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Showing posts with label Karkloof Classic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karkloof Classic. Show all posts

Friday, June 3, 2011

Light & Shade ...

Looking back from the Karkloof Falls view site yet another small stream wends its way through from the forests to plunge down into the Karkloof Stream which itself becomes a tributary of the uMngeni River close to the Howick Falls Gorge. Visible in profile from the extreme edges of the picnic site this horse tail falls really needs to be seen from the south east face - I must make a plan to get there somehow, sometime.  I first saw this stream when the cyclists participating in the Karkloof Classic MTB event rode past this station, a cyclists’ see-saw having been set up to add a bit of fun and variety to the event. They would then cycle across the slatted wooden bridge before heading back into the forests and hills to return to the country club. Could a mountain biking venue get much better than this? Trails are open to the public most all year round, by courtesy of Sappi forests, permits being obtainable from cycle shops in Howick.
It is fairly clear from this shot why the lighting on the opposite facing falls was so challenging. Being winter the sun arcs across the southern sky making it almost perpetually overhead above the falls. But it does work well for the stream, creating interesting contrasts of light and shade, and millions of tiny reflections in the clear stream waters.

Friday, April 8, 2011

It's a Classic...

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!