full sus - july 2013

July 2013July 2013

Gearpg20

Trailspg10

joBurg & Sani 2cpg8

Nutritionpg17

Tulipg6

WIN!one of two pairs

of Ocean Eye-wear SJ 840’s.

MOUNTAIN BIKE MONTHLY

turn to page 4

To the West of the twin cities, the Southern our nation’s economic capital and the Northern the

political, lies the Hartbeespoort Dam. It’s about 45 minutes – traffi c dependent, like everything in Gauteng – from both Jozi and Pretoria and off ers enough riding potential to keep you busy for weeks, let alone a weekend.

The heart of mountain biking in the area is undoubtedly the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, where trail builder and co-owner, Erik Schipper has worked his magic. The network of trails crosses 30 private properties, with styles typically traversing the fences, so you don’t have to dismount, and measure an impressive 120km or so in total. Most of which is mouth-watering single track.

Full Sus’s local contact Sharlene Vallance did issue a warning though, the riding is very technical at times, so make sure you’re skills are up to the test or you might lose a couple of teeth. Not at the hand of a local though, Sharlene says they’re an extremely friendly bunch and they’ve jumped into action to help many a rider who came short. With the warnings aside let’s get into the nitty-gritty of riding around the Dam.

Located at the intersection of the R560 and the R512, on the southern banks of the Dam, is the village of

Skeerpoort and in the village – is the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm. Nestled in the Magaliesriver Valley, the trails through the farms feature the majestic Magalies mountain range to the North and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site to the South (but more about both of these later). The trails are accessed off the Cheese Farm, where there is safe parking, through the purchase of a day pass for R 40. And these trails play host to events like the Tracker Corporate MTB Challenge, the TLC Ladies MTB Day, the Route 66 MTB Experience and the Impi Challenge events every year, so should your competitive nature strike you can sign up for a race too.

The Cheese Farm, Sharlene says, is also a great place to start should you be training for a big race. South of the Hartbeespoort Dam you’ll fi nd a maze of gravel roads, which follow the irrigation canals, and if you know your way around you’ll be able to navigate all the way to Sun City on gravel with just a few tar road crossings. If you’re new to the area though, you’d better take a GPS along when you go on your long training ride over the weekend. If you’re just looking to put in serious kays for distance, she suggests that

Busting out of the City on your MTBThe Hartbeespoort Dam isn’t just a hangout

for local shamans as Seamus Allardice found out, there is a myriad of jeep track and great

single track to keep you MTB enthusiasts in a trance too. And that’s only the start of

mountain biking west of the big Gauteng cities.

FREEfullsusC

HE

RIE

VA

LE

/NE

WS

PO

RT

ME

DIA

“NORTHERN FARMS IS BILLED AS ONE OF JOBURG’S BEST KEPT SECRETS.”

2

FS Editorial & News

Winter doesn’t have to be about the Blues!

Here we are in the middle of winter, the mountains are soaked through and in

some cases covered in snow. Us weekend warriors are hunkered down, chomping at the bit to ride but only if there is a break in the weather. The roadies have swopped their skinny’s for knobblies and are secretly thinking that “these okes are mad”! I hear a lot of the more robust mtbers out there laughing at us, but c’mon, as much as I like to play in the mud, waking up in the dark in freezing temperatures, getting peed on all the way up and down the mountain, soaked chammy, cold hands and complete loss of feeling in my feet and face is not exactly what I signed up for. Oh not to mention all the mechanical challenges that come with slogging through the thick stuff .

However… winter riding is awesome and a helluva lot better when you have the right gear. Like a good waterproof rain jacket, beanie under the helmet, full fi nger gloves, leg and arm warmers and a pair of booties. There is nothing better than being toasty while sliding along your favourite trail and having the option to peel of a couple of layers and despite that annoying ice cold drip that always seems to make it into you butt crack, being essentially dry.

This brings me to the bike. You WILL get chain suck, your drive-train will be covered in mud, your brakes may act diff erently and your tyres (covered in the sticky stuff ) will

feel 2kg heavier. It’s expecting and preparing for this that is going to make the diff erence in your winter ride. Get your bike ready for winter: perhaps you need to change your chain lube? Ensure everything that needs grease has got. What tyres are you running and are they suitable for your usual winter terrain? When last did you check your cables and are they suitable for performance in wet weather? You have choices and it’s kinda fun fi nding out what works for you and your machine. Take your bike to your LBS and have it checked and perhaps serviced – trust me, it may be a few bucks now but it may save you a damn side more in the long run.

Oh and don’t be a hero – the mountain and trails should always be handled with respect and never more so when wet and muddy. Who hasn’t had a scare or worse, when one of your wheels hits a wet root and goes in completely the opposite direction to where you were going? Scary stuff so keep alert and hey let’s not kid ourselves the wet is still a complete jol! So be safe out there, get the right gear and don’t forget to see the funny side when you look up and see your mate with a big brown stripe running up his back; ‘cause you got one too!

See you on the trail!

CheersSee you on the trail!

Cheers

the teamPublishing Editor: Shayne Dowling

[email protected]

Content Editor: Seamus [email protected]

Art Director: Megan [email protected]

Advertising: Shayne Dowling

PR & Promotions: Julia [email protected]

Photography: Julia Andrade, Jacques Marais, Thinkstock.com and

Oakpics.com – Fanus Oosthuizen.

Regulars: David George, Meurant Botha, Stirling Kotze Snr & Jnr,

Alex Blair, Jacques Marais.

Contributors: Diana Carolin, David Bristow, Trevor Van Zyl, Nathan Christie, Philip Faure, Maritza Terblanche & Fiona McDonald.

Printing: Paarl Coldset (Pty) Ltd

Published by: Integrated Media

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the contributors and columnists do not necessarily represent the views of Full Sus or Integrated Media.

Head Offi ce | Cape Town Tel: 021 685 0285Address: Suite WB03 Tannery Park23 Belmont Road, Rondebosch, 7700Postal Address: PO Box 31649, Tokai, 7945

Full Sus uses the iON AIR PRO WiFi

MOUNTAIN BIKE MONTHLYfullsus

FROM THE editor

Even the ballies can win a rainbow jersey.

DA

RR

EN

GO

DD

AR

D G

AM

EP

LAN

ME

DIA

UCI Masters World ChampsThe World Champs in Maritzburg are now just over a month away. But before the elite men and women can strut their stuff , the ballies get their chance on the Cascades MTB Park tracks and trails. It’s actually a bit mean to call them all ballies because the Masters World Champs is open to all men and women over the age of 30 who have no UCI points in 2013. The event is aimed at the top amateur riders and they take on diff erent courses to the pros. As event organiser Alec Lenferna explains: “the Masters XCO course is signifi cantly diff erent and longer and a lot less technical than the course for the Elite competition, whilst still being challenging enough to ensure a worthy winner is found in each age category. The Downhill course is also less technical than the

Elite course with smaller jumps but follows the same gradients and basic route as what the pros will race the following week”.

The Masters World Champs takes place from the 21st to the 25th of August 2013 and entry is free to spectators – in fact entry fees will only be charged on the fi nal 3 days of the Elite World Champs – so you really should make a plan to get to Maritzburg for the racing.

newsnews

Rhino Knights on a quest around Southern AfricaIn 2012 668 rhinos were killed in South

Africa, and with just over half of 2013 behind us the latest number for this year is a shocking 428 black and white rhino butchered for their horns. It’s a concern that’s close to many a MTB race organiser’s heart and so too for Isabel & Lloyd Gillespie of Earth Awareness.

It’s so important to them in fact that they’ve embarked on a massive 10 000km round trip through Southern Africa – starting and fi nishing in Durban, and taking in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique – to raise awareness and educate local communities. Isabel’s daily routine will feature a 21km run, a 60 to 80km ride on her MTB and, in Namibia and Botswana, 20km on horseback, as well as presenting talks on conservation and the importance of stopping rhino poaching to schools en route. Keep an eye on Full Sus for updates of their progress or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhinoKnights

News FS

Back in 1999, Juliana Furtado – winner of the inaugural Mountain Bike World Championships in 1991 and a further 5 National Championships, 3 World Cup titles and another World Championship – launched the Julian mountain bike with the good folks at Santa Cruz. It was the fi rst ever women-specifi c MTB. Since then a lot has changed and Juliana has realised the need for a range of ladies bikes. The Juliana Range features 4 bikes – the Nevis, Origin, Joplin, Furtado – in 9 spec models across the range. The frames’ geometry cater for women from 4’8” to 6’1” and come in sizes XS to L, with 26, 650b and 29 inch wheel options – as well as hard tail and full sus models.

Along with the range of bikes specifi cally designed for the ladies, Juliana has expanded into the parts and soft goods markets too, all of which are tailored specifi cally to suit women’s needs. Watch this space for details of the South African launch…

Meet the Juliana Origin

Speaking of the UCI XCO series, James Reid has been dedicating his attention to the Olympic format of late. But that didn’t stop the 20 year old from nicking the XCM title from the old hands and wise heads who were all favoured ahead of him. Held in on the Induna Adventures trails in Hazyview, Mpumalanga on the 1st of June, Reid held of the fancied Nico Bell and Kevin Evans to claim his maiden open SA Championships title. The ambitious youngster stated his refocused aims for the season now include the SA XCO title along with the U23 World Champs in the Olympic distance in late August.

SA Marathon Champ

In the ladies event at the SA Marathon Champs Robyn de Groot beat Samantha Sanders and another U23 XCO world campaigner Candice Neethling to the SA title. Neetling does however still lead the SA MTB rankings by the half-way mark of the year.

The national XCO and DH championships take place on the 20th and 21st of July at the Hayterdale Trails, near the Ado Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape. Go to www.old.mountainevents.co.za for more info.

The lady’s

XCM podiumSA XCM Champ

James Reid

AC

TIO

N P

HO

TO

RO

BY

N D

E G

RO

OT

On the 4th of June the guys from Dryland Event Management held a function at the V&A waterfront to announce the route for the 2013 Cape Pioneer Trek. With ringing endorsements from the Western Cape Minister of Cultural Aff airs and Sport - Dr Ivan Meyer, and the voice of MTB in South Africa - Gerald de Kock, the 2013 Pioneer looks set to be better than ever. Also adding to the interest from the rider’s side, was title sponsor Bridge, confi rming that they would be off ering a R100 000 prize for the fi rst person to cross the fi nish line on Stage 2, at the top of the Swartberg Pass. As usual the race will be tough and require a pioneering spirit from the riders as they’ll have to navigate virgin single track and weathered wagon trails. Check it out online at www.capepioneer.co.za and watch the launch video by scanning the QR code.

Cape Pioneer Route Launch

Below left: Gerald de Kock and James Reid.Below right: Dr Ivan Meyer.

With the usual season opener in Pietermaritzburg hosting the

world champs in August the World Cup gave the usual SA

leg a miss this year and only kicked off on the 17th of May in

Albstadt, Germany. The Saff a contingent were led by the under

23 riders Rourke Croeser, who fi nished 12th in the U23 Men’s division, and Mariske Strauss,

who fi nished 8th in the U23 Ladies section. The tour then moved on to Nove Mesto na

Morave in the Czech Republic where Strauss once again

proved to be the top South African rider, moving up to 6th while Philip Buys also showed

improvement from Germany moving up 8 places to 49th. The

DH nutters also got underway later this year – with their fi rst

event taking place on the 8th of June, in Fort William, Scotland.

