Thomas Babl (Race Report - paarlmtb.com): After scanning through the "Dramatic new route" of the Cape Epic (CE),
I realize even more, what privilege it was,
to ride the inaugural Cape Pioneer Trek (CPT). Here comes some attempt at a race report. When the CPT was first
announced, it sounded like a nice, easier stage race to do at a time when wine and fruit people are fairly ok to
take some leave, and are able to train before the event. Only when Dryland put some hard numbers on paper (km's
and climb's), did we realize, Katot (Karoo version of Dr Evil) meant business. To late to chicken out, we left for
Oudtshoorn one Sunday morning not long ago.
What struck me at registration and it followed right through the race, was the personal touch. A handshake by
Carel was followed by signing all rights away. The race bag was biiiiig, as were the handouts. With only about 200
riders, it wasn't the CE buzz, but that's OK with me. Although we had tags with numbers, we were always greeted on
a first name basis, be it at the bag check-in or the bike park.
The race village had a lot in common with the CE. (There seems to be no alternative to the blue poly loos). There
was never really a queue at any station, except the food. The race stopped over at schools, and the school hall took
the place of the big marquee tent. The school kids helped as did the teachers and some parents. All the helpers were
very excited about the whole event, and voluntarily help as part of a charity drive. It surely beats the "paying
volunteers", a CE novelty.
Now the actual route. We did about 102 km per day, climbing 2000m on average. Now there is no way to measure the
impact of the riding surface. A point was made, to cut out as many district roads as possible, leaving us to fight
the Karoo on ground level and there are a lot of rocks in that place! Day 2 over Swartberg pass was supposed to be
an easier day. We hit the pass at 65km and 1300m of climbing in the legs, at 33°C. You can imagine all the k@k
Henko had to listen to that evening. Apart from 2 bunch style starts (35km of eating Sauser and Co's dust), I was
very impressed with a good, technically demanding, route. This years race came with HHG- Heat and Headwind
Guarantee! On day 1 and 2 it was hot. Day 3 and 4, the wind was howling. Only day 5 and 6 brought some relief.
I surely believe this race will grow in status and will in years to come reach Sani2C status as one every true mtbiker
needs to do. Hopefully it will not be taken over by foreigners, we struggled enough with the Gauties that came down for
some fresh air and crime free riding. Don't make a mistake, novices need not apply, one needs a seasoned pair of
buttocks to last the 6 days. Choose your partners well, you will spent a lot of time together and one will always be
stronger. I am very proud to be one of the first Pioneers, finishing this event is an achievement on its own.
A big thanks to Carel, Henko and everybody involved.
19 November 2009
krizzz (Forum Mountainbike.be): Ik heb dit jaar aan deze race meegenomen en heb me geweldig geamuseerd!
6 dagen en 620km: het was hard,maar fantastisch. Heel veel jeeptrack en single-track, bijna geen asfalt, echt mountainbike
werk dus (met de nodige rotsachtige secties, dus zorg zeker voor tubeless banden!).
De organizatie was perfect (en het was de eerste keer dat deze race georganizeerd werd), het eten 's avonds and 's ochtends
was ook zeer lekker (met veel struisvogel) en uitgebreid.
De race was klein en gezellig (ongeveer 90 teams aan de start, waarvan slechts 50 teams officieel de finish hebben behaald;
de andere vielen uit door te zwaar of materiaalpech; maar je kan buiten competitie wel gewoon nog meerijden). Ik vermoed wel
dat het deelnemersveld volgend jaar een stuk groter zal zijn, door de goede organizatie dit jaar en lovende reacties van de
deelnemers. De organizatie wil het deelnemersveld wel beperken om het lokale karakter van de race te behouden: een zeer goede
zaak!
Ik was met mijn Nederlandse teammaat 14de en het op een na enige buitenlandse team. Het andere buitenlandse team bestond uit
Christoph Sauser en Bobby Behan! Maar we hebben hen net nooit kunnen kloppen, spijtig! Maar misschien volgend jaar, want Susi
komt terug met zijn vrienden!
Anyway, ik kan blijven doorgaan met het vertellen van mooie verhalen, maar de foto's op de site www.capepioneer.co.za spreken
voor zich!
