Sensational Slick Rock XMspread #MTBClarens May2014

#MTBClarens

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS ZOON CRONJE

Sensational slick rock Flat out in the not so flat Free State THE ACTION The iconic slick rock climb in the sandstone hills of the Maluti Mountains made one memorable ride

THE SHOT Getting the shot meant hugging the rock face to showcase the steepness of the climb

THE SPECS 1/320s @ f9 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com

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MAY 2014

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Shadow THE ACTION

Professional mountain bikers have developed a tolerance for all the media bikes knowing full well that biting the dust means getting the images and video they “pay” their bills with making it worth their sponsors while

THE SHOT Anticipating the right moment backlit dust kicked up by a media quad bike will appear is crucial to a shot like this, riders need to be between the camera and the sun.

THE SPECS MORE INFO www.advendurance.com THE ACTION The fourth instalment of the 2014 MTN National MTB Series driven by Nissan headed to the quant Free State town of Clarens the weekend of 3-4 May. Clarens is a small artist village situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State province of South Africa and nicknamed the “Jewel of the Eastern Free State. The event also formed part of the UCI World Marathon Series.

The world class route and UCI points on offer attracted top names like multiple Cape Epic winner Karl Platt from Germany riding for team Bulls and many of the top South African mountain bikes as well as a very classy women’s field.

The event caters for the weekend warriors in addition to the racing snakes making it a very appealing family outing.

Riders were spoilt with immaculate views, prestine trails and scintillating racing that saw Nico Bell (Team RE:CM) and Theresa Ralph walk away with the laurels in the MTN Ultra Marathon and the MTN Marathon events.

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warriors

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THE ACTION Barend Burger makes a run for it in the very early stages of the race testing the legs and hoping for someone to join him on his solo assault

THE SHOT I wanted to highlight the single figure racing out from under the bunch using his silhouette in the dust as a dramatic

THE SPECS 1/1000s @ f8 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.zooncronje.com

Solo

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assault

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High What started as a small series with a couple of hundred participants in 2002 is now the biggest national mountain bike series in the world with tens of thousands of participants.

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trailing The MTN National MTB Series driven

by Nissan has changed the face of mountain biking in South Africa THE ACTION Rourke Croeser rides high on the escarpment above Clarens on 1900m above sea level

THE SHOT Using flash at full blast allowed me to shoot into the sun without getting a dark rider and also still shows off the scenery in the background

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f13 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired lightroom levels

MORE INFO www.mtn.co.za

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THE ACTION Erik Kleinhans from Team RE:CM shadowed by Karl Platt (Team Bulls) driving the tempo setting team mate Nico Bell up for the win

THE SHOT Shooting this type of event you don’t always know how often you will get to shoot the leaders, using the sun to make a mediocre shot a bit more dynamic is always a safe bet

THE SPECS

No1 in team

1/200s @ f11 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com

#MTBClarens was the 4th event in the 2014 MTN National MTB Series driven by Nissan and part of the UCI World Marathon Series #MTBClarens!

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Respite despite

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incline

Key to the success of the MTN National MTB Series has always been their carful consideration of their dates to allow South Africans to shine on the international cycling stage.

THE ACTION The odd dirt road section offers riders a bit of respite even though this is clearly uphill too the lead group settles a bit before the next technical section breaks it up again

THE SHOT Getting as low to the ground as possible using a zoom lens gives you a nice depth perception, of course the curve in the road helped a bit too

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f13 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired lightroom levels

MORE INFO www.advendurance.com

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THE ACTION The general perception out there is that the Free State is flat in this Adriaan Louw sets off after Andrew Hill over a rise on one of the mountain trails

THE SHOT The mountain in the backdrop provided the perfect opportunity to show off how high these trails go using the zoom lens to “bring the mountain closer”

THE SPECS 1/500s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.zcmc.co.za

Follow the The world’s largest marathon MTB series boasting 8 events spanning 6 provinces with close to 16000 competitors including 2 UCI World Series events

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leader xtremedia.co.za

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Altitude the Keey Riders were spoilt with immaculate views, prestine trails & scintillating racing

THE ACTION Charles Keey from Cannondale Blend in full flight

THE SHOT Getting the camera right in the face of the action with a wide angle helps make it even more dramatic

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f10 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

MORE INFO www.nikon.co.za

#MTBClarens!

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THE ACTION Karl Platt from Team Bulls puts the hammer down with only Nico Bell from Team RE:CM able to follow the powerhouse German

THE SHOT Anticipating a move on the early steep slopes of the slick rock climb I positioned myself in a spot where I could follow the action for a while to make sure I get the exact moment he attacks

THE SPECS

Volle

1/640s @ f6.3 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.advendurance.com

#MTBClarens!

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Kanonne

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#MTBClarens!

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Peer pressure THE ACTION Karl Platt applying the pressure trying to crack Nico Bell up the steep slick rock climb in the last 30km of the MTN Ultra Marathon event

THE SHOT I positioned myself right in the trail to try and get the facial expressions of the two titans battling it out up the monster of a mountain

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.zooncronje.com

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RUN/BIKE/RUN THE ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD EXPERIENCE VENUE Heia Safari Ranch, North West Hakahana, Gauteng ARC Roodeplaat, Gauteng TBA.

DATE 26 Jul 23 Aug 06 Sept 25 Oct

DualX.co.za ADVENTURE ENDURANCE EVENTS

advendurance.com @advendurance 086199 0001

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Scintillating scenery

THE ACTION Eric Kleinhans in pursuit of the two leaders clawing his way up the insanely steep slick rock

THE SHOT Making sure I got the rider between myself and the cliff helped me show off just how high the climb is

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.zcmc.co.za

#MTBClarens!

