Trans Augrabies MTB 2025

Ek het besluit om weer vanjaar aan die Trans Augrabies MTB deel te neem en het dit reggekry om vir Danie Kotze en Hennie de Clercq te oortuig om saam te gaan. Dit is ‘n lang “trek” Augrabies toe maar dit is so mooi daar dat ons dit die moeite werd ge-ag het. Hennie kom Donderdagmiddag 12 Junie oor en bring sy fiets saam en slaap die aand by my. Danie bring sy fiets ook Donderdagmiddag en ons laai ons twee se fietse agter in my motor en Hennie s’n sit ons op die fietsrak. Die plan is om Vrydagoggend 06:00 in die pad te val. 

 

Ons beplanning werk goed uit en die wiel begin net na 06:00 rol. Ons ry baie voorspoedig en kom net voor 16:00 by Augrabies aan. Op pad is ons verras oor hoe mooi groen die Noord Kaap se veld lyk. Ons teken in en pak by ons huisie, wat een van die naastes aan die “samekoms” area is, af na ‘n vinnige en flinke registrasie. Ons het ook die ete opsie vir die naweek geneem en dus stap ons 18:00 oor om na die “race briefing” te luister en dan te eet.

 

Die naweek se verrigtinge bestaan uit twee skofte van 82 en 88 kilometer en ons begin eers 09:15, nadat die ergste koue verby is. Ontbyt is tussen 08:00-09:00, so ons hoef nie te vroeg aan die gang te kom nie. Daar is drie groepe: Gravel; MTB en Mini. E-fietse is ook toegelaat. Die Gravel se afstand is langer en hulle begin 09:00. MTB begin 09:15 en die Mini (31km) 09:30. Hulle waarsku ons vooraf van die vier stroompies waaroor ons moet en dat die derde een redelik glad is!

 

Dag 1

 

Sake loop mooi volgens skedule en ons begin 09:15. Die stroompies kom sommer binne die eerste 5 kilometer voor en al hoewel nie te diep nie, darem diep genoeg om te sorg dat ons voete nat word. Ons oorleef darem almal die “gladde” stroompie sonder om t eval. Die eerste 16 km is op die een van die park se paaie, wat in ‘n goeie toestand is met so ‘n bietjie sinkplaat elk hier en daar. Ons is bevoorreg om vyf kameelperde op die stukkie te sien. Die eerste waterpunt is op 16 km en hier draai ons regs af op ‘n “jeep track” wat ons deur neem na die Oranjerivier, deesdae Gariep! Dit begin warmer raak en ek trek “koeler” handskoene aan. Die pad is redelik klipperig, maar die omgewing maak op daarvoor. Net voor die rivier is daar ‘n styl afdraend wat ons na ‘n goeie pad neem wat tussen vrugte boorde deurloop tot waar ons op 26 km regs draai om oor die rivier te ry. Hier hou ek eers stil om my “windbreaker” uit te trek en ‘n foto te neem. Ons ry ook deur ‘n plaaslike nedersetting genaamd “Vredesvallei”. Die omgewing hier staan egter as Blouputs bekend. Van hier volg ons die pad Riemvasmaak toe. 

 

Na ‘n verdere 9 km draai ons links op ‘n redelik rowwe “jeep track”. Ons is nou in die Riemvasmaak Bewaringsgebied. Die pad is baie rof en op en af, maar heel interessant. Die omgewing is ook baie mooi. Die laaste bult voor die waterpunt, wat op 41 km is, se naam is “Albaster Bult”! Ek stop vir ‘n paar verversings en ry dan weer. Ons is nou op ‘n sirkel van 8 km wat ons terug bring na die waterpunt. Die sirkel is “single track” waar ons redelik klim en dan met ‘n tegniese afdraend terug na die waterpunt toe ry. Die roete is met klippe “gemerk” en heelwat van die “klippe” is van rooskwarts. Hierdie stukkie was een van die hoogte punte van Dag 1 roe ek 2023 hier was en dit stel vandag weer nie teleur nie. Dit neem my 42 minute om die 8 km af te lê. Ek stop weer by die waterpunt en dan volg nog ‘n tegniese stuk oor ‘n paar knoppies en dan af tot by ‘n mynpad wat ons af neem na die brug oor die rivier en dan terug met dieselfde pad waarmee ons gekom het tot by waterpunt een wat nou die laaste waterpunt is. 

 

Ons ry weer tussen die boorde deur en dan, wat netnou die styl afdraende was, maar nou ‘n styl opdraende is, genaamd “Augrabies Monster” op! Die “monster” is net 1 km lank, maar ons klim 80 meter. Bo oor is dit nou weer op die rowwe “jeep track” waarmee ons gekom het. Teen die einde is daar ‘n stuk sand, wat met die kom nie ‘n probleem was nie omdat dit afdraend was, maar nou is die opdraend en dit maak dit baie moeilik om momentum te behou, met die gevolg dat daar maar af geklim en gestoot moet word! 

 

By die waterpunt draai ons nie weer terug op die reservaat se pad nie, maar hou reguit aan deur die veld op ‘n ander “jeep track”. Weereens stel die roete deur die veld nie teleur nie. Dit is redelik gelyk en ek kan ‘n goeie pas van tussen 12 en 15 kpu handhaaf. Na 6 km sluit ons weer by die reservaat se pad aan en nou is dit “voet in die hoek” huis toe! 

 

Na 5:11 en 81.68 km met 1,094 meter se klim, eindig dag 1. Dit was voorwaar weer ‘n besondere dag en ons kan nie uitgepraat raak oor hoe bevoorreg ons is om in so ‘n mooi omgewing en met sulke perfekte weer, te kan bergfiets ry nie. Ek eindig 21^st uit 44 wat klaar gemaak het. Hulle het ook ‘n “handicap” stelsel waar jou tyd aangepas word met in agneming van ouderdom. Hier eindig ek 7de. 

