Training Log Archive: nmulder

6 days of mapping with Dave Peel

MTBO Race at Van Gaalens.

Nice change from previous routes for this map. A couple of new paths on the map and different direction flow made it seem reasonably new. Had a consistent ride throughout, almost got caught out going to the wrong #1. Similarly also lost 10s exiting away on the wrong side of the fence from #7. In the crop fields recent irrigation made one particular track very muddy near a butterfly control, so I avoided it the next 2 times. Otherwise seem to have chosen the best route choices every time, so very happy with that. Got the win over Alex by 2 mins.

Av 21.0
Mx 40.0

Last time trial of the season.

1) 4.00
2) 4.13
3) 4.11

I was route director for the Salomon City Trail race at Wits University. Used it as a fund-raiser for Cyanosis AR and Wits Orienteering Club.

Race went very well although a smallish turnout. Jogged / ran / hiked most of the 10km route in the early morning checking direction markers.

Putting out route markers and tags for the Salomon City Trail. Took about 6.5h to do 10km!

Short run from Kaapsehoop up to the watchtower. Back via the hiking hut.

Test running the course for the Salomon City Trail race at Wits next week. Large group of helpers / volunteers scouting and getting to know the course.

Test running and scouting a course for the Wits Salomon City Trail run with Ryno.

MTB Rogaine at Lakenvlei Lodge, Belfast

Race with Ryno again. We took about 4 mins to sort out a route on the map. Once again a bit tricky with working out the best route, although we knew we need to, and would, get all CPs which made it slightly easier on the calculations.

Decided to head out SE first and then proceed counter-clockwise around the plantation, finishing off with the S limb of the map last. Generally stayed on the most rideable roads, cutting 1 or 2 narrow marshes and only really found one boggy road near some felling on Middledam East area.

No other problems apart from 1 slow motion fall in the NE next to a control that put my intercostals into spasm - almost feeling like a broken rib.

Caught Mac and Nathan after about 3 hours and then played tag with them over a few controls. Didn't know how many they had to do at the end, which kept the pressure up. Only found out after we finished that they still had to do the SE corner, so we ended up winning by 25 mins. I think the 2 Cyanosis teams were the only ones to clean up.

Av 16.4
Mx 47.5

The annual Foot Rogaine with Ryno at Lakenvlei Lodge, Belfast.

Spent about 4 mins of planning. Very tough to identify the best route, with a good dispersal of CPs and no obvious lines.

We headed out south first, then anti-clockwise around the area, leaving 4 controls in the middle for last. The weather was very wet, rain and cold to start, but after about 2 hours it stopped raining. We could take off our rain jackets then and the cool overcast conditions were perfect for running.

Very lonely out there. Only seeing 2 other groups in about 5.5 hours. No mistakes near the CPs and probably took the best route plan available. Started getting tired early (after effects of cold?) and Ryno ended up doing a lot of towing.

Got back towards the centre of the map with 1/2 hour to spare, but that was only enough time to collect 1 of the 4 central CPs. We could maybe have collected 1 of the others earlier on in the 2nd hour, but otherwise we had a good route.

In the end, won with the highest number of points. Had about a 1-2 control or 20 min equivalent cushion, so Ryno's towing made all the difference.