The Trans Baviaans, 24-hour MTB Marathon, is rapidly approaching and while there is no time left for improving your fitness there is a great deal of preparation you can still do to ensure you have a successful ride. Drawing on Extreme Lights’ technical knowledge and their experience of completing a couple of Trans Baviaans races themselves here are a few simple tips for surviving the 2017 Trans Baviaans:
1. Final Trans Baviaans Bike Prep
Give your bike a pre-race Trans Baviaans check-up. Hopefully, at this late stage it won’t need a major service; but to be on the safe side make sure everything is turning smoothly, that your tubeless sealant is topped up and that all bolts are tightened up appropriately. Also be sure to check that your spare tube is puncture free and that your multi-tool, CO2 adapter, CO2 bombs, tubeless tyre plugs and spare chain link are all packed.
2. Light Up Your Adventures
If you haven’t purchased a light for the Trans Baviaans yet visit www.extremelights.co.za to purchase a light online or to view the Extreme Lights dealer list for a store near you. But because the time between now and the event is so limited rather opt to collect your new light at the Trans Baviaans registration; where you’ll also be able to buy lights, spare batteries and accessories. To find out more about the lights Extreme Lights recommend for the Trans Baviaans check out the bicycle light buyers guide:
3. Recharge Your Adventures
If you already have a bicycle light make sure it’s fully charged, packed and ready for the Trans Baviaans. Every year someone forgets their lights, don’t be that person in 2018.
4. Plan Your Trans Baviaans Strategy
5. Pack Right
- Pack for warm, wet and cold weather. Make your final decision on race day but remember to add cold weather gear to your checkpoint 4 box regardless.
- Pre-pack your race day nutrition. If you plan on putting bars, gels, whole food or a sports drink concentrate in your checkpoint boxes pack all the necessary products into a clearly marked zip-lock bag for each checkpoint box.
- Double check. Make sure you have all the essentials. Here's a quick, tried and tested, checklist for you: What you need to pack.
Get to Willowmore early, register and check-in to your accommodation. Have a hearty, early supper, of easily digestible and familiar foods before trying to get a good night’s rest. If you struggle to fall asleep don’t stress it, try to remain relaxed and visualise the challenge ahead. Just lying relaxed in bed will ensure you’re more well rested for race day than if you spend the night tossing and turning trying in vain to get to sleep. (If you’re staying in the hostel earplugs are a good idea too!)
7. Wake Up Early
With the Trans Baviaans starting at 10:00 you have plenty of time to eat and digest a good breakfast, but don’t waste your morning either. Get up early, eat breakfast and then check in your boxes if you are sending boxes to checkpoints two and three.
8. Kill Time in Willowmore
This will be less of an issue than you think but if you are struggling for something to do take a very slow pedal down the main drag and check out the town. Or settle in with a newspaper. Just remember to avoid too much coffee, it’s a diuretic and can play havoc with a stressed stomach too, so rather use the time to hydrate with a watered down fruit juice.
9. Line Up to Go Time
From 09:00 you can start collecting your race token, which will be marked at each checkpoint, and file into the start chute. At 09:45 the race briefing will take place and at 10:00 the TransBaviaans starts.
10. Early Kays
Remember, save energy. Every calorie you expend early on is one you won’t have for later when you’re climbing MAC or Neverender. Someone has to sit at the front of the group, but try to ensure it’s not you – or at least not you for too long.
11. The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve
Once you hit the reserve the going gets tougher, this is what you saved energy for. The climb to Baviaans Back at 115 kilometers in could be a shock to the system, but the Fangs at 130 kilometers certainly will be. Just after the second Fang the Mother of All Climbs starts (Check it out on Strava), save energy for it. The main part of the climb is about 5 kilometers long and averages just below double figures in gradient, but be warned there are sections which ramp up briefly to over 20% and longer drags at over 10%. The surface of MAC is better than ever this year though, with Eastern Cape Parks having laid concrete strips up the climb; just don’t drop off the concrete onto the old eroded jeep track surface.
12. The Big Dipper
At Bergplaas you’ll reach the all-important checkpoint 4. It’s here that most riders aim to be before it gets dark. Remember Bergplaas is located off the main road, so hang a left to the check point about 3 kilometers after the King and Queen of the Mountain hot spot. Descending the Big Dipper at night can be daunting, but if you have an Extreme Lights Ultimate + or Endurance + light you’ll be thankful for their wide beams which cast light through the corners as well at a focal point straight ahead.
13. Beyond the Baviaanskloof
Once out of the nature reserve the road surfaces improve once more, but by now you’ll probably be too tired to notice the difference. This is where your mental strength and teamwork will really come to the fore. Prepare to suffer here and promise yourself now that you won’t quit. Once over the Neverender at 195 kilometers, the major battles are won.
14. Final Trans Baviaans Tips
- Eat, Eat, Eat. Keep putting back those calories
- Drink, Drink, Drink. Keep hydrating, especially if it gets colder and your thirst response drops off. You’ll still need the fluids.
- Don’t faff. Don’t waste time at the checkpoints, get in and get out. Have a plan for what you’ll need at each checkpoint and stick to it.
- Save energy for the end. The final 5 kilometers to the Fountains Mall in Jefferys Bay are now on a singletrack next to the railway line. Don’t expect a smooth tar run in to town.
- Stick together and Enjoy it. The TransBaviaans is a team race and hopefully, you’re riding it with friends, so stay together and enjoy the experience.