Lined up at the rear of the 25K start - our crew is getting beeger!!!!
The event is the first in the 2010 Big 5 MTB series and it was a good one for the novices amongst us - besides the early hillclimb to warm up the legs, and a couple more along the route, the race wasn't too tough, over the 25K distance.
According to the riders in our crew, the 2 single-track sections in the forests of Mtunzini was everyone's favourite.
Before the start, Dabz and Craig, squinting in the morning winter sun....
A, showing off with his "new" bike, courtesy of Adriano, who upgraded to a GIANT XTC....
The bike frame is CALOI, which is a Brazilian brand, and the components are Shimano DEORE, which I found to be very consistent and reliable during this event, even though conditions were not too testing....
I have a feeling that my riding position on the bike needs a proper setup - my legs were cramping late in the race, and some soreness in my right hammy lasted well after the finish....
Adriano "it CAN be lighter....", posing with his new steed after the race .... rumour has it that the bike shop were glad to see the bike roll out of the store, due to all the specialized parts sourcing they were required to do to get the XTC in the shape that Carlos was looking for....
Adriano had a strong ride, again, and it was fun trying to keep up, especially on the descents, which he absolutely BOMBS down!
Craig, having had much more fun on this event, than the last one....Craig and I stopped to help fix the snapped chain on Bruce's TREK - Craig's multitool + chainbreaker combination once again came in handy, and Bruce was quite prepared to pay over R100 in cash for a master link! (we let him off with a round of drinks at the finish....)
Team-mates? I am not only your partner......Thaven is definitely progressing, physically, but he also didn't carry all his gear - no masterlink, no chain tool :(
Dressed like PROs .... soon, we'll perform like em too ;) Dabz accompanied me on the drive up to Zini, from Durban and we both agreed that Zini is a lovely place, to stay, and to recreate.....
Dabz, after persevering with a slipping chain, and finishing well amongst the backmarkers....he enjoyed the event despite the mechanical trouble, and is eagerly awaiting the next one.
