MTC XC #3 Okahandja

Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Club Series race #3

Saturday 6 June turned out to be the favourite mountain bike series race for many riders, held at the Namwater Centre outside Okahandja.  The weather was perfect, and the 6,3km track was exciting, versatile and challenging.   The challenges included a tough climb after the start, named the “Walking Hill”, followed by a hilly “Camelback Street”, then a stony, technical downhill named “Rattlesnake Bridge” because of the rattling noise of the derailleur as the bikes raced down, and the most exciting feature of the day was the “London Bridge” – a floating bridge over the water in the Swakop River – followed by “Quicksand”.   This made it a contrasting track from rough rocky terrain to soft sand and water.

Out of 91 cyclists, only three sustained technical problems, and some had minor falls, but the water proved the most taxing of all, with mud-covered bikes, and some riders, like Kai Grossmann, taking an unintended plunge!  The water was certainly a surprising feature for Namibian conditions.  Till Drobisch, the U16 champion, said this was the best track he’s cycled in the country so far.  

Thank you Okahandja Cycle Club for a very well organized day, a fantastic track; lekker food and lots of fun!

Some competitive South Africans participated and it was Erik Kleynhans, the SA MTB champion, that set the pace for the Elite category and resulted in Heiko Redecker having to work hard to keep up with the leader. 

Race results first places:
Sprogs: Steffi and Timo Grossmann
U12: Herbert Peters
U14: Martin Freyer
U16 men: Till Drobisch
U16 ladies: Vera Adrian
Junior men: Patrick Reimers
Elite men: Erik Kleynhans (SA), followed by Heiko Redecker
Elite ladies: Heletjie van Staden
Sport men: Jaques Marais
Sport ladies: Charmaine Shannon
Master men: Rolf Adrian
Master ladies: Elke Jagau
Veteran men: Michael Swanepoel
Veteran ladies: Monika Grossmann

Here is a short response from a new rider

Thank you Rock & Rut, what an experience. It was my first race, I really enjoyed it want to thank the organisers and specially, Tony, Oda & Raghild, who immediately made me welcome and encouraged me throughout the race. If it wasn\'t for the cheering at the Start/Finish it would have been a whole lot harder.
I look forward to my next participation and wish the Club well for the National Championships. I will b out of town for the event.
Good luck to all the riders.

Best regards
Walter Hailwax