Once each year in mid to late autumn hundreds of mountain bikers make their way to the Midlands Karkloof area just 12 kilometers north of Howick to take part in three days of events known as the Karkloof Classic. Billed as SA's biggest MTB festival it starts tonight, with a 20 kilometre night-ride event, and continues through the next three days. Included are a serious downhill race, a 60 kilometre marathon and everything in between - even family oriented rides as short as 10 kilometers covering what the organisers claim to be moderate courses for the 'less experienced'. Ten kilometres with a saddle under my rear end still sounds quite daunting to me. And so I will be a spectator this year. Next? We'll, wait and see, but I have been enthused enough to start pricing kit. After all this countryside has some of the best MTB trails the country has to offer, and now I'm a country boy ............
I went down to the country club late this afternoon as registration was in progress. Early arrivals were checking in, the campsite for distant visitors was beginning to fill. And above, behind, inside and alongside most every vehicle in the parking area, a significant investment in metal and rubber was evident.
I liked the abstract composition of these tyres and their spokes (front, rear and front) their charges mounted atop a rugged 4X4 vehicle, displaying them almost in silhouetted profile against the misty grey of the sky. I see the tyres are the latest in 29 inchers - I'm told these have become 'de rigeur' for the serious rider today. Conditions are muddy and wet - which should create some good photo opportunities to show next week.
Come back and see!
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