Greg Minnaar and Andrew Neethling did the gravity loving

Saff as proud by placing 8th and 15th respectively.

Keep an eye out for a feature in the coming months on the

young pretenders to the SA MTB throne – we’re just waiting for them to fi nish exams so we

can catch up with them (Yes, they’re that young).

UCI World Cup Series

Mariske Strauss in action

AN

NA

BU

SUS THE FEEDBACKSUS THE FEEDBACK

Hey GuysJust noted your free mag at crown cycles, what a brilliant magazine for no cost. Thoroughly enjoyed every article cover to cover - well done guys.That MOAB is defi nitely bucket list stuff. Keep it up.Now have an excuse to visit LBS at least once a month to get this mag.

Cheers, regardsJames WrenschCAPE TOWN

Hey GuysJust noted your free mag at crown cycles, what a brilliant magazine for no cost. Thoroughly enjoyed every article cover to cover - well done guys.That MOAB is defi nitely bucket list stuff. Keep it up.Now have an excuse to visit LBS at least once a month to get this mag.

June 2013

Gearpg21Cederburg

pg10Moab MTB Mecca

pg6Nutritionp17Responsibility

pg15

The latest

results & your

July Calendar pg22


turn to page 4

Avron Sirin, of Cycle Traders

specialises in 2nd hand bikes

and he’s got his fi nger on the

pulse of what’s selling in Cape Town,

says that he routinely gets phone calls

asking him to keep an eye out for a

particular stolen bike. In fact when

I popped into Cycle Traders to talk

second hand bikes, Avron received a

phone call from a customer letting him

know that about a bike that had been

stolen over the weekend.

So bike theft is clearly a big deal. But

where are the stolen bikes going? Are

they being recovered or are they being

resold to unsuspecting honest folks?

Full Sus has heard about a particular

second hand shop in Plumstead, that

off ered a stolen Specialized for 4K.

The bike’s previous owner, who’d had

it nicked out of his garage, managed

to track the bike down – on the advice

of his insurance broker – and asked to

take it to his local bike shop for a once

over. With his bike now safely back in

his possession he double checked the

frame number and phoned the cops.

The shop owner seems to have been

innocent of any wrong doing except

for failing to ask questions of the seller.

But the fact remains he parted with

cash for a hi-spec bike which was being

off ered at a ridiculously reduced rate.

So maybe losing out will teach him

to ask questions in future, but will his

refusal to buy a stolen bike stop bike

theft? It’s not likely.

We can all spot a dodgy deal when

someone off ers you a Cannondale

Trigger Carbon for a couple of thousand

South African Rand, but what if the

seller is more clued up on bikes? If

you’re buying a bike off Gumtree what

guarantee do you have that you won’t

turn up at your next race only to have

a gang of angry riders descend on you

and reclaim their mate’s bike?

Okay, so that’s an extreme example,

but it’s still a scary thought. You might

riding a stolen bike. So what can you do

to mitigate the risk? Well we’d suggest

buying from a reputable second hand

bike trader like Cycle Traders. Even non

specialist shops like Cash Converters

or Cash Crusaders should in theory be

more secure as they have a “time-lag

of seven days before anything they

purchase goes on sale” which should

give the police the time to track it down

should it be stolen.

Despite the risk, often, it’s just

cheaper to buy from an individual. So

you might well fi nd yourself going the

Gumtree or The Hub route. If you do it

Second hand bikemares - avoid getting burnt

So you’re looking for an upgrade at a

reasonable price, and after weeks of browsing

the net you settled on a bike off Gumtree.

But as you’re pulling up to the oke’s address

the cops are leading him and your would-be

bike away. To help you avoid this and other

pit-falls Seamus Allardice went digging.

June 2013


FREE

fullsus

WW

W.O

AK

PIC

S.C

OM

3

4

FS City MTB Escapes – Part I

that you try the Hartbeeshoek Road (R400), it’s a quite tar road where you’ll be able to pound out the kilometres without the usual big city worries of crazy drivers swerving across the yellow line, onto the hard shoulder.

Safety, Sharlene rates isn’t something you need to worry too much about; she’s more than happy riding the gravel roads alone, as there is a fair amount of farming traffi c about – but they’re used to the MTB and horse-back traffi c so they keep an eye out for non-motorised road users.

Further South West of Harties, you’ll fi nd the Buff elspoort Valley, Sparling Waters and the Maanhaarrand Pass. The Maanhaarrand Pass, which is often called Breedt’s Nek, is a great place to put in the hard climbing work you’ll need to do if you’re taking on a stage race like the Epic. In fact the route is used for the annual Magalies Monster MTB Classic, which is named after the massive 9km lung and leg busting climb. The climb isn’t the only MTB option in the Buff elspoort Valley however, and between the valley and Sparkling Waters you’ll fi nd some great riding. One of the star attractions is the

Mountain Sanctuary Park’s 12km’s of trail, which augments the plethora of 4X4 track options on off er.

A little closer to home than Harties, but still in a Western direction from the big smoke, is the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The Cradle, over and above its archaeological importance, is worth a visit with your MTB. The 27km, Cradle of Humankind, MTB trail is in a loop format and will keep you going for 2 to 4 hours. It’s also technically a lot easier to ride than the Van Gaalen trails, so if you’re still new to the sport it’s a better bet.

Still closer, in the Diepsloot Nature Reserve, you’ll be able to ride the trails of Northern Farms. Although close to town, you’ll only be able to ride over weekends or public holidays due to the opening times. With the only down side out of the way – let’s get into the positives of Northern Farms. The 2500 hectare reserve off ers trails for all skill levels, the ride lengths vary from 12km to 35km, and it is billed as one of Joburg’s best kept secrets. It’s the perfect stop for a day of riding over the weekend, with lots to keep the non-riders in the family busy too. A single

entry ticket will cost you R 30, but there are also multiple entry passes on off er for the regulars.

So there you have it, there are plenty

of MTB options to the West of the big city lights. Get out there and check them out, the trails are just waiting for you to ride them…

Rider Feedback: Full Sus loves to hear from you. If you’ve recently visited one of the spots or if we’ve skipped your favourite trail to the West of Jozi and Pretoria let us know. We’re going to be starting a Facebook debate on the 10th of July, so go to www.facebook.com/fullsussa to get involved, or email us at [email protected].

SUS THE Coordinates & ContactsSUS THE Coordinates & Contacts

Van Gaalen Cheese Farm

25º 47’27.1” S, 27º 46’ 32.7” E

(012) 207 1289

www.vangaalen.co.za

Buff elspoort Valley

25° 45’ 27” S, 27° 29’ 22” E

(079) 119 0789

www.buff elspoortvalleyinfo.com

Maanhaarrad Pass

25º 51’ 45.4”S, 27º 26’ 32.7” E

It’s a public road so there is no contact

but you can check out the route at:

www.magaliesmonster.co.za

Sparkling Waters

25° 49’ 51” S, 27° 24’ 43” E

(014) 535 0000

www.sparklingwaters.co.za

Cradle of Humankind

25° 56’ 57.2” S, 27° 47’ 03.3” E

(011) 355 1208

www.cradleofh umankind.co.za

Northern Farm

25°56’ 20.5” S, 27° 57’ 57.2” E

(083) 879 4449

www.northernfarm.co.za

For more info on all the possible accommodation options go to

www.magaliesbergmap.co.za

“THE VAN GAALEN MTB TRACKS MEASURE AN IMPRESSIVE 120KM

OR SO IN TOTAL, MOST OF WHICH IS MOUTH-WATERING SINGLE TRACK.”

It’s not all single track and rocky 4x4 tails in Buff elspoort,there are plenty of decent gravel roads too.

The Magaliesberg is rugged and you’ll need to be too if you want to take on its varied and challenging terrain.

WW

W.O

AK

PIC

S.C

OM

CH

ER

IE V

AL

E/N

EW

SP

OR

T M

ED

IAC

HE

RIE

VA

LE

/NE

WS

PO

RT

ME

DIA

CH

ER

IE V

AL

E/N

EW

SP

OR

T M

ED

IA

6

FS Tuli touring

Tour de chaleur et poussière d’Afrique

Or to English speakers: “the tour of heat and dust for Africa”. It’s beautiful in French and sounds tough in

English, but as David Bristow reflects, it’s the one event that he’ll return for year after year.

Photography by David Bristow.

Each year for the past six or so, around about this time, I drag out my indoor trainer (and I

really am not an indoor trainer kind a guy), blow off the garage dust, stomp on the spiders, and screw in my make-shift road bike – it’s my old Kona Explosif Pro onto which I have mounted semi-slick tyres.

It always seems to be the weekend when the Cape it hit by the fiercest storm of the winter. Because that is the time when I say “Oh, sheet, I’ve left it too late, again, to get super fit – as I promised I would last year … (repeat five times) … for the Tour de Tuli.”

There are two things I don’t do much: ride races or do repeats. The only movies I’ve seen more than once are Forrest Gump and Sammy Going South. But those are other stories. And the only mtb event that I’ve done more than twice is the Tour de Tuli. And that is this story. It’s a story of heat and dust and Africa. Which is pretty much why - each year around this time when the Cape is beset by gale-force winds and white spume flying off the sea into my lounge - I haul out the old trainer and faithful Kona.

I reckon I’ve ridden a lot of non-racing dirt miles in my day. Not as

“Get close to big game, experience the best of the Savannah bushveld, ride great slick rock and dust off with a river crossing on the Tour de Tuli”

Tuli touring FS

David Bristow has buckets of MTB experience having ridden and written the Spine of the Dragon. He’s also the webmaster of www.dragontrax.co.za, a site which aims to be the countries go-to, free, repository of the mountain biking GPS tracks.

children in the wilderneSSTo see everything you ever wanted to about the event, check out the website http://www.childreninthewilderness.com/tour-de-tuli.html

children in the wilderneSS

“Think of it as one small sacrifice for living here, off the fat of the land in Africa, and for god or whoever for allowing us to

have such a friggin jol.”

many as some, granted, but more than others. And the reason I go ride the Tour de Tuli each year is – because it’s there. It’s up there in Botswana, or at least that’s where it starts, in the Mashatu Private Game Reserve. The reserve lies at the confluence of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, so that’s where we ride, following game trails, river tree lines, rural tracks, footpaths and some of the best slick-rock riding in southern Africa.

The story starts nearly 12 years ago when Paul Newman was visiting Botswana. He had around the camp fire the rapt attention of his hosts, the directors of Wilderness Safaris. Why, he berated them, were they not doing more to help the children of the rural areas in which their camps sat. Why indeed, and so they started Children in the Wilderness, whereby each year for two weeks they close their 60-odd safari camps around Africa to tourists, and bring in those rural kids for environmental and life-skills camps. Apparently the children are our future.

To fund all this they hatched up a charity ride, initially starting in the Kruger Park and ending in deep rural Mozambique. That worked for about two years, until the riders cried: “No mas dust!” What they meant was, “no more sand”. The start was therefore moved to the more stony Mashatu – and finally even Kruger Park was abandoned in preference some of the rockier parts of Zimbabwe and the Mapungubwe National Park along the Limpopo River.

There is still a fair whack of sand, but there’s plenty of hard-packed soil as well, and that slick rock I mentioned before. But the real attraction is that you get to ride on real game tracks, elephant paths, game trails where you could chance upon zebras, giraffes, eland, kudu, hyenas, leopards, lions or their spoor… we have each year.

