With only a week until the first round of the UCI World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, and the first race of the SA National series being held on the world cup track, the race entries were overwhelmed by international riders. All of them wanting to get a chance to ride the track before the WC. This was the first time I had ever ridden alongside international riders of such a calibre, so my excitement levels were through the roof. I imagine that the other SA riders were very excited as well.
As usual, the week before, mother nature sabotaged another one of our DH races and gave us heavy rainfall. Friday`s practice was also ruined by rain, and I didn`t end up doing any practice runs. Saturday morning arrived, and brought the sun out with it. I took advantage of this and immediately loaded the Morewood onto a shuttle to do a run. Having Aaron Gwin join us the shuttle was a complete bonus. The track was still very sketchy after the rain, and the top sections seemed like they had not seen the sun. Cloud 9 and pebble beach were very slippery, but throught the day it got better, and I managed to do some solid practice runs. After a great day on the bike, I was really looking forward to the race. Just as I left Cascades, it started raining again.
Sunday morning was overcast, and due to safety reasons, the race organisers had been forced to start the race just above the N3 tables. During the seeding runs, it started pouring with rain, and did not stop. Some very lucky riders were able to do theirs before the rain, but my run started after about 45mins of constant rain, so the track was an absolute mud bath. I decided to just get to the bottom of the track, and not push too hard, and conserve my energy. This was a big mistake. My run definately wasn`t that great, and I couldnt even peddle into jumps to clear them because of the thick mud.
My seeding run seeded me in 4th in Junior. I rested up, had something to eat, and then got onto a shuttle. The rain hadn`t stopped yet, and so the driver had to do some rally driving to get us up to the top. I sat around in the rain and prepared for my race run. I had the energy, and the Morewood was all dialled in, ready to race. The starters were informed that the race had to be cancelled due to the fact that shuttles with some of the top riders couldnt make it up. Very disappointed, a couple of us rode down the track in one huge train. That was good fun.
We were unsure as to what would happen in terms of results. In the end it was decided that seeding run times would count. I wasnt very happy because I didnt have a great seeding run, and I knew that I could have do a much faster time.
Huge thank you to the race organisers, but especially to Grant from Adrenaline Cycles, and Andre from Rush Sports for their help.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Karkloof Classic DH Race
The Karkloof Classic is one of the biggest mountain bike festivals in SA, and this year they finally came to their sences and introduced a DH event. I was really excited for this event because I knew the track would be really cool, and it wasn`t part of any series.
The track was of an international standard with tons of effort been put into it. There were big jumps after pretty much every corner, 15 in total. You can imagine my disappointment when the rain showed up again! The mud tyres were put back on the bike, though this wasn`t a problem seen as I had put them on for the previous two races, so I was getting pretty good at it.
It wasn`t raining on race day but I thought that mud tyres would still be necessary. I caught the first shuttle up, and started to make my way down the track for a practice run. I crashed twice that run, thanks to the mud tyres which were actually not needed, so I changed back to my dry tyres, and headed back up the track.
I didn`t have many expectations for this race as my main focus is the World Cup being held in Pietermaritzburg. I didn`t do all the jumps on the track and I took things easy.
I didn`t have any problems in my race run, but I did have a rather heart-stopping moment when i nose-dived the massive rad gap, but I made it to the bottom in one piece so it was a successful race in that regard.
I finshed 2nd in Juniors and I can`t thank the race organisers and Adrenaline Cycles enough!
The track was of an international standard with tons of effort been put into it. There were big jumps after pretty much every corner, 15 in total. You can imagine my disappointment when the rain showed up again! The mud tyres were put back on the bike, though this wasn`t a problem seen as I had put them on for the previous two races, so I was getting pretty good at it.
It wasn`t raining on race day but I thought that mud tyres would still be necessary. I caught the first shuttle up, and started to make my way down the track for a practice run. I crashed twice that run, thanks to the mud tyres which were actually not needed, so I changed back to my dry tyres, and headed back up the track.
I didn`t have many expectations for this race as my main focus is the World Cup being held in Pietermaritzburg. I didn`t do all the jumps on the track and I took things easy.
I didn`t have any problems in my race run, but I did have a rather heart-stopping moment when i nose-dived the massive rad gap, but I made it to the bottom in one piece so it was a successful race in that regard.
