Jackal's Trail on Boschkop MTB

Last weekend I made my way to the Boschkop trail race at the Stillbosch Nature reserve near Tierpoort in Pretoria.  This is the areas I usually go on long training rides but I haven’t yet ridden in the Stillbosch Nature reserve so I don’t know what to expect. The past two weeks leading up to the race I did a fair amount of training. This is not considered a very big race on my race calendar but attending smaller local races helps me to improve on my fitness preparing for bigger races. As I entered the nature reserve I could already see that the terrain is going to be hard, rocky and relatively flat.

On the start line were no real big names because many were at the Cape Epic. We hit the dirt roads and were off.  Me and two other riders split soon after the start and began increasing the pace.  Still we weren’t on the pace I was used so I decided to put the hammer down by going in front. No riders was able to follow me so I decided that I will go on at this steady pace and see what damage I have made and later ride at a steady tempo throughout the race.

At some sections I rode next to the nature reserve fence which wasn’t really a track or road or anything and things were getting rough.  The lead bike was even struggling getting through the thorn bushes and long grass.  This was probably the least enjoying with no visible route.  I pushed on and got to more acceptable jeep track.  At this time i have made a reasonable gap on my pursuers.  The lead bike gave me time checks which I doubted being correct as the time given didn’t sound correct. But nonetheless I focused and rode my own race.  I rode through flat farm lands with beautiful landscape surrounding me.  The real work started at around 20km with a long stretched climb alongside the boundary fence of the reserve. I felt good and the legs weren’t sleeping anymore when in “climbing mode”.  There were “dongas” and areas where the rain had flooded before which made the race considerably technical. Going over dip for dip made keeping your tempo difficult and I could feel every shake in my arms.

I came to a “forest effect” section where I missed the turn off and found myself getting to the main road. I quickly knew I have made a mistake and headed back finding the two riders chasing me standing at the turn i missed.  I saw the uphill climb that the leading bike referred to at the start of the race.  I made my way on the right route, but it was disappointing losing my 90 second gap riding with others once again. It was not long and I was on my own again gaining every second I had lost earlier. At this point in the race I have completed 35km of the 55km still feeling good. The next 10km consist of some climbs and rewarding loose rocky descents which were tricky where flood streams was clearly visible from earlier rain. You had to negotiate through the dips I was referring earlier and these “dongas”.

The lead bike was now staying close in front and I thought to myself that first place was only a few kms away.  Approximately 3km from finishing my front wheel was losing pressure and I knew i had a flat. I continued as far as I could but had to stop as the wheel was almost completely flat. I bombed it and didn’t hear any leaks. Got back on the bike and put the hammer down once again. After another kilometre front tire flat again. Now I was luckily passing the 30km race riders which would help me with bombs as I have used the only Co2 canister i had. Bombed the tire hearing squeals and air coming out this time. Plugged the tire and bombed with another co2 canister. The tire was leaking air with no sealant visible. At this point i have lost a lot of time. I thought to myself that this is just not my day and that I must calm down, try to seal the tire and just finish.

After a long struggle the tire was sealed.  With disappointment all over my face I finish. The race organiser interviewed me knowing how well I actually did.

I guess we all have these days and you can take a lot out of it learning and progressing forward.

Till we meet again,  Cheers

Carel laubscher

Race results 55 Km:

1^st- Thinus Redelinghuys 02:27:26

2^nd- Robert Clarke

3^rd- Jaco Ellis

4^th- Jacques van der Merwe

8^th- Carel Laubscher

Big 5 Plus 1 Babbas Lodge MTB

This weekend I made my way to Babbas lodge for the second leg of the Big 5 plus 1 MTB Series.  It was a sunny yet cool Sunday at the start line of the 70km race. This was not as big participated race as many of the other MTB series races in the country. But there were no shortage of competition. Leading series leader of the USN cup was at the start line, some riders of the COTIC MTB team as well as riders from @Slab.

I did my homework prior to the race. The previous races held at Babbas lodge indicated that the finishing time were quite fast.  I assumed the race would be very fast and flat with no major climbs and elevation.  A vehicle took riders out on the tar with a sharp right turn into the lodge where the actual racing started.  The start was surprisingly calm and the bunch was big. Soon we hit the single track and it was a one on one battle. I stayed at the front and after 5km a group of about 10 riders made the split. Julius Cobbet (Cycle Nation), known previous winner for a few races in this series was riding on a single speed today.  He was the race favorite once again but he soon punctured and was not seen again.