One year, in the chill dawn, as we rode down a game path with dust hanging around our peloton like sea mist, a leopard sauntered across the road in front of us. It stopped; we stopped; it stared at us, then casually strolled up a ridge and took a pose right in the golden sunlight. We gawped. Magic Africa.

Each year so far excepting for last, one or other group has had the fun experience of an elephant charge. One year group 17 (you are split into groups of between 10 and 15 riders according to your seeding) was ambushed in the Shashe riverine forest and while the rest of us sat down to eat we watched the lights of the rescue parties rounding up the scattered riders. How we laughed. Another year it was a honeymooning American couple who had the privilege, and how we laughed when we watched the video footage at supper the following night.

These are places were no-one else is allowed to ride for the remainder of the year, unless you book a Mashatu mountain biking holiday, which you really should if you cannot afford the time of the cost of the main even Tour

de Tuli. Because, yes good people, this is one where the rich are asked to fork out for the less so. Think of it as one small sacrifice for living here, off the fat of the land in Africa, and for god or whoever for allowing us to have such a friggin jol.

Okay, so it costs R 19 800 for the five-day event, and I can tell you that every year it’s full. This includes just about everything, except getting there, which is a bit of a safari in itself (this year me and my partner in crime and travel, are driving up from Cape Town). To my mind it’s just about the best mtb holiday you can have in southern Africa. At R 4 000 a day it’s not that … okay, it is quite expensive, but somehow it keeps me going back year after year.

I just can’t get enough of that bushveld heat and dust whenever that first frigid winter rain dumps on Cape Town.

Celebrating under the quintessentially African baobab

Where else would you be able to ride game trails in near dry river beds with the thrill of big game around every bend?

TO

UR

DE

TU

LI

TO

UR

DE

TU

LI

8

Trevor van Zyl & Zain Muller

FS Readers Stage Racing Reports

From Jozi and Sani to the SeaHere at Full Sus we like to give our readers a voice, and what better occasion can there be for it than the completion of 2 of South Africa’s biggest races? You might have read race reports

already, but here you’ll read what really happened on the 2013 joBerg2c and Sani2c straight from the pens of a group of normal MTB enthusiasts. They didn’t go to race for overall victory –

they went for the jol of the ride. Read the Full Sus readers’ reports.

Sani - Nathan ChristieAll the months spent on the saddle training for Sani2c never seems to be enough, I arrived at registration and the nerves began to kick in – I was surrounded by athletes with shaved legs and enormous calves which unfortunately I was never blessed with.

Day 1The fi rst day was a really tough day and the pace was fast, my partner was quite a bit stronger than me so I was being pushed in every aspect of the ride. My slow but steady pace gave me time to admire the beauty of the spectacular scenery around me. The real highlight at the end of each day was Big Shot Media’s videos which gave everyone a glimpse of other riders’ experiences and often funny predicaments.

Day 2At the start of the day I experienced mixed emotions, the excitement of going down the Umkomaas on some of the best single track there is to off er, and on the other hand know that massive climbs lay ahead.

My favourite part of this incredible challenge was the river crossings, having to walk through them gave me a chance to catch up to my partner and catch my breath – a double win!

Day 3I particularly enjoyed the fl oating bridge that Farmer Glen had assembled across the Scottburgh estuary. Farmer Gary Green was controlling the fl oating bridge and thoroughly enjoyed informing riders of its perils to get the nerves on edge! I had a very close shave with the ice cold water only ten meters into the crossing.

The fi nish was truly incredible – riding across the fi nish line on an absolute high and having pictures with Glen Haw, a feeling I will never forget! Bring on Sani2c 2014, I’ll be there.

FAST, SWOOPING SWITCHBACKS, SHEAR DROPS IF YOU WENT WRONG, AND WAY TOO MANY WHOOP WHOOPS

Nathan Christie

CH

ER

IE V

AL

E/F

UL

L S

TO

P C

OM

MU

NIC

AT

ION

SC

HE

RIE

VA

LE

/FU

LL

ST

OP

CO

MM

UN

ICA

TIO

NS

CH

ER

IE V

AL

E/F

UL

L S

TO

P C

OM

MU

NIC

AT

ION

SC

HE

RIE

VA

LE

/FU

LL

ST

OP

CO

MM

UN

ICA

TIO

NS

CH

ERIE

VA

LE/F

ULL

STO

P C

OM

MU

NIC

ATI

ON

S

on a mountain bike is a long way - we were moeg by the end but still kept our "B" batch spot for Day 3.

Day 3I thought the start on day 2 was fast... B Batch very quickly split into smaller bunches. I was scratching to stay on the back of the 2nd bunch - the fi rst hour was insanely fast. Up and down and then a big up through the a forest section saw things settling down a bit, but you couldn't help but get the feeling that everyone was on a mission to get to the end. The mud also started to play a role in my grumpiness, with chain suck from hell starting to impede my forward motion. I had to refocus and remember why I was riding the Sani2c in the fi rst place! The new section of single track next to the motor way, leading up to Scottburgh Lagoon was awesome - some seriously fast little sections just to test the technical skills you forgot you had. Then the onto the brand new fl oating bridge - who's idea was this?? An absolute hoot watching guys running out of talent... A tricky 600m stretch to the fi nish line, but we crossed it dry!

It’s not easy to sum up the Sani2c in a couple of hundred words... A truly incredible, must do race. The logistics and management are world class, and the route, well... All I can say is I can't wait for next year!

Sani - Trevor Van ZylWell, after two years of trying to get into the Sani2c, riding partner Zain Muller and I fi nally secured a spot in the 2013 Sani2c Trail event... and what a spot it was!

Day 1After a good night sleep in the Grade 3 classroom at the Underberg Primary School we found ourselves on the start line, overlooking the snow capped Drakensberg Mountains. We were starting in ‘I’ batch so our strategy was to go out hard to try make up some time and get ourselves into a better seeding for Day 2's infamous Umkomaas decent. It was fast, hard and incredible... The course off ered up some amazing single track, fl oating bridges, spectacular dual track through the SAPPI plantations and breathtaking views.

Day 2Our eff orts on Day 1 meant we had to wake up extra early for our "B" batch start at 06:20. I didn't think it was possible to have such a fast start - we fl ew out of the start chute and hurtled down the district road, pretty much in the dark, towards the little climb up to the top of the Umkomaas Valley... Conditions were perfect - hardly any traffi c, a pristine, bench carved little path from the top to the bottom, some 800 meters below - you could hear the raging Umkomaas river somewhere under the mist. Truly spectacular! Zain and I had a faultless decent. I actually can't remember all of it... Fast, Swooping switchbacks, shear drops if you went wrong, and way too many "Whoop Whoops" when things got gnarly. Soul searching stuff indeed! But then the hard work started and two monster climbs, loads of river crossings, mud and a broken chain ring were still between us and the fi nish line. 99km's

9

SUS Phillip's top tips:SUS Phillip's top tips:• Train properly, get a coach, put the time in. This is not a tour!

• If you are going to camp, reward yourself with the odd night in a B&B.

And fi nd the tents that are empty so you and your partner can each have

their own tent. Best accommodation option is a camper van, get the camp

vibe, but warmer, more space, you unpack once. B&B’s are great, but admin.

• Forget gels and energy drinks, buy day 3 you will have the trots.

Eat savoury food, carry a bottle of water mixed with rehydrate and a

bottle with a water and coke mix.

• Use the services of a mechanic and masseuse. You will need both!

• Cape Town riders, spend time on your road bikes, plenty long roads

with rolling hills. Jhb riders, please get more technical experience for the

awesome single tracks.

• Don’t forget to take in the sites, take some pics and have a laugh.

• Don’t forget the sleeping tablets…

Readers Stage Racing Reports FS

joBerg2c - Maritza Terblanche Dié 9-dag avontuur op my bergfi ets vanaf Johannesburg na Scottburgh, was verseker ‘n hoogtepunt op my kalender hierdie jaar. Na ‘n harde Absa Cape Epic in Maart, wou ek iets meer sosiaals aanpak. Ons het besluit om weer as ‘n dames span in te skryf en dit was ‘n droom op 2 wiele. Die joBerg2c was propvol opwinding en verrassings elke dag.

Daar was iets om elke klas ryer te bevredig, vir die jaag duiwels was daar fantastiese pryse op die spel, asook uitdagende en opwindende “Redbull-runs” met die mees ongeloofl ikste “single-tracks”.

Ons was bevoorreg om die pragtige klein dorpies soos Frankford, Reitz, Sterkfontrein, Winterton, Kamberg, Underberg, McKenzie en Jolivet te beleef. Die gemeenskap was het ons oorweldig met hulle gasvryheid en behulpsaamheid.

Vir die sosiale ryers was daar hoogtepunte soos die uitdagende dryf-brug, die roei oor die Vaaldam met die “Dragon-boat”, ‘n besoek aan Anglo Boere Oorlog gedenkbeelde by Spionkop en ‘n draai deur ‘n wolwekamp. Die aaneenlopende kilometers deur die pragtige mielie- & suikerrietlande was asemrowend en mens

kon nie anders as om by die uitstekende uit te pak en piekniek te hou nie.Die Old Mutual joBerg2c is verseker ‘n inspirasie om die fi etsry leefstyl te leef. Fietsry het al meer

bevryding van vroue veroorsaak, as enige iets anders in die wêreld.

MARITZA SÊ: “FIETSRY HET AL MEER BEVRYDING VAN VROUE VEROORSAAK, AS ENIGE IETS ANDERS IN DIE WÊRELD.

Philip Faure & Patrick O’Brien

joBerg2c - Maritza Terblanche Dié 9-dag avontuur op my bergfi ets vanaf Johannesburg na Scottburgh, was verseker ‘n hoogtepunt op my kalender hierdie jaar. Na ‘n harde Absa Cape Epic in Maart, wou ek iets meer sosiaals aanpak. Ons het besluit om weer as ‘n dames span in te skryf en dit was ‘n droom op 2 wiele. Die joBerg2c was propvol opwinding en verrassings elke dag.

pryse op die spel, asook uitdagende en opwindende “Redbull-runs” met die mees ongeloofl ikste “single-tracks”.

kon nie anders as om by die uitstekende uit te pak en piekniek te hou nie.Die Old Mutual joBerg2c is verseker ‘n inspirasie om die fi etsry leefstyl te leef. Fietsry het al meer

bevryding van vroue veroorsaak, as enige iets anders in die wêreld.

Maritza Terblanche &

Naomi Potgieter

KE

LVIN

TR

AU

TMA

N

KE

LVIN

TR

AU

TM

AN

joBerg - Philip FaureOn return from JoBerg2c I have been asked 3 questions by most guys: Was it tough? How does it compare to the Cape Epic? Would I do it again? My answers are:

Make no mistake this is a tough event. There are very few free miles and there is nowhere to hide over any of the 9 days and 940km. The easiest part is the last 3 Sani2c days! You need to do some proper training before the event and if it’s your first step up from a 3 day, get a proper training programme. Toughest days are in the middle, but also some of the best days of riding you’ll ever do.

You can’t compare this event to a Cape Epic. This is actually longer by two days, if you ignore the prologue, but far less climbing and grinding, and yes it is easier. The Epic is a BIG scary, world class event. My advice would be, leave the Epic to the pros and rather do joBerg2c. This is completely ride able the whole way and a far less tense vibe. And it is still a proper challenge.

