07/11/2011
The right way to spend a weekend – Thomas River MTB Challenge
2011 was the tenth year the Thomas River Farmers’ community has been running the Thomas River MTB challenge and the organisers kindly approached bizhub to participate in this popular event.
Thomas River is a tiny historical village in the Eastern Cape, between Cathcart & Stutterheim; pretty much in the middle of nowhere. But depsite bieng somewhat off the beaten track the race played host to over 500 riders on Saturday.
“For many years I have wanted to do this race”said Ischen Stopforth following the event. “My sister used to live on a farm, Ailsa in the Thomas River Valley. During the first 7 years that the race was held, she was very much involved with the route markings and race preparation. So of course, each year I would get a call from her asking if I could make it, and every time there was some reason why I couldn’t –another race, an injury, work, or just too far away and too few free weekends!
So it was decided that I would come to support the race and Caitlin de Wet would join me. Caitlin herself comes from the Eastern Cape, having grown up in Molteno.
The event is organised by the community like only farmers can do it and runs over several farms in the Thomas River Valley. Everyone is involved; be it with route planning & markings, finding sponsors, marshalling & waterpoints, meal preparations or at the registration. It is a real family weekend with a pasta evening on the Friday. First man & lady in the 70km each win a lamb and a Blesbuck”!
Saturday morning was a beautiful morning, with slight wind which picked up later during the day.
The first 5 km was on district road with everyone siting together, but as soon as we turned off into the first of many farms, it all split up. I stuck with the front four guys for a while but up a sandy steep climb I decided not to push too hard and let the boys race each other .
We got to the King & Queen of the Mountain spot at 20km into the race. At this point we turned into a gate to the Reigate Trout Dam and just continued climbing up a steep jeep track.
Then came the most challenging part of the course: a section of cattle track and cattle field riding negotiating through a swamp and some really bumpy terrain – hardened mud and tufty grass. What made it even more challenging was the fact that a lot of the route marking was done with white chalk in this section, which was difficult to spot through the grass and swampy terrain; as well as the numerous cattle tracks.
We were rewarded for the long climbing effort with a fast fun jeep track downhill. I was having fun and felt like I was on my own on a lovely training ride – no riders to be seen ahead of me or behind me – so I took some time to enjoy the beautiful views. The Eastern Cape has just got something unique to it, beautiful mountains and big open grassy fields with never ending views.
I finished as the first lady and 4th in GC with Caitlin De Wet coming in 2nd lady, almost an hour before the next lady.
Included in the race entry was the “mean cuisine” lunch – roast lamb and all sorts of salads, prepared by the locals and enjoyed by all while the kids played in the pool and most grown-ups seemed to be refuelling on beer!
I hope I can come back next year to race this special race again. With 1600m ascent over the 70km and really tough climbs plus plenty of technical jeep track & single track sections, this race has got everything a top class mountain bike marathon should offer.
Thank you to the Thomas River Farmers Association for inviting the bizhub ladies, hosting us and treating us as celebrities this weekend. This is a top class event which ever MTB rider should add to their to do list.
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