12 November 2009
Bernie en Mariette (Molly en Wors): Ons(Molly en Wors) het eers 'n goeie 2 weke nodig gehad om so 'n
mate van herstel te bereik sodat dit moontlik kan wees om die "keyboard" te kan tackle en in 'n digitale sin pen
op papier te sit.
Vergun ons net die geleentheid om julle baie geluk te wens met die onvergeeflike "experience" wat julle vir ons
geskep het.
Ek onthou baie goed toe Henco die 1ste keer vir my laas jaar van die konsep vertel het. Om te sien hoe die droom
toe werklikheid geword het en hoe ons as ryers die Trek toe uiteindelik kon ervaar het, was definitief vir ons 'n
groot voorreg!
Deur die jare het ek en Mariette al aan baie kompetisies deelgeneem en ons is dit beide eens dat dit by verre die
mees verrykende ervaring vir ons in menige opsette was.
Die organisasie was meer as puik. Dit sluit in die webwerf, kommunikasie, registrasie, begin en einde elke dag, prys
uitdeling elke dag met die fotos en tv clips, waterpunte, "marshalls", Saterdagaand se funksie en al die ander dinge
soos die tente, storte, "wake up medley" ens.
Die roete was Die Klein Karoo, en ek sal heel waarskynlik nog in debat wees met Henco/Katot tot ek die dag my kop
neersit oor die definisie van "Average Mountain Biker"! Met 20/20 visie na die tyd weet ek egter nie of daar een
deelnemer is wat die roete anders sou wou gehad het nie. Katot, jy het jou naam gestand gedoen!
Ons wil dan ook die heel belangrikste groep bedank: "Die Crew".
Ons is seker dat julle terdee bewus is van die wonderlike mense wat saam met julle die hele Trek moontlik gemaak het. Dit
is voorwaar 'n fantastiese groep mense en sonder hulle betrokkenheid en hulle wonderlike benadering tot ons as ryers sou
hierdie maar net nog 'n race gewees het! Ek dink in die toekoms kan daardie T-shirts wat daar op staan "Crew" dalk net so
gesog en spesiaal word soos die medaljes wat ons gekry het toe ons klaar gemaak het. Ons wil nie graag mense noem nie maar
die volgende persone het persoonlike 'n reuse gespeel om ons uiteindelik by die eindpunt te kry: Rene, Christo, Fred, Divvie
en Mark. Was dit nie vir hulle nie, was ek(Wors) waarskynlik nog op 'n onrybare stukkie singletrack erens.
Laastens wil ons dan 'n baie, baie spesiale groot woord van dank aan jou en Henco rig vir die spesiale egte Klein Karoo
Diamant wat julle vir ons as "local" ryers geskep het. Die klem was altyd op ons as ryers en julle het vir ons 'n unieke
geleentheid geskep om hierdie unieke deel van die land intiem te ervaar. Baie geluk met die eerste uitgawe van die Trek.
9 November 2009
Louiza Swartz: Ek kan nie glo 'n week en 'n bietjie is alreeds verby van na ons klaar gemaak het nie.
Ek kan net nie verstaan hoekom die lekker (party dae was maar swaar) so vinnig gaan en die swaar so lank is nie.
Ek moet jou baie geluk wens met die hele Cape Pioneer. Ek kan nie glo dat die 1ste een so 'n reuse sukses was nie.
Ek moet se julle het aan alles gedink en die mense wat vir en saam met jou gwerk het was seker "handpicked". Dit is
die vriendelikste mense wat ek nog ontmoet het en vir nie een was enige iets te veel moeite nie.
Die waterpunte was die bestes wat ek nog gesien het. Baie dankie vir die heerlike koel lappies wat ons baie nodig
gehad het, veral ons agterryers. Ek wil he jy asb vir Div baie dankie se vir die moeite wat hy gedoen het om vir ons
broodjies te laat maak het deur sy vrou, toe die kos klaar was by Uniondale.
Gelukkig vergeet mens gou hoe swaar ons gekry het. Ek het die roete verskriklik baie geniet en gedink dit was absoluut
pragtig. Ek dink net die 4de dag was te lank en veral met die ander dae wat ons voor en na die tyd gery het.
