Don’t Panic: Trans Baviaans Is Just Around The Corner

The Trans Baviaans, 24 hour MTB Marathon, is rapidly approaching and while there is virtually no time left for improving your fitness there is a great deal of preparation you can still do to ensure you have a successful ride. Whether you are lining up for the Race on the 11th of August or the Repeat on the 18th you will still have 230 kilometres of rugged Eastern Cape gravel roads to cover, including 2 843 significant meters of elevation gain. So here are a few tips for ensuring you a prepared for the toughest team single stage MTB race in the world…

  1. Go Long at Least Once

While you cannot really improve your fitness much between now and the event you can get your body and mind used to long hours in the saddle. So schedule a last long training ride, of at least 150 kilometres, to simulate how you will feel during Trans Baviaans. It will also give you the opportunity to find tune your nutrition plan, and remember never eat or drink anything for the first time during the big race, you have to train your gut like you do your muscles to perform on race day.

 

  1. Final Bike Prep

Give your bike a pre-race check-up. Hopefully at this late stage it won’t need a major service; but to be on the safe side make sure everything is turning smoothly, that your tubeless sealant is topped up and that all bolts are tightened up appropriately. Also be sure to check that your spare tube is puncture free and that your multi-tool, CO2 adapter, CO2 bombs, tubeless tyre plugs and spare chain link are all packed.

3. Gear Check

Do you have everything you will need gear wise for Trans Baviaans? Download the official gear check list here and ensure that you have all the kit, regardless of what the weather throws at you. Included in the gear check list are essentials like bike lights, cycling kit, nutrition and more.

 

4. Plan Your Strategy

Don’t be too rigid in your planning because it’s a mountain bike race after-all, anything can and probably will happen. But put plans in place for your ideal and worse case scenarios. Plus pre-pack your checkpoint boxes into large zip-lock bags so you can minimise your post-registration hassle. It’ll also help to print out the Route Profile and tape it to your top tube.

Night riding like never before…

5. Pack Right

  • Pack for warm, wet and cold weather. Make your final decision on race day but remember to add cold weather gear to your checkpoint 4 box regardless.
  • Pre-pack your race day nutrition. If you plan on putting bars, gels, whole food or a sports drink concentrate in your checkpoint boxes pack all the necessary products into a clearly marked zip-lock bag for each checkpoint box.
  • Double check. Make sure you have all the essentials, by cross referencing the official gear check list, which you can download here.

6. Reduce the Stress

Get to Willomore early, register and check-in to your accommodation. Have a hearty, early supper, of easily digestible and familiar foods before trying to get a good night’s rest. If you struggle to fall asleep don’t stress it, try to remain relaxed and visualise the challenge ahead. Just lying relaxed in bed will ensure you’re more well rested for race day than if you spend the night tossing and turning trying in vain to get to sleep. (If you’re staying in the hostel ear plugs are a good idea too!)

Pre-Race fun or nerves?

7. Wake Up Early

With the Trans Baviaans starting at 10:00 you have plenty of time to eat and digest a good breakfast, but don’t waste your morning either. Get up early, eat breakfast and then check in your boxes if you are sending boxes to checkpoints two and three.

8. Kill Time in Willowmore

This will be less of an issue than you think but if you are struggling for something to do take a very slow pedal down the main drag and check out the town. Or settle in with a newspaper. Just remember to avoid too much coffee, it’s a diuretic and can play havoc with a stressed stomach too, so rather use the time to hydrate with a watered down fruit juice.

9. Line Up to Go Time

From 09:00 you can start collecting your race token, which will be marked at each checkpoint, and file into the start chute. At 09:45 the race briefing will take place and at 10:00 the Trans Baviaans starts.

10. Early Kays

Remember, save energy. Every calorie you expend early on is one you won’t have for later when you’re climbing MAC or Neverender. Someone has to sit at the front of the group, but try to ensure it’s not you – or at least not you for too long.

