Melt Swanepoel's blog

South African Mountain Bike Championships, Hayterdale Trails

With every province getting an opportunity, it was the Eastern Cape which had the privilege of hosting this year’s South African Mountain Bike Championships. The Cross Country, Downhill and Eliminator titles were decided over the weekend at the Hayterdale trails venue about 80km from Port Elizabeth. It was truly an African experience with the venue nestled at the foot of the Zuurberg Pass and bordering on the Addo Elephant Park.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Gauteng Provincial Cross Country Championships, Thaba Trails

Saturday saw the running of the Gauteng Provincial Cross Country Championships at Thaba Trails in the South of Johannesburg. This venue is fast becoming one of the most popular mountain biking destinations and the tough XC course always inspires tight racing.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Nissan Trailseeker Series #2, Diamond Rush

The second event of the 2013 Nissan Trailseeker Series takes its name from the town where it is hosted. Cullinan used to lie at the centre of a diamond rush, but these days it’s a sleepy little town with the main street’s coffee shops and restaurants being the main attractions.

 

Once a year, in the midst of winter, Advendurance shakes the town from its drowsiness as they put on a very popular mountain bike race. The course has changed over the years but the event always draws large numbers and some of the best competition around.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Stonepark MTB Challenge

Originally I didn’t have any races scheduled for this past weekend, but a late invitation to participate in the inaugural race at Stonepark MTB trails outside of Riebeeckstad warranted a change of plan.

 

The Tilley family took their love of mountain biking to a whole new level by creating a fun network of trails for everyone to share. Their 10km loop included a ‘dungeon’ section complete with some drops, rocks and off camber turns. There were quite a few wooden bridges, hand built jumps and an interesting sandpit all linked together with sweeping singletrack.

 

Melt Swanepoel

SA Cross Country National Cup #4, Mankele

The 4th and final round of South Africa’s National Cup took place at Mankele Bike Park over this past weekend. Mountain bikers from all over the country descended on this Lowveld mountain bike Mecca to test themselves against the best local (and some foreign) competition.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Burry Stande Memorial series #4, Thaba Trails

Burry Stander Memorial Series #4, Thaba Trails

 

Not feeling at my best since Sani2C, I opted for a shorter Cross Country race instead of the Ultra Marathon that was on offer at Rooiberg this weekend. Make no mistake, a cross country race is no easier – it is just shorter. In essence I was digging myself a small hole instead of a big hole hoping to make my climb out of it somewhat easier.

 

Melt Swanepoel

MTN Ultra Marathon #4,Clarens

MTN Ultra Marathon Series #4, Clarens, Free State

 

The 4th stop of the MTN Ultra Marathon Series hit the tiny village of Clarens over the weekend. The town borders on the foothills of the Lesotho Mountains on the one side and the wide expanses of the Free State on the other. This gives it a unique character quite distinct from any other race we do all year.

 

Melt Swanepoel

MTN Panorama Tour

MTN Panorama Tour

 

Twice a year I get to swop my fat tyres for some skinny wheels and race on tarred roads instead of the dirt. One such an occasion is the MTN Panorama Tour stage race in the Lowveld.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Lowveld Quest

Lowveld Quest

 

When a few of the country’s leading race architects get together to produce a point to point stage race in the Lowveld, you can only imagine the spectacular result.
So it was that Mark Meyer & Geoff Anderson from Mankele fame, Dennis Lawrie (Sabie Experience and Sabie Classic) and Jaco Lubbe from Induna Adventures made their (and our) dream a reality by presenting the inaugural Lowveld Quest.

 

Melt Swanepoel

Sasol Cross Triathlon Series #3, Abrahamsrust

 

From Mankele it was straight in the car and back home to get everything ready for the next day’s race. The 3rd and concluding leg of the Sasol Cross Triathlon Series was held on Sunday at Abrahamsrust on the banks of the Vaal River. It was always a long shot to head back and race again on Sunday, but if you’re not in it – you can’t win it! Or as they say in Africa “Tata ma chance”.

 

Melt Swanepoel
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