Would I do it again? The answer is probably not. 9 days is a long time away and just too many days on a bike. It’s great to test yourself perhaps once to satisfy your manly self that you still are tough, but 3 day events are more sensible. There are also just too many other awesome events in spectacular parts of the country that need to be done.

• Train properly, get a coach, put the time in. This is not a tour!

• If you are going to camp, reward yourself with the odd night in a B&B.

And fi nd the tents that are empty so you and your partner can each have

their own tent. Best accommodation option is a camper van, get the camp

vibe, but warmer, more space, you unpack once. B&B’s are great, but admin.

• Forget gels and energy drinks, buy day 3 you will have the trots.

Eat savoury food, carry a bottle of water mixed with rehydrate and a

• Use the services of a mechanic and masseuse. You will need both!

• Cape Town riders, spend time on your road bikes, plenty long roads

with rolling hills. Jhb riders, please get more technical experience for the

• Don’t forget to take in the sites, take some pics and have a laugh.

9

CY

CH

O M

ED

IA

KEL

VIN

TRA

UTM

AN

10

FS Trails

SUS THE STATSSUS THE STATSGrading: Intermediate to Extreme

(technical, wilderness riding)

Duration: 2hrs (6-8hrs one-way

to Ramabanta)

Confi guration: Circular/Return

Options – 18/75km

Start Point: Semonkong Lodge

Terrain: Horse tracks, 4x4 routes

and footpaths

Post-Ride Beer: Ramabanta -

www.tradingpost.co.ls

Must-do-Event: Lesotho Sky MTB

Challenge - www.lesothosky.com

Access: Free riding Heaven

Cell Reception: Limited reception

Accommodation: All options

covered at www.placeofsmoke.co.ls

GPS: S29˚50’35.3” E28˚02’36.4”

Local Contact: Tel +266 5713 7586

or email [email protected]

Getting there:Follow the road to Roma (30km) from

Maseru and on to Ramabanta (38km).

From here, head onto the Semonkong

road (they are currently busy tarring

this) and you will reach Semonkong

Lodge after a further 44km. www.mapstudio.co.za

Jacques Marais is the author of Top MTB Trails, and will be keeping you up to speed with the best rides in SA. You can fi nd out more at www.jacquesmarais.co.za

Watch the video teaser for the 2013 Lesotho Sky MTB Challenge to get you stoked for riding in the Mountain Kingdom.

If you ever head up to Semonkong Lodge in Lesotho, make sure you take your boney along. This is prime mountain biking territory, but

best you hone those rock-riding skills, recons Jacques Marais. Photography by Jacques Marais.

Ride your bike like a BASOTHO PONY

Local BuzzThis is about as close to cowboy country as you will ever get here in Southern Africa… The Lesotho highlands around Semonkong could just as easily have been landscape captured during the making of ‘The Man from Snowy River’, while the Basotho hill tribes from the area make for convincing bandits with their balaclavas and sturdy ponies. Off the bike you will go Action Jackson from dawn till dusk, with

superb trail running, snow peak bagging, fl y-fi shing for monster trout, pony trekking and a 204m Guinness Book of Records abseil into the dramatic Maletsunyane gorge.

Trail Low-DownWelcome to Lesotho Sky country, muckers. I hope you’ve packed your Big Boy pants for this one, because you’re damn well going to need them. Semonkong – or Lesotho’s ‘Place of Smoke’, named for the

thundering Maletsunyane Falls if you want – is not for sissies. The riding is ridiculously varied and (in places) butt-clenchingly extreme.

If you want to go big, the Baboons Pass return ride to Ramabanta should cut you down to size. A looping gravel road climb out of Semonkong will bang you into the higher-lying sub-alpine slopes (20km). Here you look for an unmarked track to your left, gird your loins and get ready to ride some seriously rocky technical

sections, bottoming out into the valley after 25km. Another half an hour of cranking will get you to the Trading Post, where you can swop war stories over an ice-cold Maluti.

Various shorter routes from Semonkong Lodge will allow you to explore the surroundings, but the one option that stands out is the edgy ride onto the Maletsunyane gorge. And when I say ‘edgy’, I mean cliff -tops with 300m drops. Obviously you can stay out of the danger zone by

win

11

navigating higher up along the ridges, but keep in mind that the horse tracks are for relatively skilled riders.

All in all, this will be one of your best days out on a bike, even if it means you get off and push every

now and then. A basic map will get you onto a circular route from the lodge, and should not take you more than a couple of hours. For more info, go and check out www.placeofsmoke.co.ls.

“WELCOME TO LESOTHO SKY COUNTRY, MUCKERS. I HOPE YOU’VE PACKED YOUR BIG BOY PANTS FOR THIS ONE!”

Competition FS

THE PRIZE: Ocean Eyewear, celebrating 25 years in South Africa. Best known for their rugged by stylish sunglasses which are designed to

withstand the elements – made with corrosive resistant materials and scratch resistant lenses – Ocean Eyewear sunnies will keep your eyes protected from UV glare with their UV 400 lenses. Enter Full Sus’s “Stay Motivated in Winter” competition and stand a chance to win 1 of 2 pairs of Ocean Eyewear’s, top of the range, SJ 840 sunglasses. The 840’s feature exchangeable lenses, meaning you’ll be able to select light enhancing

COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS Competition submissions should reach us no later than 20 July 2013. The Prize/s is that indicated, no alternatives or cash will be provided. The decision of Integrated Media will be fi nal and no correspondence will be entered into.

Under no circumstances shall Integrated Media, , Moscon Optics or its appointed representatives and the prize donors be liable to anyone who enters these Prize Draws for an indirect or consequential loss howsoever arising which may be suff ered in relation to the Prize

Draws. By entering these competitions you make yourself subject to receiving promotional information. Entrants are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions. Prize Draw Rules: The prize draw is only open to residents in South Africa. Employees of Integrated

Media and adidas and their respective advertising, media and PR agencies, as well as the family members, consultants, directors, associates and trading partners of such organisations and persons are ineligible for the draw. Prize style and colour may vary.

So we’re slap bang in the middle of winter and cold fronts just keep battering Mzansi. Here at Full Sus we’d like to know how you

keep motivated to get out and ride your bike. How do you overcome the cold? What’s your tip for shaking off the wet? Let us know your top tip for

staying motivated in winter and win one of two pairs of Ocean Eyewear SJ 840’s.

lenses for those low light winter afternoon rides, or a nice dark shade if you’re lucky enough to be able to slip out for a ride while the rest of us are working (Because Murphy’s law dictates that it’ll be raining come the weekend). Check them out at www.oceaneyewear.co.za.

HOW TO ENTER: Drop us an email by the 20th of July, with the subject: “Top Winter Tip” to [email protected] and give us your Top Tip for Staying Motivated in Winter. Remember to include your full name, ID number, physical address and a contact number.

DOUBLE your chances by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fullsussa

win

27 – 29 SEPTEMBER 2013

With a total of 668 rhinos poached across South Africa in 2012 each Ride the Rhino participant will receive a plastic rhino horn that can be attached to their bicycles. The horn will serve as a personal, symbolic tribute to the individual rhino they will be racing in memory of.

Resolution Health and Zurreal are the proud partners of the Resolution Ride the Rhino cycling event. As part of their new strategy they believe in the drive to conserve our natural vegetation for generations to come. They believe that conservation plays an important part in the overall preservation of our environment and ultimately our health and are dedicated to increasing awareness of the plight of the Renosterveld through events such as the Resolution Health Ride the Rhino.

The Resolution Health Ride the Rhino encompasses the core principles of the medical scheme which are to preserve the environment, educate members and encourage participation in meaningful healthy entertainment in order to promote a healthier tomorrow.

As a leader in the medical schemes industry they are committed to the holistic health of their members and communities at large. In conjunction with their Wellness and Loyalty partner Zurreal, they provide you with access to benets that will assist you in living the life you want, starting today!

About our SponsorsThe Race

The race will kick o� at 08:00 and the route is the rst of its kind on the West Coast. Cyclists can expect unsurpassed views, breath-taking scenery and close encounters with the area’s fauna and �ora as they wind through the panoramic Darling and Malmesbury to their nal destination of Durbanville. The route o�ers some of the best terrain available from Mother Nature, ranging between rough back roads and jeep tracks to koppies and mountains.

The Renosterveld is a disappearing habitat and poses a dire threat to the survival of the 9 600 species who call it home, 12 of which are either classied as endangered or already extinct. This includes the Black Rhino, Cape Lion, Ghost Frog and Dwarf Chameleon. Over the past years the Renosterveld has shrunk by a staggering 96% due to its endangered state.

With a total of 668 rhinos poached across South Africa in 2012 each Ride the Rhino participant will receive a plastic rhino horn that can be attached to their bicycles. The horn will serve as a personal, symbolic tribute to the individual rhino they will be racing in memory of.

Resolution Health and Zurreal are the proud partners of the Zurreal are the proud partners of the ZurrealResolution Ride the Rhino cycling event. As part of their new

About our Sponsors

What is the Renosterveld?

The Route

The Resolution Health and Zurreal Ride the Rhino mountain bike event is aimed at raising much needed funds in answer to the plight of the rhino and to curb the disappearance of the endangered Renosterveld region in the Western Cape.

Taking place over the September school holidays from 27 to 29 September in the Western Cape – the race serves as a unique family outing in support of a very worthy cause. Family points are scattered throughout each stage of the race to provide spouses, children and friends with a bird’s eye view of certain race sections.

Ride the Rhino 27-29 September 2013

Visit www.ridetherhino.co.za to enter

Ride for a Rhino

Plus join us for Race the Rhino in

Gauteng on 21 September

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

rtr dps advert.pdf 1 2013/06/27 1:14 PM

FS Hessequa MTB

14

Wide Eyed Racing onSleeping Beauty

Results:Men’s 96km 1 Gert Heyns (03:51:30) 2 Craig Boyes (03:51:30) 3 Vickus Boshoff (04:02:45)

Ladies’ 96km1 Hanlie Booyens (04:31:46)2 Esther Lategan (04:45:39)3 Diana Carolin (04:46:37)

When the guys at Dryland events sent out an email about a 96km race in Riversdale on the 5th of May, Full Sus reader,

Diana Carolin was immediately interested.

It was a new area to explore and it was being held by Dryland who always put on a great event and it

was an opportunity to get in a decent distance before the looming 100 miler.

I called my mate Petrus Brandt, a Ceres farmer who had just done the TransKaroo as his fi rst race ever, and he said he was in. Next was to convince James Tennent – the roadie, who had only just got his MTB – that a race was a good way to start his MTBing experience off with a bang. Anyway it all came together and we hit the road to Riversdale. After a long drive in the pissing rain we arrived to a great welcome from the Dryland Crew and Riverdale locals. They had tweeted earlier in the week that there was a R5000 King of the mountain prize and being the pushy opinionated female I am I tweeted back “what about the ladies?” And blow me down if they didn’t come up with a R2000 prize for Queen of the mountain! Thanks to the local Spar!

After a lovely snug night in one of the Oakdale Cottages we cruised to the start and a great fanfare to welcome all the riders. After a welcome from the Mayor of Riversdale no less, we were off ! I had checked out the competition and apart from Haneli Booyens I

thought I stood a pretty good chance of 2nd place. Believe me I wanted it, with R2000 as the prize!

