Mud, Glorious Mud....or not.

Conrad has recently agreed to share his thoughts on mud and has posted below...

Mud has been a strange benchmarker for me over the years. From an exhiliratng medium to powerslide across the cricket field, to teetering on the brink of control in a vehicle on a slippery road. To public enemy number one.

There are of course a variety categories of mud to describe - recently damp gravel roads create brilliant "spray-on" decals those in Sandton, Pine Valley and the like would pay lots for - that's good mud. Even riding your MTB through that is ok, it's when the mud coagulates around the wheels, rendering the greatest invention on earth impotent. A wheel that can't turn. Eish. Added to that, the bike now needs to be carried as far as a water trough (poor cattle) or a tap or the like - but do that and notice how heavy mud is. On your shoulder. get home and realize how heavy it is on the pocket. Mud is abrasive and it destroys the best bikes, very little good can be said about this type of mud. Unless of course you are leaning agaisnt your bike watching the brave souls plunder on through tranches of thick mud, battling it out - bravely. And then uncermoniously being dumped. Then mud is good - its funny, but this again is not true for the soul who recently bonded with the wet earth. Also, this mud is good for your bike shop - they really rub their hands with glee everytime it rains on race day because that is when your logic is overruled by your raceface and you challenge the wet dirt.

Bliksem, it makes trail running and riding tricky - but if you are a forward thinker, berm up the mud or shape it into jumps in exactly the right sections and you'll reap the rewards of a lekker jump on packed earth when it all dries out.

Conrad - 36

A Clip of Mkhaya Game Reserve

While trawling the net of things to do in Swaziland, I cam across the following link which shows elephants cavorting about Mkhaya Game Reserve in Swaziland.

This Big Game Parks is full of conservation history, dealing with pioneering conservation from the obstacles and challenges, to the cohesion with the Monarchy and ultimately the reintroduction of 22 species and counting. Central to all this is the Reilly family who to this day play a key part in Swaziland's fabric. In fact, Ted Reilly was honoured at the recent extravagant 40-40 celebrations and is formally being recognized on the 17 September 2008.

In other stuff, the Swazi Frontier now has their website up and running www.theswazifrontier.sz which has prompted cold shivers all over and I am now again eyeballing hitting the hill climbs for training!

Swazi Frontier Looms

I am coming out of hibernating - indeed, it has been somewhat forced due to a knee injury. If pushed, I' admit I could ride quite comfortably, but running is an issue. ok, WAS an issue.

Clarisse has been to the doc several times and a new free wheel and BB later, she is purring along nicely...wait, that's not quite accurate. Her chain is a bit short (as is her temper) and as such, you have to coax her gently to change gears. Very temperamental indeed. Yes I know this humanisation of a bike is getting tiresome, but I believe this bike has tempers and moods - not a fan of winter, I think she misses the mud which is a painfully expensive taste. Anyone who has done any mud swamping would attest to this. Anyway, I am a mere rider and she is the medium.I carry on regardless though - I completed the Joe's Tubeless conversion and while the first ride I took her on was peachy, she deflated herself after a week and a half of no activity. Weird. I simply re-inflated and found she went just fine again. She did throw me off and I am sporting another bruised elbow, but that's another story.



This new post is the result of the realisation that the Swazi Frontier is approaching and I need to train. Good logic for sure. Anyway, I have taken to my favourite haunt, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and have started screaming my way around there. I have a morning ride of about 22kms which at this stage is taking me about an hour to do. It includes an optional dice with the Blesbok at the South Western section bordering the forest land. A great gradient allows a speed of around 50kms/hour which still sees the Blesbok sauntering along at a fairly agitated clip - but it's a rush nonetheless, especially if you imagine you are a lion or something chasing this animal. Imagine if Cheetahs could ride bikes?



I need to make mention of the dangers of assuming distances when running, but that's a blog for another day save to say you can confuse 7kms for 4kms and the result is a leap frog in fitness levels. Reverse futuristic psychology I call it.

The recent tease of rains in the Ezulwini Valley has chilled things down a bit after summer made a hasty appearence and warned of it's intense powers, but this cold snap has seen a few joggers lurching out as though taking a gap. Quite a few are on the roads, but many are hitting the trails at Mlilwane. My advice to them is to grab a Wild Card for free entry - particularly useful if you hit the trails on a regular basis. This card can be purchased at the Gables Shopping centre in Ezulwini, contact (00268) 416 3011.

