It was time for the Mr Price Karkloof MTB festival again!! One of my favorites!!
This weekend away never ceases to turn into some kind of adventure!

I found it very difficult to resist not entering all the awesome events. Friday evening I won the Peri Night race for the third year in a row..., good start!

Saturday afternoon I raced the STIHL Enduro! This new edition to the Karkloof weekend is a very exiting and fun concept of racing. In this event you do 2 downhill runs of approximately 4,5km each...,but you have to work for your fun! Each rider had to ride his bike up the mountain to the start of his run, thats about a 5km climb for the first run and another 7km climb to the next. Your uphill riding time is not recorded though, so its was just a jol! I won this event as well!

On Sunday it was the main marathon events. I felt very confident to make it 3 out of 3 for the weekend! Brandon and I broke away from the rest going up the first major climb. I took the hot spot at the highest point and had to stop for water before we raced down the mountain again. Brandon rode strong and maintained his lead over me. With about 7km to the finish it looked like I would catch up again..,but I payed the price for the previous 2 day's racing and cramped up!! frustrating!!! I could only look on as the 3 chasers passed and rode away from me! Jacques won the 3 man sprint with James taking an impressive 2nd and Brandon third! I had to settle for a disappointing 4th!  

Big thanks to AVZ for being my "support crew" and well done!! Finished third in her category in the half marathon.......and managed to stay upright on this very challenging route!  ; ) 

Thanks Nick Stubbs for hosting us on their beautiful Denleigh dairy farm!

After the world cup race in Pietermaritzburg I had a short break and missing epic gave me time to do some proper training again in preparation for the second stretch of racing!

Being away from racing for 3 weeks I was a bit in the dark on what to expect at the second round of the National XC Cup at Fountains. Training went well and I was confident standing on the start line! Just a good thing for the head to have a good race again.....

Marc Bass from Namibia took the lead up to halfway into the first lap where I took over, apparently almost causing a crash with my passing move...,I might have been a bit over eager to get to the front.....

I put in a good effort to get away from the rest and settled into a comfortable rhythm. From the second lap it was all fun and games to the finish!! Really enjoyed racing again and having special support out on track made it even more fun!

The legs felt power..,but still need more!! Next up is the Karkloof MTB festival! One of my favorites!! Might make a slight detour for some biltong.....