The race is along the foot of the Sleeping Beauty Mountain, through the forests surrounding the Korentepoort dam and in the surrounding hills of the wheat farming areas. So not much single track sadly, but they promised some for next year. We set off at a comfortable pace and James and Petrus were up in front with the racing snakes, Haneli was in my sights and all was good until we hit the fi rst hill… the bunch shot off and I shot out the back... needless to say hills at speed are not my strong point. Then a female rider passed me and the competitive little devil on my shoulder started shouting loudly: “Catch her Catch her!” It took a good while and some hard riding to catch her but eventually as we were riding up another climb of lengthy proportions the old diesel engine woke up, and after a quick look at the breathtakingly beautiful view of the mountains to our right, I overtook her and shot straight past the fi rst water point and towards the King of the Mountain climb. They called it ‘the elevator!’ And it’s lung bursting stuff ! It was a serious grind and for a moment walking seemed inevitable, but pride wouldn’t let me. Then there

was a lovely fast downhill so off I motored to stay ahead of what soon became my nemesis.

We tousled for a while and then settled in to riding together through the forests, past the Korentepoort dam and then after a couple climbs and descents and a seriously rough patch of road we hit a particularly long downhill I managed to drop her again, due to my passion for fast descents, and put foot till I ran out of water and had to stop at the last water point sadly losing the group of guys I’d just caught. So it was a solo eff ort from the 75km water point to the fi nish along district roads into a headwind, uuuurrrgggg! All sorts of things go through your mind as you are pounding it out along the gravel hoping not to get caught. Occasionally looking behind me there was nothing but road, until… about 7kms from the fi nish 2 riders were slowly creeping closer. “Arrrgghhh, pedal harder dammit” was all I could think and not long after my nemesis breezed past with a cheery “hello” and a smile. Well needless to say that competitive devil was now screaming blue murder and I pedalled, dammit! But there wasn’t much left in the legs so it was 3rd place for me and my competitive devil. Hats off to Haneli for winning and to my nemesis for a great fi ght, it made the race that much more of a ride to remember. Well done to James who came 6th in his fi rst MTB race ever and to Petrus who came 10th. Nice riding boys!

DI’S NEMESIS Is Esther Lategan, and she’s been pretty busy on the bike lately, fi nishing second in the 36One MTB Challenge with Cobus Barnard in the Mixed Team category. Esther is no stranger to MTB ultra marathons and is a member of the Attakwas Ratel Klub having completed the notoriously tough Extreme Challenge 5 times. She fi nished the Hessequa in a time of 4 hours, 45 minutes and 39 seconds, an agonising 58 seconds ahead of Diana after 96 guiling kilometres.

Diana Carolin (Above) After trading in the horse for a mountain bike just over 2 years ago Di developed a passion, for single track, blazing new trails, and stage races (much to the dismay of Guru, her darling, Jack Russel who can’t keep up anymore). She’s a self-employed sports massage therapist and entrepreneur with a taste for adventure and a love for the great outdoors and riding with friends.

“ARRRGGHHH, PEDAL HARDER DAMMIT” WAS ALL

I COULD THINK AFTER MY NEMESIS BREEZED PAST”

ALL PICS COURTESY OF RIVERSDALE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

Gert Heyns sticking to Craig Boyes’s wheel.

Hessequa MTB’s agricultural setting.

Derick Van Staden leading a pack

out of the Riversdale valley.

15

AmaRider FS

Leave no TraceFrom www.imba.com: “Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you.” Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in. While the IMBA rule as described above relates mostly to the impacts of our wheels on the ground, it of course implies, or perhaps is taken for granted, that you should not litter or leave any signs of your visit except for tyre tracks, especially when entering nature or wilderness areas. In terms of riding habits, there are various things you can do to minimize the impact of mountain biking on the trails, the community and environment.

Plan your trip wellMake sure you know the rules and regulations of the area you are visiting. There might be restrictions on group sizes, specific waste management rules etc. It also makes sense to avoid general high-use times smaller groups have less impact

Look after the treadAlways follow the trail as designed and don’t blaze new paths or tracks.

Beware of causing trail widening, especially when trying to avoid wet patches, yes, it is best to ride through puddles than around them. In many cases you can assist by moving a fallen branch or similar obstacles that causes temporary trail diversions

Wet weather ridingWhile it is a lot of fun bombing down singletrack in the pouring rain, the damage done to certain softer trails can be horrendous. Not only is there environmental concerns but the financial impact can be staggering. As per the IMBA rule it is perhaps better to find an alternative route or stick with the main dirt roads and tracks. Sandy soils and areas stand up to wet weather riding much better than clay-based ones, so take this into consideration when choosing your rain-ride spot. Experienced riders learn which areas are better able to withstand wet weather.

CommunityLeave the area you rode through in the same state, or better than you found it. For example, a gate left open by riders causes a social impact by annoying land owners. Be considerate when parking your vehicle. Do not block entrances and park in designated areas only.

Rule #2LeAve No TRACe

Leaving only spoor behind you – and even then your spoor should be kept to a minimum says AmaRider’s Meurant Botha.

Meurant Botha is the founder and director of AmaRider. AmaRider

is a South African non-profit company with the aim of improving

MTB opportunities on the African continent. Contact them at 021 884

4547 or [email protected] or visit the website at www.amarider.co.za.

“I’LL bITe my ToNGUe AboUT PseUdo PRo’s Who ChUCk eNeRGy GeL PACks oR Toss boTTLes ALA ToUR de LANCe.”

LitterThanks to my eventing background I have a particular bugbear when it comes to littering. I’ll bite my tongue at this point and not harp on about pseudo pro’s who chuck energy gel packs or toss bottles ala Tour de Lance. Unfortunately the higher the profile of the event, the more it seems littering is tolerated. The impact of littering at events is mostly affecting land manager relations as months down the line, relics of the events’ presence can be found around the route. It is easy to clean stuff that got dropped in sight of/on the race route, but very difficult to extract a gel packet from underneath a thorn bush.

Tips to leave no trace when riding eventsStash your trash and take it to the finish line with you. Simple. Make sure your bottle cage is secure and that it grips the bottle properly. Metal framed cages can easily be bent tighter. Focus your feeding around water stations where staff are on hand to clear things. Your discarded inner tube, bombs, patches etc. are often left behind and should actually come home with you. It is also designated as litter. Designate one jersey pocket for wrappers and gel packets and get used to which one that is. Or you’ll get ‘stuck’ with a sticky cellphone against your cheek.

In terms of trail riding I’m happy to report that litter is few and far between. Riders tend to stop for an energy bar and are less inclined to use gels as there is no real rush. But we do find bicycle bits, especially in rock gardens! Pedal reflectors (yes, people still ride with them), pedal platforms for riding flat pedals on spd’s, every type of cycling computer, car keys and water bottles are the most common things found on trails. (Switch on the ‘Find my Phone’ mode - it works!) Please help the trail builders, race organisers and our land managers to minimize the impact of riding by being considerate regarding your personal riding impact. You are of course very welcome to remove the ‘trace’ left by our riding brethren, whether caused by muppet or friend. It’s simple - the lower our impact, the greater our environmental and social status will be.

Take those Co2 cartridges with you!

ww

w.o

Ak

piC

S.C

oM

16

FS Low carb

Lightening up“Years ago, real men were not supposed

to eat quiche. But then rock star chefs like Jamie Oliver came along and made all food

cool. Eating quiche is positively macho these days... Can the same be said for light

beers?” asks Fiona McDonald.

16

In days of yore, before indoor plumbing and weekly garbage removal, life was tough – and

downright dangerous. Drinking water was seriously bad for your health and people often died from doing just that. Ask any canoeist who’s taken a dunk in badly E.coli-infected water while paddling the Msunduzi River between Pietermaritzburg and Durban what sort of eff ect bad water can have and you’ll get a pretty good idea of what life was like. Not pleasant...

So in those days beer was a healthy alternative, and a virtual necessity - because the brewing process removed those impurities by means of fermentation. Men, women and even children drank beer.

Nowadays it’s consumed primarily on social occasions and not regarded as quite the health-giving beverage that it used to be. The empty carbohydrates in beer (indeed in all alcohol) play a role in weight gain. But with the worldwide epidemic of obesity and all its attendant health

“SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE LATCHED ONTO THE HEALTHIER TREND IN A BIG WAY”

HEALTHIER

Lite Beer – refers to Lower In Total Energy

Dr Frieda Dehrmann says: “Lite beers are usually achieved by

ensuring that the amount of carbohydrate left in the beer is

lower than standard beers – such as lagers. ‘Light’ beers usually

mean that the alcohol levels are lower than a standard beer.”

Light Beer is still low in carbs because the carb content is

directly related to the alcohol content – it has got to do with

the fermentation of sugars which produces both the alcohol and

the carb count.

Gablinger’s Diet Beer: A biochemist working for Rheingold Breweries in Brooklyn discovered in 1967 that an enzyme which broke down the starches found in malt, the key component of the beer brewing process, resulted in fewer carbohydrates in the fi nal beer. The marketing failed the product however and Diet Beer was a commercial fl op, and it took savvy marketing to compel beer drinkers that light beer is actually cool.

Beer education - Carb Counters

Beer Alcohol by Volume kJ per 100ml

Windhoek Light 2.4% 104kJ

Castle Lite 4% 125kJ

Hansa Pilsener 4.5% 135kJ

Castle Lager 5% 135kJ

Windhoek Lager 4% 138kJ

Guinness 4.8% 147kJ

Carling Black Label 5.5% 165kJ

Castle Milk Stout 6.0% 210kJ

risks, there’s a growing appreciation for the benefi ts of light beers. Mountain bikers in particular are keen on the low carb option, because when you’re splashing cash to save 400g on your bike weight, you don’t want to be carrying extra kilograms around your midriff , which would be pretty pointless.

Marketing manager of Windhoek, Alan Roberts, said Namibian Breweries had noticed “a huge increase in lifestyle and health awareness” over the past 20 years. “Issues around nutrition, obesity, fi tness and longevity fi nd their way into the media on a daily basis. Windhoek Light, however, is not only for those who are making a health choice. Instead it’s what we would broadly call a lifestyle choice.” Roberts said dyed-in-the-wool Windhoek fans migrated between Light, Lager and Draught, depending on the situation or occasion.

Light beer is hardly new explains Frieda Dehrmann, a biochemist who is the consumer science and sensory manager for SA Breweries based in Sandton says: “This style of beer has been brewed historically through the ages, however, Lite and Light beers gained popularity in the 1980s.” Although she said this trend was “driven primarily out of the USA” where the desire and liking for lower alcohol and lower calorie beer originated, it appears that South Africans have latched onto the healthier trend in a big

way. In SABMiller’s latest quarterly report released earlier this year it was reported that despite the “challenging economic and trading environment” overall volumes grew by three percent in the third quarter of 2012, with their Castle Lite beer being the biggest gainer.

Dehrmann elaborates that “consumers the world over choose this style of beer because it allows them to enjoy beer knowing it is a healthier choice, being lower in alcohol and calories”. As the carb consciousness movement continues to gain momentum amongst South Africans, Light and Lite beer sales are growing. The healthy choice has become the popular choice. But only if the liquid still tastes like a beer!

17

Nutrition FS

Alex Blair is a registered dietician, working

out of the 360 Specialized Training Gym

in Woodstock. She specialises in Sports’

Nutrition, Diabetes, Hypertension, High

Cholesterol and Weight Loss. Find her on

Facebook at Alex Blair Dietician

or email [email protected].