 

Prys uitdeling is 18:00. Hennie kry die prys vir die oudste deelnemer. Aandete volg 18:30 en die kos is van ‘n hoogstaande gehalte. Die temperatuur het intussen redelik gedaal en ons is voor 21:00 in die bed.

 

Dag 2

 

Na ‘n lekker ontbyt is ons reg vir dag 2 se avontuur wat weer 09:15 in aanvang neem. Die eerste 8 km is dieselfde as die vorrige dag, maar dan draai ons links op die “jeep track” wat ons gister net voor die einde gery het. Wanneer ons by die grootpad kom, draai ons vandag links en ry dan ‘n verdere 4 km totdat ons na 17 km by waterpunt een kom. Vandag trek ek my “windbreaker” en warm handskoene hier uit en gee dit by Bea af. Ek sal dit na die wedren weer by haar kry. 

 

Nou volg daar 26 km deur die veld met rowwe “jeep tracks” en “single tracks” wat weer met klippe uit gemerk is. Dit is redelik uitdagend maar besonder mooi en alles behalwe gelyk. Die klimme is darem nie te lank en nie te styl nie. Elke nou en dan gaan ons deur ‘n droë lopie wat gevolg word deur ‘n kort maar styl bultjie. Indien jy nie paraat is en die regte rat voor die tyd kies nie, sal jy dit nie maak nie. Ek loop- vir Hennie op die stuk raak. Hy het saam met my by die eerste waterpunt aangekom,maar is voor my daar weg. Ongelukkig het hy die verkeerde pad gevat. Gelukkig het hy dit gou agter gekom en haal my dus in met sy E-fiets. Ons ry vir die res van die dag, tot 10 km voor die einde saam. Ons is weereens besonder be-indruk met die wondelike natuurskoon waardeur ons ry. Die veld lyk hie rook baie goed na die goeie onlangse reëns. 

 

Vanaf waterpunt 2 is ons weer op die reservaat se pad en kan ons weer ‘n goeie pas handhaaf. Op 69 km draai ons af na Oranje Kom toe.

Na 6 km  draai ons regs op die Klipspringer wandelpad. Weer ‘n baie interessante en tegniese paadjie wat ons met allerhande kinkels deur die veld neem in die rigting van Oranje Kom. Na 3 km kom ons by ‘n bult uit wat nie rybaar is nie. Die organiseerders van die wedren het egter 5 manne gekry wat ons fietse vir ons teen die bult op te dra! Wanner ons bo kom kan ons dan weer op ons eie verder ry. Die roete is weer baie tegnies en ek geniet die uitdaging om alles te kan ry. Ek moet so hier en daar ‘n voet neer sit, maar kry omtrent alles gery. Op 81 km kom ons by Oranje Kom  uit. Ek besluit om by die waterpunt verby te ry aangesien daar net 7 km oor is. 

 

Van Oranje Kom is dit 2 km tot by die grootpad en dan nog 3 km die pad af totdat ons links draai om oor “Maanrots” te ry. Dit is ‘n 700 meter stuk graniet waaroor ons dan ry. Een kant op en dan anderkant af. Die klim is nie te erg nie, maar ek moet maar versigtig anderkant af want dit is redelik styl. Die rots se oppervlakte is sodanig dat ek alles kan ry. Dit word gevolg deur nog so ‘n stuk oor soortgelyke rotse totdat ons tussen die derde en vierde waterstroom weer by die groot pad aansluit. Dan dieslfde pad terug einde toe.

 

Na 5:45 en 89.8 km met 1,081 meter se klim eindig dag twee. Voorwaar weer ‘n besondere dag se fiets ry hier in die Augrabies Natuur Park. 

 

By die aand se prys uitdeling kry ek toe ‘n prys vir die oudste deelnemer met ‘n gewone bergfiets! So eindig ‘n wonderlike naweek en Danie en Hennie kan net nie uitgepraat raak oor hoe bly hulle is dat hulle gekom het nie. Ons sal beslis die wedren weer doen en sommer ook ‘n klomp van ons vriende van die Kaap oortuig om saam te kom. Die organisasie was baie goed en almal was vriendelik en het lekker met mekaar gesels. 

 

Die “juweel” moet beter deur ons as deelnemers “bemark” word om te verseker dat daar meer deelnemers is en dat die “lewensvatbaarheid” van die wedren verseker kan word. 

Statistiek vir die naweek:

Motorrit        :    1,792 kilometer 

Bergfiets rit   :     171.48 kilometer; ry tyd 10:56: meters geklim 2,175

English version

I decided to participate in the Trans Augrabies MTB again this year and managed to convince Danie Kotze and Hennie de Clercq to join me. It is a long “trek” to Augrabies but it is so beautiful there that we considered it worth the effort. Hennie comes over on Thursday afternoon, June 12, and brings his bike with him and sleeps at my place that night. Danie also brings his bike on Thursday afternoon and we load our two bikes in the back of my car and we put Hennie’s on the bike rack. The plan is to fit the bike rack in the morning and hit the road at 06:00.

Our planning works well and the wheels starts rolling just after 06:00. The journey goes very well and we arrive at Augrabies just before 16:00. On the way we are surprised by how beautifully and green the Northern Cape veld looks. We sign in and unpack at our house, which is one of the closest to the “gathering” area. Registration is quick and efficient. We also took the meal option for the weekend and so we walked over at 18:00 to listen to the “race briefing” and then have dinner.