I finshed 2nd in Juniors and I can`t thank the race organisers and Adrenaline Cycles enough!
Greg Minnaar/Mongoose DH Series #3-Cascades-27 March 2011
The third race in the series once again took place at Cascades, but this time the race saw us starting at the top of the world cup track, and ending just after the N3 tables tops. This was the top section of the world cup track and was a really fun and challenging track with many big jumps, and a few nice technical rocky sections.
The rain showed up again, and turned the event into another "mud race". It was time to bring out the mud tyres again. The sun half showed its face on race day and the rain thankfully stayed away, but most of the track was in the cover of trees so it stayed pretty much muddy and slippery.
My first run went well, I managed to keep everything together and luckily I was able to get to the bottom with no mechanicals or injuries in those treacherous conditions. I did however case the one double slightly, but as usual, the Morewood Kalula took it in its stide. This run put me into 3rd in Junior.
My scond run also went well. I felt like I went a little bit faster, but the stopwatch showed otherwise and I was in fact a few seconds slower than my first runs time.
This was a really fun race, and as usual everything ran smoothly. The shuttles also were really good and quick. Thanks to Adrenaline Cycles for keeping my bike in order and to the race organisers for a really good event.
The rain showed up again, and turned the event into another "mud race". It was time to bring out the mud tyres again. The sun half showed its face on race day and the rain thankfully stayed away, but most of the track was in the cover of trees so it stayed pretty much muddy and slippery.
My first run went well, I managed to keep everything together and luckily I was able to get to the bottom with no mechanicals or injuries in those treacherous conditions. I did however case the one double slightly, but as usual, the Morewood Kalula took it in its stide. This run put me into 3rd in Junior.
My scond run also went well. I felt like I went a little bit faster, but the stopwatch showed otherwise and I was in fact a few seconds slower than my first runs time.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
SA Downhill MTB Champs-Contermanskloof 6 March 2011
The annual SA Downhill Champs was held at Contermanskloof, Cape Town. This was my first national event for the year, as I didn`t compete in the African Continental Champs, and I was eager to see how I performed against the other riders, and see if all my training and effort will pay off. I flew down on Thursday everning, and arrived later that night. My team mate Kyle had walked the course already, and told me a bit about it, so I was super keen to check it out and ride it.
Fridays practice was very hot, and there was no shade on the track what so ever, and pretty much none at the end either. I caught a shuttle up the track, so that I could walk it and see it for myself. The track was amazing, with lots of switchbacks on the steep top part, leading into a road gap, and then into some fast sections with rock gardens and a few jumps near the finish. I only managed to get one practice run in after that because of the extremely long shuttle. I was a bit disappointed about that, but I had done everything on the track so I could use Saturday to get my lines dialled in.
Saturdays practice went much better than Fridays for me, firstly because I got more runs in, and secondly because the track was so much fun once you got to know it a bit better. The first shuttle of the day did take rather long, but huge thanks to Morne for giving us shuttle up for the rest of the day. Ended off the afternoon with a good trip to the beach.
Sunday morning arrived, and the nerves started to kick in. I just wanted to get to the event and get on the Morewood and ride! Thankfully Sunday morning was overcast, and so the one practice run that I did do, I was nice and cool the whole way down. I relaxed untill my seeding run.
My seeding run went well. I got the top section absolutely dialled except fot the first corner, where I had to put a foot out, but I knew I could push much harder on the bottom half of the track. I posted a seeding time of 2:36sec, which seeded me third in Juniors. One thing I wasn`t sure of though, was whether the track would hold up after everybody`s seeding runs, because it was so dry and the corners were getting ripped up.
It was then time for my race run. I was hoping that I could get the top section pinned and have no mistakes there. Unfortunately that didn`t happen, and I ended up unclipping and putting my foot out in about three corners, which I think were costly mistakes. After those hick-ups, my run went absolutely perfectly, and I got all my lines dialled. I hit the last table, and then sprinted flat out to the finish line. I posted a time of 2:35.17secs which put me in second Junior. There were only two more juniors left to come down the track. One of them being my team mate Kyle Davids. My time was just faster than Kyles, and I held onto second. The last junior rider came down the track, and had a faster run than I did, so I ended up 3rd in the Junior category and 18th overall. I am super stoked with my result!
