Sani2C Mountain bike race. (read: Sani to sea)
February 25th, 2009 by Conrad Stoltz
My bags are packed and I’m ready to go… my last day in Stellenbosch for 2009. Scary thought. I’m leaving for Durban in the morning for the start of the Sani2C mountain bike race.Its probably the most stage race I have done in South Africa. I did the Cape Epic in 2005 and 2006 with my mate Barry Pauw and I did the 2007 Sani2C with Down Hill ace Greg Minnaar.
The reason I like Sani so much is its a down hill race. Really. It starts at 2000m alt and finishes on the Scottsburough beach, 3 days later. It has some good single track sections, some hairy jeep track, amazing views and a compulsary 10 minute stop in the middle of stage 2. You sit in the shade of trees next to an old farm house, eat Nandos burgers, stock up on drinks while little kids wash and lube your bike. (the home country of Squirt lube)
The riders are really laid back, and here you find more pure mountain bikers. Its not so much about racing, its about having fun, riding bikes and camaraderie.
Over dinner one night at Specialized tire testing camp Bobby tried to come up with a partner for our new Specialized rising star Burry Stander (below)
Susi, Burry’s Cape Epic partner is in Switzerland, so Bobby came with the bright idea of me riding with Burry. At first I said nononono, but in the end they cajoled me into it. I’m not quite fit, (Burry is flying in training) and I’m not overly keen on being the weak link in a 3 day suffer fest.
News from the race is its been pouring with rain for the last week, so I packed my mud tires and half a coke bottle. (mudgaurd)
Burry is a really cool kid, laid back, he gets the job done with no fuss, and our 1st language is Afrikaans. Its going to be a great experience to ride with such a talent on such a cool team. Specialized South Africa will be out in full force to ride, support and have fun. Good times.
Go check out the brand new i-am-specialized
Oh yes, I’ll be away from my desk till monday the 2nd of March, if you really need to get hold of me text+ 27 84 4408 174
4 Responses to “Sani2C Mountain bike race. (read: Sani to sea)”
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February 25th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Think of it like this … with me you’d have to speak your Irish / Afrikaans / English combo all in your great Irish accent!!!! Riding with “The Kid” will be easier!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 7:12 am
you’ll be fine poepies.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Lekker ry…GENIET!
April 18th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Mountain Bike…
This technique is also best at popular riding spots, but it can work on any trail. When you stumble upon a damsel in distress, meaning a girl’ s bike has broken down or she has crashed you stop to help the lass out. This also can give you opportunity…