Fietsry Training Program
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Category: Team Induna
Sappi Mankele Challenge
Ben Melt Swanepoel:
A busy weekend of racing and travelling started with a trip to Mankele Bike Park situated about 30km from Nelspruit. In a quiet valley close to the famous Sudwala caves 2 guys with an absolute passion for mountain biking have steadily developed a network of trails which they love sharing with like minded people.
Mark Meyer and Geoff Anderson use every bit of their (and their family’s) spare time and resources to build Mankele into the mountain biking destination that it currently is (www.mankele.co.za). They are obviously doing something right because 730 entrants lined up to compete in the 3rd annual Sappi Mankele Challenge.
They also put me up for the evening in a luxurious tent big enough that you could actually hear an echo if you spoke too loud. No excuses then for a bad night’s sleep affecting my racing.
A misty morning greeted us on Saturday, but as we were warming up the clouds slowly dissipated warning us of the hot day that lay in wait. Race action mimicked the weather and it was ‘on’ from the start. No matter which direction you take from Mankele, you will inevitably start with a climb (and finish with a descent!). Cross Country specialist Stuart Marais started flat out trying to put his skills to good use over the first few kilometres. I stuck with him and when his attack waned I kept up the pressure and managed to drop him.
From there on it was a veritable time trial for me with Mark Meyer on the lead bike for company. I kept on pushing pretty hard as I never knew what the gap to my pursuers was and wanted a buffer in case of any mechanicals.
My solitary ride also gave me time to really appreciate and enjoy the race route which had a bit of everything from singletrack to jeep track, bush tunnels, open district roads, river crossings and much more. It was great fun to ride, but made for one heck of a challenge and I was happy to see Mankele loom into view after 2.5 hours of racing.
Final results:
1. Melt Swanepoel 2:30:37
2. Stuart Marais 2:38:17
3. Matthew Schofield 2:45:05
Until next time, happy trails!
Lowveld Quest Stage Race
Things are heating up, for the Lowveld Quest!!
I am sure you are super fit, your bike has been serviced & you have booked your car shuttle. The track is all prepped & all marked out! Oh if only, then this would be the perfect world.
We went to Lydenburg yesterday, to check out their trails & man you guys are going to have fun.
Day 1 is going to be a big one, but it has plenty rewards. We have decided to add another water point. So there will be 3 for day 1 & only two water points for the remaining stages. Guys remember to take it easy and enjoy the views! Let the skinny pro riders earn some bucks, while racing their miele off. While you enjoy the ride & take in the most amazing views.
Arie from Lydenburg summed it up, “this is not a race, it is an expedition”. Adventure = Af K*K, don’t rush it, otherwise you will suffer!
Registration:
9 April, 15:00 – 20:00
Lydenburg High School is going all the way. Registration, race briefing, car shuttle, school accommodation & meals will all be done from the school hall.
Car shuttle & school accommodation bookings, will close on the 1st of April. So make it happen! Email: ride@mankele.co.za.
Race briefing will be at 19:00 & supper will be served from 18:00. Breakfast will be served from 5:00.
General info:
Breakfast: 5:00
Stage start times: 7:00
Water Points: most water points are spread out over +/- 20km’s
Medics: 4×4 rescue will be on course, to help patch any unwanted cuts! Medics will also be at the finish area.
Massages: Mankele, Sabie & Graskop will have some strong hands, to sort out your eina / stiff legs! (Recommended to keep your legs moving)
Bike wash: Self service. We supply hose pipe & buckets, you klap it!
Bike Maintenance: Lydenburg, Mankele, Sabie & Graskop will have repairs & spares. If you ride a funny bike, please bring you funny spares with.
Lunch: Served from 11:30
Supper: 18:00
Prize Giving: 19:00 (video of the days riding, will be shown. Hazyview prize giving, will be in the afternoon.
Camping:
We supply the tent and 2 x mattresses only.
Please bring at least one sleeping bag, per team. (what happens on tour, stays on tour).
Pillow & teddy or special blanky
Torch (head lamp)
Shower stuff (soap on a rope, is so last year)
Towel (white, will go home: brown)
Swimming costume (Speedo’s did not make the cut at the Olympics, for a good reason).
Coffee money, for those full of it Coffee connoisseurs.
Bike repair money.
Most importantly, your bike, helmet & shoes. All the above stuff’s just luxuries.
Except for trying to buy some fake training legs, the most important thing is for you to book your car shuttle & school accommodation.
Remember we feed you from the registration, till the lunch at Induna.
We supply tents from Mankele – Graskop.
See you soon,
Mark Meyer
Cell: 082 338 9532
Fax: 0866 810 753
It’s all about the ride!
Sasol Tri Cross #3, Abrahamsrust
Melt:
From Mankele it was straight in the car and back home to get everything ready for the next day’s race. The 3rd and concluding leg of the Sasol Cross Triathlon Series was held on Sunday at Abrahamsrust on the banks of the Vaal River. It was always a long shot to head back and race again on Sunday, but if you’re not in it – you can’t win it! Or as they say in Africa “Tata ma chance”.
Cold winds greeted us at the race venue and the chilly water temperature meant wetsuits were again allowed. This is music to my ears as the extra buoyancy really helps if you are not an experienced swimmer. It was another deep water start and I was soon put in my place as the fast swimmers disappeared in a flash of thrashing arms and legs while I was reduced to ‘crawling’ (excuse the pun) around the swim buoys.
Finally out of the water (and out of my misery) it was on to a slow transition and finally the bike leg. The bike course was really cool with loads of sweeping singletrack, some sandy sections and quad bike trails. My legs took a while to warm up, but once they got going I felt pretty good and made up a lot of time on the leaders. I reached transition 2 just as race leader Erhard Wolfaardt exited and I knew there was only a few seconds in it.
Erhard has a reputation as one of the strongest runners in triathlon, so I knew it would be hard to catch him but that didn’t keep me from trying. I gave it 110% on the run intent on putting as much pressure as possible on Erhard. You never know…
Erhard is a wily and experienced campaigner and he knew what was needed to win. He duly crossed the line in less than 1h30 taking the win in both the Sasol event and the 3 race series. I crossed the line a few minutes later with another Merida sponsored athlete, Brad Edwards, taking a fine 3rd place after a recent return from illness.
Final Results:
1. Erhard Wolfaardt 1:25:58
2. Melt Swanepoel 1:28:58
3. Brad Edwards 1:30: 50
All in all it was a good day out and in only my fourth triathlon event ever I was satisfied to finish so close to strong competition. I know where my weaknesses lie and will continue to work and improve in these areas over the winter months.
For now though triathlon season is done for me and I can get back to doing what I know best – racing my Merida Big Nine! Bring it on!
Until next time, happy trails!