Two riders at the front were clearly in a different league than myself and I was unable to follow. I got to a rocky uphill section and accelerated to get some time on my rivals. Soon I made a thirty second gap on the group behind me and I kept on keeping the tempo.  The route consisted of pretty much a lot of jeep track, some short rocky climbs and fast single track. The speed was very fast and you had to have the correct line around the corners otherwise you were heading for the bush! The loose sand made the route technical and you cannot afford to lose concentration.

I rode on my own for the remaining of the first lap which completed half of the distance. There were some animals on the route including springbok, and cows which I saw. On my second lap I negotiated my way through the back markers of the 35km race, but luckily no problems passing the riders. The single track was the most enjoyable for me with sweeping turns and sand sections which test yours skills on the bike.  The two riders in front made a substantial lead on me so I decided to keep a good tempo staying in third place. I came into the finish and finished in a time of 2:12:54. Third place overall and second Senior men.

The route was very well marked with a bit of everything. I enjoyed the race and was happy with another good performance. Thank you yet again for the great support from my mother and my girlfriend.  

Race results:

1st-  Paulo Van Zweel

2nd- Delaney Impey

3rd- Carel Laubscher

4th- Jason Worman

5th- Johann Naude

Next, I will be racing in the Jackals Trail on Boschkop MTB race.

Until we meet again... Cheers

Carel

UCI XCM WORLD CUP -MTN MARATHON #3, SABIE

Photo 2 by Action Photo: Carel Laubscher

UCI XCM WORLD CUP -MTN MARATHON #3, Sabie, 75km, 2100m

Finally the wait was over and it was racing time in Sabie! I took leave at work the Friday and me and my mom packed our bags and headed our way to the "Mecca of mountain biking" Sabie, Mpumalanga. I booked two nights stay, at Merry Pebbles, our camp site for the weekend. I was impressed for how close it was to the venue. Well done for my choice! It was my first visit to Sabie, so I was very excited knowing that I have prepared well and wanted to test myself against most riders around the country.

We started with a 2km neutral zone where the pace was nice and steady. After that it was like an explosion as the actual racing started. A group of about 15 riders formed and started to climb to the top which was at about 23 km (King of the mountains). I was literally hanging at the back of the group as the pace was manageable but the legs were already aching. I decided to ride at my own pace and let the group do their own thing. I soon caught Shaun Craig Silver (@Slab) and he was unable to follow. For the next 10km I was riding on my own.

I felt good and tried keeping a good tempo and I got to the very popular "Mamba Switchbacks" which were a 3km section which constantly keeps climbing around and around each corner. I caught a few riders including @Pofmuis-Slahde Seale (@Slab). We played a short version of cat and mouse and soon separated as I went past. The climbing was intense but I put my nose down and pushed myself knowing that a lot of riders will suffer on these steep climbs. Then we rode some incredible downhills at speeds which couldn't be described as cruising! I then basically rode with Arno Du Toit and his brother Jaco du Toit through the mountains. Me and Arno continued and Jaco was unable to follow. We then later reached some technical downhill sections where Arno dropped me. I decided not taking the risk here for puncturing and went on at my own pace. I reached the forest which was for me one of the most enjoyable sections. Fast speed, less effort and shade. It was here where I began to suffer. Around every corner a new climb awaits you. My motivation was running low and I could feel my legs not having much in them anymore. I suffered even more and walked one of the climbs. Jaco caught me and so also another rider. I got back on the bike and knew I must get some fluid in. I quickly stopped at the last water point and drank three cups of Coke. In my head I realized that i have made a mistake of not eating. I literally pushed myself in the red and crossed the finished line. The last km for me was like never ending...

My mother came to me and told me that she thinks I’m in the top 20. My heart almost stopped for a second! I told her, that cannot be. She made the mistake by mixing the Ultra Riders with the Marathon.!! When I later saw the results I was very chuffed with myself. Mission accomplished!! My aim was a top ten place Senior men and I got it! Not bad for my biggest race I have participated in so far. If it wasn't for my mother this would not have been possible. Thank you for all the support mom!

Marathon Overall Results:

1st Lourens Luus(Valencia)

2nd Brand du Plessis(Pepto Pro)

3rd Arno du Toit

4th Allan Britnell(Britplast)

8th Carel Laubscher

Next race will be the second leg in the Big 5 plus 1 MTB super series at Babbas Lodge. An important race for me to stay being consistant. I am looking forward to it getting a good result.

Untill then, ciao

Carel Laubscher

New blog

New to blogger. Will spend some time on it learning. Follow me for news and posts on my racing, what i'm up to and sponsors.  See you then,

Carel