If you’re planning to do the full distance of 361km at The 36ONE MTB Challenge in Oudtshoorn from 12-14 May you have already been training for some time. However, the team relay is gaining in popularity because the distance is split into four stages and any reasonably fit rider can enjoy the challenge in a relay – seriously or socially. Don’t take our word for it though, here’s what some 2022 team relay riders had to say.
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BRUCE CHERRINGTON (Johannesburg)
What made you decide to enter The 36ONE MTB Challenge in the team category?
Peer pressure! A friend was putting a team together and was encouraging friends to join the team. I agreed because I am a sucker for tough events. This also happened to be my first mountain bike event.
Was it logistically challenging to do the team event?
My girlfriend and I did The 36ONE on the same team. I had entered The Hobbit Trail Run, which took place two weeks before The 36ONE, so the two of us turned it into a ‘race-cation’, starting in Hogsback and finishing in Oudtshoorn. The rest of our team drove down with two others who were doing the solo race and we all stayed together in a cottage.
Getting the bikes down was probably the biggest logistical challenge, but one of our team borrowed a trailer.
One of our team members fell ill the week of the race so wasn’t able to compete. She ended up fetching and carrying us between change over points and supported the two solo competitors. Without her I don’t know how we would have managed. I don’t know how other teams managed. If I did it again, I would ask someone to come along and support us in the same way. It would be great if the organisers could recognise or offer support to these people – they really are part of the team.
Do you need to be super fit to compete in the team event?
I think you need above average fitness and lots of perseverance to complete the race. The relay legs in the cold through the night can be mentally challenging. Watching the line of red taillights snaking up the mountain, it seems like the climbing is ever going to end – sometimes it’s better not to know what is ahead…
You do need to be super fit with a high level of endurance if you want to finish on the team relay podium.
Was it a serious race or a social escape for you?
It was a social escape for me. I do these types of events to explore the country in a way very few people can or want to do.
What did you think of the level organisation of the event?
I think the event was pretty well organised. It’s been a while, so I can’t remember any suggestions for improvement. Serious, competitive entrants probably had a high level of expectation. I did witness some frustration with finding boxes at change-over points. It was great to have lovely food and some warmth at each change-over point. I really enjoyed the hospitality and support from the Oudtshoorn community.
Would you recommend others forming a team for the team relay event?
Yes, I think this is a great way to participate an event which would be too strenuous to do solo; and a great way to share the enjoyment of the sport with friends. It also encourages you to push a little harder than you would in a solo event of similar distance (as each stage). I always find out more about myself when I’m pushed that bit further than I’m comfortable with. Team events are great for this. No one wants to let the team down.
What was the highlight of the 36ONE MTB Challenge for you?
Getting to the highest point of elevation in the race (this on my relay leg), after chasing the snake of red taillights. Although I still had a good portion of the leg ahead of me, I felt I accomplished something and was re-energised to finish the race. The second highlight was coming into the change-over point of the first leg, seeing the friendly faces of my team and enjoying a hot cup of soup.
NIKKI VAN WYK (Bloemfontein)
What made you decide to enter The 36ONE MTB Challenge in the team category?
There were two participants from our company that did the whole event solo and they persuaded a few of our colleagues and friends to do the team relay. In the end there were three teams from this lot that completed the team relay.
Was it logistically challenging to do the team event?
Logistically, it was easy to get the riders to the change-over points as we all stayed together and just had to communicate via WhatsApp on the progress to ensure the next team member was ready on time.
Do you need to be super fit to compete in the team event?
A basic level of fitness is enough to complete the team relay. You just have to ensure that the stronger riders in the team do Stages 3 and 4.
Was it a serious race or a social escape for you?
There was a bit of competition between our three teams, but the main purpose was to enjoy the race and have a nice weekend. As a company, we used the event to raise funds for CANSA. We put names on our team jerseys of cancer survivors, fighters and heroes and raised almost R100k for CANSA in the process.
What did you think of the level organisation of the event?
Everything was organised perfectly!
Would you recommend others forming a team for the team relay event?
Yes. It’s an excellent team-building opportunity at a great price if you enter more than one team.
What was the highlight of the 36ONE MTB Challenge for you?
The highlight was that we as company and group friends were able to make a small difference by using our participation in The 36ONE to support CANSA.
GRANT LINDEQUE (George)
What made you decide to enter The 36ONE MTB Challenge in the team category?
I don’t think I would be ready to ‘race’ for 361 kilometres. However, I could go full gas for one stage, making it more appealing to me.
Was it logistically challenging to do the team event?
In any event where the start and finish are not at the same place, it can be challenging. I made arrangements with my teammate that did the stage before me to drive my vehicle to Oudtshoorn where my stage finished.
Do you need to be super fit to compete in the team event?
I think anyone of reasonable cycling fitness would be able to take part in the team relay event.
Was it a serious race or a social escape for you?
It was pretty serious. Ha ha!
What did you think of the level organisation of the event?
I obviously only saw the start and finish of my stage, but everything seemed well organised.
Would you recommend others forming a team for the team relay event?
Definitely. It’s great working together and supporting your mates. It’s not as physically challenging as doing the whole race on your own. I think the Average Joe can complete a stage. It takes much more training and dedication to do it all alone.
What was the highlight of the 36ONE MTB Challenge for you?
I think the anticipation of waiting for my teammate to arrive at the change-over point was pretty intense. The top three four-man team riders all arrived at my change-over point together, so we started our stage at a fierce pace. I held on for a few kilometres, but couldn’t match the youngsters, which meant I rode the majority of the stage solo in the dark, which had something special about it as well. The route was well marked and I just enjoyed the ride.
ABOUT THE 4-RIDER TEAM RELAY
You can enter any combination of riders in the team relay, but there are prize categories as follows:
- Team of 4 relay Men
- Team of 4 relay Women
- Team of 4 relay Mixed (two men and two women)
Each rider does one leg of the four, which are approximately 90km each. The third leg includes the Rooiberg climb, which is the hardest of the four legs. Encourage three of your cycling/mountain biking friends to enter a team, which costs R4650. You can use a mountain bike or a gravel bike. This is a full service event, so riders participating in the race will not need any back-up. Riders are however welcome to have a back-up team available at the checkpoints.
Find out more or enter online now via the race website here.