Its exciting times, get out now and experience Swaziland in the wake of all the celebrations 40/40 and the Umhlanga Festivals, as she wakes up to a new summer with the green tinge subtly replacing the burnt vestiges of winter.

Chubeka Trails devoloping new excursion

This is great news for horse enthusiasts. Wait, it's good news for any adventure seeker - I am not mad about horses and fit squarely into the novice category even though I have recently been on an overnight trail. But the news is that a 4 day catered trail through Mlilwane north, through a community is being finalised with experienced trail blazers out as we speak. Fortunately there is a photographer along and images will be forthcoming.
This 4 day horse trail will augment the current product line of hourly trails and the popular overnight trail I experienced a little while ago.
Much of the terrain is "wild" in use by wild animals such as Impala, Kudu, Wildebeest etc. I can vouch for the fact that horse trailing is the best way to view game. It is my understanding that while it is easily accessible to locals, the trail's aim is to bring foreigners here.

Check back soon for details on this trail along with news on accommodation, animals spotted and other encounters

Good luck to Chubeka Trails.

Imvelo MTB Classic hits 400 entries

We were all warned...enter early to avoid disappointment, but whoever listens to those right? The organisers of Nedbank Swaziland's Imvelo MTB Classic turned away disbelieving and angry parents - with a courteous word and a slight sparkle, they have achieved quite a feat and the Imvelo race really has arrived.

The 400 or so lucky riders will enjoy pristine terrain, especially those tackling the 65km Classic mountainous trail - there is some overlapping with the shorter distances initially, but the smooth registration and starting times will allow for no congestion - well between races in any event. They will experience real Swaziland Singletrack that will appeal to anyone on a mountainbike and there is almost a gurantee that plenty antelope will be seen en-route. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary hosts the MTB race and is a destination where trails and game create a wonderful playground for those intent on exploring mountain bike trails, hiking trails and their forte, horse trails. Enquire and you will discover numerous horse trailing options including over night trails, multiday trails to hourly trails.

That the Imvelo Mountain Bike Race has arrived is further underlined by the high quality of rider now arriving with a healthy split of MTB riders from Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland - there is a small smattering of northern hemisphere riders thanks in part to the missionaries from the States and Europe. Regardless, some riders are approaching the Imvelo with a steely glint in their eyes, more focused than their last foray.

With the accepted fact that the Imvelo "has arrived" it has become a platform to raise awareness and indeed finances for a stricken local mountain bike rider, Bheki Mbingo who is currently in a critical condition with bleeding on the brain. A substantial prize is on offer as the raffle prize, a 6 night stay in Swaziland and this enticing raffle has attracted numerous ticket sales with all the proceeds going to Bheki. I wish the guy well.

7 June 2008 is around the corner, and with it comes a brilliant mountain bike race. I need to get some sleep and take on the beast in the morning.

Swaziland is a seriously fun playground.

Swazi Xtreme, Horse Trails and Imvelo MTB Classic

A long time in coming, but lots has happened in this, the land of adventure. Ngulube has been doing a fair amount of off road running in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, there really is no better place to run. For one, the roads are perfect so the terrain gets as challenging as you make it. Secondly, if you do not encounter any animals, remove your blindfold. Thirdly, with the Imvelo approaching you'll find funky bridges spanning gulleys and erosion ditches or dongas. If you need more reasons, there is the fully licensed bar at the main rest camp. One word of advice though, grab a Wild Card - you get free entry which quickly pays off the card fee.

The MTB trails in particular have been under maintenance and their grooming has produced hard pack single track in many places - a favourite would have to be on the should of Nyonyane, through the aloe garden, just before the hair raising descent!

Nonetheless, all this training culminated in the Swazi Xtreme where Ngulube's team recorded a finish. The highlight of this race was surely the remoteness and the genuine article as far as real rural people are concerned. Ngulube is quick to mention the gigantic mountains the locals inhabit and remembers one encounter where the team had to scale a huge gorge en-route to a school transition point at the top of the ridge. Back breaking work, sweat pouring and a wonderful achievement for the team...but little 5 and 6 year olds do that EVERY day, both up and then down again. Truly a different world.

