You can’t just rock up there with no training and finish the gruelling 121km point-to-point race with 2900m of vertical ascent. It’s one of the toughest mountain bike races in the country. Consider then the grit in these three guys who have completed every one of the 17 editions of the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen. This is why they keep returning each year.
Paid Partnership with Dryland Event Management
For 17 years, serious mountain bikers have spent their festive season on their bikes, training. If they don’t ride on Christmas Day, they skip pudding knowing that in three weeks’ time, they’ll regret it as they face the tough climbs, heat and headwind at the Attakwas Extreme. If they train on Christmas Day, then they can have pudding, but only one helping…
When you complete your fifth Attakwas Extreme, you become a member of the Ratel Club. An exclusive group of mountain bikers that have all known deep suffering on a bike, but who also understand the value of completing the Hell of the South. Multiple times.
Paul Micklewod, Richard Muller and CD Du Toit are the only three mountain bikers that have completed every single edition of Attakwas Extreme. Between them is a mountain of knowledge. We asked them each a few questions about their relationship with the Attakwas Extreme as well as for some advice for novices.
PAUL MICKLEWOOD
What motivated you to enter your first Attakwas Extreme?
I was doing the Cape Epic later that year, so thought (correctly) it would be a good training ride.
Why do you return each year?
I did the first one with my Epic partner and then the following year a few other friends joined us and for a number of years, there was always a few of us from Knysna that did it. It was also a good motivation to keep training over December, however, there have been times, especially after one or two difficult ones, where a short memory might have come into play.
How has the race changed over the years?
The route has changed a little, but essentially, it’s the same tough course. The conditions obviously vary and from about 1-degree Celsius (the Covid one in August 2020) to about 50-degrees Celsius last year (2022). Wind, rain, mud, rivers, sand and rocks, are always a factor but I guess I’m the one that’s changed more as I’m getting older and slower.
What are your most memorable moments from racing Attakwas?
- I guess getting to Number 10 was a point of no return and then you sort of know, there are not too many others that have done that many and it motivates you to carry on.
- Finishing in the heat last year (2022) was a big challenge.
- The last one completed is always memorable, until the next one…
What do you do when you experience a really rough patch during Attakwas, when you feel like stopping and pulling out?
There certainly have been those occasions, but one just has to push through. Ride slower, refuel, rest and take it kilometre by kilometre. I’m not going to win or come last so if it takes me an hour longer, that cold beer and shower will still be there at the end.
What training and general preparation advice can you give to others that are considering entering Attakwas?
Treat the ride as three separate races, in one. Start to second water point; second water point to Bonniedale, then to the finish. The conditions are tough in the first 70 km (to Bonniedale) and you have to pace yourself. The second section through the kloof, is always hard and it’s not easy to rest, even on the downhills, so always make sure you have something left in the tank for the last 50 kays, as there is still a lot of climbing. You can’t compare this to other MTB races and it’s called the Hell of the South for a reason. It’s technically difficult, the route conditions are challenging and vary a lot, so on your first attempt, I would recommend taking it very easy and just finishing. Ride hard on the next one, when you know what to expect.
Anything else interesting about your relationship with Attakwas Extreme?
I think it is worth mentioning the organisers, Dryland, in making this race a success. The registration, route marking, water tables (which I rate as among the best), finish, etc has been really good and the recognition they give for finishers, Ratels and us three that have done them all, is noteworthy. They go the extra mile and it helps when making that decision to go back every year. For those thinking of it, it’s also the best diet ever! Do you know how many second helpings or extra beers you turn down over Christmas time? I call it the Attakwas diet!
RICHARD MULLER
What motivated you to enter your first Attakwas Extreme?
A great friend, Carel Herholdt, told me he is organising a new race, the Attakwas: “Rieg, kom doen dit!” It sounded like a nice race and I am a loyal friend, so I entered.
Why do you return each year?
I enjoyed the first race, then did the second, then the third… then I realised: Dryland owns me!
How has the race changed over the years?
The first was flat for the first 30 km. We sat in a peloton on the flat road to Volmoed and nervously looked at each other with a grin about all these ‘free kilometres’! Then a nice climb on the Van Wyksdorp Road, followed by rolling hills all on district road. Then we entered the Attakwaskloof from the historical bottom, passing the old Toll House and eventually joined the existing trail at the bottom of Ball Bearing downhill. The second/third race had a bit of Chandelier in it and from the fourth it was more or less the current route.
In 2010 there was a new loop in the Doringrivier Wilderness Area of about 12 km and it took us an additional hour to complete. It was full of ‘babakoppe’ (baby-head rocks) on steep gradients. Many predicted that there will not be many riders returning after that, but the entries kept increasing.