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Aerial improvisation THE ACTION Lacking a helicopter on the day spotting riders from the top of the mountains was a welcome reprieve to for an aerial addict like myself

THE SHOT Zoom lenses and vibration reduction are a match made in heaven, I shot this in strong winds and still managed to get it crisp without tripod and at max zoom

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE MTN NATIONAL MTB SERIES DRIVEN BY NISSAN: 24-25 MAY - #MTBVANGAALEN 5 14 JUNE - #MTBROOIBERG 6 22 JUNE – #MTBHILTON (UCI INTERNATIONAL EVENT) 7 13-14 SEPTEMBER – #MTBCRATERCRUISE 8

#MTBClarens!

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Salutations &

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celebrations THE ACTION

Victory salute from Nico Bell riding for Team RE:CM

THE SHOT Experience told me the victory salute usually comes some distance before the actual finish setting up with a zoom and tracking the action through the lens is the safest bet to get that special moment

THE SPECS 1/250s @ f8 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.advendurance.com

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Exhaustion satisfaction THE ACTION Erik Kleinhans buried himself for his team mate Nico Bell who went on to take the win

THE SHOT Getting the wide angle right on the floor and shooting up gives you this interesting perspective

THE SPECS 1/250s @ f5.6 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

#MTBClarens!

MORE INFO www.zooncronje.com xtremedia.co.za

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THE ACTION Media surrounding Nico Bell after his win

THE SHOT Rather than pushing and shoving to get your own shot get the rest in the shot

THE SPECS 1/125s @ f5.6 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

MORE INFO www.advendurance.com

#MTBClarens!

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Podium

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paparazzi

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Driving excellence

THE ACTION

THE SERIES

Nissan has been one of the main driving forces behind Advendurance who organize these world class events

The series does not only cater for the top professionals and international riders but through the various distances on offer

THE SHOT

#MTBClarens!

I dialed in the settings and shot this at arms length to get some height

The masses also get to ride the pristine routes designed by the Advendurance team. The Nissan National Half Marathon

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f11 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

Series coincides with the MTN National MTB Series and usually takes place the day after the main MTN National MTB

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com

Ultra Marathon and the MTN Marathon events.

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Young guns The core emphasis of the Nissan National Half Marathon Series is developing junior and youth mountain biking while providing an easier option for all the weekend warriors who are just looking for awesome trails and well organized events.

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THE ACTION The Nissan Half Marathon is designed to grow and encourage healthy youth participation and competition at the National MTB Series

THE SHOT Using a secondary off camera flash helps give you a “photoshop” feel to photos

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f13 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

MORE INFO www.zooncronje.com

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Free State freight “ Nwu Vaal Mtb Club “World class racing on a world class route 120km and the 75km,thanks guys” THE ACTION The leaders of the Nissan Half Marathon making their way to the base of the slick rock mountain

THE SHOT Getting this type of shot means making sure you stay ahead of the riders while they are bunched, once you get caught you won’t be able to pass again

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f6.3 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.zcmc.co.za KEVIN RECORD The Route, vibe, race, the square, town, Clarens Brewery and The mtbers PIERRE POTGIETER Great route, some good climbs and very well organised GAVIN COWDEN The Town Square and Vibe!!! And...the awesome scenery..not that I got to see much..was too busy focused on the trail so I didnt tumble down the mountain!

STEFAN CREMER Has to be the miles of singletrack and stunning organisation.

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train

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#MTBClarens!

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Anyone’s game THE ACTION The top junior and youth men all bunched and waiting for the move to come

THE SHOT Sometimes you can be forgiven for kicking up a bit of dust if you can justify it with a shot like this

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.advendurance.com

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Sky high

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Dries Schoombee: “You guys never dissipoint with the tuff routes , but yet exciting and great flowing single track!�

THE ACTION One of the riders on the Nissan Half Marathon summits the slick rock climb and still manages a smile

THE SHOT Setting up shot right at the top of the climb meant driving at break neck speed and running the last part of the mountain

THE SPECS 1/200s @ f8 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 wide angle lens two SB910 flashes both fired

MORE INFO www.zooncronje.com

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Life

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on the edge THE ACTION Three youngsters wind their way up the side of the iconic slick rock climb Clarens has become known for

THE SHOT I used the rule of thirds here and got myself a position lower than the riders to work with the big blue sky as backdrop

THE SPECS 1/320s @ f9 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flashh

MORE INFO www.zcmc.co.za

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The grind

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THE ACTION One of the steeper sections on the slick rock climb

THE SHOT I positioned myself at a right angle to the action and the drop behind to highlight the steep angle of the ascent on this section

THE SPECS 1/320s @ f9 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com

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#MTBClarens!

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Perception perfection THE ACTION One of the velo life junior women grinding away from her rivals up the slick rock

THE SHOT Working with a zoom lens with a low f-stop allowed me to blur the rock face in the foreground, focus sharp on the rider and still show the mountains in the background

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO

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www.nationalmtbseries.com

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Sandstone THE ACTION Riders making their way up one of the many sandstone mountains

THE SHOT I waited for the exact moment the riders came into view to show off the vastness behind them and to emphasise the size of the mountains

THE SPECS 1/640s @ f6.3 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO

www.zooncronje.com

#MTBClarens!

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splendor xtremedia.co.za

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Family affair THE ACTION Ivin Greyling and his son cross the finish of the BuyCycle 20km fun ride

THE SHOT Hanging around the finish waiting for the half marathon leaders paid off when I saw this family moment

THE SPECS 1/800s @ f7.1 Nikon D610 body and Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 zoom lens no flash

MORE INFO www.nationalmtbseries.com

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