A huge thanks must go out to the race organisers for putting on this event, and to all the people who helped out. My Morewood worked like an absolute dream, thanks to Grant and Matt from Adrenaline. I really appreciate all the help!
Photos: Radiate Sports Photography- Stephanie Davies
Fridays practice was very hot, and there was no shade on the track what so ever, and pretty much none at the end either. I caught a shuttle up the track, so that I could walk it and see it for myself. The track was amazing, with lots of switchbacks on the steep top part, leading into a road gap, and then into some fast sections with rock gardens and a few jumps near the finish. I only managed to get one practice run in after that because of the extremely long shuttle. I was a bit disappointed about that, but I had done everything on the track so I could use Saturday to get my lines dialled in.
Saturdays practice went much better than Fridays for me, firstly because I got more runs in, and secondly because the track was so much fun once you got to know it a bit better. The first shuttle of the day did take rather long, but huge thanks to Morne for giving us shuttle up for the rest of the day. Ended off the afternoon with a good trip to the beach.
Sunday morning arrived, and the nerves started to kick in. I just wanted to get to the event and get on the Morewood and ride! Thankfully Sunday morning was overcast, and so the one practice run that I did do, I was nice and cool the whole way down. I relaxed untill my seeding run.
Photos: Radiate Sports Photography- Stephanie Davies
Greg Minnaar/Mongoose DH Series #2-Cascades 20 February 2011
The second round of the KZN DH series took place at Cascades once again. The track was the same one used for a national last year. I was super excited for the race, as it was a fun track, well everthing except all the pedalling.
The days leading up to the race had been perfect weather, but on Saturday afternoon the clouds came over. Saturday night poured with rain, leaving the roads to the top of the track too slippery for the shuttles to get up on Sunday. The race organisers had a big decision to make about what to do. After delaying practice, and the roads still not drying up, it was decided that only half the track would be used, due to the top being unaccessable. The track started just above the N3 table tops, and after riding a small section of pine gulley, it was a sprint into gumtree. As you can imagine, I was a little bit bummed that the top section wasn`t in the track because it was my favourite part.
My first race run started of well, but as soon as I started to sprint into gumtree, I could feel my legs just didn`t have enough energy in them. I think this is because I foolishly went for a xc ride on Thursday, and then did two solid days of practice on Friday and Saturday. I had over-cooked my legs, which was a stupid mistake on my part! In my practice runs I had done all the jumps in gumtree, but they required a lot of pedalling into, so in my race run, I was unfortunately too tired to do them. I didn`t post a particularly quick time at the end of my run.
My second run went pretty much the same, with the addition of a near death experience on the hip-table on N3, when my foot unclipped in the air, forcing me to land with only one foot on the pedals. I managed to ride away safely. I still didn`t have enough gas in the tank to go my hardest in gumtree, which resulted in me having another average time at the bottom.
The days leading up to the race had been perfect weather, but on Saturday afternoon the clouds came over. Saturday night poured with rain, leaving the roads to the top of the track too slippery for the shuttles to get up on Sunday. The race organisers had a big decision to make about what to do. After delaying practice, and the roads still not drying up, it was decided that only half the track would be used, due to the top being unaccessable. The track started just above the N3 table tops, and after riding a small section of pine gulley, it was a sprint into gumtree. As you can imagine, I was a little bit bummed that the top section wasn`t in the track because it was my favourite part.
My first race run started of well, but as soon as I started to sprint into gumtree, I could feel my legs just didn`t have enough energy in them. I think this is because I foolishly went for a xc ride on Thursday, and then did two solid days of practice on Friday and Saturday. I had over-cooked my legs, which was a stupid mistake on my part! In my practice runs I had done all the jumps in gumtree, but they required a lot of pedalling into, so in my race run, I was unfortunately too tired to do them. I didn`t post a particularly quick time at the end of my run.
My second run went pretty much the same, with the addition of a near death experience on the hip-table on N3, when my foot unclipped in the air, forcing me to land with only one foot on the pedals. I managed to ride away safely. I still didn`t have enough gas in the tank to go my hardest in gumtree, which resulted in me having another average time at the bottom.