The weekend’s events consist of two stages of 82 and 88 kilometers and we only start at 09:15, after the worst of the cold has passed. Breakfast is between 08:00-09:00, so we don’t have to get going too early. There are three groups: Gravel; MTB and Mini. E-bikes are also allowed. The Gravel distance is longer and they start at 09:00. MTB starts at 09:15 and the Mini (31km) at 09:30. They warn us in advance of the four streams we have to cross within the first part of the course and that the third one is quite slippery!

Day 1

The program goes according to schedule and we start at 09:15. The streams appear within the first 5 kilometers and although not too deep, at least deep enough to ensure that our feet get wet. We all survive the “slippery” stream without falling. The first 16 km is on one of the park’s roads, which is in good condition with a little bit of corrigations here and there. We are fortunate to see five giraffes on this stretch. The first water point is at 16 km and here we turn right onto a “jeep track” that takes us through to the Orange River, nowadays called Gariep! It is starting to get warmer and I put on “cooler” gloves. The road is quite rocky, but the environment makes up for it. Just before the river there is a steep descent that takes us to a good road that runs between fruit orchards until we turn right at 26 km to ride over the river. Here I first stop to take off my “windbreaker” and take a photo. We also ride through a local settlement called “Vredesvallei”. However, the area here is known as Blouputs. From here we follow the road to Riemvasmaak.

After another 9 km we turn left onto a fairly rough “jeep track”. We are now in the Riemvasmaak Conservation Area. The road is very rough and up and down, but very interesting and quite demanding. The surroundings are also very beautiful. The last hump before the water point, which is at 41 km, is called “Albaster Bult”! I stop for a few refreshments at the waterpoint and then ride on. We are now on an 8 km circle that brings us back to the water point. The circle is “single track” where we climb quite a bit and then ride back to the water point with a technical descent. The route is “marked” with stones and many of the “stones” are made of rose quartz. This section was one of the high points of Day 1 when I was here in 2023 and it does not disappoint again today. It takes me 42 minutes to cover the 8 km. I stop again at the water point and then follow another technical section over a few knobs and then down to a mining road that takes us down to the bridge over the river and then back along the same road we came on to water point one which is now the last water point.

We ride through the orchards again and then, what was a downhill earlier, is now an uphill, called “Augrabies Monster”! The “monster” is only 1 km long, but we climb 80 meters. At the top it is now back on the rough “jeep track” we came on. Towards the end there is a piece of sand, which was not a problem when we negotiated it this morning because it was downhill, but now it is uphill and it makes it very difficult to maintain momentum, with the result that we have to climb down and push!

At the water point we do not turn back onto the reserve road, but continue straight through the veld on another “jeep track”. Once again the route through the veld does not disappoint. It is fairly flat and I can maintain a good pace of between 12 and 15 kph. After 6 km we join the reserve road again and now it is “full gas” for home!

After 5:11 and after 81.68 km with 1,094 meters of climbing, day 1 ends. It was truly another special day and we can’t stop talking about how privileged we are to be able to mountain bike in such a beautiful environment and with such perfect weather. I finish 21st out of 44 finishers. They also have a “handicap” system where your time is adjusted taking into account age. Here I finish 7th.

Prize giving is at 18:00. Hennie gets the prize for the oldest participant. Dinner follows at 18:30 and the food is of a high quality. In the meantime the temperature has dropped considerably and we are in bed before 21:00.

Day 2

After a nice breakfast we are ready for the second day’s adventure which starts again at 09:15. The first 8 km are the same as the previous day, but then we turn left onto the “jeep track” that we cycled back on yesterday just before the end. When we get to the main road, we turn left and then ride another 4 km until we reach water point one after 17 km. Today I take off my “windbreaker” and warm gloves here and give them to Bea. I will get them back from her after the race.

Now there are 26 km through the veld with rough “jeep tracks” and “single tracks” that are again marked out with stones. It is quite challenging but exceptionally beautiful and anything but flat. The climbs are not too long and not too steep. Every now and then we go through a dry stream followed by a short, but steep hill. If you are not prepared and choose the right gear ahead of time, you will not make it. I run into Hennie on the way. He arrived at the first water point with me, but left before me. Unfortunately, he took the wrong road. Fortunately, he quickly realised this, turned around and caught up with me with his E-bike. We ride together for the rest of the day, up to 10 km before the end. We are once again particularly impressed with the wonderful scenery through which we ride. The veld looks very good here after the good recent rains.

From water point 2 we are back on the reserve road and can maintain a good pace again. At 69 km we turn down to Oranje Gorge. After 6 km we turn right onto the Klipspringer walking trail. Another very interesting and technical path that takes us through the veld with all sorts of twists and turns in the direction of Oranje Gorge. After 3 km we come across a hill that is not rideable. However, the organizers of the race got 5 men to carry our bikes up the hill for us! When we get to the top we can then continue on our own. The route is again very technical and I enjoy the challenge of being able to ride everything. I have to put down a foot here and there, but I manage to ride almost everything. At 81 km we come out at Oranje Gorge. I decide to ride past the water point since there are only 7 km left.

From Oranje Gorge it is 2 km to the main road and then another 3 km down the road until we turn left to drive over “Moon Rock”. This is a 700 meter piece of granite that we have to cycle over. Up one side and then down the other side. The climb is not too bad, but I have to be careful going down the other side because it is quite steep. The surface of the rock is such that I can ride everything. This is followed by another piece over similar rocks until we rejoin the main road between the third and fourth water stream. Then the same road back to the end.

After 5:45 and 89.8 km with 1,081 meters of climbing, day two ends. Truly another special day of cycling here in the Augrabies Nature Park.