11. The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve

Once you hit the reserve the going gets tougher, this is what you saved energy for. The climb to Baviaans Back at 115 kilometres in could be a shock to the system, but the Fangs at 130 kilometres certainly will be. Just after the second Fang the Mother of All Climbs starts (Check it out on Stava), save energy for it. The main part of the climb is about 5 kilometres long and averages just below double figures in gradient, but be warned there are sections which ramp up briefly to over 20% and longer drags at over 10%. The surface of MAC is better than ever this year though, with Eastern Cape Parks having laid concrete strips up the climb; just don’t drop off the concrete onto the old eroded jeep track surface.

12. The Big Dipper

At Bergplaas you’ll reach the all-important checkpoint 4. It’s here that most riders aim to be before it gets dark. Remember Bergplaas is located off the main road, so hang a left to the check point about 3 kilometres after the King and Queen of the Mountain hot spot. Descending the Big Dipper at night can be daunting, but if you have an Extreme Lights Ultimate+ or Endurance+ light you’ll be thankful for their wide beams which cast light through the corners as well at a focal point straight ahead.

13. Beyond the Baviaanskloof

Once out of the nature reserve the road surfaces improve once more, but by now you’ll probably be too tired to notice the difference. This is where your mental strength and team work will really come to the fore. Prepare to suffer here and promise yourself now that you won’t quit. Once over the Neverender at 195 kilometres the major battles are won.

14. Final Tips

  • Eat, Eat, Eat. Keep putting back those calories
  • Drink, Drink, Drink. Keep hydrating, especially if it gets colder and your thirst response drops off. You’ll still need the fluids.
  • Don’t faff. Don’t waste time at the checkpoints, get in and get out. Have a plan for what you’ll need at each checkpoint and stick to it.
  • Save energy for the end. The final 5 kilometres to the Fountains Mall in Jefferys Bay are now on a singletrack next to the railway line. Don’t expect a smooth tar run in to town.
  • Stick together and Enjoy it. The Trans Baviaans is a team race and hopefully you’re riding it with friends, so stay together and enjoy the experience.

15. Stay Updated

Keep yourself updated in the build up to the Trans Baviaans by following the event on Facebook and Instagram, or EcoBound on Twitter. Your supporters at home or meeting you at checkpoint 5 will be able to follow the race live, over both weekends, by following those social media handles or by watching online at www.transbaviaans.co.za.

The Start!

For more information visit www.transbaviaans.co.za, alternatively contact Zane Schmahl (zane@ecobound.co.za | 072 076 8623) or Seamus Allardice (seamus@seamusallardice.com | 082 748 7772).

Trans News #3-18

Goeie Dag

Die koudste week van die jaar!
Wikus van der Walt is tans besig met die Freedom Challenge en het deur n spier wit Hel gery 2 dae terug! Hy het ook deur die Baviaanskloof gery en beplan om hierdie jaar vir die eerste keer ooit in 15 jaar sy eie event die Trans Baviaans aan te pak!

Schedule

In order for you to prepare your logistics, this is how registration will work:

Registration opens on Friday from 13:00 at the Town Hall in Knysna road (Main Street) in Willowmore and will continue untill 20:00.  Please note: There will be no registration on Saturday morning.

Remember:- Containers for Checkpoint #4 (Bergplaas) must be loaded on Friday before 20:00 at registration. Containers for Checkpoints #2 & #3 will only be loaded on Saturday from 7:30-8:30. Trucks for these containers will be parked next to the Engen Garage in Willowmore.

Please Note: All the information required for the race will be provided at the Race Registration. Allow enough time to familiarise yourself with the info before the start – especially the route as it will not be marked!

For the full event Schedule go to our website

FAQ

We are currently running a FAQ campaign on Facebook, go check it out and we might be answering some of your questions!
Facebook Page

Training

You can download the proven training planners from our website that has been covered in the Trans Talks. If you are following the conventional one this should be what you need to do next week:
WEEK 19
MO 45min @ zone 1 or rest
TU 1h10 @ zone 1, include 30min @ zone 2
WE 1h30 @ zone 2
TH 2h00 @ zone 2
FR 45min @ zone 1 or rest day
SA 1h30 @ zone 2
SO 2h30 @ zone 2

EcoBound Explorer
“Explore everything EcoBound”
We have a mobile app! It is still in the starting phases of development but you can download it from the app stores. The aim will be to make your entry process to our events smoother! We are including some cool features like the “Polar Training Planners” that you can follow, they are located under “Performance”
We will have the “Live” event run from the app with feeds on your progress and handy features for your supporters!

