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 MOUNTAIN BIKING

DESCRIPTION

Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain. Mountain biking can generally be broken down into multiple categories: cross country, trail riding, all mountain, downhill, freeride, street riding, dirt jumping and trials. The vast majority of mountain biking falls into the recreational XC and Trail Riding category.

Downhill Biking (DH)
Downhill biking (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds (seeded from slowest to fastest), on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders come from all around the world. Riders are timed with equipment similar to that used in Downhill skiing. The placing is determined by the fastest times to complete the course; races are often won by margins of under a second. As the name of this discipline implies, downhill races are held on steep, downhill terrain, resulting in high speed descents, and with extended air time off jumps and other obstacles.
Source: Wikipedia
UPCOMING EVENTS



Sani2C 15-19 May 2012
The 2012 sani2c mountain-bike race, sponsored by BoE Private Clients, kicked off on Tuesday 15 May, with all 4 200 places filled. JoBerg2c winners Kevin Evans and David George are expected to be on top form over the gruelling 250km course. The race comprises three separate events: the sani2c trail from 15 to 17 May; the sani2c adventure from 16 to 18 May; and the sani2c race from 17 to 19 May. ...read more


Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run 20 May 2012
Head for the green hills of KwaZulu-Natal for the Husqvarna Classic Mid-Illovo MTB Challenge & Trail Run. On 20 May 2012, both mountain bikers and runners can get physical in the fresh air as the race traverses two picturesque game reserves, the Gwahumbe Game & Spa and iNsingizi Lodge ...read more
FEEDBACK

MTN Series #5 Mabalingwe 2012
Set in the beautiful Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, the fifth leg of the MTN National MTB Series proved to be the toughest one in the series thus far. And it looks like the harder the Series gets, the more riders want to be a part of it! Even though the race was full on race day, there were still hundreds of people who arrived on the day to join in on the fun. Despite a few small hiccups regarding the actual distance completed, everyone left with big smiles. The team from DO IT NOW Magazine loved being a part of the action and will most definitely be at the 2013 event. If you are planning to enter next year's race, trust me and pre enter - it's worth it! The DO IT NOW team would like to congratulate all the category winners on their superb performances. Until we see you at Nissan Trail Seeker Series #1 at Tyger Valley, happy trails.
LINKS

Photo Gallery
MTN Marathon Series#4, Clarens
The Free State town of Clarens welcomed riders for the 4th round of the MTN (Ultra) Marathon series. In sharp contrast to last year's mud bath, unseasonal warm weather graced the weekend.

With races such as Joberg2c and the African Continental XC Championships on the same weekend, one would be forgiven for thinking a less competitive field than normal assembled for the ultra marathon - yet nothing could be further from the truth.

It is testament to both the growth of the sport and the Advendurance team's ability to host well organised events that the depth of the field was so impressive on a race packed weekend.

At 7.15am sharp we rolled out of town on our 111km journey through the Sandstone Mountains surrounding Clarens.

The first 40-odd kilometres were mainly run on district roads with the exception of one long singletrack section. Jacques Janse van Rensburg (MTN Qhubeka) made a huge acceleration here which split the field and left 11 riders at the head of affairs. The 11 man group rode intact until we hit the first decisive climb after about 1h15 of racing. Max Knox attacked here completely splintering the group and leaving everyone gasping for breath.

From here on in it was every man for himself - Max in the lead being chased by Nico Bell (Westvaal Columbia), being chased by me, being chased by the rest... Twice I got really close to Nico, but first a small crash and then an inadequate amount of horsepower jeopardised my attempts to regain contact.

Race positions stayed the same for the remainder of the scenic but extremely tough race. We were tested over everything from long rock sections, over grassy fields, long drags, steep climbs and very technical singletrack. It's been a while since my arms have been as tender as my legs after a race! Max proved the strongest on the day with Nico taking 2nd ahead of me in 3rd.

Final results:
1. Max Knox
2. Nico Bell (Westvaal Columbia)
3. Melt Swanepoel
4. Charles Keey (Blend properties)
5. Matthys Beukes (MTB Destination)

(The pictures say it all - thanks Zoon!)

Next up is the Mabalingwe Lion Man Ultra marathon this coming weekend. I hope we can all recover in time to do battle again.

Until then, happy trails!

Melt
Panorama Tour
The Panorama Tour has become a tradition for me and I really look forward to it every year.

This is the one road race I simply love doing - partly because I adore riding in the Lowveld, partly because of my partner (Francois Lourens) who can suffer more than most pro's and partly because time spent on the bike is rivalled by time spent in the coffee shop afterwards! After all, you need a lot of time to regale all the war stories and recount the day's action.

Amazing how the caffeine fuelled versions of stage proceedings always seem more colourful than the actual events themselves. All stages are run from the Casterbridge Centre located just outside White River. From there we head into the surrounding mountains where we do battle for stage and overall honours.