At the evening prize giving, I received a prize for the oldest participant with a regular mountain bike! Overall I finished 21st and 7th on handicap. 

This was a wonderful weekend and Danie and Hennie just can’t stop talking about how happy they are that they came along. We will definitely do the race again and also convince a bunch of our friends from the Cape to come along. The organization was very good and everyone was friendly and had a good time chatting with each other.

This “jewel” needs to be “marketed” better by us as participants to ensure that there are more entries and that the “viability” of the race can be ensured.

 

Weekend stats:

Car ride: 1,792 kilometers

Mountain bike ride: 171.48 kilometers; ride time 10:56: meters climbed 2,175

360NE Nommer 11

See English version below for those who do not understand Afrikaans.

Dit is einde Mei en dit is weer 360NE tyd. My broer sou saam gaan, maar kon dit dit nie maak nie, dus ry ek op Donderdag 23 Mei op my eie Oudsthoorn toe. Kom so 17:45 by Karoo Soul aan. Nadat ek afgesaal het, ry ek La Dolce Vita toe vir aandete. Ek kom 22:00 tot ruste en slaap baie rustig en lekker. Word 07:30 wakker en ry deur Kleinplasie toe vir registrasie na ontbyt. Tel bokse vir kontrole punte op en ry terug blyplek toe om klere ensovoorts wat ek by kontole punte 1, 2 en 3 mag nodig mag kry, in te sit en teen 12:00 af te gee. Ek kry ook parkeerplek binne in Kleinplasie waar ek my motor gaan los terwyl ek ry. Nadat ek dit gedoen het nuttig en ‘n ligte middagete by Beans About Coffee. Terwyl ek eet kom die eienaar, Johan Breunissen daar aan. Ons is nou al “ou vriende” en gesels ‘n bietjie. Na ete is ek terug Karoo Soul toe om aan te trek en reg te maak vir die begin. Ek loop ook vir Fred van Zyl, my mede 70+ deelnemer daar raak. Hy klop my gewoonlik met so ‘n uur of so, maar ons sien mekaar gereeld langs die pad. Ons albie beplan om dit “rustig” te vat en vir so tussen 24 en 27 uur te  mik! “Famous last words”! Fred is 18 maande ouer as ek.

 

Ek vertrek so net na 13:00 weer Kleinplasie toe vir die “Race Briefing” en net om daar uit te "chill”. Terwyl ek daar sit, kom voer Mark le Roux van Bigshot Media, ‘n onderhoud met my, so ek mag dalk die TV haal! Ek beweeg so teen 14:45 na die wegspring blok om die laaste paar minute af te wag. Net voor ons begin daag Jan Braai ook daarop! Dit sal sy eerste poging wees. pa en my normale fietsry maat is goeie vriende en hy het saam met my seun “geswot, so ons ken mekaar.

 

Presies om 15:00 begin die wiele rol. Ek was redelik naby aan die voorpunt en begin rustig, met die gevolg dat daar heelwat deelnemers by my verby kom binne die eerste 3 km. Ons volg die pad Kango Grotte toe en draai op 7 km regs vir ons eerste, van 53 klimme! Ons klim vir die volgende 10 km. Nie te erg nie, net goed genoeg om die bloedsomloop behoorlik op dreef te kry vir wat nog kom! Dit word gevolg deur ‘n lekker afdraend en dan redelik gelyk vir die volgende 39 km.

Ek handhaaf ‘n redelik pas en ry saam met ‘n lekker groep. Ek kom na 2:29 by Waterpunt 1 aan en stop vir 4 minute om my waterbottel vol te maak, piesangbrood te eet en ‘n paar glasies Coke te drink. Ek het my “windbreaker” en warm handskoene met die wegspring sommer in my fietsry top in gedruk. Ek trek dit die “windbreaker” aan aangesien dit nou koeler begin raak. 

 

Die eerste groterige klim is net na die waterpunt. 176 meter oor die volgende 5 km. Van hier tot by Louvain, kontrole punt 1, bly ons basies op dieselfde hoogte maar daar is baie min gelyk stukke. In die 46 km is daar 11 kilmme. Die lengtes van die kilmme wissel so van 650 meter en 2.4km met ‘n gradient van so tussen 3 en 5% met ‘n maksimum van 11.8%. Dit neem my 2:54 om dit af te lê. Intussen het die son gesak en ons ry nou in die donker. Temperature is redelik maar staan nou op 12 grade Celsius. By Louvain is daar altyd lekker sop. Ek kry my een boks en besluit om net nog ‘n warmbaadjie uit te haal. Na twee koppies sop en 'n 21 minute stop, begin ek weer. 

 

Ek kom baie gou agter dat die temparatuur vining begin daal en stop binne die eerste 2 km om my ander warmbaadjie en die warm handskoene aan te trek. Van hier tot by die volgende waterpunt, 28 km in die pad af, ry ons meesal op plaaspaaie. Ons gaan onderdeur die N9 met ‘n “culvert” en dat op ‘n redelike rowwe en klipperige bees paadjie vir ongeveer 3 km en sluit dan by die Eseljagrivier pad aan. Op 123 km sluit ons by die pad aan waarmee ons vroeẽr gekom het, maar nou in die teenoorgestelde rigting. My Garmin 840 wys die aansluiting en besluit om daarop te “vries”’. Ek probeer alles om  hom weer aan die gang te kry, maar al wat hy vir my wys is die “aansluiting”! Gelukkig het ek my Garmin Fenix ook aangesit, so ek het darem iets om op terug t eval, maar hy gee nie soveel inligting as die 840 nie is toe onder my langmoue, so dit is nodal moeilik om sy inligting te lees. Na 130 km kom ek by die Heimersrivier waterpunt aan. Ek vra daar vir hulp met my Garmin 840, maar ons kom nêrens. Sal maar moet terug val op my Fenix. Ek eet weer piesangbrood en drink ‘n paar glasies Coke. Terug by my fiets probeer ek weer die 840 aan die gang kry deur vier knoppies gelyktydig te druk. Dit werk gewoonlik, maar dan verloor jy gewoonlik al jou inligting. Wonder bo wonder, dit werk en nog ‘n wonder, toe hy uiteindelik na omtrent 2 minute weer aan die gang kom, is al die inligting nog daar! Dit is ‘n klein verligting, want dit is nie lekker om sonder inligting te ry nie. 