There are so many products: Some that help you to gain muscle and others that have

the ability to burn fat or enhance performance. Dietary supplements, Ergogenic aids, sports supplements and sports foods are a few of the common names that will confront you in the supplement aisle.

Supplements can be classifi ed into the following 4 Groups:GROUP A - Supplements which are possibly

eff ective and generally regarded as safe:

SUS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CREATINESUS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CREATINE

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound which is found in skeletal

muscle and the brain as a result of dietary intake from protein sources.

It basically helps to regenerate energy which is why it is wonderful for

those short bursts of exercise. Creatine has been shown to help with

performance in strength. Creatine monohydrate is well researched and

is safe and eff ective to use. You can safely supplement your pre-event/

training meal with creatine.

• Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)• Calcium• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)• Green Tea extract• Whey protein• Iron & Calcium supplements• Sports bars/gels & drinks• Liquid meal supplements• Creatine• Essential Amino Acids (EAA)• Caff eine• Sodium phosphate• Beta-alanine

GROUP B- Supplements whose eff ectiveness

is too early to tell:• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)• Zinc – Magnesium aspartate• Growth hormone-releasing peptides• Fish oils• Probiotics

GROUP C- Supplements which have no clear

proof of benefi cial eff ects:• Isofl avones• L – carnitine• Herbal diuretics• Chromium• Calcium pyruvate• Vanadium• Glucosamine• Co-enzyme Q10• Garlic and herbal supplements

ALTHOUGH THE USE OF SOME SUPPLEMENTS MAY HAVE ADDED BENEFITS IN TERMS OF IMPROVING BODY COMPOSITION, SPORTS PERFORMANCE AND OVERALL HEALTH, THE RISK TO BENEFIT RATIO NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED BEFORE USING THESE SUPPLEMENTS.

Today, when you walk into the shops and pharmacies you see shelves and shelves of diff erent supplements. It’s confusing and hard to keep up with all the diff erent

products on off er, so Alex Blair has penned her monthly column with the aim of clarifying the matter for you.

Are supplements the way forward?

products on off er, so

Are supplements the way forward?

GROUP D- Supplements which are dangerous

and have no benefi cial eff ect:• DHEA• Androstenedione• Ephedra• Herbal testosterone supplements

Alex’s AdviceSupplements are strongly discouraged where nutritional needs can be met via the diet. Acute or long term eff ects may arise from the widespread use of supplements. The majority of the products on the market fail to reach expected standards. Many contain toxic ingredients; include inaccurate labelling, fail to declare the ingredients on the label and may contain cross-contamination of supplements.

Poor quality of supplements in shops and pharmacies can increase the likelihood of an athlete obtaining negative results in doping tests. Although the use of some supplements may have added benefi ts in terms of improving body composition, sports performance and overall health, the risk to benefi t ratio needs to be evaluated before using these supplements.

It is always best to consult your dietician before embarking on a training programme and devise a balanced diet to help ensure you remain healthy, build muscle or lose weight and are able to perform at an optimum level. A balanced diet might well include supplements – but it is essential that you don’t take them in lieu of healthy eating.

17

Which supplements will increase my exercise performance?Sports drinks are a great way to deliver a balance of carbohydrates and fluid in order to rehydrate and re-fuel. If you are trying to lose weight and are only doing light exercise, then sports drinks would not be a good option as they are high in kilojoules and can cause weight gain.

Liquid meal replacements are rich in carbohydrates, have a moderate amount of protein and contain a small amount of fat. They can be used after a training session in order to repair and refuel your body or even as a pre-event meal for those with a high risk for gastro-intestinal (GI) upsets. They are easy to prepare and ideal for those who are travelling.

A whey protein shake can also be used after exercise in order to help repair and rebuild muscles.

Sports bars are also great as a pre-event meal or snack in order to refuel muscles.

Sport gels contain a highly concentrated source of carbohydrates (20-25g) per sachet. These are convenient as they can be easily consumed and digested. Some sports gels even contain caff eine and electrolytes which give you that extra boost that you need.

18

FS Stirling Revolution

The Stirling Revolution BioThe father and son combo of Stirling senior and junior are avid cyclists and owners of a local bike shop in Cape Town. In their monthly column they’ll be off ering their uniquely phrased views on the ins and outs of mountain biking from negotiating a discount to locating that weird noise your bike keeps making, but won’t make when you take it to the workshop, they’ll cover it.

Stirling-James Kotze, aka SJYears in the saddle: 17Favourite ride/trail: Jonkershoek, StellenboschRecurring MTB nightmare: Noisy, squeaky bikes

drivetrainwear -

it happensCranks turn, cogs wear, chains stretch; that, SJ

assures you, is the story with all bicycles. But it is often a misunderstood reality of cycling. Everything

the chain touches will wear due to friction.

The chain too will wear due to stretch causing the teeth on the various cogs (front chainrings,

rear cassette, and dérailleur jockey wheels) to sharpen, and the half circle between teeth to widen into a crescent moon. Yet, when it comes time to replace the drivetrain, most riders are unpleasantly surprised by the need and the cost. No matter how much we try reassure this is normal wear-and-tear associated to the sport, most cyclists still regard replacing their drivetrain as a grudge purchase akin to paying your TV licence. (And even though we write this article from the perspective of a mountain biker, the same goes for roadies too.)

Symptoms of a Worn DrivetrainThere are a few things that you might notice when your drivetrain is worn beyond its capabilities. Firstly, visually you will notice that your chain fi ts loosely to your large front chainring, and the teeth on your cogs will be sharp rather than squared off as they are when new. This includes the teeth on your front chainrings, rear cassette, and dérailleur jockey wheels. If you haven’t noticed these signs, then you may notice slipping when pedalling hard, chainsuck, or ghost shifting (your gears shift erratically, not obeying your shifter but randomly changing at weird times). A noisy drivetrain, or a loose chain, which slaps when you descend, is also typical symptom. But the worst symptom is the chain breaking under normal pedalling.

Check your Drivetrain Wear Scientifi callyThankfully there are chain measuring tools you can buy that give a good indication of how worn your drivetrain

is. The conundrum is that only the chain is measured to determine the wear of the entire drivetrain. The chain marries the rear cassette when it wears and therefore it is safest to always replace both. The front chain rings and jockey wheels can usually last 2 chain and cassette replacements. The CC-3.2 is the current off ering from Parktool and it should be available at most bike shops. It measures the drivetrain at 0.5 (50%) and 0.75 (75%). Other chain checkers will show up to the 1.0 (100%) wear mark.

How to Manage your DrivetrainNow here is where we get to the useful stuff , but note that opinions on drivetrain management will diff er. But with 5 years of drivetrain replacements in our workshop on bikes with numerous types of components, uses, and customers, plus over 50 years of combined riding and bicycle ownership experience, we have a very rounded opinion on what is best for your bike, your wallet and your riding experience.

0.25 – 0.5 Rotate chain or do nothing (You can rotate with 3 or 4 chains to save expensive cassettes like the new XX1).

0.5 – 0.75Replace the chain (The new chain will wear faster though due to the worn cog teeth & the next replacement will require a cassette replacement too).

0.75 – 1.0Replace chain & cassette (The chainrings and and dérailleur jockey wheels will usually last for 2 chains and cassettes)

1.0 +Your chain is toast and most likely your drivetrain is completely worn out too, replace it all or replace nothing and ride it until it is unbearable or keeps breaking… then replace it all.

ReplacementAfter any part on the drivetrain is

SJ

SUS THE SERVICE TIPS

SUS THE CAUSES

SUS THE COSTS

With the wide use of both Triple and Double chainrings, the wear rates on

these two systems seem to have their own unique characteristics. Doubles

seem to allow for both the small and large ring to wear quite evenly

requiring replacement at the same time. Triples are a bit diff erent in that

the middle ring usually requires replacement sooner than the big and small

ring. Less fi t riders will require their small ring to be replaced along with

their middle ring, earlier than the big ring.

Power: Heavier/bigger riders and stronger riders will put more stress on

the drivetrain.

Dirt and Lube: A dirty drivetrain will wear quicker Over lubing your chain

can attract dirt and clog up the drive train and can be as bad as not lubing.

Trail conditions: Muddy and Dusty trails will cause your chain to clog up

with dirt wearing out your drivetrain faster.

Bad Shifting: Don’t shift under power,

High Pressure Washing: It ruins bearings and suspensions and it

strips the chain of all lubrication.

Chain from R300

Cassette from R450

Chainrings from R550

Jockey wheels from R200

And labour from R400

replaced, it is important to test ride the bike in race simulated conditions especially before any big ride. This also implies that you shouldn’t replace any part on the drivetrain too soon before a race, unless it is critical to do so or the whole drivetrain is replaced. Another important piece of advice is not to cut corners; late replacement or inferior cheaper parts will only lead to unpleasant riding and delayed rather than resolved problems. If you fi t a new chain on parts that are too worn, you will notice slipping when pedalling hard and maybe chainsuck too. The slipping can be caused by a worn out cassette or worn chainrings.

If you have any

questions for the

Stirlings send an email

to [email protected] and

we’ll get them to answer on the

Full Sus Facebook page

www.facebook.com/fullsussa.

SUS THE SERVICE TIPS

SUS THE CAUSES

SUS THE COSTS

19

Bike sneak peek FS

Wheel review FS

I recently had the opportunity to ride the new Darkhorse carbon MTB wheelset – unfortunately not as

long as I would have liked too, but long enough to want to own a set.

I have read a number of articles and reviews when it comes to carbon MTB rims. The main threads are

always about the cost and durability versus the stiff ness of the ride experience and whether this justifi es the overall cost over your big brand name aluminium rims. To this end Darkhorse have launched their wheels in South Africa to provide the highest quality carbon wheels for competitive prices. Hopefully this will aff ord us the opportunity to own and ride a carbon wheelset without having to mortgage anything.

One of the key aspects of carbon rims is the weight factor. I did not get a chance to weigh the set but a quick arm lift check against my usual riding wheels (I use Stan's Ztr Crest with Sun Ringle Dirty Flea hubs) seemed to be fairly evenly match, although the Stan's do come out with rider weight limit.

The Dark Horse decal running the circumference of the rims ensure

these wheels stand-out – they are perhaps best described as “classy bling", but are not off ensive and besides being eye-catching, have a sense of “cool” about them.

My main impression is the stiff ness of the wheel. When comparing to my Stan's Crest it’s chalk and cheese. The ride itself was defi nitely diff erent; they felt as it they propelled me up hill with less eff ort than normal. This with hubs produced an extremely smooth ride from outset. On the hubs the notable thing was the lack of ratchet purr coming from the free-wheel hub. They are extremely quiet, so if you are a rider who likes the buzz of the free-wheel hub you will need to change the hubs. The test set ran Novatec D711/D712 hubs. The wheels were laced with Sapim CX Ray spokes, noted for their unique strength and fl exibility in

a bladed design. These were fi xed to the rims with the new patented secure lock nipples also from Sapin to prevent unlocking. The wheelset was setup for a 9-millimeter quick release up front and rear, with 10x145 millimetre axle spacing. The Darkhorse rims themselves are tubeless rims 23mm deep by 23mm wide.

