Mountain Biking race (Mabalingwe Lionman) 3:33:48 [5] 76.09 km (21.4 kph) +1001m
shoes: Specialized Epic Comp 2006
0800 - My goal for Mabalingwe this year was to break last years time of 3h30. The start line packed a few big names, so I wasn't planning on trying to better my 15th place of last year. Race started off well. I mantained a pace that was probably faster than last years, hanging around in the area of the first 2 ladies (Speedy and Jeanie). Got hold of a good group on the fast gentle climb at 20km, where we hit 37km/hr. Got dropped at 35km when I eased off a bit, but I still blew at 50km the base of the big hill. Lost a few places, but lost more time. Recovered on the flats after that and had a great downhill finish over the last 10km. Didn't recatch the ladies, but just had Dreyer behind me (puncture). At 10k out, I thought I was heading for a 3h40, so was chuffed that I got so close to my mark. Climbing the hill when blown cost me. I figure I finished about mid-20's. Numbers were down a bit this year. Maybe 30% off? Still a big turnout of about 1800 people, 600 on our distance. Av 21.4 Mx 44.8