Picturesque yet daunting mountains, tricky river beds and teeth-gritting downhills - the competitors lining up for the Castrol Winterberg Enduro, the first round of the 2009 season, will face a challenging route that promises plenty of action.
Scheduled for Saturday 7 February, the Castrol-sponsored Winterberg moves out of its regular year-end slot, which in itself changes the character of the event.
According to the Rover Motorcycle Club in Port Elizabeth, the organisers of what is widely regarded as the best enduro of the year, the Eastern Cape typically experiences high ambient temperatures in February, which has played a significant role in the selection of the route.
Fewer uphills
"Unlike the mild weather experienced in November, February is usually dry and very hot in the Eastern Cape, and we're expecting the daytime temperature to be in the mid-30s," states Ross Guscott, the Castrol Winterberg Enduro route director.
"This means that competitors will be facing extreme heat through much of the race, and has led us to choose a slightly less physical route with fewer uphills."
However, Guscott is quick to point out that riders shouldn't expect a walk in the park. "We've incorporated many of the Winterberg's famous sections, such as Miss Piggy and Hunters Trail, but we've also found several new routes that will test the competitors to their limits."
In particular, he emphasises that there will be several downhill sections that 'skrik for niks', new river beds and river crossings to contend with, and dense bush sections that will keep the riders on their toes.
The route consists of two loops - the 55 km loop A, and 40 km loop B. Common to both loops is the 13 km section from the start at the PPC grounds near Hankey. This common section is the timed special stage, and travels across the 'Iron Bridge', down the infamous 'Miss Piggy' and on to the 'Jeep Track' which features loose rocks and a new section in the valley.
Rock, clay and water
Loop A turns left at the split and bypasses Hankey, crossing the Gamtoos River on the newly built Castrol Overpass - a bridge which ends halfway across the river, requiring riders to jump the balance of the river.
Thereafter the riders face a series of rocky river beds up the so-called Dog Leg Ball Bearing Hill, and down a totally new river bed section on the return run back to Hankey and PPC, which is the designated service point.
Loop B turns right after the special and heads further inland along hard-pack river beds and Hunters Trail which couldn't be used last year due to the rain. There is a mixture of uphills and downhills, as well as rock and clay to deal with.
Then comes a daunting 1km descent along a tricky horse trail, followed by a river bed last used in 2003. As a final sting in the tail, the competitors have to ride up a steep fire break right near the end of the loop, which will prove quite intimidating for some.
The National 200 and Open classes will alternately complete two laps of each loop (A/BA/B). National Senior, Silver, Regional Open, Regional Senior and Junior A class riders will do loops A, B and then a repeat of A, while National Masters, 400 Plus, Regional Masters, Regional Junior, Club and Junior B will do a single lap of each loop.
In all instances, the first stint through the 13 km special will be for sighting purposes only, with the subsequent runs timed. The exception is the Novice A group which will only complete loop A, and do not compete in the special.
Briefing
The rider briefing will take place at the PPC grounds at 7.00am, with the started scheduled for 7.30am. The first riders are expected to finish the race at 2.30pm.
Finally, as a final word of caution, the organisers have indicated that the limited rain and high temperatures recorded leading up the Winterberg has resulted in the area being extremely dry. Accordingly, caution needs to be exercised by riders, crews and spectators alike when it comes to dealing with open flames and cigarette butts.