 

Development bikes going into the Baviaanskloof!
We have started a programm where these guys will be able to rent out their bikes to tourist and generate income for them to compete in races. The first event on their Momsen AL129’s will be the Trans Baviaans!

We are very excited to announce our partnership with Versus socks as they are undoubtedly the leader in the industry! We will have the limited edition Trans Baviaans Socks available for pre order up to 16 July on our website and they will be up for grabs at event registration.

Happy Riding

Team EcoBound

 

Trans News #2-18

Goeie Dag

Die maand van April het aangebreek. Vir die wat nog ons “Polar Training planners”oorweeg, hierdie sal die maand wees om te begin met die oefening program.

Trans Talks / Rides

The past Trans Talk’s have been very well received and we had great turn outs at all of these evenings! Thank you so much for the continued support everyone!
We are now focusing on the Trans Rides coming up in April and we hope to see some of you at these more casual evenings. If you have not yet booked your spot please RSVP by clicking this link

Community Projects

We recently had a community meeting in the Baviaanskloof and we are excited to work with the community of this special place, on some new projects for the area. Projects that have been identified for 2018 are:
1. Baviaanskloof Racing Team – To supply gear and facilitate training of a team to compete in the Trans Baviaans 2018.
2. Sanitary facilities for Zaaimanshoek School –  To help with the installation of a septic tank and sanitary facilities of the Zaaimanshoek School.
3. Information Boards – We are looking at the possibilities of placing Baviaanskloof information boards at the entrances of the Baviaanskloof.

The annual Trans Baviaans mountain bike race covers 230 kilometres from Willowmore to Jeffreys Bay, via the remote Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site. Photo by Jacques Marais.

Happy riding!
Team EcoBound

Trans News #1-18

Trans News #2 -17

Trans Talk Schedule and more on the Trans Baviaans 2017.

The very popular Trans Talk Info evenings will come your way in the next couple of weeks as we kick off the tour with Port Elizabeth tonight at The Bike & Brew.
If you have questions about the event, the format or would like to just chat to fellow Trans Riders come and join us at one of these evenings. We will go through some do’s and don’ts, share valuable training, nutrition and gear insights.
You will notice that the schedule has been updated with some additions (East London & Johannesburg) to the list of cities we intend to visit. Cape Town’s date has changed to the evening before and Druban’s venues has been confirmed.

Shedule:

Date City Venue
2 Feb 2017 Port Elizabeth Bike & Brew
3 Feb 2017 East London East London Cycles
7 Feb 2017 Pietermaritzburg Greg Minaar Cycles
8 Feb 2017 Durban Leigh’s Cycle Centre
15 Feb 2017 Centurion The Bicycle Company
16 Feb 2017 Klerksdorp Tailwind Cycles
17 Feb 2017 Johannesburg Mellow Velo
22 Feb 2017 Bloemfontein Cycle World
7 March 2017 Stellenbosch Extreme Lights
8 March 2017 Cape Town Revolution Cycles
15 March 2017 Knysna Knysna Cycle Works
16 March 2017 George Coimbra Cycles

Please book with carmen@ecobound.co.za.

Training:

If you haven’t started yet, go and have a look at our training plan on the website and get inspired by the #Bergplaas video below!

Sterkte met die oefening en veilig trap.
Fiets ry groete
Wikus van der Walt

Polar has launched a competition with The Trans Baviaans for 2017.
As a Trans Baviaans rider, you can enter online for a chance to win one of two Polar Bike Computers!  Then enter again at one of the Trans Talks near you and double your chances of winning.
Click here to enter
Shedding some light on #Bergplaas – Trans Baviaans 2016
The 2017 Trans Baviaans Ciovita Cycling Jersey will be available at the Trans Talk’s for viewing and fitting before you order! Online Shop
Have you seen the latest Vipa? We will have the new Vipa Two with us on tour and at the Trans Talks.
                      

