Pietermaritzburg – Amidst the celebrations of the recent Old Mutual joBerg2c and the hype and excitement of next week’s hugely popular Nedbank sani2c, hundreds of South Africa’s MTB community are also relishing yet another event with typical ‘Farmer Glen’ feel – the 2014 BSi Steel dusi2c.
Renowned sani2c and joBerg2c event director Glen Haw added a third string to his “2c” bow in 2013 with the launch of the two day event from Pietermaritzburg to Durban and this year’s second edition of the race which closely follows the legendary Dusi Canoe Marathon route is already fully subscribed.
Haw’s attention to detail and world class hospitality has seen online entries to dusi2c’s two older siblings regularly sell out within minutes and participants of the first Msunduzi and Mngeni valley adventure are expecting much of the same at this year’s dusi2c as well.
The Midlands Masters pair of Colin Stroberg and Paul Lancaster, regular top age group stage racers who claimed seventh place at last year’s dusi2c and placed fourth in the masters category at this year’s joBerg2c, rated the newest ‘2c’ member as Haw’s best yet.
“While each of Glen (Haw)’s three races has its own unique feel to it, in my opinion dusi2c is actually even nicer than the other two events!” raved Stroberg. “Paul (Lancaster) and I enjoyed the first dusi2c so much that we booked for this year’s race immediately after we finished the first one!”
“The stages of dusi2c are shorter, the field is smaller, its only two days long, there is such a great atmosphere throughout the race and even the single track is better than sani2c and joBerg2c – which is really saying something!”
Stroberg believes the BSi Steel dusi2c is also the perfect platform event for a marathon mountain biking ‘weekend warrior’ seeking to grow into the stage racing world.
“There isn’t too much climbing and although we try race it as hard as we can, it really isn’t an exceptionally difficult event by any means.
“In my opinion the dusi2c is the best race to do for anyone looking to get into stage racing!” added Stroberg.
TIB Insurance’s Andrew Hill, who together with Tyron Bird, clinched last year’s inaugural title, echoed Stroberg’s sentiments. “2013’s dusi2c was fantastic! The route was great. The river crossings were fantastic. The accommodation was wonderful. The food was delicious – as always – and all in all it was just right up there with the usual world class “Farmer Glen” standards!
“Last year’s dusi2c had the typical sani2c or joBerg2c feel to it but with the unique charisma and beauty of the Msundusi and Mngeni valleys having been incorporate into it as well!” he added.
While many of the country’s top long distance mountain bikers gear up for the fast approaching Nedbank sani2c from Underberg to Scottburgh, the rest of the MTB community’s stage racing fraternity have one eager eye firmly on the not too distant 2014 BSi Steel dusi2c adventure from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2014.
More information can be found at www.dusi2c.co.za
Source: Gameplan Media