 

Die inligting wat die Garmin gee is nogal baie handig. Uit die aard van die saak gee hy ry tyd en afstand aan, maar dan oor hart spoed, temperatuur en battery leeftyd. By elke bult word die totale afstand van die bult en meter wat geklim moet word ook aan gegee. Terwyl jy ry dui hy die gradient en afstand na die bopunt aan. Die stuk tussen Luovain en Heimersrivier het nou nie juis bulte gehad nie, maar nou verander dit vining. Tussen Heimersrivier en Volmoed is daar 11 klimme. Hulle wissel van so 500 meter na net meer as ‘n kilometer. Die gemiddelde gradiẽnt wissel so tussen 2 en 5% maar daar is een van 520 meter met ‘n maksimum van 17.6% en ‘n ander een van 2.32 met ‘n maksimum van 8.93%. Die klimme word afgesluit met ‘n daal na die Grootdoringrivier wat dan by die Kandelaarsrivier vallei aansluit. Op 166 km sluit ons by die R328 wat Oudthoorn met Mosselbaai verbind, aan. 4 km pad af draai ons links, Volmoed toe. 

 

‘n Vorige keer op die 360NE het my battery se rooi lig 01:30 die oggend aangegaan. Wanneer dit gebeur het jy nog so ‘n uur se battery leeftyd oor, maar hy het daardie keer tot daglig gehou! Vanoggend kom die rooilig 00:30 aan! Ek het voorsorg hiervoor getref en twee kopligte, wat elk so 3 uur hou en ‘n spaar battery in een van my bokse gesit, óf so beplan, maar meer hieroor later. Ek kom na 176 km en 9:49 by Volmoed aan. Ek kry my boks en trek ‘n langbroek en nog ‘n warm top aan, dit onderwyl ek ‘n bakkie pasta en ‘n glaise warm sjokolade, verorber. Ek soek my spaar battery in die boks, maar daar is niks! Ek kan ook nie onthou dat ek hom in gesit het nie! Sal maar duim vas moet hou dat die ander “backups” sal hou! Na 27 minute is ek weer in die pad. 

 

Die skof vam Volmoed na Calitsdorp is die moeilikste. Twee redes: daar is al 180 km in die bene en die meeste klim van die roete is in die skof. In die eerste 180 km is daar 1,995 meter se klim. In die tweede 180, klim ons 2,844 meter! Volmoed na Calitsdorp is 101.5 km met 1.630 meter se klim. Dit is ‘n gemiddelde van 15.62 meter per kilometer terwyl die eerste 180 km op 11.36 te staan gekom het! Die skof sluit ook Rooiberg in. Dit is ‘n 7 km klim. Die maksimum is net 11.1 % en die gemiddelde 7.26%, maar die is onophoudend! Die Englese sê “relentless”! Gelukkig is daar darem drie waterpunt in die skof.

 

Net na Volmoed is daar ‘n 6 klimme met baie min ruskans tussen in. Die enige “genade” is dat die klimme nie baie styl is nie. Die gradient is ‘n redelike konstante 5% oor ‘n afstand van 20 km. Die eerste 14 km is uitmergelend op die stadium van die wedrstyd is dit nie lekker nie! Dan kom daar gelukkig ‘n lekker afdraend en dan die laaste klim. Dit neem my ‘n uur en ‘n half om die “probleempie” onder die knie te kry. Dit word gevolg deur ‘n aangename stuk op die rug van die heuwel tot by waterpunt 6 op 214 kilometer. Onmiddelik na die waterpunt klim ons weer voordat ons afsak na die Gouritsrivier toe. Ons is nou ‘n paar man wat mekaar “geselskap” hou. Nie dat daar veel gesels word nie. Ons is te moeg daarvoor! Ons kruis die Gourits op 224 km. 

 

Dit word weer gevolg deur ‘n 16 km “marteling”! Die gradient is nie te moeilik nie, maar ons klim bykans voltyds! Ek en ‘n deelnemer, wat ek voor waterpunt 1 gesien het, ry nou saam. Hy kla ook oor die feit dat die klim net nie ophou nie! Na 14 en ‘n half uur kom ons by waterpunt 7 aan. Net toe ek my fiets neer sit, sien ek vir Fred wat op sy fiets klim en die volgende stuk aan pak. Hy het my nie gesien, maar ek sal hom nie voor die einde vang nie! Ek het hom ook vroeẽr by ‘n waterpunt sien weg ry net toe ek daar aan kom. Ons het nou al 241 km gery en nou lê Rooiberg net om die hoek!