Ek sal defnetief die Cape Pioneer vir almal aanbeveel wat bergfiets ry. Ek dink dit is 'n moet vir almal om te doen.
Baie dankie ook vir die wonderlike sakke, baadjies, hemp, gus, squirt ens wat ons gekry het. Dit was voorwaar 'n goodie
bag wat my stoutste verwagtinge oortref het.
Carel baie, baie dankie weereens. Jy en en jou hele span kan julle koppe lekker op julle kussings sit. Dit was
voorwaar 'n reuse sukses. Sterkte met alles wat julle beplan.
4 November 2009
Gert Muller: Carel, thanks for an awesome week, Wayne and I enjoyed the relaxed
atmosphere in camp and the riding in that terrain was challenging to say the
least. The bag and loads of goodies was appreciated and the general
organization over the whole race was first class. We will definitely be back
next year, thanks for a great race.
31 October 2009
Thomas Babl: After cooling off for a week, it is fair to reflect on the race. Forgive me
for all the abuse hurled at you and others after finishing a stage. It was
after all my own (or partner's) choice to ride as hard as I did, taking
things just past the point of fun.
We did ride some awesome tracks, day 1 and 6 were my favorites, although I
was a bit paste to really enjoy the last day. Well, the truth is, we all
hoped for a present Cape Epic style. But that's the thing, there were no
presents on this ride. Each day was tough and the weather didn't help at
all. The water points were above expectations and the service there was
exceptional. What impressed me, was the caring attitude shown by everyone
involved. We were greeted on a first name basis, not by a computer beep
confirming your tag!
Ek hoop jy gaan nie probeer 'n groep buitelanders te werf nie, ons het al
genoeg gesukkel met die klompie Gautengers! Julle het goed gedoen met die
intree slag en julle sterk punt is, julle luister vir wat ons ryers te sê
het. Sterkte met die voorbereiding vir 2010, ek glo dit sal nie lank vat
voor die inskrywings vol is nie. Moet net nie so lank wag met die finale
roete nie, dit was 'n skok toe dit vanjaar aangekondig is. Weereens dankie
vir 'n lekker week.
31 October 2009
Brian Gelling: Thank you for a Great Event.
The organization was great, route tough but fun and the water points were great. I hope I get the opportunity
to join you again next year.
30 October 2009
Jacque Swart & Wessel van der Merwe (TEAM 1 – THE INCREDIBLES): As Team 1 and the inagural
Pre-Race “Favourites” we are delighted with our result of 45th place out of 90 teams. Hip Hip Hoeraaaa!!!!!!!!
However after the first 45km on day one and the pressure of being Team 1 we realised that this is going to be a
tough one.
What an AWESOME race. Definetly not for the faint hearted! It was one of the toughest events I have forced my
body through (not being 100% prepared I must add). The routes were well balanced between district roads, single
track, jeep tracks, quad tracks, “exploration roads”and a bit of tar road at the end of each stage, entering the
various towns. One could see that the organiser spend a lot of time planning, developing and marking of the routes.
The event was realy well and profesionally organised! We would like to thank the DRYLAND TEAM, and specifically Henco
and Carel for all the efforts to make this event a HUGE SUCCESS!!! You and your team can be extremely proud of
yourselves. I would like to thank the support vehichels for the back makers, the medics, the watering tables
(...specifically Div and his kids and all the other school kids), the photographers, the sweep team, Katot for
developing all the technical sections (especially The Kamanasie Valley) etc. etc. etc.
We personally hope that this stays a local race with a local South African flavour. LOCAL IS
LEKKERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done to all the catogory winnes, but more importnatly WELL DONE for everyone that completed the race! It showed
courage, preseverance and guts to finish!
Just a last few words to those who didn't finish, i.e. The Koos Basson of Team SAP (the Epic Legend) and Katot... we
might have spend 53 hours on the bicycles, but The Incredibles did complete the race
“...'n wen is 'n wen!!!”
PS: Henco, we have also heard that we keep our numbers for life, ...that is really good news J
We will hopefully be back in 2010.
God Bless!
29 October 2009
Vanessa & Kevin Record (aka Boerin n pom): Thanks for an event organized with great
enthusiasm and passion, the Trek will certainly be on my 2010 diary if I can get leave.
