Day 8 JoBerg2C 2010

I so want to do this next year...

JoBerg2C Day 8:

THE MIGHTY UMKOMAAS AND THE SINGLE TRACK:

Soon after the awakening, the reality of what lies ahead will jolt the tour into nervous anticipation. Day 2 of Subaru sani2c is big by any one’s book. The early batch start will see A batch competitors hurtling down 7km of district road before entering the start of the keep left pass right double single track of Sappi compartment E20.These tracks will take one past some of the most spectacular views of the mighty Umkomaas Valley. At the 8 km mark past it’s into Yankee Doodle. This route was planned for sani2c 2010 but not used because of the bad weather conditions. Will you be the first to experience it? Murray’s Meander was the highlight of the 2009 SUBARU sani2c. This 3km section of single track has to be some of the most dramatic flowing single track imaginable. At a first glance one will not believe that a route is possible above the towering cliffs dropping down to the mighty Umkomaas. After some breath taking single track along old cattle paths and having crossed a number of bridges riders will find themselves being lead straight into Nick’s Pass overlooking the Umkomaas River Valley. Dropping into this valley, these fast switch back descents will have your brake pads sending hot whiffs of warning to those behind. From there it’s into the 1.8km Sosiba’s section also new for 2010 sani and never used due to the weather. After passing the cheering children of Msayana School we find ourselves being lead through the heart of Subaru sani2c. Here you will find the pride of Subaru sani2c 2007 route builders. A 3km bench cut mountain bike pass built especially for the 2007 event. Thereafter, one will experience some of the most enjoyable single tracks to be found. School single track has some technical rocky patches before Greg Minnaar closed gate. A short steep gravel decent lead you down onto Long one’s path. Then it is into my personal favourite, Husky Highway. These fast flowing; sweeping curves will allow you a quick glance at the Umkomaas River which is slowly becoming ever closer as you continue you’re decent. A sharp right bend takes you into Mchunu’s Pride, a smooth fast bush-lined footpath leading you past his remote homesteads of his two wives, many children and grand children. Leaving the dancing Mchunu’s one now enters the real African bush where the flowing single track of Heaven or Hell races through the thorn trees for 3km.The final climax of the drop down the Umkomaas valley is Tamika’s Detour which bottoms out on the banks of this mighty river. The pace and adrenalin now changes after some 30 odd kilometres of mountain biking euphoria the reality of the day sets in. You warm your legs on the jeep tracks which lead over Qunu River before opening up into Nyala game farm that team with Kudu, Bush Pig and Nyala. The first significant climbs start soon hereafter with Baby Staesbraes. This game road is not the only thing that goes up. Your heart rate, and the altitude and temperature soar steadily as you climb out of the valley. Big Staesbraes is a long hot climb that is challenging under the best of conditions. Be inspired by the fact that the steepest gradients are first and things can only get better. The first seconding table will be welcome as you have covered nearly 40km and will be found just after you cross the R56. Thereafter, one veers off into the bush of Dangala Farm and onto narrow game farm roads for 2km before a tricky decent and Impala Bend into the remote Ixopo River Valley. Here one is as far as one will get from civilization. After crossing the Ixopo River a number of times you will follow the valley up through Dawn Valley Farm and up a steep jeep track fondly known as Lamb Legs. After cresting this difficult climb and experiencing the fast decent on the other side it is into Watervale Far. Aloe Climb lies between you and the second water table of the day. Directly there after it is straight into the teeth of A Push of a climb, Grand View, Hlegabafazi and Out of Africa. Each one becomes progressively easier and the timber plantations of Sappi Highflats signal that things are going to finally become faster and easier. FA single track and Fisherman’s Trail are between you and the third table. At Highflats Church you will find the third and last table for the day. Be comforted by the fact that from here it is only a further 16 km to the end. Once over Knocker Climb it’s pretty easy going down to Judy’s Corner. Puddle Alley will require the last bit of effort from you for the day. Once under the old railway bridge at Hlutingkungu it is onto the dangerous tar for the final 2.3 km and a welcome finish at Jolivet Farm. This day will be remembered as one of your most challenging ever on a mountain bike