Ek hou van stastistiek en die volgende is heel interessant: in 2024 het die 7 km van Rooiberg my 1:20:31 geneem en vanjaar neem dit my 1:20:03! Dit ten spite daarvan dat ek die eerste helfte gestoot het. Ek het verlede jaar ook ‘n groot deel gestoot, maar nie naastenby so baie soos vanjaar nie. In die vorige jare het ek gewoonlik die pas uit getrap. Bo stop ek vining vir ‘n paar verfrissings en val dan weer in die pad. Die pas af is, soos altyd, biae rof. Die pad oppervlakte veroorsaak dat ek nie te vining kan ry nie en my gewrigte sê les op met al die gestampery! Ek is dankbaar toe ek eindelik onder op die gelyk stuk kom. Mark le Roux kom met sy bakkie en kamera by my verby en voer so in die ry weer ‘n kort onderhoud met my. Ek kyk na my tyd en bereken dat ek vandag so tussen 24 en 26 uur gaan ry. Alles hang af van waartoe die bene oor die laaste 80 km in staat is. Teen 10 kpu sal dit my 8 uur neem en dan kom ek op 26 uur in. Op hierdie stadium is my hande en gewerigte so seer dat ek amper nie die handvasels van vas hou nie! Daar is bykans geen gevole is my hande nie. Die temperatuur daal ook tot by 3.5 grade Celsius. Net 3 minute kort van 18 uur en na 277 km kom ek by die Calitsdorp, kontorlepunt 3, aan. Eetlus bestaan nie op die stadium van die wedstryd nie en ek “settle” vir twee gekookte aartappels en twee koppies koffie. Na 20 minute pak ek die laaste skof aan. Nou moet ek sien wat ek oor hierdie laaste 80 km kan doen.

 

Die eerste 26 km is alles opdraende. 472 meter se klim sonder enige behoorlike ruskans. Dan kom die laaste vier bulte. Garmin wys dit aan as twee! Eerste een is 8.19 km met 332 meter se klim, maar dit is eintlik twee defentiewe klimme is. My enigie vlakke is op die stadium so laag, dat ek groot gedeeltes afklim en stoot. Die twee “dubbel” is 7.23 km met 309 meter se klim. Die laaste gedeelte is net voor die afdraai Wildehondekloof toe en ek kry dit reg om die een te ry. 

 

Nou kom Wildehondekloof. Twee jaar gelede was dit redelik verspoel en verlede jaar was daar net “tydelike” herstelwerkk gedoen. Vanjaar is die pad weer normal, maar nog steeds baie klipperig. Dit, te same met die gestamp by Rooiberg af, vererger die seer hande en gewrigte.

Ek is dankbaar toe ek die laaste waterpunt bereik. Nou is daar nog net 20 km oor en dit is meesal gelyk pad. Die pad oppervlakte is ook baie beter. Dit is nou 13:45 en indien ek 20 kpu gemiddeld kan handhaaf tot die einde, sal ek 24 uur kan breek. Ek trek weg en behou ‘n spoed van so net meer as 20 kpu. Daar is so ‘n I km bultjie met 30 meter se klim wat my spoed afbring na 10 kpu, maar dan styg dit weer na 20. Met 7 km oor, sluit ons by die R62 wat Calitsdorp en Oudtshoorn verbind, aan. Nou is dit teer tot by die einde met net die laaste bultjie net voor die R328 waar my spoed af kom na 14 kpu. My gedagtes “mors” met my en ek oorweeg dit om rustig te ry en te vergeet van onder 24 uur in te kom, maar dan kry my kompiterende instink weer die oorhand en ek ”druk” aan. 2 km om te gaan en ek het 10 minute om dit te doen! Ek druk deur en maak klaar in 23:55:59! 

 

Ek is baie tervrede mat vandag se poging. Dit was weer ‘n ontbering, maar die satisfaksie van om die “avontuur” suksesvol te voltooi, maak dit die moeite werd. Ek loop vir Fred raak. Hy het 23:09 gery. By Louvain was ons verskil 4 minute; by Volmoed 21 miunte; Calitsdorp 25 minute en by die einde 44 minute! Die ou yster! Ek gun dit vir hom en dit is ‘n eer om deur hom geklop te word. Hy eindig dan ook eerste in die 70+ groep en ek tweede. Ons stem albei saam dat die wedren nie vir sulke ou mense soos bedoel is nie en besluit om nie volgende jaar te ry nie!

Hier is die manne wat 11 en 12 360NE's gedoen het!

Sondagoggend, oppad huistoe, begin my kop weer met my "ego" smokkel! Na 4 360NE's het ek vir Sue gesê "nooit weer nie'! Toe was die prys uitdeling nog Sondagoggend 09:00. Daar sê hulle dat almal wat 5 gedoen het, 'n spesiale prys kry! Ek kan dit mos nie mis nie, met die gevolg dat ek die volgende jaar terug gekom het. Toe begin hulle "gratis" inskrywings vir die 70+ jariges aanbied en weer val die "sucker" vir die "lus". 2023 reën dit omtrent heeltyd en ek besluit weer "genoeg is genoeg", maar ek kan mos nie by 9 ophou nie, daar is dan 'n speiale prys vir 10! Dus moes ek verlede jaar terug kom. Ek weet nog nie lekker hoekom ek vir vanjaar ingeskryf het nie. Kon seker maar nie die versoeking weerstaan om aan 'n wedren, waar ek 'n gratis inskrywing kry, deel te neem nie! Nou het ek en Fred besluit tot hier toe en nie verder nie! Dit is waar my "kop" toe op die pad terug begin "werk". Wat is die lewe indien mens jouself nie so nou en dan buite jou "gemak sone" dryf nie? Die 360NE dryf jou beslis tot buite jou gemak sone. Dus "tob" ek nou oor die volgende: hou aan met die 360NE totdat ek dit nie meer in onder 30 uur kan klaar maak nie of totdat hulle besluit 70+ jariges moet weer begin betaal. Ek wonder wat Fred gaan sê! 