Trans Talk Schedule 2017

Trans Talk Information Evenings

The first Trans Talk took place way back in 2004 right before the very first Trans Baviaans 24hr MTB marathon. The distance was unheard of, the riders didn’t know if it was possible to do, there was a buzz of excitement and nerves mixed together in the month leading up to the inaugural race. A couple of locals from Knysna asked Wikus van der Walt the founder of the race to come and tell them what to expect!

The idea was borne and the race has grown from about 250 riders in the first year to now having 2 events on 2 consecutive weekends and both are sold out. Team Ecobound embarked on a roadshow this year visiting the main centres with a Trans Baviaans Information session dubbed the Trans Talks. The tour started in Johannesburg at the Sportmans Warehouse in Fourways and then moved to The Bike and Brew in Port Elizabeth, Sportmans Warehouse Bloemfontein, Greg Minnaar Cycles in Pietermaritzburg, Knysna Cycle Works in Knysna and then the last evening was at Sportmans Warehouse Rondebosch Cape Town.

Guests arriving at Sportmans Warehouse Rondebosch

All the evenings where well attended and enjoyed by everyone. We had expert advise on nutrition from PowerBar, Extreme Lights got technical with light information, Squirt gave away some goodies for everyone that attended and Darling Brew did tastings in Cape Town. The stores that hosted the Trans Talk’s offered some great specials to everyone that joined. Special speakers included veteran Berend Maarching (who did every single race) with some of his tips, podium finishers like Nick Cape and more.

“We will make a downloadable version of the presentation available to all that did not attend the Trans Talks” said Zane Schmahl Event Organiser.

Trevor Seinen from PowerBar giving expert advise as a veteran of the Trans Baviaans

“The Trans Talk Roadshow will be launched again for 2017 with hopefully more towns to be visited in our country after many requests confirming the demand for them” said Wikus van der Walt Race Director.

The team from Ecobound will now turn their full focus to the event itself that will take place on 13 & 20 August 2016 which is just around the corner.

IMG_0296

Berend Maarsingh giving some tips as a finisher of every single Trans Baviaans

IMG_2034

Some riders ogling at the Momsen Vipa XT 2016 model

Newsletter #5-16

Dagsê 

Ek is besig met hierdie nuusbrief soos die Ecobound span in Bloemfontein sit, besig om reg te kry vir die #TransTalkBloem. Ons is verstom met die geweldige ondersteuning wat ons kry van ryers vêr en wyd in ons land vir hierdie informasie aande oor die Trans Baviaans en sal ons beste probeer om volgende jaar n groter toer te doen!

The Baviaans Kloof.

We have been through the Baviaans Kloof last week. It is dry at the moment with very little river crossings to be concerned about at this stage, but if the past has taught us anything it is that everything can change in the kloof very quickly. The roads are very good except for some of the steep climbs where the cement strips are deteriorating and leaving some big “gaps” in the road

Trans Talk Road Show

So far the Trans Talk’s have been a huge success with some valuable tips and information shared. We have been pleased with the turn out of veterans of the Trans Baviaans also attending the evenings and adding value. If you are in the area listed below please book your spot and join us in Knysna or Cape Town.

Our schedule for the rest of the Trans Talks are as follows:
1. Knysna Cycle Works Knysna – 13 June 2016.
2. Sportmans Warehouse Rondebosch Cape Town – 14 June 2016.
All to start @ 19:00

The evening will be free of charge but we would like you to RSVP with Carmen at carmen@ecobound.co.za  by 10 June in order for us to confirm numbers. We will provide snacks, drinks and hopefully some good laughs.

Enjoy your preparations and we hope to see you at one of the Trans Talks.

Wikus van der Walt

We would like to welcome Darling Brew to the Ecobound Family, they will have a cold one available for you at the finish of the Trans Baviaans 2016!

