POST TALK

DVD's of this event may be ordered from canestay@vodamail.co.za , cost R150.

UMZUMBE FARMERS in ASSOCIATION with their SPONSORS proudly hosted the Umzumbe Extreme Motorbike ride this last Saturday. The ride was aimed at technically skilled riders and traversed 46km of diverse and challenging sections. The event was a massive success with rave reviews coming in from participants and spectators. The success of the event was due to a combined effort from the Umzumbe Farming Community, sponsors and volunteers who all gave 100%.
The day started with the normal registration process. This was followed with a half hour digital preview of the course using an projector and Google Earth Satellite imagery to simulate a fly through of the course, with some comedic names given to the different sections on the course. The ironic names had a twofold function; giving an impression of the terrain the rider was entering and having to be unusual enough that the rider remembered the name in the event of a rescue operation having to be performed.

After the briefing in which the committee stated they felt no more than one in three would complete the course the riders were off at 10:00 am. The event was not a race so starting positions were not important with the emphasis on riders to rather try and complete the course within cut off times.
The course designers decided to put a mini-loop called the “Brokeback Crack” at the start which brought the riders back to the hall after a tedious 3 km rock strewn river bed. This was designed to weed out the riders who perhaps had bitten off more than they could chew. Riders entered thereafter into the main course through the “General’s Revenge”- a tricky spectator filled endurocross section. This was filled, much to the delight of the spectators, with spills galore.

The riders started resembling gladiators as one by one those of stout courage and firm resolve left the small arena and braved the course in earnest. The first of the riders started being sent home by marshals after two and a half hours where they had not completed much more than 5 km of the 46 km course. Credit to the riders for their sportsmanship to bow out with good grace at such an early stage with threats of “next year” and remarks of “thank god”.
In the middle of the day the temperature started to climb and the riders started to buckle under the constant physical demand, with some riders opting for a lie down in the bush to gather strength and cool down. Unfortunately the marshals were soon upon them and sent them packing for home.

For some, refreshment was provided about 2/3 of the way around the course with a cool Powerade and a banana, with a chance to have a chat and share a story or two. Wives of riders joined the spectators in congratulating their husbands on reaching that far and encouraged the tired men to continue. This stand at 30 km into the course was the point at which marshals barred any one arriving after 1:30- effectively three and a half hours after the start.

After this brief stop, riders were thrown into the “Spoof of Africa” where rocks and boulders became the order of the day. With tired, battered bodies and drained hearts and minds the riders ended victorious through the “Ndlela Majongosi”; translated as the “path of the strong man” an apt and well deserved name. Only 36 out of 104 bikes that entered completed the course.

Food and refreshments was available at the Farmers hall and the beers were cold. The fires sprung to life and passionate stories abounded to the sounds of laughter and good cheer….and so the sun set on another hard day in Africa while the reflective riders sipped their well championed prizes.

Umzumbe Farmers would like to thank the following:
Sponsors: Criterion Yamaha, Rhino Truck Sales, South Coast Fever, Andy Wheelright, Arysta Life Science, Coast & Country Agri, Coastal Farmers, Power Brake and Steering, Erden, Farmers Agricare, Illovo, Lindsday Eggs, LNT, M&F, Maxiprest, New Holland, Coca-cola – Powerade, R Allan & Son, SAB, Syngenta, The Track, Trentyre, UPC.
Umzumbe Farming Community and associated volunteers who assisted with marking the course and organising the event.
Last but not least all the riders who participated – your support and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated.

Free Web Counters