For posterity, this year Shaun Ward and James Tennent (Nu Water) were the overall winners ahead of Kallen Williams and Willie Smit (Cyclelab Mpower FM). Francois and I finished in 20th position overall and 7th in our category, but this race is about much more than results.

The format of the race where you have to ride in pairs gives it a dynamic similar to that found in mountain bike stage races along with the associated camaraderie. Over the three road stages and final time trial one gets to know your partner pretty well and suffering together evokes quite a unique companionship.

One of the highlights was surely when our Double Century team sponsor, Lion Sands, did a fly over with their helicopter. It was a huge boost to our morale on a hard day and quite demoralising to our competition. As one rider put it - it felt like he was darted from the helicopter as his legs just gave up once he saw the 'local support!'

I look forward to next year's edition of the race... and the compulsory coffee shop talk that goes with it!

Until a next time, happy trails!

Melt Swanepoel
GALLERIES

MTN Series #5 Mabalingwe

MTN Series #4 Clarens

Suikerbosrand Route 42

Country Challenge Walkerville

Parys Dirtmax Event3 2012

Parys Dirtmax Event2 2012

MTN Series Sabie 2012

Vori Berg MTB

OLDER GALLERIES

Emperors Palace MTB Race | Gauteng Provincial Down Hill 1 | Parys Island Dirtmax 2012 | MTN MTB Series 1 2012 | The Fast One MTB Eikenhof | DirtMax Final 2011 | Nissan Series #5 2011 | Nissan Series #4 2011 | Isuzu 3 Towers Mankele | Spur National Schools Final | LMCS MTB Relay Heidelberg | Nissan Series no3 2011 | Parys DirtMax 2011 | MTB Anatomic Spur Tour 2011 | High School MTB Race | MTB Downhill | MTB Dirtmax Aug 2011 | Nissan Series 2011 #2 | Induna MTB Race 2011 | Sani2C 2011 | Avianto MTB 2010 | Cape Pioneer Trek 2010 | Nissan Series 2010 no1 | Nissan Series 2010 no3 | Mankele 2011 |


Why Katot has built a reputation of hosting probably the toughest MTB race in SA.



MTB: 2011 - Pioneer Trek
Stage 1 Highlights
MTB: 2011 - Pioneer Trek Stage 2 Highlights
MTB: 2011 - Pioneer Trek Stage 3 Highlights
MTB: 2011 - Pioneer Trek Stage 4 Highlights
MTB: 2011 - Pioneer Trek Stage 5 Highlights


2011 Absa Cape Epic


Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7
ARTICLES

MTB Trips
> Across the Spine of Taiwan
> Solo Across Western Sahara
> Riders Ride to Rescue Rhinos
> Namaqualand by Mountain Bike

> Tip to Tip Through Taiwan ... on my Bicycle
> 2011 Springs to Cape Town Tour for Education
> Tracks on The West coast


MTB and Cycling Races
> MTN National MTB SERIES 3 Races, 3 Experiences
> 2012 Mountain Bike Race Season Preview
> Lesotho Sky 2011 Ð Racing with a Purpose
> Shuttle Days Ð A Fun MTB Ride for Everyone
> 2011 ISUZU 3 Towers - A Celebration of Cycling
> Ghost Mankele Avalanche Downhill MTB
> joBerg2c 2011: The Great Pilgrimage to the Sea
> Big Induna Attracts SA's Best
> Raise Funds. Raise Your Heart Rate. Raise Awareness...
> Rookie Realities - The Pitfalls and Triumphs of an Epic Virgin
> CA2C Ride the Wind MTB Race
> DCM Cape Pioneer Trek
> The Nissan MTB Series
> Avianto Mountain Bike Race
> The Nissan MTB Series
> The Cows - Planning is for people who don't know...
> Team Virtuoso takes on the DCM Cape Pioneer Trek, again!
> Nissan MTB Series
> Joberg2c A Fantastic but Tough Journey
> Fairbairn Capital JoBerg2c: The New Amazing Race
> Subaru Sani2c: Buddy, you've got mud on your face
> A Beginner's Take on the Nando's Magalies Adventure
> Non stop Action at the Subaru Non stop sani2c
  MULTISPORT RACES

> Induna X-fest 2011 - Wet, Muddy but FANTASTIC!
> Dan Hugo Wins XTERRA SA 2011 Championship
> Expedition Africa: A 500km Adventure
> The Garmin Wartrail 2011: Calling all Brave-hearted...
> It just gets better and better Gravity Adventure Festival
> Seringveld Diamond Dash II Expells Gauteng Winter Blues


PREPARATION

> Eight Weeks to an Epic Race
> Gearing up for the Fairbairn Capital joBerg2c
> The Rhode to a Twelve Pack, Jonty and the Big Guy
> Are you ready for the joBerg2c?
> joBerg2c Training Programme
> FIX IT NOW: Suspension
> joBerg2c: The Inside Story
> joBerg2c: The Route
> FIX IT NOW: Cycling Mechanics









LINKS

> PURE Nutrition Tecnology
> Balistic Bike Trading
> Eagle Canyon Cycles
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