Darkhorse have informed us that all new wheelsets will be fi tted with Bitex hubs (they use them on their road bike wheels) with either ali or steel freehubs. There is also a choice of Quick release 15mm or 20mm thru axle for the fronts and Quick release or 12mm thru axle options for the rear. RRP R9 895. Launch price R9000.For more information go to www.darkhorsewheels.com

Meet the soil chowing

Swift Detritovore

Swift’s roadie racing heritage is so strong that for their fi rst foray into MTB they went straight for the hard-tail, 29er, racing market. Light weight, full carbon (as you’d expect) and taut as a bow string the D-vore is for the race snake in you. It’s been built from a blend of T800, T1000 and MR40 carbon fi laments to ensure that a medium frame weighs only 1 250 grams.

They’ve also paid close attention to the geometry to ensure racey and agile

handling. From the medium size up the D-vore has been designed for 100mm forks, but the small frame has been designed to work with 80mm forks to help shorter riders get into an optimal riding position. On the spec front Swift have gone for interchangeable rear dropouts with conventional 10mm axles or the X12 through-axle system and a Press Fit 30 bottom bracket shell, which is compatible with

all current standard BB’s. The stock version is sold with a

FSA headset, Sid Team XX fork, Sram XX cranks and groupset, a Sram PF 30 BB and Sram cassette, Easton EC bars, EC 90 stem and EA 90 XC wheels, Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.2 tyres, the Swift adrenalin saddle and a choice of either an Easton or Swift carbon seat post. All round it’s an impressive looking machine, so sus it out and pop by their new shop to fi nd out more.

SUS the geometry and shopSUS the geometry and shop

Medium Frame Size =

18.5 inches

(measurements in mm or °)

Seat Tube ................. 470

Top Tube ....................610

Head tube angle ...... 71°

Seat tube angle ..... 73°

Wheelbase ............ 1095

Rear centre ...............440

BB drop ........................ 65

Head tube length .......91

Reach ..........................422

Stack .......................... 614

Swift’s fi rst concept store

opens on the 26th of July

in Shop 5, Portside on the

corner of Main Road and

Upper Portswood Roads

Greenpoint, in Cape Town.

The fi rst 50 customers

through the doors will get a

R500 voucher to spend on

a Swift Carbon frame… so if

you’re keen on a Detritovore

you’d better get there.

See the Detritovorein actionWatch UK based, NFTO Race team’s test ride video to see it in action by scanning this QR code.

With the launch of Swift Carbon’s fi rst concept store in July Full Sus thought it’d be a great time to introduce you to their MTB off ering – the racy D-vore.

The DarkhorseOne of the advantages of being the publisher’s riding partner, as Richard Pieterse, found out is getting to test

new kit. Here’s what Richard has to say about the month he spend riding Darkhorse’s fi rst MTB wheel off erings:

(Richard is a qualifi ed Mechanical Engineer and is a solution architect at Dimension Data - he has been mountain biking for 8 years.)

20

FS Gear

GE

AR

Privateer HV If you have wider than normal feet the usual slim bike shoes can be a nightmare of blisters and bunions. The Privateer HV shoe comes to the rescue of riders with wider or high-volume feet and off ers all the features of the standard Privateer model for the bigger foot. The DuPont™ Zytel® nylon outsole rivals the performance of premium composite outsoles and off ers greater fatigue resistance. The dual-density lugs are aggressively shaped to provide traction in the dirt and mud, should you need to put a foot down and the inner footbed is treated with an Aegis® anti-microbial fi nish to keep the odour causing bacteria at bay. Find out more at www.giro.com. Topeak PrepStation

Are you keener on tinkering with your bike than you are riding it? If you answered yes, then

the PrepStation is for you. It’s a trolley tool station set on 5 inch

wheels and featuring 40 sets of professional quality bike shop tools in 6 compartments. The

trolley is 38cm wide by 36.2cm long and 67.1cm tall when

folded and unfurls to 91.5cm tall, while the wheels also slide

out to expand the PrepStation’s base and provide added stability. The tools are forged from chrome

vanadium steel or hardened steel, depending on the tool,

and feature aluminium or engineering grade plastic

handles. You can fi nd out more at www.topeak.com.

FS Responsibility

Full Sus has given you a bit of a hard time in the last few issues, reminding you to stay off

private land, to respect the trails and to leave only spoor behind you. But let’s face it, the overwhelming majority of MTBers know that already – and if you’re one of them you deserve a pat on the back. Still there is the odd tool, who does need a reminder every now and then to keep him on the designated trail before he ruins the riding for everyone.

Typically your love for riding your bike keeps you in nature more than the average Joe, so you’ll also notice environmental degradation more readily too, especially when it might aff ect your riding pleasure. And so you should.

The other day I was walking across the dunes from a beach and a mother and her teenage son were coming toward me with a pack of four dogs. None of the hounds were

on leashes, but that in itself is not a problem, the trouble arose though when the dogs spotted a covey of Cape Franklin. All four gave manic chase and neither mother nor son bothered to call back their dogs as they crashed through the dune vegetation in pursuit. The fact that they were unlikely to catch the Franklin is irrelevant – and I feel foolish for not having had a quiet word with them about the dogs – their domestic animals caused unnecessary stress to wild animals and charged through the sensitive dune vegetation that the City of Cape Town is working hard to protect.

Now dogs running wild might not seem like the most insidious threat that faces wildlife, but in nature reserves and national parks that could be far more serious than a frightened fl ock of birds taking fl ight. Feral dogs pose a risk to small game and can cause signifi cant damage. So if you do spot a dog roaming free you should notify the landowner. But canines are hardly the most likely harmful species you’re likely to encounter out on the trails.

The old cliché of man being the most dangerous beast is as usual true. So keep an eye out for human infringement, be it illegal or just irresponsible behaviour. In the fynbos it’s important to keep an eye out for people collecting reptiles. Odd as it may sound, there is big money in herpetological trading – and collectors are willing to pay large sums of money for rare species of snakes and tortoises in particular. And it is both illegal to remove them from their natural habitat and exceptionally hard to police in the reserves.

In the more deserted areas of KZN and the Eastern Cape one should also be on the lookout for Cycad poachers. These rare prehistoric plants – which have roots in the Jurassic period – fetch up to R100 000 on the black market. Even though they are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s ‘Red Data Book’ of highly endangered species, the removal of these very rare plants continue at an alarming rate – to the extent that many species are eff ectively, if not yet physically extinct.

These are just three of many possible hazards to nature that you, as a cyclist might pick up in the fi eld. Most issues will probably be far less sever, like riders not sticking to the designated trails, trespassing in order to ride or perhaps just picking fynbos fl owers – which is also, you might be surprised to discover, illegal in Nature Reserves and National Parks.

Full Sus would like to encourage the law abiding many of you to approach fellow riders or trail users, and inform them in a courteous manner if their actions are causing environmental harm. They might simply be oblivious to the eff ects of their actions and so a polite word would be enough.

In the case of coming upon criminal activity – well that’s simple isn’t it – your outdoors lifestyle means you might well come upon things that the increasingly offi ce bound park rangers might not, and so you need to report them. Just be safe and call the cops or the relevant landowner. Let’s work together to keep the environments around our trails as pristine as possible.

New Conservation RolesMTBers are the new conservationists. Or so Full Sus would love to have you believe. So read on to make sure you’re doing your bit…

Extreme 1400The Extreme 1400 is an upgrade of the already impressive Extreme 1200. It’s brighter, lasts longer and weighs the same – 340g. One of the stars of the 1400, is the Cree XM-L2 U2 LED bulb which produces 20% more light than its predecessor, or 1 198 lumens to be exact. To add to this, the design has been refi ned leading to a 10% increase in light through the improved copper thermal path and the Samsung battery pack produces an impressive 5 hour battery life at 1 100 lumens. Running at 250 lumens though it’ll last for a full 24 hours and it has a fl ash option too. www.extremelights.co.za. RRP R995

Isostar Hydrate & PerformMaintaining hydration is one of the keys to athletic performance, irrespective of whether you’re at the sharp end of the racing fi eld or plodding along at the rear. Isotonic sports drinks are therefore essential to your ability to perform and drinking Isostar’s Hydrate & Perform will help you perform at your best. It is formulated to quickly re-hydrate and replaces essential electrolytes, as well as replace energy lost through

exercise with its blend of simple and complex carbohydrates. Hydrate & Perform also boasts excellent levels of sodium, calcium and magnesium to boost muscle function and prevent cramping. Isostar has an offi cial anti-doping charter, and Hydrate & Perform is formulated according to their drug free policy. It is available in

Orange and Lemon fl avours for RRP R 139. www.isostar.co.za.

FS photo of the month

Oak Pics is a Strand based photographic company. They shoot a vast array of events, covering everything from wild horses to weddings. But it’s in MTB that they’ve carved out a niche as one of the leaders in the fi eld. If you spot them on the trails, usually when you’re picking yourself up after an unexpected brush with the ground, you can purchase the photos directly from their website. Or book them to shoot your event. Contact them at www.oakpics.com or 021 854 8723

photo of the monthIt's all about the ride

21

GE

AR

Gear FS

Sponser Liquid Energy PlusSwiss sport’s nutrition company, Sponser, have introduced their products to the South African

market. Their product range covers 4 categories namely Power, Energy, Pro and Fit & Well. In the

Energy range the Liquid Energy Plus sachet of energy gel is ideal for a mid-ride boost. It has a light honey fl avour and contains caff eine, taurine and inositol as well as the vitamins required by your body to digest

these ingredients. It is formulate with a balanced combination of quick and slow release sugars to

ensure a gradual and continuous supply of energy. RRP R22, available from selected

Cycle Lab stores. www.sponser.ch

Super HelmetThe Bell Super resists the prevailing urge to compromise when riding all-mountain. No longer will you need to choose between DH full-face or the light weight XC gear to protect your noggin. The Super is designed with all-mountain fi rmly in mind and its rugged construction features all the safety aspects you’d expect plus the added bonuses of integrated goggle guides and a removable GoPro camera mount. It weighs in at 390g, has 25 vents and a 4 vent Overbrow Ventilation™ system, which is tuned for trail riding and actively ushers cool air over the head via four intake ports on the brow of the helmet. www.bellhelmets.com

Manfrotto MonopodWhen taking photos in tight spaces, or when you’ve got to lug your gear for miles a tripod just isn’t a viable option. But nor is a blurry photo. Every photographer should therefore have a monopod in their arsenal. They’re easy to carry, speedy to set-up and if you use them properly monopods will supply all the support you’re likely to need even for long lenses. Manfrotto’s range includes carbon fi bre and aluminium models in varying lengths for diff erent payloads. Full Sus got our hands on the MMC3-01 Compact Monopod and we’ve tried it out a couple of times. It folds away to 39cm and extends up to a more than adequate 143cm, weighs a micro 295 grams, can support a 1.5 kg load and it’s aluminium construction features 5 Sections. It also works wonders with the iON eliminating that annoying shake when you’re fi lming from hand rather than a head or bar mount. Check out the whole range at www.singerphoto.co.za.

David George made his name as a roadie and since switching

his slicks for knobblies he has clocked up many miles at the sharp end of the racing pack. He’ll be sharing his extensive

biking knowledge with Full Sus readers in his monthly column.

Winter is well and truly here and most of the big race appointments have passed us by, so David George is sure most of you are fighting of the post event winter blues – wondering what to do next.

FS The David George EXPERIENCE

Wet Winter Advice

JUNE Results

22

Rest and recover and let it go, so that by the time the days get longer and the weather improves, you’ve regained the freshness to attack the training with more fervour. Here are some thoughts on what to do this winter.

