The Berg & Bush Descent 2014
Misty, cold and rainy weather greeted us at The Border Post, the new start venue of the 2014 Berg & Bush Descent, on top of the Drakensberg escarpment. It wasn’t going to be the ideal start to our first Berg & Bush, but we were there and I was as excited as ever. Running from 10 - 12 October 2014, this is undoubtedly one of the top stage races in South Africa and it was such a privilege to be on the start line, even if the weather didn’t play it’s part. Wichard and I were riding a stage race together for the first time, as Team TreasuryOne. The Berg & Bush would be Wichard’s very first stage race ever… less than two months after an unexpected knee operation.
We got the race underway in the C bunch. The weather didn’t let up and visibility was only a couple of meters due to the mist on this cold morning. Weather was perfect leading up to the race, even the day before was sunny and warm, but as luck would have it that same weather didn’t show up on Day 1. Riding through the mist and some spots of light rain we quickly made our way to the first climb of the day, less than 10km into the race. The climb took us up to the highest point in the race at 1800 meters above sea level. The air was thin and the heart rates high but the anticipation of what was to come was running even higher.
The rest of the day was littered with single track. Not even the weather could dampen the instant gratification left by the flowing trails. It was a long day, 95 breath taking kilometres to be exact, and after 7 hours in the saddle we eventually reached the Garden of Eden – a 3km stretch of trail next to the Tugela River. A fitting end to an awesome day. I felt good, but Wichard’s knee took some strain. Some rest was needed before we battled Spioenkop on Day 2.
Day 2 started rather gingerly with Wichard’s knee acting up right from the get-go. We took it easy as we went through some of the best trails I have ever ridden. The very first piece of singletrack on the day is called Funny Galore and rightfully heralded by some international riders as some of the best trails around. A climb taking you over the mountain took us to some more unique trails traversing canyon’s, riverbeds and the Natal bushveld. At this point Wichard was battling the pain in his right knee and we were stopping every so often to give him a bit of a breather. We knew we had to make it to the 38 km mark, from there it’s only 8 more kilometres to the top of the Spioenkop climb and then a 15 km descent into the finish line. Wichard battled on.
One of my big goals for the Berg & Bush race was riding the infamous Spioenkop climb. This mountain, a sight of one of the largest battles of the Anglo Boer War, has a huge reputation. Kicking up to a 22% gradient in some places makes it intimidating even before you see it. We passed the mountain at the end of Day 1 and from a far you could see the initial bit of the climb. It’s a dead straight road heading straight up the mountain. No switchbacks, no winding… as straight as an arrow with a 22% gradient. It’s an iconic climb, so much so that the organisers hand out “I rode Spioenkop” stickers to the riders who rode the climb to the top. I had to get one of those stickers! The whole day leading up to the climb I was psyching myself up. I was not going to push. As I had never ridden the climb, I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect but I was preparing for the worst. As we slowly starting climbing to the foot of the climb (yes, the actual climb even starts on a bit of a hill) Wichard and I decided to meet each other at the top, each riding his own pace. Hitting the foot of the climb is a rather intimidating sight with this wall of a climb stretching up in front of you. The upside is that the climb is paved. It’s so steep that a dirt road would be washed away by the rains. Getting into a rhythm I made my way to the top, passing quite a lot of riders who had resorted to a push on this steep section. I got my sticker and was stoked! Turns out the climb isn’t as tough as I had thought. Yes, it’s hellishly steep but the fact that the road is paved means you have constant traction and I can even get out of the saddle to climb, which helps me as the change in form utilises some other muscles groups. It’s probably the steepest climb I’ve ridden, but it’s short and sharp and getting to the top isn’t easy but very doable. Had it been a rough rocky road, this climb would’ve been bordering impossible.
The resultant descent from Spioenkop was something to behold and some of the best riding I have ever done. More track bench cut into the side of the mountain with amazing views down the Spioenkop mountain was the order of the day. Kilometres and kilometres of flowing singletrack coming down the mountain culminating in the grand finale, the Bell Run. The very last bit of the drop down the mountain marked by 14 berms and 4 table top jumps. Day 2 was done. Wichard had made it, albeit barely, but at what cost?
As he limped into our chalet on the third morning I was sceptical, to say the least, but still had a glimmer of hope due to the fact that he soldiered through a really tough day the day before. However, a quick ride around the bike park confirmed the inevitable, he was not going to be able to ride on Day 3. He could hardly walk and pedalling a bike was excruciating. I would be starting the stage solo.
As we had nursed Wichard’s knee the previous two days we didn’t tire ourselves out much, which meant I felt pretty fresh at the start line on Day 3. I started right in front of the very last bunch and decided to push the pace a bit. As I exited the race village and looked back at the bunch, I was all alone out in front with no one in sight. At the bottom of the first climb aptly names “Forever and ever” I caught the bunch in front of us and climbed my way through the bulk of the bunch. It was a long steady climb making its way higher up into the mountain around every corner and it really never seemed to end.
The trails snaked its way through the KZN bushveld and soon we hit a section called puffadder pass. A fast and rugged piece of singletrack taking you down to the Tugela River valley floor. The trails next to the river were superb, with a suspension bridge to boot. I eventually finished the day in a time of 3 hours and 51 minutes. A rather fast day to end of an amazing experience.
We missed out on many of the views on Day 1, but despite the weather it was still an amazing experience and something that I just have to go back and do again. This race is right up there with the best. I still don’t believe that one should compare these stage races to one another, as each one is so unique and is a completely different experience to the other, however, in terms of quality and overall satisfaction this is right up there with Sani2c. I especially loved that the race village is open to riders as well as their families and having Adel, Evan & Dian there once again just made this so special. I just have to do this one again! A massive thanks go out to Wichard and TreasuryOne for making this one happen.
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