Hier is 'n foto van Fred.

English

It is the end of May and it is 360NE time again. My brother was going with me, but couldn’t make it, so I drive to Oudsthoorn on my own on Thursday 23 May. Arrive at Karoo Soul at around 17:45. After I clocking in, I go to La Dolce Vita for dinner. I get back home at 22:00 and sleep very peacefully and soundly. Wake up at 07:30 and drive through to Kleinplasie to register after breakfast. Pick up boxes for checkpoints and drive back to the accommodation to put in clothes etc. that I may need at checkpoints 1, 2 and 3 and drop them off by 12:00. I also find a parking space inside Kleinplasie where I will leave my car while I ride. After this I have a snack and a light lunch at Beans About Coffee. While I am eating, the owner, Johan Breunissen, arrives. We are now “old friends” and chat a bit. After lunch I went back to Karoo Soul to get dressed and get ready for the start. I also ran into Fred van Zyl, my fellow 70+ participant there. He usually beats me by an hour or so, but we see each other regularly along the way. Our plans tis o take it “easy” and aim for between 24 and 27 hours! “Famous last words”! Fred is 18 months older than me.

 

I leave for Kleinplasie again just after 13:00 for the “Race Briefing” and just to “chill out”. While I’m sitting there, Mark le Roux from Bigshot Media comes to interview me, so I might make the TV! I move to the starting block around 14:45 to wait out the last few minutes. Just before we start, Jan Braai also shows up! This will be his first attempt. His dad and my normal riding partner and friends. He also studied with my son, so we know one another.

 

Exactly at 15:00 the wheels start rolling. I was pretty close to the front and started off calmly, with the result that quite a few participants passed me within the first 3 km. We followed the road to Cango Caves and turned right at 7 km for our first of 53 climbs! We climbed for the next 10 km. Not too bad, just good enough to get the blood circulation going for what was to come! This was followed by a nice descent and then fairly flat for the next 39 km. I maintained a reasonable pace and rode with a nice group. I arrived at Water Point 1 after 2:29 and stopped for 4 minutes to fill my water bottle, eat banana bread and drink a few glasses of Coke. I had just stuffed my windbreaker and warm gloves into my cycling top at the start. I put the windbreaker on as it was starting to get cooler.

 

The first major climb was just after the water point. 176 meters over the next 5 km. From here to Louvain, control point 1, we basically stay at the same altitude but there are very few flat sections. In the 46 km there are 11 climbs. The lengths of the climbs vary from 650 meters and 2.4km with a gradient of between 3 and 5% with a maximum of 11.8%. It takes me 2:54 to complete the shift. In the meantime the sun has set and we are now riding in the dark. Temperatures are reasonable but now stand at 12 degrees Celsius. At Louvain there is always good soup. I get my one box and decide to just take out another warm jacket. After two cups of soup and a 21 minute stop, I start again.

 

I quickly notice that the temperature is dropping rapidly and stop within the first 2 km to put on my other warm jacket and warm gloves. From here to the next water point, 28 km down the road, we mostly drive on farm roads. We go under the N9 with a “culvert” and then on a fairly rough and rocky cattle track for about 3 km and then join the Eseljag River road. At 123 km we join the road we came on earlier, but now in the opposite direction. My Garmin 840 shows the junction and decides to “freeze” on it. I try everything to get it going again, but all it shows me is the “junction”! Fortunately I also started my Garmin Fenix, so at least I have something to fall back on, but it doesn’t give as much information as the 840 and it is closed under my long sleeves, so it’s really hard to read the information. After 130 km I arrive at the Heimersrivier water point. I ask for help with my Garmin 840, but we are not getting any joy. I will have to fall back on my Fenix. I eat banana bread again and drink a few glasses of Coke. Back at my bike I try to get the 840 to start again by pressing four buttons simultaneously. It usually works, but then you usually lose all your information. Miraculously, it works and another miracle, when it finally starts up again after about 2 minutes, all the information is still there! It is a small relief, because it is not nice to ride without information.

 

The information that the Garmin gives is quite useful. By its very nature it gives riding time and distance, but then also heart rate, temperature and battery life. At each hill the total distance of the hill and meters that must be climbed are also given. While you ride it indicates the gradient and distance to the top. The stretch between Louvain and Heimersrivier didn’t have many hills, but now it’s changing rapidly. There are 11 climbs between Heimersrivier and Volmoed. They range from about 500 metres to just over a kilometre. The average gradient varies between 2 and 5%, but there is one of 520 metres with a maximum of 17.6% and another of 2.32 with a maximum of 8.93%. The climbs are concluded with a descent to the Grootdoringrivier valley which then joins the Kandelaarsrivier valley. At 166 km we join the R328 which connects Oudthoorn with Mossel Bay. 4 km down the road we turn left, towards Volmoed.

 

A previous time on the 360NE my battery’s red light came on at 01:30 in the morning. When that happened you still had about an hour of battery life left, but that time it lasted until daylight! This morning the red light comes on at 00:30! I took precautions for this and put two headlights, each lasting about 3 hours, and a spare battery in one of my boxes, or so I planned, but more on this later. I arrive at Volmoed after 176 km and 9:49 in the saddle. I get my box and put on long pants and another warm top, while I consume a bowl of pasta and a glass of hot chocolate. I look for my spare battery in the box, but there is nothing! I can’t remember putting it in either! I will just have to keep my fingers crossed that the other “backups” will last! Fortunately the head lamps are in my moonbag. After 27 minutes I am back on the road.

