116 replies to this topic Post Order

[mtbgirlz]

Lots has been said about the Diamond Rush:
- To Grade or Not to Grade
- When to walk and when not to walk
- The mine dump :-)
- The injuries
Fact is, it was a tough race and almost enough to scare me out of MTBing, did Walkerville, did Cullinan, how does this compare? More to the point how does it compare at Rookie level??

[The real MJ]

 mtbgirlz, on 09 August 2010 - 10:02 , said:

Lots has been said about the Diamond Rush:
- To Grade or Not to Grade
- When to walk and when not to walk
- The mine dump :-)
- The injuries
Fact is, it was a tough race and almost enough to scare me out of MTBing, did Walkerville, did Cullinan, how does this compare? More to the point how does it compare at Rookie level??

Ok, but what is "rookie" to you?

To me the down and dirty should be about the same as Hazeldean, but more climbs than walkerville but less technical than Cullinan.

[mtbgirlz]

 MJ loves MTB, on 09 August 2010 - 10:19 , said:

Ok, but what is "rookie" to you?

To me the down and dirty should be about the same as Hazeldean, but more climbs than walkerville but less technical than Cullinan.

Missed Hazeldean unfortunately, so can't compare. Climbing is fine but those hectic technical bits in Cullinan took their toll, was ready to quit mtb 4eva

[messenger]

 mtbgirlz, on 09 August 2010 - 05:35 , said:

Missed Hazeldean unfortunately, so can't compare. Climbing is fine but those hectic technical bits in Cullinan took their toll, was ready to quit mtb 4eva

WHATEVER you do, DO NOT QUIT lady...
If fact we need more ladygirls in the sport!!! In my best direct translation, every sport has its f-ups.
It is the same principal as "for every uphill..." What about the races you are going to LOVE?

Even the old timers found that a sh1tti race.
Be selective about your races, talk to people who have done it before, after that race profiles will be demanded by entrants. Even if you just have general info you can be selective....

Now go gather your friends and start a thread in the line of "17 of my ladygirl friends want to get into MTB, any advice...."

the messenger

[Trelawney]

The Down & Dirty was my first ever MTB race in September 2008. I entered the 60 km and with very little technical expertise finished fine. I would say its more like the Nissan Fast & Furious, nothing like the Nissan Cullinan.

I also did the 2009 Down & Dirty and would say the terrain was pretty much the same. If the hills bother you, just push ... always say ... no shame in pushing ! You get to admire the scenery more.

[MtbBarbie]

Am I the only person who hated the Fast n Furious more than Culinan??? Even with a broken derailer, I enjoyed Culinan!!! I believe the Down n Dirty is an easier ride, less single track and technical bits. But a word of warning, I found the Pecanwood race very tricky last year... Don't know if anyone agrees with me? But especially if it rains the night before? Don't quit, like everyone has said, we need more ladies in the sport and even the pro's walk from time to time...

[mtbgirlz]

So the race email invite is out... Killer climbs!:

Date:4 September 2010
Venue:Smuts Museum, Irene, GP
Terrain:Rocky | Dry | Arid | Savanna
Elevation:1300m
Participants:1500+
Ascent:850m
Features:Rocky outcrops | technical single track | killer climbs

[August]

 messenger, on 09 August 2010 - 06:13 , said:

WHATEVER you do, DO NOT QUIT lady...
If fact we need more ladygirls in the sport!!! In my best direct translation, every sport has its f-ups.
It is the same principal as "for every uphill..." What about the races you are going to LOVE?

Even the old timers found that a sh1tti race.
Be selective about your races, talk to people who have done it before, after that race profiles will be demanded by entrants. Even if you just have general info you can be selective....

Now go gather your friends and start a thread in the line of "17 of my ladygirl friends want to get into MTB, any advice...."

the messenger

Why do you want to quit after a hard race??? And how can a tough MTB race be a f-up???

[krl747]

Who did the 60km last year? I know it has been increased to 70km this year, however how did you experience the race?

[River Rat]

Nice thread with good info.

