Mambas explore stunning Karkloof

RAIN in winter?

Who would have thought that would have happened, when a whole weekend of cycling was planned by Amanzimtoti Cycling Club.

Friday was a really miserable day as the Toti Mamba’s headed up to Karkloof for their mountain biking weekend away.

But the mountain biking Gods were thanked the next day, as the moisture settled the dust to make the condition of the track superb.

The clan arrived at Shawswood in icy cold rain and mist, only to be met by the friendly faces of Bundy and Wendy Shaw. They proudly showed off their neat stable and workshop conversions. The rooms are tiny, but perfect for the intended purpose of riding and sleeping. The socialising and laughter happened in the communal dining and braai area, in the old farm workshop. A glorious wood Jetmaster kept the area toasty and comfortable. After a very good celebratory braai, with way too much humour, the group decided to ride later the next day and rather head up to the farmers market beforehand with the family. Karkloof farmers market is certainly something not to be missed. It has a great amount of food of all sorts to be bought there, which was not a good thing to be in close vicinity to before a big ride.

The riders reassembled back at Shawswood at about 10.30am and headed on out to find a different route from which to connect to Karkloof Country Club on. They were brought to a grinding halt about 2kms into the ride, by Bundy Shaw waving them down from his bakkie, to explain the correct route and deliver a map so that Garmin Gav would not get lost. Now that is service taken to the extreme. The Mambas arrived safely at the club and started their ride up the kloof, doing an exhilarating 71kms of Karkloof track. The climbing was huge, 1,225m and the single track some of the best in KZN. The famous- or infamous – gauntlet was conquered by most of the group. So with hearts in their throats after that, and huge smiles on their dials, they continued onto even better, faster paths and steeper, longer hills just to be able to go tearing down yet more breathtaking track. A weary bunch cruised home about five hours later – starving, thirsty and happy.

On Saturday night, there was an unanimous decision to leave the bikes parked where they were for the next day and do a hike into the adjoining forest. Everyone wanted to see the waterfall there. This was truly a beautiful hike. It was just like walking through a scene from The Hobbit. The Toti cyclists will definitely be back to visit the Shaws in the near future.

Carl Freyer rode the track at Rocky Bay on Sunday morning with a few other riders. The track is in good condition and is a lot of fun to do. They have now also opened up a trail running course. Don’t forget the night ride there on 19 July

Hill2hill training starts this week. Everyone surely has their own training programme going, but where possible, try and work the club weekend rides into your training. The club will try post the intended ride early in the week so riders can structure their training week accordingly.

This weekend is another club point race. It is the Burry Stander Sardine Classic down in Port Edward, which is really a wonderful race to do.

TOTI CYCLISTSARE PREPARING FOR THE TOTI 69ER

The roadies did a ride down to Park Rynie on Sunday and Jannie Els reported that the new tar sections on that road are very rough.

Cyclists will have to ride cautiously. He will be doing some extra distance, after the normal 5am rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays, down on the 69er route. He will leave from Engen in Rockview Road at about 6.20am on these days.

Jannie will be doing some extra riding during the holidays, so if anyone would like to join him, contact him on 082-323-7637. There is a coffee ride at 5am every Friday morning if you would just like to meet the group and have an easy ride around Athlone Park to McDonald’s.

The cycling club’s website can be found at www.amanzimtoticycle.co.za

If anyone would like to ride with the club, call Caryn on 082-357-5287.