The overnight towns / villages went out of there way to provide us with Gr8 hospitality, food and water
points.
The best in my opinion were the tannies at George, the meals here were Gr8, perhaps the Uniondale tannies
may want a crash course for 2010!
I do hope you do NOT try to compete with the Epic in regard to cost and size of the event, Henco promised
us this!
What I would love for 2010 is you guys to intro. an accompanying race (Cape Pioneer Amble), where Katots
Berg walkabouts are cut-out for the average rider who wants to compete. This way my wife can still compete
without being half killed and I can compete in the Masters section of the Trek. I think one has to consider
the High attrition rate of 50% (far greater than any Epic), many riders thought this to be for the average
MTBer! I can assure you it compared easily with the CE on most of the stages.
The water points already mentioned were very well organized, Cold towels, fruit and even Steak on D5! Please
consider the placing of these in the next Trek as on D2 and D6 they were too close to the end, and being back
markers we could have done with the WP shuffled closer to the front of the course.
Will you keep the same towns for 2010? If not and If you guys have a pre-ride planned for 2010 please consider
an invite to the Boerin n Pom!
Thanks once again though for a most memorable week of MTBing
28 October 2009
Jan Havenga: Baie geluk met n poging wat net met die hoogste waardering bewonder kan word.
Ek self was nog nie by n EPIC gewees , en ek dink meeste mense , deelnemend of nie , wou graag die CPT
met die Epic vergelyk. Persoonlik dink ek nie dis moontlik nie want dit het nie dieselfde motiewe en eind
resultate in gedagte nie. Die CPT het n gees wat ek nog nooit by enige fietswedren gevoel of gesien het
nie. Die organisasie was van die hoogste gehalte , die medics/marshalls/helpers fantasties , die kos
uitsonderlik . die roete onbeskryflik mooi , en die deelnemers verskriklik vriendelik!! As die CPT bly
by die motiewe wat die kenmerk was van die eerste poging , kan dit nie anders as om suksesvol te wees
nie. Baie mense wat van die foto's gesien het het dit nou op hulle "to-do-list" geplaas , sover tot in
Amerika!!!
Die fotograwe (TV+STILLS) op die CPT verdien self n pluimpie vir wat hulle opgedis het en ek dink hulle
dra baie by tot die algehele sukses in die CPT.
Dit is sekerlik die moeilikste fietswedren waaraan ek nog deelgeneem het , en gedurende die toer het die
vraag baie opgekom oor die moeilikheidsgraad , maar as jy dit ontleed na die tyd is dit sekerlik waaroor
die "challenge" gaan en dan ook om sulke afgelee plekke te kan besoek verg soms ekstra "effort" om daar
te kom. Dag 3 was sekerlik van die lekkerste mtb'ing wat ek nog beleef het en spesifiek die singletrack
gedeelte af na Meiringspoort - ongelooflik.
Aaan almal wat n deel gehad het om die CPT moontlik te maak , baie dankie. Dit was n voorreg om die 6 dae
mee te gemaak het!!!!
Maak net seker dat Katot minder pap eet!!!!??
Tot Oktober 2010 op die Start-line!!!!
28 October 2009
Pom1 (The Hub Forum): This race is just what the MTB fraternity need right now, speciifically if the Epic
is to become more internationally focused and priced (which is good for SA MTBing)
The org. was excellent, thanks Henco, Carel and Co.
The village vibe, water points, meals and race breifings were brilliant.
I opted to ride this with my wife as it was advertised for the Average Mtber, after this I have realised just how below
average I am and how entry level my poor wife is, however, we managed to finish the whole race.
The race had an attrition rate of 50% ! far greater than the CE at its worst! There were quite a few broken bones amongst these.
My request to Dryland is please do not compete with the CE?
Try and keep it South African?
And would it be possible to have the CPT + a Cape Pioneer Amble which cuts most of Katots Berg walkabouts out? this way
my better half does not have to be half killed and I can then team up with a fellow Master (which the CE does NOT offer)
and give the trek a better bash.
