The Sabie Experience

Sabie Experience 2011 » Stage 4

*"The High Altitude Day - Your Lungs will burn"*
Click image to enlarge	Sunday, 18 December 2011 Subject to change - 1 November 2011 Summary This stage was probably the toughest of the previous year's routes, especially if the weather turned nasty, with cold winds and sometimes thunderstorms. It can, however also be the most scenic of all the routes, and the opportunity to take in a completely new landscape with animals on the grasslands sprawling before you. As with last year however, the climbing, although steep in the middle section, is limited to the lower slopes of Hartebeesvlakte, before plunging down the mountain to the final finish of the race
Quick Releases
Total Distance : Accumulated Ascent : Time : Start and Finish : Start Altitude : ETA First Team : Stage 4 Cut-Off :	57 km (GPS) 1290m 07h00 York Timbers Sports Grounds. 1014 masl 09h30 (2 hours 30 minutes)
Two Refreshment Points
First Point :	At approximately 17km just after the Hot Spot at Long Tom Forest Station, and before the first 700m single track section ETA First Team : 07h40
Second Point :	At approximately 35km as the route reaches the first grassland section on the Hartebeesvlakte contour road. ETA First Team : 08h30
Third Point :	At approximately 44km, at the Stables Hiking Trail Hut. ETA First Team : 09h05
Media / Spectator / Supporter Points
As the riders leave the Neutral Zone at the end of the tar in Ceylon Forestry Village, only 1,2km from the start. ETA First Team : 07H03 At the King of the Mountains at 13,5km at Long Tom Forestry Station. Access from Long Tom Pass opposite the turnoff to Misty Mountain Chalets. ETA First Team : 07H40 As the riders cross the main road to Bridal Veil Falls, only 200m from the car park at the base of the falls. Please be careful of crossing cyclists, and obey the marshal. ETA First Team : 09H25 For safety reasons traveling in front of, or with the riders on the stages is not allowed. Any private vehicles doing this will be immediately stopped by race officials.
Stage Description
The stage starts with a flat section on first tar and then dirt road for about 3km, before a gradual, open road climb of 8 km to "The Oaks", where the road splits away for 3km before the "HKK" climb of 3km to the KOM will take its toll on weary legs, eventually leveling out at the first Refreshment Station. A long, 700m single track takes riders down to a jeep track for the next 4km glorious ride through the "Awesome Forest" to a sudden left turn. Proceed up a steep climb to the main contour road to Hartebeesvlakte, passing along Sally and Michelle’s Memorial Highway. After the second Refreshment Station on the grasslands, a fast, but gradual climb ends in a very fast downhill to Stables Hut and the last Refreshment Station for a "Splash and Dash" before the 800m descent in elevation to the finish. Here, even the best riders' skills are tested fully over a series some of the most technical, rocky and rutted riding yet experienced during the race. In wet conditions surfaces will be slippery and treacherous for all levels, and a single slip can cost you a broken collarbone or wrist. A brand new single track of 510m replaces Doc's Collarbone Crunch. Although it has two super smooth drop-offs the rest is fast, flowing and twisty. The jeep track section below has eroded and rutted sections with "baby head" loose rocks. Take it easy, and RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS! Another new 500m section of swoopy single track (recently irresponsibly damaged by the local horsey people on their heavy steeds) will be repaired in time for you to enjoy. Once down in the valley, the trail flattens out and the last 5km at a breeze to the finish line, and a well deserved medal to prove you have conquered the 2011 Sabie Experience. Eat a proper meal, take a shower, get the bike washed, and have a few beers under the marquee before moving up to the final award ceremony, which will take place in the Bambanani Indoor Sport Centre Hall next to the York Timbers Sports Grounds at 13h00