Trewlawney, It looks like I could get some info from you this time. I am contemplating my first MTB marathon and I can't decide between the Nissan Cullinan or the Down & Dirty. Any thoughts?

[Trelawney]

 River Rat, on 18 August 2010 - 01:17 , said:

Nice thread with good info.

Trewlawney, It looks like I could get some info from you this time. I am contemplating my first MTB marathon and I can't decide between the Nissan Cullinan or the Down & Dirty. Any thoughts?

Well, the Down & Dirty of 2008 was my first ever MTB Event and I thoroughly enjoyed it, nothing too technical that I couldn't manage.

I also did the 2009 one and would say the terrain was pretty similar to that in 2008.

Based on those two events I would happily enter this year's event as a first timer. The website also says it'll be fast & furious which, assuming isn't a lack of editing from the Walkerville event, means its fairly good terrain for fast rolling riding. So I'd plump personally for the Down & Dirty.

My only concern around the Cullinan area is the amount of sand that you come across on the route, certainly not the easiest to contend with as hard packed trails !

I have in fact considered the Ultra Marathon at Cullinan on the 28th but the cut off time is apparently at 45 km and 2 hours 30 minutes, which on those sandy paths I reckon I will be too close to missing the cutoff. Usually I can happily manage 20 km per hour on these races but the terrain around Cullinan (maybe the sand slows it down I don't know) saw the top riders at the recent Diamond Rush finish the 40 km ride in 2 hours ... and if that's the top riders, there's no chance I can hope to get to the cutoff ... unless the route avoids some of the sandier tracks I suppose.

I've been trying to fish from the organisers for how fast the track will be on the 28th but no indication so far !

See you at the Down 'n Dirty in that case !

[River Rat]

Trelawney,

It looks like its time to get Down & Dirty. I'll see you there and swap notes with you afterwards.

Thanks for the info.

[Squier]

 mtbgirlz, on 17 August 2010 - 08:01 , said:

So the race email invite is out... Killer climbs!:

Date:4 September 2010
Venue:Smuts Museum, Irene, GP
Terrain:Rocky | Dry | Arid | Savanna
Elevation:1300m
Participants:1500+
Ascent:850m
Features:Rocky outcrops | technical single track | killer climbs

Looking forward! This was the one I missed last year.

I’m assuming the 850m ascent mentioned here is on the 70km. To put it into perspective, Cullinan was 1000m of ascent on the 70km and just over 700m on the 40km.

To me what made Cullinan tough was the technical descents after the climbs, which meant that there was no time to recover after the climb. I think the fact that the 2009 race didn’t compare to this year’s race also didn’t help in “managing your expectations”. Next year at least I’ll know what to expect!

A couple of my mates got lost last year with the Down & Dirty so pay attention to the route markings...

[River Rat]

Thanks Squier, I read the race reports for last year's race and it seemed to have been a stuff up of note. Lets hope the race organisers have learnt their lesson. But I most certainly will take note of the route markings.

[Trelawney]

I was one of those who got lost at last year's D&D, I think the marshall went for a pee or something. We cycled some 20 km back along the wrong direction of the route, not noticing that all the little arrow boards faced the wrong way !

As much as I thought we should have spotted this small issue, I then did the Diamond Rush 70 km from 3 weeks back only to find that the first and last 10 kms were the same, you just cycled the opposite way, yet no one thought to go turn the boards to face the opposite direction. I was sure we were on the wrong route but no one else who was riding seemed to care so I went with the flow because I couldn't for the life of me think where the "correct" course went ! Turned out we were on the right path and I only worked that out when we reached some marshalls a few kms later who I assumed couldn't possibly be still waiting for people who were doing the first 10 km !

So I think despite best planning, route markings can still be easily stuffed up and the riders left guessing. Not that I have ever set a course of course, I do appreciate the effort they make for us :-)

[Mila]

Will the route this year be any different from last year. Last year 60km was a bit of a stuff up with route markings etc. Hopefully this year's 70km will be better marked to avoid confusion again.