A week prior to that, Ngulube experience an overnight horse trail, from Mlilwane Rest Camp right to and over Nyonyane mountain, incredible what the beautiful horses can do. The overnight was in a cave, completely catered for, wonderfully comfortable and an incredible experience to boot - on the list to do again.

Ngulube also the latest press release from the Imvelo organisers;

Closing in on 400 Entries! 2 weeks to go before Early Bird entries close! South Africa vs Wales Big Screen TV!

With just under a month to go to this year’s Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic, entries are at a record level which means the capacity of 400 (an increase from last year) will be achieved before race day. This means you need to get your entries in as soon as possible rather than risk leaving it to the last minute. Enter online at www.Imvelo.co.sz or Contact Reservations for options on +268 528 3943


Festivities of the day include a world-class mountain bike route and first class support from Nedbank Swaziland and our associated sponsors. Your heroic moments will be captured by Keith Fuller Photography and will also be displayed on the www.Imvelo.co.sz website after the race. For those with additional energy to expend, we have ordered in a Jumping Castle, we just ask that you give the kids a turn as well. As part of the community drive, four high school pupils have been selected to man the bike wash area – proceeds will go directly to these guys as they work to get themselves through school

The start/finish area will be abuzz with cyclists, hogs on the spit, beers flowing and general organized chaos, no doubt all characterized by silly grinning folk. As far as race souvenirs are concerned, in addition to your T-shirts, we have very unique medals we will be proudly presenting finishers of the 3 distances, and for those racers in the hunt for podium finishes, Ngwenya Glass has added their special brand of art to our race in the form of quality hand-crafted glass trophies, customized to record the day’s fun. For those who start with a bang and end perhaps with a whimper, Ngwenya Glass trophies will be up for grabs for the King of the Mountain as well as Queen of the Mountain, in addition, six more Ngwenya Glass Trophies will be up for grabs for the 1st 3 ladies home in the Classic distance as well as the first 3 positions in the Classic distance.

Due to popular demand, team entries are being accepted – this is for teams of 4 and the prize is awarded to the team with the lowest cumulative positions. The first team home scores R1000 cash prize! This category will be recognized with a minimum of 5 entered teams

An additional 50 T-Shirts have been ordered for sale and will be available at registration which is Friday the 6th of June (closing at 11pm) and on race day – please remember no entries will be accepted on the day, however, registration will be open where entered cyclists can pick up their race numbers and goodie bags.

For the die-hard rugby fans – a big screen TV will have center stage to present the Springboks vs Wales rugby test match, this auspicious occasion has been bolstered by rumours of a happy hour. Be there to find out.

A few things to remember:
Ø No Helmet No Ride (no exceptions)
Ø No Entries on the day (do not arrive on Saturday 7 June and expect to enter, no one will be available to process)
Ø Strictly 400 entries only, excess will be turned away and once capacity has been achieved, notification will be sent out.
Ø Late entries (after 26 May 2008 attract a penalty fee of R30)
Ø Come prepared for a fun day!

Brushcutter Brilliance

A miracle of modern times, the lowly brushcutter ought to be strapped to every mountainbiker should they encounter dense brush too tricky to navigate through. Luckily the folk at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary have such devices and even better, people who know how to wield them.


Single track cutting is most definitely underway in preparation for the Imvelo Mountain Bike Classic, 7 June, 2008. With the admin issues taken care of (Nedbank have ok'd the use of the proceeds from preceeding events for charity) the focus is undeniably on the creation of a brilliant race - a route that has top SA and Swazi MTB'ers excited.


Ngulube was out for some geocaching (two great caches at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary) and luckily had a bike in tow (Specialized Epic comp).

The park was on great form with a variety of animals making arrangements for the approaching winter, so it was good to see the kudus roaming, including one large guy with 3 turns in his horns. Also present were the funny Wildebeest along with the ubiquitous impala. A strange site was 3 warthogs huddled close to the main camp fire.

As far as riding is concerned, the Donga section looks like it could be a single track bike park, it's a mini grand canyon (the result of water blasting ages ago for tin mining) - so while the trail cuts through parts of this donga section, I had immense fun tracking the game trails over mounds, natural berms etc.

Further into the park, one can join the steep gravel road to the the sundowner spot which in wet weather is entirely impassable in any type of vehicle...regardless, it is a 30 min hard climb and a 10 min descent - it is a most worthwhile excursion.