What are your most memorable moments from racing Attakwas?
- The 2021 ‘Covid – Atta’ that was held in August: Cool climate, gorgeous flora, firm trails and a smaller field.
- Almost taken out by a sable antelope (swartwitpens) in Chandelier in 2009. The sable ran full speed around a bush and did not see me as I was coming from the other side. He wanted to cross the road, but luckily saw me and stopped dead on all four hooves. He slid to two metres from me, we made eye contact and both acknowledged that it was a close call. I will never forget the intimidating size of the horns with massive nodal swellings close to the base of the horns.
- The tough ones: That 2010 Atta and the scorching 2022 Atta.
What do you do when you experience a really rough patch during Attakwas, when you feel like stopping and pulling out?
Stopping yes: Take a swim or go lie in a river. Pulling out: Luckily never had it that bad.
What training and general preparation advice can you give to others that are considering entering Attakwas?
Ride on rocky climbs. If you want to train, do 1-2 km intervals on rocky climbs. it will also help with your descending. Keep it simple: Prepare to enjoy it. Lastly: Toughen the fuck-up.
Anything else interesting about your relationship with Attakwas Extreme?
Man, us ‘ou-Ratels’ share the same opinion: We are truly blessed to have had the opportunity to finish all of them: Good health, no serious mechanicals or crashes and supportive family.
CD DU TOIT
What motivated you to enter your first Attakwas Extreme?
A few of us entered. I had done a few other mountain bike races. I was warned that if Henco Rademeyer stages an event you need to be careful. But we entered anyway. We trained too little and took a long time to finish. I really enjoyed and as soon as entries opened for the second one, I entered.
Why do you return each year?
The Attakwas changed a bit in the early years until they settled on this route. I started to understand the route. And at this stage, since there are only three of us left, we don’t really have a choice. We are forced to ride now but I enjoy it. I love the challenge. It’s my main race of the year. I don’t really do many other races.
How has the race changed over the years?
The route has changed a bit since the early years. One year we had a really hectic extra loop in it, but for the past 10 or so years the route has been unchanged. I know this route like the back of my hand. I know every rock by now. The conditions change each year and that has an effect on the terrain. It’s tough every year though, this isn’t a game.
What are your most memorable moments from racing Attakwas?
- The incredible heat in 2022. I swam nine times with Richard Muller – almost every time we crossed the Swartrivier. We dipped right under the water it was so hot.
- The one year I had to rebuild a rear derailleur, which took me about an hour. I had to jog to the water point to get tools. There weren’t tech zones like there are now.
- Each year has its challenges. The heat and wind are usually memorable. The early days before the concrete strips on the two hectic downhills are also memorable.
What training and general preparation advice can you give to others that are considering entering Attakwas?
I don’t train that much, but for Attakwas I do long rides in the build up. Saturdays and Sundays I ride between 70-90km. I’m a farmer so I don’t always get time to train during the week. If I haven’t prepared as well, I know I need to start slower. It’s a race where you need to be smart with your pacing. Start too fast and you pay later.
WE WILL KEEP ATTAKWAS TOUGH, SAYS FOUNDER
At the 2022 Attakwas Extreme, the organisers faced criticism for their decision not to extend the 11-hour cut-off time, which would have allowed more riders to be officially classified as finishers. The excessive heat, which got close to 50 degrees Celsius, made the conditions tougher than normal, prompting the request for an extension on the cut-off time. But race co-founder, Henco Rademeyer didn’t’ oblige. Here’s why: “As you can see with multiple finishers of Attakwas, particularly these three men that have done all 17, is that you have to respect Attakwas. It was meant to be a tough race and it will remain that way. But you have to put in the training and be ready for any weather conditions,” said Rademeyer.
“We took some flack in 2022 during the hottest edition of the race for not extending the cut-off time – the reason for this was two-fold:
Firstly, up until 2010 the route was different, the changes to the route extended the riding time by roughly 60-80 minutes on average. Back then we extended the cut-off time to 11 hours, as it is currently. After that we settled into the route we have today, which is a bit easier and shorter, never adjusting the cut-off time back to 10 hours. So, the 11-hour cut-off time really does give an extra hour allowance for extreme conditions.
Secondly, and more importantly, we cannot diminish the effort and accomplishment of these Ratels who come to the race year on year, respecting the conditions, training appropriately and sticking it out and toughing it out to finish within the cut-off time,” he added.
Never done an Attakwas Extreme? You’re missing out on a true mountain biking challenge. Entries for the 2023 edition open soon.. Click here for more.
