Sabie Inunda Adventures, Hazyview

60km

Zports Advendurance

WESTERN CAPE

XCM

MPUMALANGA

Dirtopia

Sat 1st May

Komatiland Forest2Falls

XCM

70km/35km/15km

Chris van der Burgh

Sat 15th - Sun 16th May

Dullstroom Winter Challenge Sabie Shenanigan The Big Induna Hazyview MTB Classic

XCM

56km/40km/25km/10km

Greg Horn

XCM Stage Race XCM

Brett Coates 120km/75km/45km/10km Jaco Lubbe

Sat 22nd May Sat 29th May

ATKV Resort Buffelspoort

Sat 29th May

Bela-Bela, Mabalingwe Nature Reserve

Sat 15th May Mabalingwe XCM Lion Man

NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Pronutro Magalies Monster XCM

LIMPOPO

80km/35km

75km/45km/20km

Stillwater Sport Entertainment Jo-Line

021-884 4752 www.dirtopia.co.za 083-508 9646 083-280 8328 ijhugo@mweb.co.za 072-648 7356 084-54907700 www.makadasadventures.co.za francois@maniccycles.co.za 083-508 9642 www.ecobound.co.za 021-884 4752 www.dirtopia.co.za 084-206 4388

& 082-578 3297 www.stillwatersports.com & www.proedieberg.co.za 014-736 9000

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010 www.cyclab.com /

www.mabalingwe.co.za


Calendar

JUNE Place

Date

Race

Dicipline GAUTENG

Distance

Contact Person

Contact

SVJ Farm, Pretoria North

Sat 5th June

AmRic SVJ Series

XCM

30km/15km

Richard Sutton

Tyger Valley College, Pretoria Krugersdorp

Sat 5th June

NISSAN #1 Silver Stream

XCM

60km/30km/10km/2km

Advendurance

082-901 8703 www.amric.co.za 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com 079-878 5379 www.goldfieldscyclingclub.co.za 082-490 5061 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com 079-878 5379 www.goldfieldscyclingclub.co.za 083-452 6191

Wed 9th June

Moonlight Series

XCO Night Race

One hour (1.6km lap)

Lynne Venter

Babas Lodge, Pretoria Walkerville

Wed 16th June Sat 19th June

Babas Lodge # 6 NISSAN #2 Southern Storm

XCM XCM

65km/35km 60km/30km/10km/2km

André de Beer Advendurance

Krugersdorp

Wed 23rd June

Moonlight Series

XCO Night Race

One hour (106km lap)

Lynne Venter

Hartebeespoort

Sun 27th June

Dylan Victor Cup # 2

XCM

58km/30km

Sharlene

65km/34km/22km

Jacques Robbertze

00-268-643 0393 www.imvelo.co.sz 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com 083-327 2499 www.advendurance.com

SWAZILAND Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Sat 5th June Ezulwini

Nedbank Classic

Imvelo

MTB XCM

Mankele, Nelspruit

Sat 12th June

MTN SA Cup XCO # 4

XCO

Advendurance

Mankele, Nelspruit

Sun 13th June

MTN SA Cup DHI # 4

DHI

Advendurance

Dirt Diggers, East London

Sat 12th June

Club Race # 5

XCO

Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve, East London Kirkwood

Sun 27th June Sun 27th June

Jikileza Wet Marathon Kagouga

Kimberley Kimberley

Sun 6th June Sat 26th June

Big Five (4) DWCC Mini Stage

XCM Road/MTB

Wolwe Rivier Dam, Sedgefield Robertson

Sun 6th June

SCMBA XC

XCO

MPUMALANGA

EASTERN CAPE &

Wild XCM

50km/25km

XCM

60km/45km/25km

Amatola MTB Club 071-140 5549 www.amatolamtb.co.za Amatola MTB Club/Marlene 071-140 5549 Stals Fattracks 082-901 8864 www.fattracks.co.za

NORTHERN CAPE 80km/40km/20km

Wimpie Geyer George Joseph

082-899 8970 072-398 0270

Eugene Roux

072-464 1439 www.hillbillies.co.za 082-558 0101 barryk@vinimark.co.za 021-884 4752 www.dirtopia.co.za 083-566 5783 info@targetevents.co.za 073-197 5161 www.hillbillies.co.za 084-279 1065

WESTERN CAPE Sun 5th June

Robertson Winery MTB

XCM

42km/29km/12km

Barry Kok

Delvera Farm, Stellenbosch Greyton

Wed 16th June

9-5 Team Relay

XCM

7km lap

Dirtopia

Sun 19th June

Greyton MTB

XCM

42km/26km/10km

Angie Wilson

George

Sat 19th June

Cheese Festival SCMBA

XCM

Oudtshoorn

Sat 26th June

Methodist Church

XCM

Rob Lotter 60km/35km/20km

Essie Esterhuyse

40km/20km/10km

Johan van Dijkhorst

LIMPOPO Info Centre, Louis Trichardt

Sun 6th June

Kremetart MTB Challenge

XCM

Shiloh Shalom, Parys

Sat 5th June

Country Club, Smithfield

Sat 12th June

Parys Island Dirtmax MTB XCM Series # 5 BibberChill MTB Classic XCM

60km/30km/10km/5km Belinda Basson (10km lap) 75km/35km/15km Gus Uys

Bloemfontein Sunny Hill, Bloemfontein Kroonstad

Wed 16th June Wed 16th June Sat 26th June

Van Riebeeck Race Sunny Hill Kroon Wedren

XCM XCM XCM

70km/35km

Bishopstowe – Durban

Sat 5th - Sun 6th June

Dusi Mfula Experience

Howick High School, Howick Scottburgh

Sun 13th June

Howick Super Classic # 6

XCM Stage Race 60km/60km 082-224 4881 Ray de Vries XCM 40km/20km

082-740 8740 www.kremetartcycling.co.za

FREE STATE

56km/28km/14km

J Van Der Merwe Hennie Verster Willie Stoman

083-595 8439 082-697 4224 www.rufpatch.co.za 057-352 1906 083-702 1932 082-412 4606 www.nfscycling.co.za

