GregMinnaar/Mongoose DH series #2

The second round of the GregMinnaar/Mongoose DH series was held at Cascades, this time on a longer more physically demanding course. We started above the N3 pedalling section, unfortunately heavy rains from the previous night stopped the trucks from reaching the top where we were meant to start so we had a shorter but by no means easier course We rode through some pine forest from the start that spat you out onto the world cup track and from there it was pedalling flat out all the way to the bottom.

My First run was good, no mistakes but I felt I did slack off on the pedalling a bit to much. I was first overall but knew there was another run and everyone was gonna push alot harder. I went to the top focused and ready to get the job done. I pedalled hard and improved by 4 seconds on my first run time. It wasn't enough to knock Allisdair out the hot seat so he took the overall win with me in second. Really stoked for him, it's awesome to see the depth of DH riders that KZN produces.

Overall results for the day:
1) Allasdair Fey
2) Travis Browning
3) Hayden Brown
4) Tiaan Odendaal
5) Kelvin Purchase

Our next regional will be on the full World cup track so it's gonna be a real test of fitness and skill!

Ride safe,
TB

African Continental championships - Stellenbosch

The KZN mountain bike team travelled down to the Western Cape on the 13th Feb for the African Continental champs held at Jonkershoek in Stellenbosch. The course was the same one we rode 2 years ago so we had an idea of what we were in for, but didn't expect the track conditions to have changed so much during that time. Overall the track was really good, there were some steep off-camber turns at the top, a road gap that led into fast flowing single track that was super rough and blown out. There was a sprint to the finish through some harvested forest land and a final tight left hand turn towards the finish line.

My first few practice runs were a bit sketchy from the conditions being so much different than I'm used too. But I finally got into the swing of things and started enjoying myself. I had one big crash on Saturday afternoon on the fast off-camber turn, but was soon back on the bike with no serious injuries. Race day came and I was in the zone and ready to put in some good runs. Our Nationals are being run a little differently than previous years, as we now do a seeding run first then a final race run. Before we would do 2 race runs, the faster of the two counting for the final position. I prefer the new race format as it gives you an idea on how fast or slow you are riding in your seeding run, but only gives you one chance to put a fast run together in the final just like a world cup.

My seeding run went well but I did make a few mistakes at the top of the course. I was lying 6th overall and I knew there was time to be made. For the final I gave it my all and pedalled hard, it got a bit loose near the bottom but I held it together. I pushed Tim out the hot seat and managed to finish 5th overall and first KZN rider. I was happy with my result for the day.

Results for the day:
1) Andrew Neethling
2) Jonty Neethling
3) Johan Potgieter
4) Stefan Garlicki
5) Travis Browning

Ride safe,
TB

GregMinnaar/Mongoose series #1

The first round of the GregMinnaar/Mongoose series kicked off on the 30th January at Cascades on a fresh top section of course designed by Brian Dinkelman which led onto the bottom half of the World cup track. I was really excited and motivated to start the new season off on my new GT Fury.

The track was really fun, there was alot of pedalling on the top part of course which led into some steep switchbacks and tight turns. A few big jumps on the world cup track and a fast sprint to the finish. My first run went well, I had no big mistakes but was certain there was room for improvement. I was second overall, just 1 second off Tim. The second run I pushed hard and made an effort to pedal more between every turn. I went 1.5 seconds faster in that run to end the day first overall.

Results for the day were:

1) Travis Browning

2) Tim Bentley

3) Tiaan Odendaal

I was really happy to get the season off to a good start aboard my new bike and super motivated for the next few races.

Ride safe,

TB

Karkloof Trailblazer - 28th November

One thing I have been really enjoying since I got home is all the amazing single track and just riding in general we are so fortunate to have here in Howick. Sunday was an event I was definitely not going to miss as it was a ride on some incredible single track in the karkloof designed and maintained by Hylton Turvey and his crew. I started off in H batch so I knew there was gonna be a serious back log in the first few kms of single track. After one or two sniper lines and shifting out of granny gear i started passing riders and making my way through the pack. There were some serious climbs to get to the single track, and the mornings heat didnt make them any easier. But all in all totally worth the effort because the ride down had me in my element and just made me remember why i love my sport so much. It was a hard 45kms, I finished in 2 hours 48 minutes, placing me 55th out of 303 riders, and 15th in the senior men. I really enjoyed the ride and was happy with my result. I want to do more longer rides in the future and slowly improve the results as I get stronger.

Ride safe,
TB

Greg Kaumpek memorial race - 7th November

After 3 plane trips, one missed flight, a bit of sightseeing in London and ALOT of walking I finally arrived in South Africa on Sunday the 31st November. I was extremely excited to see my family again, you really learn to appreciate how much they mean to you when your limited to a phone call once a week at the most. After a week of relaxing, catching up with friends and getting over some serious jet lag it was that time of the year again where Martin Fourie puts together a race to remember our good friend and fellow rider Greg Kaumpek who passed away in April 2004 on the way back from the George national. I chose to ride my Ndiza since I had heard the track was quite pedally at the top with a few jumps thrown in. Turned out to be a good choice and I was really enjoying being back on the bike since I hadn't ridden for about 2 months due to my rear shock blowing at one of the bike parks in Canada. I pedalled hard in the first run and finished second behind Tiaan with Kelvin in third. Second run was nice and fast in the top half, but near the bottom of the course I landed on a rock leaving me with a flat tyre and a slow pedal to the finish line. Luckily I had done enough to stay in second position for the day. Would have liked to have got my name back on the floating trophy for Greg, but Tiaan rode hard to earn it for this year.

Thanks to Martin and Brian for organising the race as well as the Kaumpek family for being there to share a few words about Greg and hand over the trophy. He will always be missed!

Ride safe,
TB