The Sani2c Trail 2012 - Part 2

The day of reckoning had arrived. Much of our training was focussed on surviving this day… the Queen Stage of Sani2c; Day 2.

Despite knowing what was waiting for us in the latter part of the stage, it was difficult to curb our enthusiasm over the first part. By many regarded as the best mountain biking in the country, and possibly the world, the first 40km of the stage takes you from Mckenzie Country Club right to the bottom of the Umkomaas Valley and the banks of the mighty Umkomaas river. A sight for sore eyes…

We started the day in the J bunch, a bit further towards the back of the field, due to losing some time  after some severe cramps attacked Kalla late in the first day. It wasn’t a major worry as the batches were small enough to avoid any congestion on the sublime singletrack. Getting away right at the front of the group, we stuck to the front for the most part of the first kilometres of the day, only being passed by a couple of riders. The first few sections of singletrack are dual cut track; another thing that makes this event so special. To avoid congestion two pieces of singletrack are cut parallel to each other. At times these singletrack sections veers away from each other so much that you completely lost sight of the riders on the other piece track. As we got to the first section we were a couple of riders riding in line. Kalla and I spotted the dual track to the left just in time and swung left to ride into a perfectly groomed piece of singletrack completely on our own. Not a single rider in front or behind us as far as the eye can see.

The singletrack winds its way through more plantation sections as the anticipation for what we are about to experience grows stronger and stronger. So much has been said over the years of the descent into the Umkomaas Valley but nothing could’ve prepared our senses for what we were about to experience. As the trail winds its way out of the wooded area it suddenly hits a small bump and as you crest it you get your first view of the majestic Umkomaas Valley.  The start of the drop into the valley starts with a singletrack section simply named “Wow”. A simple name, but the most fitting name imaginable. From the moment you hit “Wow” absolute singletrack madness ensues with the unbelievable sections bench cut into the mountain sides of the valley. Yankey’s doodle is superb and takes you into Murray’s Meander with breathtaking views of the Umko Valley right from the overhanging cliffs. Nick’s pass then follows with a series of 8 switchbacks taking you closer to the valley floor and into Sosiba’s Section. After all of these sections you’ll be forgiven for thinking “We must be close to the bottom now”. Not even close! School singletrack, Mchunu’s Highway, MamTholo’s Pride, Heaven or Hell and Tamika’s Detour are all singletrack sections that follow before bottoming out on the Umkomaas Valley floor right on the banks of the mighty Umkomaas River. Undoubtedly, the best mountain biking I have ever done, and probably ever will do. Nothing even remotely compares to this section of mountain biking heaven with its unbelievable trails and spectacular views. 

Before we reached the first water point at the the 40km marker we crossed the Umkomaas River twice and was treated to some awesome riding on its banks as it twisted through the valley floor. What a day it has been up to this point but when we reached the first water point we knew that the picnic was over. We were now right at the bottom of the valley and there was only one way out… and that was not downhill. The total climbing for Day 2 amassed a total of 2000 metres and almost 75% of that we will be doing in the next 30 km. There were two stops left for the day. One on 66 km, on the other side of Lamb legs climb, and the last one at Highflats Church. Our first goal was to make it to the first stop before the cut off. By all our calculations we would be able to make it quite comfortably, but we were still venturing into the unknown and were still just a tad worried that something might go wrong. The rain the previous day ensured that our descent into the valley were void of any dust and complemented the flowing trails by providing us with a hard packed road surface, however, also meant we had some muddy sections to negotiate. Luckily for us, the muddy sections were few and far between and didn’t have a major impact on our day. Unfortunately, by the time we hit the bottom of Lamb legs Kalla started feeling the effects of a fall on Day 1. Pain in his right knee started to worsen as the day went on and the arduous amount of climbing started to take it’s toll. Still, we pushed on… we had to.

Lamb legs is a bitch. There is just no other way to describe it. But, as with most of the climbs en route it is very much rideable. It’s a climb that feels never ending. The road winds it’s way around bend after bend, and after each bend you expect to see the top, but it just never comes. What makes it even worse is the fact that every now and then there is a Nando’s poster strategically placed on the climb making you want to reach the top even more. Summiting the climb without having to dismount once was a good feeling and we were treated at the water point with a Nando’s burger. To this day still one of the best burgers I ever had. The MC at the water point reassured all the riders there at the time that everyone there needn't worry about the cut off. We would make it comfortably! After filling up again with some cold water, getting our chains lubed and sunglasses washed we were off and ready to take on the new “Push of a climb”; a technical singletrack climb winding through the KZN bush battering your legs with every pedal stroke. Getting to the top meant that even though the climbing for the day was not quite done yet, the biggest hills of the day were out of the way.      

We eventually reached Highflats church, the last water point, after already spending 7 hours in the saddle. Kalla’s knee was hurting more and more as the day went on and at this point he was in anguish. He was determined to finish and had the medic at the water point strap his knee. Anything to try and ease the pain. We soldiered on and eventually made it to the finish in 7 hours and 55 minutes. What a day! Undoubtedly the best day I have spent on my bike by a country mile, but definitely also the toughest. It was a long day but the riding was superb; an experience beyond words that I will never forget.

We couldn’t start celebrating just yet as Kalla could hardly bend his knee and a visit to the race doctor’s tent confirmed what we had feared; he would not be able to continue and would miss the final day. A lot of hard work had gone into getting to this point and hearing the news was devastating. Even though injuries are part of the sport, this was the worst time for something like this to happen. At least we got to ride the best part of the race, Day 2, and now just had some more motivation to come back next year fitter and stronger.

I would be riding the last day alone and was looking forward to seeing Adél and Evan again at the finish line. At the same time I didn’t want Sani2c to end. Such an unbelievable experience… the organisation, the trails, the vibe, everything were top notch. This was definitely something I needed to experience on an annual basis. But, before I could even think of that, I needed to recover after a long hard day as I still had a way to go. The beach was beckoning!