Sabie Experience 2011 » Stage 1
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Prologue (Time Trial) - "Fast, Furious Fun" |
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Thursday, 15 December 2011 Subject to change - 2 December 2011
Summary
The 2010 route is not expected to change much for 2011. Most of the route follows single tracks, climbs on main forestry logging roads, with an optional 600m technical, steep, single track "Eagle Run" above the Maritzbos Hiking Trail Hut to avoid the 2,6km "Chicken Run" before rejoining the "Lite" route to climb up to the contour jeep track and descent into Ceylon Village. The flowing single track sections along the Sabie River towards the end of the stage and Lone Creek River Bridge await. Enjoy!
Google Earth Route Map
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| Quick Releases | |
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Total Distance : Accumulated Ascent : Single Track : Jeep Track : Forestry Gravel Roads : Tar Road : Expected Fastest Time : |
30 km (GPS distance) 610 m 5km 11km 14km 1km 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Refreshment Stations | |
| No formal refreshment station on the route, but tap water is available for riders at the Maritzbos Hut. Riders are advised to take drinks and food for a 2 hour ride. | |
| Media / Spectator / Supporter Points | |
| At the floating Bridge at Lake Olaf, some 2km from the start. Watch the swimmers who cannot ride on water! | |
| Stage Description | |
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After leaving the York Sports Grounds at 30" intervals, the teams cross the Sabie River and immediately enter the first new section of
single track alongside the river, which later crosses the Ceylon tar road, and enters another winding section under the pines.
This turns onto a scenic jeep track alongside the Sabie River for another 2km, before enter a short section of single track with two
stream crossings, before the 120m "GDH/Long Tom Lumber Floating Bridge" at Lake Olaf, which will be compulsory for all riders this year! We need more photos of swimming cyclists after two disappointing years of expert riding! After the floating bridge, an open road allows the riders to speed up somewhat until the diversion to a new drop-off to test riders' ability and courage. Here a "chicken run" option (4 m high/25% gradient) is available for the not so brave, versus the "eagle run" (7m high/35% gradient) for the racers, but slightly longer in distance. From here the road is open wide and a short tar section takes riders to the base of the first 2 km challenging climb of 150m. Cresting the top, a very fast downhill section awaits to take you to the split, at 12km where the "Experience Teams" take off to the left to climb another 250m. Another open road climb of 200m takes teams to a contour jeep track with a final ascent before dropping drown towards the Maritsbos Hiking Trail Hut. Here the brave and skilled will choose a magnificent "Eagle Run" 600m single track cut into the side of the hill, with three steep drop-offs and twisting, turning sections to get the adrenalin pumping. Wet conditions here may make things a lot more challenging! The "Chicken Run" option is faster, all on forestry road, but 2km longer and will probably cost you at least 6 minutes in time. After a fast section down the riparian zone to join the "Lite" route, another testing, technical climb of 120m on rocky surfaces takes the teams to a lovely, scenic contour jeep track above the Sabie Valley towards Ceylon Forestry Village. A final drop down on slippery "Helter Skelter" jeep track ends up above the village, and a diversion to the traditional single tracks along the river, over the bridge at Lone Creek River Lodge before the final push hell-for-leather through the horse camp to to the Finish in the Sports Grounds. |
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