Sunday, May 26, 2013

Slangpad Video Edit

We decided to put the GoPro and iMovie to test and make a little video edit of the Slangpad trail in Jonkershoek. Reto was keen to do some camera work and I got to session the trail section by section.






We ended off our fun day at Jonkershoek on the Firehut trails. Check out our video here. The conclusion we came to is that making a basic video is no rocket science but creating something really special is an art.


Friday, May 24, 2013

Fresh pumps & jumps

While we were at Eselfontein, the pumptrack & jumps in Fishhoek got a fresh coat of dirt and is now running super smooth. Thanks to Chris, Duran and everyone else who helped!



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Tokai Session

Having just picked up our "big" :) bikes from Action Cycling, we head off to Tokai to play. With a more all-mountain setup the bikes pedalled better uphill while still being super fun on the jumps.






The full suspensions were awesome after having ridden only our hardtails for the last couple of weeks!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Eselfontein Adventure

"Experience the oldest farm in the famous Ceres Valley, surrounded by the majestic Skurwe and Matroosberg Mountains. Experience Eselfontein." Visit their website.

This past weekend we joined a group of local riders for a mountain biking adventure on this beautiful 2500 ha farm.

 Map source: irideafrica

Friday - day 1: Ride details: 14.1 kms, 214m elevation gain

We met up with Hanco and Arné on Bain's Kloof Pass for some delicious homebaked muffins and tea while overlooking Wellington. This 30 kilometer pass was completed in 1853. Read more facts here


Clean bikes and homebaked muffins - YUM!
Driving along Mitchell's Pass

While unpacking at the Ecohuts, we struck it lucky as the owner of the farm offered to shuttle us to almost as high up as you can go on the farm.

The Ecohuts surrounded by fynbos

Hold on!!
View from the top

We descended the rocky moto enduro track, involving some bundu bashing before reaching a real mountain bike trail above "Red Bull Hill" at dusk. As the sun faded we rode through the forest dodging roots and random holes, the jeeptrack, through the river crossing and arrived back at the huts in the dark. The rest of the riders had arrived and were already enjoying a nice campfire in the lapa.

Riaan, Arné, Hanco, Reto & me  *

The "donkey" geyser, social lapa gathering and Reto's veggie bom :) *


Saturday - day 2: 28kms,  721m elevation gain

The next day had a lot in store. First up was the fun, fairly flat sandy trail - then a tough uphill slog to the pipetrack.

Starting the day with a cup of strong coffee  *

The sandy trail

At the pipeline

Enjoying the view/catching a breath

A bit more climbing....and then...

On top of the world - a great reward ;)
Picnic time!
 Jeanette, Arné, Hanco, Riaan, me, Reto - all smiles!  *

The rest was all downhill - a mixture of rocky fast and rocky pedally...

On the trails  *

Elbows out!

Trail happiness!

Two smooth forest sections lead us back to the jeep track. A couple of flats later we could refresh in the cold river, crack a beer, make jaffles and have a warm "donkey" shower!

The fairy forest..  *

Passing through!

A refreshing dip in the river


Sunday - day 3: 15.5 kms, 330m elevation gain

After breakfast the group set out on the last ride of the weekend, starting off course with a tough climb!

Pedal!!! *

More unridden trails in the distance..

Then dropping into my favorite piece of trail - "above Red Bull Hill" - a fun, fast, smooth section.

Some corners, some jumps

Boom!

The actual Red Bull Hill was long, fairly flowy and had lots of corners. The bottom stretch was more pedally and ended in a forest section. We tackled the jeeptrack leading to the huts for the last time before wrapping up a great weekend adventure :)

Foot out...  *

and foot out! *

Checking in on the MOOOOOO's/river crossing fun *

Until next time!

Lunch at the "Tolhuis" on Bain's Kloof Pass - well recommended!

Many thanks to Hanco and Arné for organising the weekend's adventure, the delicious muffins and the photos marked *

Also check out Hanco's cool video edit and their blog entries about the weekend adventures!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Slangpad & Firehut Trails

Off to Jonkershoek we went for an afternoon session in the forest. First stop was the Slangpad trail - fun, flowy, nicely bermed corners and a couple of jumps - we spent most of the afternoon here.















































Next on the to do list were the Firehut trails - another sweet section of trails.

Then off for a post-ride reward at the "Ride In" cafe before heading home...



































...to witness another beautiful sunset in the deep South.





Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Muddy!

Heading up our local spot it started pouring, so we opted for a short loop through the forest riding the funnest trails around ;) It was a muddy affair!

R720 afforded us a renewal of our Wild Cards to access Tokai for another 365 days..WHOOP!

Some new riding gear arrived this week including a brand new pair of 510 Freeriders!!
































 Later the rain cleared up and we were treated to another amazing sunset.

























Some girl power inspiration:
Freerider professional Darcey Turenne is one of my lady rider heroes. I love her style and her signature bike - the Norco Vixa, a womens specific freeride bike. She is also sponsered by one of my favorite brands - Dakine. Read more here.