 

The stage from Volmoed to Calitsdorp is the hardest. Two reasons: there are already 180 km in the legs and most of the climbs of the route is in the stage. In the first 180 km there is 1,995 meters of climbing. In the second 180, we climb 2,844 meters! Volmoed to Calitsdorp is 101.5 km with 1,630 meters of climbing. This is an average of 15.62 meters per kilometer while the first 180 km came to 11.36! The stage also includes Rooiberg. It is a 7 km climb. The maximum is only 11.1% and the average 7.26%, but it is relentless! Fortunately, there are at least three water points in the stage.

 

Just after Volmoed there are 6 climbs with very little rest in between. The only “mercy” is that the climbs are not very steep. The gradient is a fairly constant 5% over a distance of 20 km. The first 14 km are grueling at this stage of the race and it is not fun! Then fortunately there is a nice descent and then the last climb. It takes me an hour and a half to get over this “problem”. This is followed by a pleasant stretch on the ridge of the hill to water point 6 at 214 kilometres. Immediately after the waterpoint we climb again before descending to the Gourits River. We are now a few men who keep each other “company”. Not that there is much conversation. We are too tired for that! We cross the Gourits at 224 km.

 

This is followed again by a 16 km “torture”! The gradient is not too difficult, but we are climbing almost the whole time! A participant, whom I saw before water point 1, and I are now riding together. He also complains about the fact that the climb just doesn’t stop! After 14 and a half hours we arrive at water point 7. Just as I put my bike down, I see Fred getting on his bike and starting the next section. He didn’t see me, but I won’t catch him before the end! I also saw him riding away from a water point earlier just as I got there. We have now ridden 241 km and now Rooiberg is just around the corner! I like statistics and the following is quite interesting: in 2024 the 7 km from Rooiberg took me 1:20:31 and this year it takes me 1:20:03! This despite the fact that I pushed the first half. I also pushed a lot last year, but not nearly as much as this year. In previous years I always cycled to whole pass. At the top I quickly stop for a few refreshments and then hit the road again. The descent is, as always, very rough. The road surface prevents me from going too fast and my joints are giving up with all the pounding! I am grateful when I finally reach the flat section at the bottom. Mark le Roux passes me with his bakkie and camera and conducts a short interview with me again while I am cycling. I look at my time and calculate that I will be riding between 24 and 26 hours today. It all depends on what my legs are capable of over the last 80 km. At 10 kph it will take me 8 hours and then I will be in at 26 hours. At this stage my hands and joints are so sore that I can hardly hold the hand grips! There is almost no feeling in my hands. The temperature also drops to 3.5 degrees Celsius. Just 3 minutes short of 18 hours and after 277 km I arrive at the Calitsdorp, checkpoint 3. Appetite is non-existent at this stage of the race and I “settle” for two boiled potatoes and two cups of coffee. After 20 minutes I tackle the last stage. Now I have to see what I can do over these last 80 km.

 

The first 26 km are all uphill. 472 meters of climbing without any proper rest. Then come the last four hills. Garmin shows them as two! The first one is 8.19 km with 332 meters of climbing, but it is actually two definitive climbs. My energy levels are so low at this stage, that I dismount and push large sections. The second “double” is 7.23 km with 309 meters of climbing. The last section is just before the turnoff to Wildehondekloof and I manage to ride this one.

 

Now comes Wildehondekloof. Two years ago it was quite washed out and last year there was only “temporary” repair work. This year the road is back to normal, but still very rocky. This, together with the bumping down from Rooiberg, makes the sore hands and joints worse. I am grateful when I reach the last water point. Now there is only 20 km left and it is mostly flat road. The road surface is also much better. It is now 13:45 and if I can maintain an average of 20 kph until the end, I will be able to break 24 hours. I pull away and maintain a speed of just over 20 kph. There is about a 1 km hill with a 30 meter climb that brings my speed down to 10 kph, but then it increases again to 20. With 7 km to go, we join the R62 that connects Calitsdorp and Oudtshoorn. Now it's tarmac to the end with only the last hill just before the R328 where my speed drops to 14 kph. My thoughts "mess" with me and I consider taking it easy and forgetting about getting in under 24 hours, but then my competitive instinct gets the better of me again and I "push" on. 2 km to go and I have 10 minutes to do it! I push through and finish in 23:55:59!

 

I am is very happy with today's effort. It was another hardship, but the satisfaction of successfully completing the "adventure" makes it worth it. I catch up with Fred. He rode 23:09. At Louvain, our difference was 4 minutes; at Volmoed 21 minutes; Calitsdorp 25 minutes and at the end 44 minutes! The old iron! I give it to him and it is an honor to be beaten by him. He also finishes first in the 70+ group and I came second. We both agree that the race is not intended for such old people and decide not to ride next year!

 

Sunday morning, on the way home, my head starts to smuggle my "ego" again! After 4 360NEs I told Sue "never again"! Then the prize giving was still on Sunday morning at 09:00. There they said that everyone who did 5, gets a special prize! I couldn't miss it, with the result that I came back the following year. Then they started offering "free" entries for the 70+ year olds and again the "sucker" fell for that. 2023 it rained almost all the time and I decided again "enough is enough", but I can't stop at 9, there is a special prize for 10! So I had to come back last year. I still don't really know why I entered this year. I probably couldn't resist the temptation to participate in a race, where I get a free entry! Now Fred and I decided to go this far and no further! This is where my "head" started to "work" on the way back home. What is life if you don't challenge yourself every now and then? Pushing your self outside your "comfort zone"? The 360NE definitely pushes you outside your comfort zone. So I'm now "debating" the following: keep doing the 360NE until I can't finish it in under 30 hours or until they decide 70+ year olds have to start paying again. I wonder what Fred will say!