Sign up for the joBerg2c event
It may not bill itself as the toughest MTB race in the world
While the Old Mutual joBerg2c doesn’t care about how tough it is, or how demanding the ride is, it’s still a challenging mountain bike stage race.
It may not bill itself as the toughest MTB race in the world, but you still need to be tough to get from Heidelberg to Scottburgh. Here’s how to handle the some of the days:
Day 1
Karan Beef (Heidelberg) to Frankfort Sports Grounds
The first day, from Heidelberg to Frankfort, is a neutral day. That means there are no results and everyone gets given the same time. The day’s riding is also relatively flat, so the trick here is to ease into the joBerg2c. You have eight days of racing to come; no need to go flat out from Day 1. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, and feast like royalty at the marvellous water points.
Day 2
Frankfort School to Reitz Showgrounds
This is another relatively flat day (1001m of climbing), so the legs might take some time to adjust. Depending on the overnight weather, the start along the Wilge River can be brutally cold. The highlights of the day include Water Point 1 run by the Skewerkop Boere Vereeniging (there is enough boerewors to lasso the moon), the Boerbull Descent about 10km from the finish, and the Husky Romi Wolf Sanctuary. The final few kilometres can be tough as you bounce along grassy singletrack, so save some energy.
Day 3
Reitz to Sterkfontein Dam
This is a day blessed with a sublime singletrack trail called Jabulani and a rip-roaring descent down Mt Paul. That’s the good stuff – now for the bad stuff. With almost three days of riding in the legs, the final 30km of the Day 3 can be quite tough. The climb up Mt Paul is somewhat taxing, as is the gradual climb all the way from Water Point 2 to the peak of Mt Paul. Be prepared – depending on the wind direction, the last 5km along the Sterkfontein Dam wall can either be a pleasure or a pain. After some recent heavy rains, the dam is currently at 90 per cent capacity, which should make for pretty pictures.
Day 4
Sterkfontein Dam to Emseni
The first 25km is beautiful but tough, and then the riding is just magnificent. You will literally feel like you are on the edge of the world. For 8km, including the top of Great Wall My China, on to the Great Traverse and down Bezuidenhout’s Pass you will understand why you own a mountain bike and why you ride. Keep your shoulders relaxed, don’t tense up and let the bike do the work. The hardest part of Day 4 is waking up and realising you still have six days to ride after three long days in the saddle. But once you’ve dealt with that fact, your mind and body become one. Enjoy this day, but save some energy for the last 20km so you can let loose on the sublime singletrack into Emseni.
Day 5
Emseni to Clifton Nottingham Road
This day is billed as the toughest of the nine, but at the end of it all you’re rewarded with an excellent race village. The key to Day 5 is to conserve energy, because the finish features some unpleasant uphill surprises. At 123km, it’s the longest day (by 1km over Day 3), but by this stage of the joBerg2c you should be well and truly into your stage race legs.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
