04/10/2011
Neethling wins DCSR Misty Valley MTB Challenge
Team bizhub’s Candice Neethling made a journey to the Mpumalanga province this weekend to participate in the inaugural DCSR Misty Valley MTB Challenge.
Only 2.5 hours drive from Johannesburg and just a few kilometers above Waterval Boven, lies the Misty Valley Mountain Lodge. This world-class mountain biking event is part of the Highland Meander, where surroundings of unspoiled forest and mountain scenery will make way for the fastest mountain bikers in Africa!
The Misty Valley Lodge is situated on a mountain, which is 2100m above sea level with spectacular scenery and incredible MTB trails on the lodge estate and surrounding areas and forests.
It was a really well put together event. The course is fantastic and their is a lot of media coverage.” Said Candice following the event.
It was a windy day, which made things tough in the beginning, but was an advantage later when we had the same wind blowing from behind. The track was truly amazing. It boasted single track that was from heaven! However, due to the amount of concentration this type of riding required, I wasn't able to enjoy the mind- blowing views, unless I came to a stop,which of course, was not an option. As we continued to wind down deeper and deeper into the valley, I knew in the back if my head that a monster climb lay before me. However, I tried not to let this cloud my enjoyment of the present moment.
After a water table at the bottom, I looked up to where I could see the route markers leading, needless to say, it headed skyward! I put my head down to do some work, looking behind me at frequent intervals to check if Samantha Saunders was hunting me down. To my delight, I didn't see her until after I had crossed the finish line.
The last 10kms was challenging as it involved a lot of open climbing and the wind was definitely a factor! I was happy to cross the finish line in first place, having won queen of the mountains along the way.”
Samantha Saunders finished the event in second spot.
The inagrual event proved to be a big success, due to the quality of the course together with the hospitality of the Misty Valley Lodge this event can only grow from strength to strength in ther future
“We were literaly blown away with the exciting and purposly built trails, and forest tunnel sections which seemed to go on forever!” Continued Candice
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