PowerBar has got fantastic products and all are on special for Trans Baviaans entrants. Simply go to ouronline shop to get your coupon code and order directly from PowerBar’s shop to qualify for your 10% discount!

If you don’t have your lights sorted out yet you better hurry to do so! Extreme lights has put together a“light guide” for the Trans Baviaans and some great specials on their products.

Exciting news for all the Single Speed fans out there! We will have a category for you crazy people out there, with an awesome team prize from South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance and a #SpecialKindOfIdiot Trophy, because you are special!

Want to experience the Baviaans Kloof at a slower pace and take in those views? Have a look at the inaugural Trans Tour available this year!

Newsletter #4-16

Dagsê 

Ek het gedink dit sal goed wees om vir n slag die nuusbrief in Afrikaans te begin. Winter is om die draai en dit gaan al hoe moeiliker begin raak om te oefen, maar dit sal alles die moeite werd wees wanneer julle teen die M.A.C uitklim in Augustus!

The All New Trans Tour.

With the launch of the second event in 2015, we had these guys, some would call them crazy, some would call them stupid and some would call them very brave, that took up the challenge of riding the first Trans Baviaans from Willowmore to Jeffreys Bay, then ride back to Willowmore through the Baviaanskloof during the following week and then soldier onto the start of the second Trans Baviaans 24hr MTB Marathon! Now that brings Trans Spirit to a whole new level!
We will now be offering a Trans Tour in the week between the two events from 15th August to 19th August 2016 for those crazy enough to take up the challenge (as the guys from last year), for those who want to take their better half through the kloof on a more relaxed journey, for those wanting to reminisce about the race (see some views in daylight) or for those who want to mentally prepare for what is about to come! There is only 10 spots available for this tour so book your spot. Click here for more info.

Trans Talk Road Show

Our schedule for the rest of the Trans Talks are as follows:

1. Bike & Brew Port Elizabeth – 17 May 2016
2. Sportmans Warehouse Bloemfontein – 25 May 2016.
3. Greg Minnaar Cycles Pietermaritzburg – 30 May 2016.
4. Knysna Cycle Works Knysna – 13 June 2016.
5. Sportmans Warehouse Rondebosch Cape Town – 14 June 2016.
All to start @ 19:00

If you are a rookie (first timer) this evening will be very informative and if you are a 5 year shield holder or on your way to one please come and share your experiences with everybody and social with us!

The evening will be free of charge but we would like you to RSVP with Carmen at carmen@ecobound.co.za  a week before every date in order for us to confirm numbers. We will provide snacks, drinks and hopefully some good laughs.

Enjoy your preparations and we hope to see you at one of the Trans Talks.

Wikus van der Walt

Sportmans Warehouse will be offering excellent discounts at the Trans Talk Roadshows on selected Cycling Equipment and their counters will be open for sales. Be sure not to miss it!

Do you worry when they take your bike apart when you give it in for transportation to a race that something might be wrong when your collect it again……. then Bicycle Transport is the way to go!

Bicycle Transport from Pretoria and Johannesburg to Willowmore and back from Jeffreys.

Race date: 13 and 20 August 2016

Cost per bike: R1200

For more info

Have a look at the Trans Baviaans Merchandise available on the online shop.

Newsletter #3-16

Greetings
Now that all the April Fools jokes have settled, its back to reality and the time is getting closer to the Trans Baviaans 2016. If you are not on schedule with your training yet make sure you check out the training programme.  

Participants in the Trans Baviaans 2016.
Your detailed confirmation email is in the queue and will be with you soon if you have not already received it. Check the info carefully and read through everything. Save that mail for future reference!   

New Website and Online Shop 

Our new website is up and running along with an online shop, we are planning to add more great products to the shop so keep an eye out! At the moment get your Trans Branded Capestorm kit from the site!

Trans Talk Road Show
We are busy finalising the rest of the tour and will let you have the details on it asap!

PowerBar® is offering an awesome 10% discount on their online shop for Trans Baviaans participants! Use voucher code: TransPB2016 Don’t miss out on this opportunity get your order in today!

 
Enjoy your preparations.

Wikus van der Walt