Wildevy MTB - Race Report by Samantha Sanders

Burgersfort in Limpopo is a town better known for its Platinum mines & surrounding farm regions. Why then did the V team find themselves in the area on 26 July? Well, this past weekend was the annual Clemen Gold Wildevy MTB Race. A relatively new race with its first event being held in 2012. The race takes place in the Watervalsrivier pass between Lydenburg and Burgersfort on the northern edge of Mpumalanga. What makes the race quite unique is the terrain. It is part bushveld, part subtropical. At times you find yourself winding along bushveld single tracks in between Acacia trees and the next along a river with magnificent Wild Fig trees shading you from the Lowveld sun. 

The route, in a single word, is FUN. With very little climbing and a fair amount of lekker single track, the race is a social riders dream. From the trails, it is very evident that the organisers put particular effort and care into the race and the trails. The single track was smooth and very flowing. The event was well organised, well marked & the vibe was light-hearted. With our very own Driekie & Pieter Heyns involved with the organisation, one can tell that they have attended a number of events and taken notes! They have catered this event around the rider and what we love! Good organisation, fun course, decent prizes for our efforts as well as a free bike wash!!

Kusile Guest House (owned by Driekie & Pieter Heyns) was the luxurious host to all riders registering for the race and they also offered discounted rates to all cyclists participating in the event! On arrival I was met by many familiar faces. There were enough local Pros present to make the race a Provincial Championship. Even the adopted Lowvelders, Benmelt Swanepoel & Yolandi Du Toit had arrived for the event. After a swift registration we sat down to dinner at the Guest House which, needless to say, was delicious.

The race started at a very reasonable 8am. There were 3 distances: 70km, 35km and 20km. This was a maiden voyage for me on a 650B Scott Scale. Yolandi and I were all smiles and banter in the start chute, and I myself was looking forward to a little more of a chilled ride. However, from the start it was clear that it was full on racing as normal with Landi pushing the pace hard. In the end, she beat me to the finish line with her frenetic cadence on the long flats and no epic downhills for me to take advantage of. 

The 650B was a super awesome ride. The most obvious difference between it and the 29er is its agility and super responsiveness. For someone of my stature it is a lot more nimble than the larger 29er. It is plenty faster out of the corners with a smaller wheel to turn and climbing is definitely easier. The 29er does however out run it on the long flats & of course it rolls over anything! Although I had a fat jol riding the bike, I would not say I am converted. I think that both have their application and their advantages and disadvantages.

In the end, the race was won by RECM rider Nico Bell, Max Knox 2^nd & Benmelt Swanepoel rounded off the podium. In the Woman’s overall Yolandi Du Toit was queen bee, myself 2^nd and Santie Van der Westhuizen crossed the line for 3^rd.

The half Marathon was totally dominated by the Valencia Juniors.

Ryan Terry was a cool 7 minutes ahead of his closest completion in the sub junior boys. And we had a V team 1/2 in both the junior boys and girl’s category with Mandy Swart 1^st & Tyneale Terry 2^nd in the girls. Franco Pelser and Martin Oosthuizen took 1^st and 2^nd in junior men and Reyno Buekes just missing podium to come 4^th. Even our Coach, Bosseau Boshoff enjoyed a day out on his MTB and finished 4^th in his age category- not bad for a Roadie! Big Mike Terry cruised home into 6^th position.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable day out with friends in support of local racing.

The V team would like to thank our sponsor, Valencia Cycles for their ongoing support in the activity we love most- Racing Bicycles! Also a massive thank you to Kusile Guest House, Driekie & Pieter for their hospitality. And personally to all my sponsors: Valencia, Adidas Eyewear, Powerbar & Continental - THANKS!