I also managed to spy some of the track going through the Usuthu forest...there are some massive mountains to contend with and then there is the scorpion...will need to ride that and revert...

Trail Running paradise

Swaziland was designed for trail running, it has some serious mountains, remote areas and plenty of tracks and trails. And if you search just a little bit - you'll find places like Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary where you can run to your heart's content.

Ngulube went on a burn around what is part of the Imvelo MTB route which took in the Rock of Execution, nyonyane and a few other peaks. All told, the climbing alone was in excess of 700m. On foot that's a fair bit, but the real pain is no free wheeling down. However, Ngulube is in training for the Swazi xtreme http://www.swazixtreme.co.sz/, for the sport event this year - should be a hoot, but tough.

Looking forward to the Imvelo MTB race! Apparantly all the accommodation is just about sold out - great for tourism.

More Single Track for the Imvelo

Just got this posting that there will be a bunch more new single track to play in during the Imvelo MTB race in Swaziland, check out this article:

More new single track for 7 June 2008

Words any mountain biking enthusiast loves to hear, and this is in addition to the already plentiful single-track from last year.

Ann Reilly, the 2008 course director, has alluded to the new single-track sections:
“We know the value of single-track to a mountain biker, however, we are also keenly aware of the potential bottlenecks that ensue after cutting in single track in the wrong places at the wrong time – so we have built this into what remains a largely unchanged route.”

Having traveled much of the course during the end of March 2008, it became abundantly clear why Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic is such a hit year in year out.

Not only are the distances suitable for a variety of abilities, but the terrain matches them too.
The Family 22km fun ride traverses predominantly flat plains taking in plentiful game viewing and vistas of distant mountains while the Challenge at 34kms rewards you with a wicked downhill. But of course, you will need to gain that elevation to earn the downhill. The classic is what good mountain biking is all about – plenty open, flat plains to get the lung and legs warmed before taking on several impressive climbs (of those distant mountains!) – spectacular scenery, varied terrain and a true physical challenge are all characteristics of a legendary race.

While working away at whichever distance you have chosen, allow a smile in acknowledgment that your entry fee is making a real difference in someone’s life – you will have contributed to an orphan getting a slightly better shot at life than if you were not riding. It’s a small fee for a community project, but many such races over time have contributed meaningfully to managed projects where community involvement is far more than lip service.

The race is gathering momentum so we anticipate entries being fully subscribed and a very real chance that we will not be taking entries the day of the race.
Enter NOW at www.imvelo.co.sz

Dates for 2008 Nedbank Swaziland's Imvelo MTB Classic have been announced!

This is a great event to look forward to - some of the best riding available anywhere, and really is suitable for novices to MTB junkies. Great terrain and spectacular scenery - the classic is quite a lungbuster mind you...
I gather the entries are to be limited this year and I know acommodation is already being booked - so get in now and be there.
Newsflash! Newsflash! Newsflash! Newsflash!

Nedbank Swaziland confirms sponsorship of the 2008 Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic..

Enter Online NOW!!! http://www.biggameparks.org/entryform.html

Nedbank Swaziland has once again demonstrated their commitment to this fantastic event, which has drawn top Swazi and South African riders alike. Their commitment extends beyond pure MTB in Swaziland. The proceeds of this event go towards selected community projects and conservation.

Date: Saturday 7 June 2008
Distances: *
Classic 64kms
Challenge 35kms
Family 20kms

*Please note these are guidelines only and will be confirmed in due course.

Due to the overwhelming support this race receives and the delicate nature of the environment, race numbers will be limited to 400 this year.

Accommodation:
Please contact Big Game Parks Central Reservations office for bookings at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. A great variety is offered, including beehives, rest camp huts, dorms, self-catering, camping and caravan sites within the Rest Camp, Sondzela Backpackers lodge including rondavels (2 Km from Rest Camp) and Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge (3 Km from Rest Camp).

Winter Special Rates apply for two or more nights stay!!
(excluding camping)

Tel: (+268) 528 3943/4
Fax: (+268) 528 3924
reservations@biggameparks.org www.biggameparks.org

To get a taste of what’s in store as far as the race is concerned, click on the link below to read one rider’s tale…

PPST ... WANNA HEAR A SECRET - From the Bicycling magazine - PPST ... WANNA HEAR A SECRET - From the Bicycle magazine - Click here to download the article