Overall, it was a good event though, and the Morewood performed absolutely perfectly, the only thing that didn`t was my legs. I am a bit disappointed with my result, but I am looking forward to SA champs in Cape Town. Thanks to Morne for putting on the event and to Grant and Matt from Adrenaline, and Andre from Rush Sports.
Photo: Radiate Sports Photography-Stephanie Davies
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Greg Minnaar/Mongoose DH Series #1-Cascades 30 January 2011
The first event on the DH calender for us KZN riders took place at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg. I always look forward to the first race of the season, and this race was no exception. I had been riding the course with my mates the weekend before, and this just increased my excitement fot the race. This was also my first race on the new Morewood.
Race day started of well, due to the fact that Grant from Adrenaline Cycles and Andre from Rush Sports had already set up the big Morewood gazebo. This provided us with some shade and a great place to view the track. I was eager to get the day going and I made my way to the shuttles for my first practise run. The track was far better than the weekend before because the rain had settled the dust and made it much tackier. I did 3 practise runs, and I had no problems with those except for the short moment when I contemplated gapping the rock garden at the end. My common sense got in the way, and I decided risks like that were for later in the season. The bike was running better than ever and I managed to get my lines dialled in. I then relaxed under the gazebo and waited for racing to begin.
My first race run went well for me. I felt that my lines were right, the bike performed faultlessly, and my time at the bottom was good enough to put me into 3rd place in Juniors. I did however feel that I should have pushed a little bit harder which would have hopefully got me a better time. I was pleased with it though.
My second race run went pretty much the same as my first. Once again I managed to get my lines done and the bike performed very well. I put everything I had into this run, and at the bottom I was sure that i had improved on my first runs time. The clock agreed with me, and it was a few hundredths of a second faster. My overall time was now 1min:39.74secs. This kept me in 3rd place in Junior. There was one other Junior who could knock me out of the top 3, and that was my teammate Kyle Davids. He completed his run, and managed tobeat my time by just over half a second. This put me in 4th in Junior men, which I was very pleased with because the competition was so strong. Just over half a second seperated me from both Kyle in 3rd and Steve in 2nd.
Overall it was an absolutely amazing event and I had a great time. The track was super fun all thanks to Morne and the track builders. The Morewood ran smoothely the entire event, and there were no mechanicals in sight. Thanks very much Grant and Matt from Adrenaline Cycles for ensuring it ran perfectly. Thanks to Andre from Rushsports for all the help in putting this amazing machine together. This was a great event and i am looking forward the next one!
Photos: Stephanie Davies- Radiate Sports Photography
Race day started of well, due to the fact that Grant from Adrenaline Cycles and Andre from Rush Sports had already set up the big Morewood gazebo. This provided us with some shade and a great place to view the track. I was eager to get the day going and I made my way to the shuttles for my first practise run. The track was far better than the weekend before because the rain had settled the dust and made it much tackier. I did 3 practise runs, and I had no problems with those except for the short moment when I contemplated gapping the rock garden at the end. My common sense got in the way, and I decided risks like that were for later in the season. The bike was running better than ever and I managed to get my lines dialled in. I then relaxed under the gazebo and waited for racing to begin.My first race run went well for me. I felt that my lines were right, the bike performed faultlessly, and my time at the bottom was good enough to put me into 3rd place in Juniors. I did however feel that I should have pushed a little bit harder which would have hopefully got me a better time. I was pleased with it though.
My second race run went pretty much the same as my first. Once again I managed to get my lines done and the bike performed very well. I put everything I had into this run, and at the bottom I was sure that i had improved on my first runs time. The clock agreed with me, and it was a few hundredths of a second faster. My overall time was now 1min:39.74secs. This kept me in 3rd place in Junior. There was one other Junior who could knock me out of the top 3, and that was my teammate Kyle Davids. He completed his run, and managed tobeat my time by just over half a second. This put me in 4th in Junior men, which I was very pleased with because the competition was so strong. Just over half a second seperated me from both Kyle in 3rd and Steve in 2nd.
Overall it was an absolutely amazing event and I had a great time. The track was super fun all thanks to Morne and the track builders. The Morewood ran smoothely the entire event, and there were no mechanicals in sight. Thanks very much Grant and Matt from Adrenaline Cycles for ensuring it ran perfectly. Thanks to Andre from Rushsports for all the help in putting this amazing machine together. This was a great event and i am looking forward the next one!
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