Get fresh! A question I get a lot is how long do I need to take a break for? That often depends on the length and intensity you have been focused on your previous season’s objectives but anywhere from 4-6 weeks is generally long enough to give mind and body a good rest.

Get organized! Use this time, during the winter months, to get organized for your spring and summer objectives, for example preparing for a 2014 Epic might seem like a long way off now, but getting organized early can make all the difference to the end result.

Get set up! Find somewhere to do that bike fit you have been meaning to do. Now is a great time to implement changes rather than the month before your most important objective.

Get planning! Choose your A and B objectives a long way out and be

“HaviNG GREaT TEcHNical skills is a sURE Way To impRovED RiDiNG – iT’s ENERGy aND TimE foR fREE”

Scottburg MTB Race – 15 JunemEN’s 45km laDiEs’ 45km1 Evan van der spuy Hayley smith2 lee penderis Natachka mowat3 matthew Goetsch Jackie church

clear about what you want out of the season to come. You can’t be a hero all year round. For example an A objective could be that Epic result you have your eye on, and the B objective could be your favourite weekend race – that you would really like to give the boys a go in.

Get a coach! Almost every athlete taking on a physical endeavour will benefit from the help of a coach. With modern technology the world is smaller than you’d think and there are many coaches world-wide (and locally) that will give you great advice on how to improve your riding. Although I am a fan of good ol’ face to face coaching that’s often not practical for our busy lifestyles and most of us will improve with even the most basic advice, all-be-it over the phone or via the internet.

Get a technical coach! Focussing on technical skills is a fun way to spend those time strapped, cold winter months instead of forcing mindless indoor home trainer sessions get outside and play! But wear some body armour please! Having great technical skills is a sure way to improved riding, it is energy and time for free when you are slamming through a rough and technical stage of the Epic. Hours spent playing and improving skill levels now will pay dividends. When we get more focused on your physical fitness training later, play time will be limited.

Get educated! Joe Friel, Hunter Allen, Andy Coggan to name a few of

the leading minds on cycling training and physiology have all written books that will help you understand your body and how to prepare for an objective. Curl up next to the fire and read. It’s arguably a better way to improve your performance than heading out doors in the torrential rain and misery now.

Get going! Be patient, good form is like a cake with many ingredients, you can’t put the icing on first .

Greyton MTB Classic – 16 JunemEN’s 48km laDiEs’ 48km1 Jarryd Haley (02:14:19) lara Woolley (02:44:36)2 Tim osrin (02:23:42) caren Henschel (02:48:35)3 Jacques van Zyl (02:23:42) Desiree loubser (02:54:25)

Dusi2C – 22 and 23 JunemEN’s miXED1 TiB insurace - andrew Hill 1 fedGroup itec – Brandon

& Tyron Bird (4:50:48) & Bridgette stewart (5:47:32)

2 coffeeberry/momsen - mark malherbe & Trevor Rowe (5:03:32)

2 icycle/kargo - Tim stark & Robyn Ryan (6:04:13)

3 peptopro Racing - Jarrad van Zuydam & stu Rawlinson (5:10:20)

3 Giba mixed - Tamryn Taylor & siyabonga Njiva (6:09:13)

RE:CM 200 – 7 to 9 JunemEN’s 45km 1 Team RE:cm - Waylon Woolcock &

lourens luus (7:44:56)

laDiEs’ 45km 1 Howard & chamberlain - Heletje van

staden & Nicci Grobler (10:18:23)

2 fedgroupitec - kevin Evans & Brandon stewart (7:51:53)

2 first ascent ladies - Theresa Horn & miriam stronkhorst (11:17:55)

3 Bridge - Timo cooper & Nico pfitzenmaier (8:00:09)

3 Bikeplus - Judith scheepers & lindsey chicken (11:33:33)

Big wheels and single tracks don’t always make easy companions so work on your skills this winter

23

Classifieds FS

ClassifiedsfullsusAdvertiSe in the classified section of full sus and reach over 24 000 MTB readers through a circulation of over

12 500 newspapers distributed countrywide through +140 bike shops and selected events every month!

The 60 x 112.5mm size is bigger than the traditional

classified at a great price. and if you’re a local Bike shop

that great price is even further reduced! The classifieds

offers you the opportunity to broadcast your specials,

highlight the unique products you stock and attract new

customers. To advertise in the full sus classifieds give

Julia a call on 021 685 0285/6 or drop her an email at

[email protected].

to AdvertiSe here Contact Julia on 021 685 0285/6 or drop her an email at [email protected]

fullsus

JUlY Must do events13 July : J-Bay MTB OpenAs part of the epic J-Bay Winter Fest, which runs from the 6th to the 14th of July, the good people of the Adventure Province are hosting a surfing comp, a cold water swim, a fishing comp, a trail run, urban rumble and a MTB event. The MTB races feature 90, 40 and 5km options on routes that have been billed as fast and fun, but with skill and endurance testing technical sections. The show stopper is the fact that the 90km ride is made by 80% single track. You can enter online at www.jbaysport.co.za and the R350 entry fee includes a great goodie bag with our choice of either a pair of Dakine Cycling Gloves or a Dakine Cycling Shirt valued at over R400.

14 July: The Walkerville MTB ClassicStarting and finishing at the Walkerville Showgrounds, just 30km from Jozi the Classic is one of the country’s longest running MTB races. Now in its 16th year, the event features 60km and 40km options and all results go toward the SA MTB rankings. Route designer Ken Davies ensures that the trails are flowing and this year’s race includes two river crossings to test your resolve in the icy winter months. Entries close on the 7th of July and are limited to 2 000 riders so if you’re keen you’d better get to it. You can book online at www.asgevents.co.za.

14 July: Bastille Festival MTB ClassicContinuing with the trend of events around the country on Sunday the 14th of July is the Bastille Festival MTB Classic. Franschhoek comes alive for Bastille festival and with the trail run on the 13th and the MTB Classic on the 14th there is another excuse to visit one of South Africa’s most beautiful towns. The MTB Classic has 45, 32 and 10km options and the longer two events feature some sharp climbs – so you’d do well to leave the wine tasting till after the ride. Entries are open until the 10th and you can book online at www.franschhoekcycles.co.za/bastille or check out the festival website and follow the links at www.franschhoek.co.za.

Visit us at our shop Uitzicht Centre, Vatican Street,

Uitzicht, Durbanville.Tel: 021 975 9255

www.capetowncycles.co.zaAuthorised dealer for:Momsen, Morewood & GT

Cape Town CyclesCome check out our exciting range of cycles and accessories. We’re committed to outstanding quality and customer service. Bring your bike in for a service and you’ll see, we strive to exceed your expectations.

27 to 28 July: Badplaas Forever Resort MTB ChallengeWith multiple distance options on offer the Challenge is as tough as you’d like to make it for yourself. With 50, 23 and 4km options for both Saturday and Sunday you can choose from doing one day’s riding or two and then mix-and-match your distances to suit your fitness levels. For more details and online entries go to www.cycleevents.co.za and follow the links from the Mountain Biking Events tab. Entries close on the 25th of July and riders, and their families, will get a 30% discount on accommodation.

CALENDAR Advertise your event in Full Sus and we will send you copies of the paper for your goodie bags or registration table. Call Shayne on 021 685 0285/6

SeptemberRace Calendar

Mpumalanga

Limpopo

Northern Cape

Gauteng

Eastern Cape

Western Cape

KZN

North West

Out in Africa

SUS the best of AUGUST MPUMALANGA 3 Krokodilpoort MTB Challenge

LIMPOPO 1 Nedbank Tour de Tuli 10 Akkedis MTB Race

GAUTENG 10 Bryton Vori - Berg MTB Series 4 18 Bedworth Centre & ArcelorMittal MTB 24 Bryton Rhino MTB Challenge 25 Jozi2kozi 31 The Magalies Adventure Stage Race

EASTERN CAPE 4 Foolish Frenzy Night Race at

Woodridge 9 Stormsriver Traverse 11 Shaw Park Pineapple Mountain Bike

Endurance Race 17 Trans Baviaans 24hr Marathon 31 Zuurberg 2 day Festival

WESTERN CAPE 9 Inner Mountain Ladies MTB Tour 10 Swellendam Canola Festival 18 Oude Molen Distillery MTB Challenge 31 Agri Herold Landbou Fees Ideafruit Bergfi etsresies

KZN 3 Illove Eston MTB Marathon 10 aQuelle Tour de Krantz 17 Rhino Adventure Ride 18 Grantleigh MTB Challenge 21 UCI Masters World Championships

XCO/DHI 24 Howick Highlander MTB Challenge 25 Zululand Country Club MTB Challenge 26 UCI MTB XCO & DH World

Championships

NORTH WEST 18 Marico MTB Classic - Groot Marico 25 CANSA Lost City MTB Event

17 Coast 2 Karoo (Cycle Lab) 19 Dr Evil Classic 21 Arabella Adventure 22 Karoo to Coast 27 Resolution Health Ride the Rhino

Oudtshoorn MTB Marathon 29 Spur Lourensford MTB Classic

KZN 7 Kamberg MTB Weekend 8 Monzi Hippo Classic

Lynford Clover Super Classic 14 MPATI Mountain Race 15 Sunday Tribune Jeep Hill 2 Hill MTB

Marathon 21 Spur High School MTB Finals

The Nguni Classic 22 Riverlea Drak MTB Xperience

Sugar Rush Corporate Challenge28 Old Boys Challenge Invitational

Stage RaceThe Sierra Ranch Outdoor Festival

29 Kwambo Lion Classic NORTH WEST 28 Bosrumoer MTB Race

OUT IN AFRICA 21 Swazi Trac 3 Reserves MTB Classic

(SWAZILAND) 27 Mauritius Coast to Coast

(MAURITIUS)

MPUMALANGA 7 Cara Cara MTB Race

Das Auto 4 (Mpumalanga) 14 Mpumalanga Spur School Series # 4

NORTHERN CAPE 21 Kgalagadi Desert Classic – (N’ Cape)

GAUTENG 1 The Vlei 24 hour 4 Moonlight MTB Series 7 High School Series Final Tour de Plaas

Silverstar MTB Challenge 8 Silver Oaks Cycling Challenge

Eqstra Spring Classic 11 Moonlight MTB Series 14 Nissan Trailseeker #3 15 Redstone MTB Race #5 18 Moonlight MTB Series 25 Moonlight MTB Series 28 Babbas Lodge MTB Super Series 2

Bainbridge Believe Choc Cow MTB

EASTERN CAPE 15 Sole Destroyer 21 Wild Coast Chain Re-Action Mountain

Bike Challenge 27 The Rhodes Extreme MTB Race

WESTERN CAPE 1 Greyton Tour 7 Staalwater MTB Challenge 7 Renosterbos MTB Challenge 13 Ride2Nowhere 14 Piket-Bo-Berg MTB Challenge

Eight Bells Enduro MTB Race

WW

W.O

AK

PIC

S.C

OM

The lightest 29’er dually on the planet slashes through long-haul courses and effortlesslydissects serpentine switchbacks. Our ultra precise Lefty fork and responsive 29’er RaceGeometry blend unstoppable 29’er momentum with the quickness and agility of a 26’er.

Scalpel 29’er: just the edge you need.

SCALPEL 29’ER.SURGICALLY PRECISE.GET READY TO OPERATE.

www.cannondale.co.za

full sus - july 2013

Documents