KWA ZULU NATAL

Pont Resort, Port Edward

Sat 19th June Scottburgh XCM 40km/20km MTB Challenge Sat 19th - Sun 20th June Sardine Super Classic # 7

Giba Gorge, Pinetown

Sat 26th June

Kamberg Resort, Glengarry Sun 27th June Farmers Hall, Heatonville Sun 27th June

Gordon Beard

082-902 0712

Billy Harker

082-654 6542

XCM Stage Race

45km/25km/10km

Arthur Venter Hill2Hill Events

082-854 9167 www.bundubasher.co.za 083-447 0697

65km/30km 40km/20km

Rose Sivright John Readman

082-783 3445 082-801 1160

David Waddilove

084-567 4152 www.freedomchallenge. org.za

Giba Gorge Birthday XCM Challenge Glengarry Classic XCM Heatonville Leopard Classic XCM

NATIONAL Pietermaritzburg – Paarl

Sat 12th - Sat 19th June Freedom Challenge Race XCM Stage Race (non-stop) 2350km (start) Across South Africa

TO EVENT ORGANISERS Listing of events in this calendar is free but dependent on timing and complete event information. Send your complete event info to info@treadmag.co.za. Event advertising can also be placed. Call 082 8761672 for rates.

94 |

TO MOUNTAIN BIKERS This calendar was compiled with information available to us and we assume it is correct. TREAD MAY/JUNE However, we cannot be 2010 held responsible for any errors and recommend you confirm event details with the organiser if you’re uncertain.


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BICYCLE SHOP

TOYOTA MTN CYCLE PARK

Editable text • Normal opening times: Dawn til dark – will vary according to season • Night racing will be held regularly at the floodlit BMX track • Night riding will be scheduled occasionally on the trails • Secure parking • Toilets and change rooms with showers to be added by Phase 2 • Seattle Coffee Company for refreshments and nourishment • Shimano Tech Centre for bike repairs and adjustments • Cycle Lab satellite store for bike consumables • Motorex bike wash

Available mounting surface (135 x 155) Edge of label Radiused corners

For more information, visit www.cyclelab.com Riaan La Cock | 083 725 BIKE (2453) | cyclepark@cyclelab.com

SPOKE WORKS

Disc Brake and Parts Cleaner TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010

Edge of label

Instructions

| 95


(

Blend Some facetime with real mountain bikers you’d never normally read about.

)A

Henry Fagan PHOTO: GREG BEADLE

ge, location, day job? 58. My

involved with include the V&A swing bridge and

office is in Breë Street, in the

the Green Point Stadium.

upper portion of Cape Town and

Why mountain biking? I love cycling for the

fortunately I live less than 10

sheer enjoyment of riding a machine, the

minutes away in Oranjezicht, just below the

sense of speed and freedom, the good physical

MTB paths on the slopes of Table Mountain.

workout keeping one fit, and the pleasure of

I’m a partner with Henry Fagan & Partners,

knowing the energy that gets me from one

Consulting Structural & Civil Engineers.

place to another so efficiently is provided by

Some of the special projects we have been

my own legs. Also the camaraderie and all the great friends I meet. Mountain biking has the added bonus of avoiding traffic and enjoying the most remote and stunning parts of our country, which one would not normally visit. How long have you been riding for? My parents gave me a bike when I was a young boy. At the age of 10 I regularly cycled 20 km from the dairy farm where we lived to school in Pretoria. (This would not be a good idea today!) I rode my first Argus 23 years ago and started training more regularly, but since I’ve also got into mountain biking about a decade ago my fitness levels have steadily improved. Best ride? It’s difficult to choose between all the memorable races and training rides with friends. We are extremely fortunate that we live in such a beautiful country and furthermore that there are so many amazing events we can choose from, with new ones added every year! Chapman’s Peak, Silvermine, Palmiet, Kamanassie, Attakwas, Knysna, die Hell, Wild Coast, Swaziland ..... Tell us about your bike? For last year’s Epic I needed a new bike and decided on a Titus Racer X. I love the bike, because it handles so beautifully on climbs, technical sections and fast descents. However, I’ve kept my old bike, a Scott Genius MC20 and still enjoy using it for most of my training rides. Where do you train? In Cape Town we’re blessed with many wonderful riding choices, road or MTB, e.g. from Town to Chappies, Fish Hoek or Cape Point; along the slopes of Table Mountain and Devils Peak, past Rhodes Memorial and Plumb Pudding Hill; Tokai mast and Silvemine loop. Any other sports? I used to do a lot of sailing, both dinghy racing (e.g. Fireball racing at 4 World Championships) and keelboat racing (including 5 Trans-Atlantic races).

I’ll be

taking off some time from work and cycling in September this year, to do my third Mauritius to Durban Yacht race.

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TREAD MAY/JUNE 2010



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