TEAM TIB on top of the podium again

For the 11^th year in a row the Weenen Classic has attracted riders from all over KwaZulu-Natal to the Thornveld of the Weenen game reserve. What must be considered the one of the “Wildest” races in KwaZulu-Natal, weenen’s race is what African mountain biking is all about. Year after year you hear the words “Danger” and “Rhino” mentioned in close succession to one another in the pre-race briefing. This is definitely not the normal safety chat but all seasoned Weenen and acacia scarred riders have become accustomed to the words. This year was no different from the rest as we chatted nervously at the start line imagining what we’d actually do if we encountered a couple tons of Rhino during the race.

The race route was surprisingly different to all the previous years I’d ridden but took the riders broadly in the same direction and on an amazing tour of the reserve. Riders started at the office and campsite and wound their way to the first climb of the day at 5km in. The climb would allow the faster riders to break away from the rest of the field and take the race to the animal tracks. The first section of single track was a rocky animal path which was well received by the riders and may commented on the great natural flow of the lines. The route linked up sections of single track with section of jeep track and kept the competitors on their toes the entire time. Technically the route was of a higher standard than what was experienced in previous years but nobody seemed to mind as they enjoyed the wonderful African scenery.        

The game viewing was great this year and I encountered 3 different groups of eland, a herd of zebra, a couple of ostrich and a warthog. The Rhino were lying low this year but there was major evidence of their presence by virtue of the expansive territorial dung piles riders encountered on their heavily trodden and very well compacted paths.

On the racing front, I attacked from the gun and pulled a sizable lead by the first climb this let me settle into a great rhythm after the heavy week of training I’d done in preparation for the hill2hill marathon on the 18^th. This tactic worked well and I finished a couple of minutes ahead of the next rider in 2^nd place. The ladies race was won by Julia Colvin,, who was also a previous winner in the 2010 and 2009 events. Events such as this are one of the biggest reasons people mountain bike, the idea of getting on your bike, experiencing nature with like minded individuals is up there on the list. Well done to the event organisers for making the day a unanimous success.