Attakwas!
A word so loaded with emotion that many mountainbikers say it in hushed tones or stutter when they try to speak afterwards. It brings up memories of insanely technical terrain; redefining rideable for a lot of people, monstrous climbs that seems to go on forever, crazy downhills, intense heat, an ever present headwind, dust and river crossings that will rattle the deepest bones in your body. On the other hand this is the favourite race for many of us. A race so well organised that it is setting the standard for mountainbike races in South Africa.I cannot therefore think of a more fitting topic for my first blog post than an Attakwas race report.
My mountainbiking has always been a family affair and I try to make it as much of a treat for everybody as it is for me. This year we decided to camp at the finish line with some friends. Camp was set up on the Friday amidst some rainy weather, but we spent the night in George at my mother's place. Probably a wise decision if I listen to the amount of sleep my mates got in.
We left for the race at 5 to arrive at Chandelier game farm in perfect racing conditions. Beautiful cool weather with no clouds or wind to speak of. A cup of coffee and catching up with old friends saw me ending up right at the back of my 6:45 start group. I knew that the guys I promised to ride with were probably right at the front, so my first 25km was spent fighting through the pack to try an catch them. I eventually caught up with them just before water point 1.
The legs were feeling good and Johan was setting a good pace. A quick stop at WP 1 was followed by the first monster climb of the day. The max heart rate I got there last year still stands. I found it a bit easier this year and had to wait a few minutes at the top for the others to catch up (once you lose traction and come off the bike you're in for a long walk). It was here that Johan said that the dogs are starting to bite - our phrase for the beginnings of cramping. We slowed down a bit to allow for him to recover. Water point 2 was a longer stop to have the bikes lubed and refill the bottles. At the Attakwas this is all done for you, you feel like a pro.
Soon after WP 2 I had an ungracious dismount into a river, which also meant a nasty gash to my shin. I knew this would need treatment at some stage. Johan's cramping got worse and I eventually decided to carry on and leave him behind. A decision that still sits heavily on my shoulders. A quick stop at a medic station got my leg sorted out and I was ready for the nerve wrecking descent to water point 3. I couldn’t stomach even looking at a Spur burger at this stage and took the first of many Fast Fuel gels.
Many people say that the Attakwas only starts after the Spur stop and I agree. It is all district roads from there (although they added a nice diversion through a cow field this year), but you are still left with almost 1500 meters of climbing over 55km. I sat in a nice group, but started to fall off the pace and almost hit the wall before I stopped, sat down in a shady spot and refreshed myself with some more gels, a bar and some tablets for the pain in my leg and shoulder. This helped to the extent that I caught most of the people that dropped me earlier. I finished strong and with enough energy for the party afterwards.
We left for the race at 5 to arrive at Chandelier game farm in perfect racing conditions. Beautiful cool weather with no clouds or wind to speak of. A cup of coffee and catching up with old friends saw me ending up right at the back of my 6:45 start group. I knew that the guys I promised to ride with were probably right at the front, so my first 25km was spent fighting through the pack to try an catch them. I eventually caught up with them just before water point 1.
The legs were feeling good and Johan was setting a good pace. A quick stop at WP 1 was followed by the first monster climb of the day. The max heart rate I got there last year still stands. I found it a bit easier this year and had to wait a few minutes at the top for the others to catch up (once you lose traction and come off the bike you're in for a long walk). It was here that Johan said that the dogs are starting to bite - our phrase for the beginnings of cramping. We slowed down a bit to allow for him to recover. Water point 2 was a longer stop to have the bikes lubed and refill the bottles. At the Attakwas this is all done for you, you feel like a pro.
Soon after WP 2 I had an ungracious dismount into a river, which also meant a nasty gash to my shin. I knew this would need treatment at some stage. Johan's cramping got worse and I eventually decided to carry on and leave him behind. A decision that still sits heavily on my shoulders. A quick stop at a medic station got my leg sorted out and I was ready for the nerve wrecking descent to water point 3. I couldn’t stomach even looking at a Spur burger at this stage and took the first of many Fast Fuel gels.
Many people say that the Attakwas only starts after the Spur stop and I agree. It is all district roads from there (although they added a nice diversion through a cow field this year), but you are still left with almost 1500 meters of climbing over 55km. I sat in a nice group, but started to fall off the pace and almost hit the wall before I stopped, sat down in a shady spot and refreshed myself with some more gels, a bar and some tablets for the pain in my leg and shoulder. This helped to the extent that I caught most of the people that dropped me earlier. I finished strong and with enough energy for the party afterwards.
Race time 7:40.
