Drak MTB Experience 2011:
Following two podiums on consecutive weekends we had another great result
from Team TIB! Pedalling into their winning ways with a first place at the 2011
Drak MTB experience held over the past weekend.
Underberg is quickly becoming an adventure sport hub and this past weekend
was yet another in the long list of events the small mountain tour has hosted with
pride. Notably the biggest cycling event being the SANI2C the Drak experience
was up there in terms of MTB track and route planning. The Sani Spoors Trails
network provided the base for the route with beautifully manicured single track
stunning scenery and clean mountain air.
As is the nature of the weather at the moment, extreme weather events are
becoming an “anomaly” norm. This was the case for Underberg two days before
the race where the town received over 100mm of rain in 30min. As most would
know this can cause major problems with MTB single track and event organisers
alike but credit must be given to the later for their farmer resilience in quickly
repairing sections of the track along the Umzimkulu river and the rest of the
route.
The route started at the Underberg country club and wound its way through the
golf course, then the maize fields and into the plantations of the superb Sani
Spoors mountain bike track. This trail must be one of best I’ve ever ridden and
rivals the likes of Karkloof for flowing down hill single track. Once out of the
plantation we descended to the Umzimkulu river track. This track followed the
river back upstream, meandering on the river bank.
The route took a 180deg turn and we started one of the many climbs out into the mountains that looks down on the river trail we’d just ridden. We were well rewarded for our ascent and scended along a cattle track down to the main garden castle road, where yet again we were turned upwards into the mountains with another severe climb. This process was repeated once more and we climbed back into the plantations we’d descended from in the first quarter of the race. The rest of the race was a fast decent towards the country club and the finish line.
The mens race upfront was dominated by the TIB insurance rider Andrew Hill who took the lead from the word go and posted a blistering time of 1hr:52minutes for the 40km route. The ladies race was won by Amy Jane Mundy riding for her new team Savardia MTB tours with second going to her team mate Tam Taylor.
Article by Andrew Hill,
TIB Sponsored Cyclist
More from TIB Rider Andrew Hill
SA Marathon Champs When Cycling SA announced they were holding SA marathon champs in my back yard I had to go and explore the valley of a 1000hills, and what better way than in South Africa’s most prestigious marathon race.
Read more>
Drak MTB Experience Following two podiums on consecutive weekends we had another great result from Team TIB! Pedalling into their winning ways with a first place at the 2011 Drak MTB experience held over the past weekend.
Read more>
Wartberg Classic TIB opened the 2011 account this weekend with a podium place at the ever popular Wartberg Classic. With over 1000 pre entries, the race organisers were put to the test as that figured was almost doubled by the time the race started.
Read more>