So, it’s 5:30am Sunday morning and after having 5 gels and 3 bottles of mix in yesterday’s Barberton MTN Ultra-Marathon, let’s just say my body is still wired! So instead of tossing and turning I thought I’d be productive and write this week’s column.
Okes, I’ve got news for you! Ultra-marathons are off the hook! The Barberton race was my first crack at an Ultra in a looooong time. It’s safe to say that things have definitely changed since I did my last competitive marathon in 2009. I was stoked to be back on the grid this weekend looking down the barrel of a 120km course. If only I’d known what was coming! Let me give you a quick idea of just how harrowing an ultra-marathon is: after crossing the line yesterday and guzzling 6 cokes, I found my little piece of shaded paradise, alongside the finish line, underneath Tim Stark’s double cab Nissan Nivara. Half passed out at this point, I lifted my arm with the aim of stretching it, and in a moment of “specialness”, rested my elbow against the exhaust pipe. Let’s just say the car hadn’t been parked long. Elbow 0, Exhaust 1. An ultra-marathon is so damn tough that being seared by an exhaust doesn’t even register on the pain scale! 5+ hours is one hell of an effort, well done to all the finishers at Barberton (in all the distances!).
Barberton was the first “away match” of the year and it was a great trip. Erik and Ariane Kleinhans, Renay Groustra and I made the trip up from Cape Town together in unusual comfort. The 10am (usually 6:30am) flight was magic, then, to our delight we rented a Combi with all the bells and whistles. This setup sounds normal, however, in previous years we haven’t rolled in such luxury. The usual panel van with no rear seats, no windows and definitely no aircon wasn’t missed at all! So we rolled out of OR Tambo feeling like rockstars!
As for the race itself, it started with the usual manic sprint for the chicane that takes riders off the tar and onto the jeep track. With conditions dry and warm this year, at least we didn’t have to contend with mountains of mud and puddles of standing water waiting to swallow up rider and bike. We hit the first climb as a large bunch and before I knew it the guys were up the road pedalling away from me. Not kiff! So after dealing with the initial disappointment, I laboured on to reach the summit of the 1 hour climb in the 3rd group.
Upon finishing the 75km loop, Shan Wilson, another guy (not sure who he was, nice guy though) and I hit the 2nd major climb of the day – a beast that saw us climbing for roughly 90min. After consolidating in the km’s leading up to it, I pressed on up the climb, leaving Shan and then catching and passing 3 other guys. From there it was a repeat of the “river crossing” section. Now when I say we must have ridden through 47 river crossings, I’m probably underestimating – no spice!
After slugging a few more gels, I crossed the line to finish in 16th, behind Rourke Croeser. At first I was slightly disappointed with the result, but when putting things into perspective, I am happy with the overall effort. Considering it’s January, Barberton was always gonna be a tester and now I have a better idea of what I need to work on. At least I know that I can manage the distance and I gave it my absolute all. I suppose, at the end of the day, that’s all one can do! Jacques Rossouw (Fedgroup) took a much deserved win with Kevin Evans (360 Life) taking 2nd, while Jacques Janse Van Rensburg came in 3rd. It is amazing to witness old Jacquie crank the wattage. Mooi!
Pic by Zoon Cronje
Now it’s onto P.E. next weekend for the Herald, followed by a quieter weekend before the first National XCO race in Durbanville on the 11th of February. I’ve also sorted my entry for the 3 day Grape Escape happening in the first week of March. I missed last year’s event but am stoked to be getting involved this year. With me focusing more on XCO racing, the shorter 3 day stage events are a perfect way to mix things up. More on my prep for the Grape Escape and the rest of my season in the coming weeks…
The MTB season has kicked off, big time!
Keep it pinned, Oli
Oli is currently living the dream as a professional mountain biker, racing for the GT Mr Price squad based out of Cape Town. Keep up with Oli on his blog http://olivermunnik.wordpress.com
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