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[Marrick]

Marrick MTB Challenge - 23 to 25 Sept 2011

348 kms - 4 Days
Stage 1: Marrick MTB Challenge Night Stage. 35km

Fast and furious, lungs will burn as the pace will be red hot from the gun. After shuffling for position riders will hit undulating 4wd tracks through rocky outcrops. Wildlife will view your progress through the dark night with interest and at times you will feel as if you are in the middle of dark Africa. Good lights are essential for this stage, that’s if you want to ride at pace.

Stage 2: Marrick Game Farm via three other game farms 85km

A fast flat start will once again let you lungs burn as the pace will be red hot from the gun. 7 kms of flat district road leads you to undulating jeep tracks through rocky outcrops on a game farm. A couple of steep climbs to begin with and the opportunity to stomp a big gear and pretend you are Jan Ulrich. You may catch a glimpse of the game on the farm if you are observant. No other district roads this year.

Stage 3: Marrick Game Farm, 75 km of single track heaven

The best is always saved for last. Undulating, rocky, full of natural fauna and flora and rough (which we admit is a fairly basic description), this will be a stage that gets progressively faster as you traverse through all the single track and jeep tracks. Do not wear your new Assos outfit for this stage, or any other new outfit for that matter.


The grassland tracks are underlain by fairly firm sand but can become like beach sand if it is the dry season. Large sections of the route has small rocks/pebbles, mainly in the "koppies", which involves around 25 kms of the route. The plains are dominated by grassland, or Acacia and Terminalia bush respectively and is slightly undulating to the first watering point at 21km. Watch out for Zebra, Wildebeest, Springbuck, Gemsbok in this area.

Riders will reach the first proper climb (this is the Northern Cape, we have no mountains so any outcrop is considered a climb) going up Tower Hill to 1320m (at 31 km) watch out for Giraffes, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Bushpigs and Steenbok, from here it's a down a steep (ski slope - watch the falls) rocky descent into the kloof single track. The route briefly turns west and gradually climbs up to the second watering point at the Camping site at 41 km. At the water point you will be surrounded by Acacia trees and music you will be able to take on refreshments and a boerewors roll if you so desire before you tackle a short technical section down and through a dry riverbed. Your homeward bound route takes you through twisting bushveldt and brings you to a short fast downhill and to water point 3.

A short section of single track follows with 12 km of jeep - track to take you home where you will be rewarded with 10 kms of more single track before you finish.

[Nothingness]

Marrick, when do entries close?

[Ikonic]

Marrick, on 01 July 2010 - 07:38 , said:

Night stage includes single track so good lights are essential. At least 240 lumen. That is if you want to go at pace.

What are the dates?

[Nobody]

Would it be advisable to travel up by train from Cape Town?
I love the choo choo, so relaxing.

[cat-i]

oooh i might have to get out of something else first ... but will have a serious look at this

[ChunkyMunky]

Saw the ad in the Ride Mag earlier this year... looks like a lekker event and great value for money!

[ChunkyMunky]

Hehe... Maybe next year Marrick, finances are real tight at the moment!

[Marrick]

ChunkyMunky, on 08 August 2010 - 09:47 , said:

Hehe... Maybe next year Marrick, finances are real tight at the moment!

Schweet, hope to see you next year, new route for 2011

[Ikonic]

I've done my entry, who else have entered and how is the training going?

[Marrick]

Now I want to rant and rave, know its probably not the correct area for it, but its really frustrating. Watched Supersport last night and a big fuss being made of a 45 km race in Gauteng. I have tried to get the Marrick onto Supersprt to no avail, written numerous mails and spoken to "you know who" a few times. Can't fathom why a 45 km race can create such a stir when you have a 348 km race like Marrick with over 100 kms of single track??

Please dont get me wrong, I have nothing against shorter races or the race features of such shorter events, just wondering where is the balance of exposure across the provinces?

[Brighter-Lights]

I agree... very frustrating.

Then look at the pathetic coverage of Trans Baviaans 2009 and makes you wonder if it's worth it. Cameramen only filming where it's flat and easy, a storyline that tells how tough the route is, but NONE of that in the video...

The film crew should be educated some about the race and know the route and know where to be.

Like the cameraman from actionphoto.net who, as we arrived at Bergplaas this year TB, took 2 photos... one of me and my partner cut in half, one of her and me cut in half... *&^%$ simple logic... 2 team mates riding next to each other has to be in seperate photos? Who would buy a photo of yourself and your team mate in half?

Hope you get something right, else I'd suggest getting privateers to film it and sell the DVD...

People do races, they want to see themselves or have a memory... they'll buy it if there's enough footage!

rant over... see you at Marrick!

[Marrick]

Brighter-Lights, on 18 August 2010 - 10:18 , said:

I agree... very frustrating.

Then look at the pathetic coverage of Trans Baviaans 2009 and makes you wonder if it's worth it. Cameramen only filming where it's flat and easy, a storyline that tells how tough the route is, but NONE of that in the video...

The film crew should be educated some about the race and know the route and know where to be.

Like the cameraman from actionphoto.net who, as we arrived at Bergplaas this year TB, took 2 photos... one of me and my partner cut in half, one of her and me cut in half... *&^%$ simple logic... 2 team mates riding next to each other has to be in seperate photos? Who would buy a photo of yourself and your team mate in half?

Hope you get something right, else I'd suggest getting privateers to film it and sell the DVD...

People do races, they want to see themselves or have a memory... they'll buy it if there's enough footage!

rant over... see you at Marrick!

I had very good photographer as can be seen on the website, had video done by privateer. Thats not the problem, problem is getting some exposure on Supersport. All the other stage races have received some sort of punt over the years (some don;t need it as they are over subscribed) but we are ignored. Was told its too far to travel????? How far is CT from Gauteng for the Epic? Most of my entries are from CT and thats 1000km away.

[Brighter-Lights]

Marrick, on 18 August 2010 - 10:25 , said:

I had very good photographer as can be seen on the website, had video done by privateer. Thats not the problem, problem is getting some exposure on Supersport. All the other stage races have received some sort of punt over the years (some don;t need it as they are over subscribed) but we are ignored. Was told its too far to travel????? How far is CT from Gauteng for the Epic? Most of my entries are from CT and thats 1000km away.

I agree... and with the kind of prize money on offer, AND diamonds, which are unique, there should be more interest from Supersport...

[Marrick]

Brighter-Lights, on 18 August 2010 - 10:55 , said:

I agree... and with the kind of prize money on offer, AND diamonds, which are unique, there should be more interest from Supersport...

Not to mention the numorous game farms and really quality food, free bike services etc, etc

[Marrick]

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[BAS]

HI JOHN!!!!! MY PARTNER AND I DID THIS RACE LAST YEAR AND ARE BACK THIS YEAR.THIS IS A GREAT!!!!! RACE TO DO AND YOU ARE LOOKED AFTER LIKE A BABY!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. WORLD CLASS EVENT. THE CLOWNS!!!!