What is tough to one isn’t necessarily tough to another, right? Not quite. There’s a baseline measure of toughness for a one-day mountain bike race. Some just move faster than others through the event and experience the toughness in a shorter period. A few mountain bike events on the South African calendar claim to be the toughest – and they may not be wrong. Here’s some analysis on what constitutes a tough mountain bike race…
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Extended periods of discomfort can be the best measure of tough when it comes to one-day mountain bike races. The longer the period of discomfort, the greater the level of toughness, right? Yes, technically. But there are different reasons for discomfort in mountain biking. Let’s list them:
Distance: This will likely pop up as the most popular answer if you asked 100 mountain bikers what they consider to be tough. Having to cover a great distance in one go can be tough for the winner and the last-place finisher.
Duration: This is obviously linked to distance, but not as closely as you’d think. The winner of an ultra-marathon mountain bike race would take longer to cover the distance if he/she had inferior gear – bike, components, clothing etc.
Weather: This is a big one. An already tough mountain bike event can be made borderline impossible if the weather is extreme. Excessive heat, extreme cold, rain in buckets and of course wind, are all responsible for making some races more memorable – or should that be more forgettable?
Physical issues: Even a highly conditioned mountain biker can experience an unexpected physical issue in a race. These normally come in the form of muscle cramps or a hunger knock and can turn a regular race effort into a trip through hell.
Crash: Even a minor crash can be unsettling. It disturbs your rhythm and dents your confidence, both key factors when tackling a tough mountain bike event. Obviously a more serious injury can really crush your hopes of just finishing and riding with an injury requires all kinds of mental and emotional toughness. For many iron-willed South Africans, it beats the regret of not finishing…
Gradient: Yes, flat races can be difficult too, because there’s little respite. But say what you like, a mountain bike race with a high percentage of climbing is flippen tough man!
Terrain: You get smooth surfaces that are predictable, low-risk and virtually stress-free; and then you get rough surfaces that can comprise anything from roots to ruts to rocks to stones to sand to mud which require strength, skill and the ability to remain calm to overcome. Generally, the more varied the terrain, the tougher the race.
Mechanical challenges: As mountain bikers, we always start knowing that something could go wrong with our bike or gear, but hoping that it doesn’t. A hole or tear in a tyre and a broken chain are the most common, but any mechanical causes delays and builds stress, both of which contribute to making a hard day tougher.
The unexpected: A bee sting can really unnerve you and a wild animal collision can really destabilise you during a race. Something unexpected like those encounters are rare, but do happen and will always add to your stress and make your race an even bigger challenge…
THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A TOUGH RACE
What is a good example of a really tough South African mountain bike race? Since 2007 the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen has been dishing out an annual dose of mountain biking tough.
It’s a point-to-point ultra-marathon that starts in the Karoo and ends at the coast with big distance, a high volume of climbing and varying terrain and it takes place in the middle of summer, so it can be baking hot and often windy closer to the coast. The terrain ranges from smooth dirt to corrugated gravel to loose, small rocks and stones to large, rough, rock faces.
Apart from the national marathon champs, the Attakwas Extreme is the only UCI-graded singled-day mountain bike race in South Africa. This means it guarantees a minimum level of media coverage and prize-money. It attracts some of the world’s best marathon racers, with Cape Epic legends, Karl Plat, Christoff Sauser, Annika Langvad and Ariane Luthi each having won the race at least once.
Let’s consider the numbers: The distance is 121km with 2900 metres of vertical ascent. A hard Cape Epic stage is what most compare it to and many Cape Epic entrants use the Attakwas Extreme to gauge their condition with two months to go.
The men’s record is 4 hours 46 minutes 22 seconds, set by South Africa’s Wessel Botha in 2021 and the women’s record is 5:25.55 set by Langvad in 2017. The race has an 11-hour cut-off and five water points. The final water point is just 12Km from the finish, which is always a good indication of how tough a race can be…
The Attakwas Extreme was established in 2007 by Dryland Event Management and there have been 16 editions. The 2021 edition took place in August following its postponement due to the government’s Covid-19-related restrictions.
The event’s name comes from the Attakwaskloof, a pass through the Outeniqua Mountains that’s an iconic part of the race route, where the scenery is stunning and the route it’s most challenging.
Any mountain biker that’s completed an Attakwas will remember it in detail. Those that have completed at least five become members of the Ratel Club. The Ratel, or Honey Badger, is a small, stocky mammal with thick skin and long claws and is known for its toughness.
Want a real mountain biking test? Think you’re tough enough to finish the Attakwas Extreme? The next edition is on 21 January 2023. Now is a good time to enter to give yourself enough time to prepare for what is undoubtedly one of the toughest one-day mountain bike races in South Africa.
Online entry and more information here.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