27 October 2009
xak1 (The Hub Forum): Same high standard as Attakwas, just over 6 days. Well done Dryland - this can
not be compared with Epic, as it is unique and in a class of its own - as one of the podium guys said: it is a stage
race with heart. If I have to rate, I will rate it higher, as it was intimate and friendly. Maybe some stages
individually on Epic is harder, but there are easier days inbetween - in CPT no easy days. Hopefully organisers
will try and keep it smaller (and still be able to do it viably), as the friendly atmosphere and access to a rider
like Sauser makes it unique. Although many moans and groans about the route, that is normal - this is really a true
MTB race - do not change the route to district roads please!
Sauser also said that from a timing perspective it is very good for NH pro's as it is at the end of their season, and
he will be back with some friends next year. Book early!
27 October 2009
nathrix (The Hub Forum): This must be the most jaw dropping beautiful route I have ever ridden.
The best organized event, here is why;
- 3 WELL stocked water points on each stage (GU, energy drinks, sandwiches, apples, pears, bananas, sweets,
steaks at some, ice, ice water, shade, very helpful school kids from the different small towns, chilled towels
for the neck, they lube your chain, take your bottles/camel pack and fill it up, clean your glasses, etc, etc,
etc)
- Well marked route
- Marshalls at crossings
- Medics patrolling back and forth on quad bikes
- Marshalls on bikes assisting where they can
- No need to wait for showers
- Lunch kept for you after coming in late
- Difficult rocky sections were well marked
- Best website I've seen with fantastic pics, reports, updates, results, etc (folks at home did not need to
wait days for the updates)
This is just a few things that came to mind. From this event I can see Dryland is passionate about cycling, the
Klein Karoo and the people in the community that benefits from a race like this. I don't think they made much money
at all to be honest. I actually think they made a loss. If the event grows; which I know and hope it will, yes, they
will make a little profit, nothing in life is for free and you gotta make a living and these guys know how to organize
and they deserve it.
Yes, it was tough, the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. The reason for this was because of the remoteness of
some of the single track and jeep track, climbs, descents, old rocky routes/passes, only farmers frequent. We didn't pedal
along district roads 80% of the time, we were riding through very special nature reserves, like e.g. the Kammanassie. They
wanted to show and share the beauty of the Karoo, foot paths and river beds hidden and remote, but it's no walk in the park,
there was a price to be paid to see it. It's got nothing to do with the CE, or which one is tougher. Joberg2c will be unique
and special in its own way. The CPT was to experience nature, you on your bike and to overcome your weaknesses, physically
and mentally while being at one with nature and meet great mountain bikers, help and assist as it was hot and difficult.
I will be back to ride the CPT in 2010.
Thank you Dryland!
26 October 2009
Hannele Steyn-Kotze: BAIE dankie vir 'n ongelooflike wedren!!!!
Kan jy asseblief vir ALMAL wat deel gehad het aan die organisasie van die Pioneer, van my af dankie se.
Ek ken nie almal nie, maar weet date k darem die volgende Name: Henko, Rene, Estie, Katot, Mark van Slingshot,
die fotograwe, Paul Valstar, Greville en kie, die motorbikers, die medici, die waterpunte en skole en fisios,
ens, ens kan noem. Groot asb, bedank hule namens my. Gee tog net 'n spesiale dank aan Estie wat ons sakke so
goed vervoer het.
Julle kan sommer baie trots wees op die wedren en ek weet dit gaan met spronge in gewildheid groei.
Dankie vir jou gebed elke oggend, dit was so spesiaal.
Dit was 'n absolute voorreg om deel te kon wees van die Pioneer.
26 October 2009
Anton de Waal: Dear Carel and Henko and everyone else who worked their butts off!
Thanks for a fantastic event! I much preferred it to the Epic and will be back next year with my wife to
tackle the route on our tandem MTB. The 2 things that stand out the most for me was the awesome route and
the attitude of the crew which was friendly and very helpful at all times.
I hope that this event grows and becomes a huge success.
Have a well deserved break now.
26 October 2009
Kobus Barnard (SKYPE): geluk julle 2, dis was n wenner, ek dink nie julle besef
watter sukses dit was nie, julle sal nie terugkyk nie, die race sal net groei, veral oorsee.
Ek's impressed !!!
26 October 2009
