Nissan Promises An Even Greater Adventure For Gauteng

Race Report : Advendurance Media

When mountain bikers talk about what they have experienced in the different races of the Nissan series, they cannot help making excessive use of the words ‘awesome’ and ‘amazing’.

During the past weekend’s Nissan Sammy Marks Relay the riders were lyrical when they talked about the excellent single-track sections on the route.

Fritz Pienaar, race-organizer, just smiled when he was told about the enthusiastic comments of the riders.  “If the riders think they have had amazing rides up till now, there is a pleasant surprise that awaits them at the last Nissan race at the Van Gaalen Cheese Farm at Hartbeespoort Dam, which will be held on 21 November.

“They have seen nothing yet. We are saving the best for last. Nature has provided us with everything we need to put together one of the best races ever. There is a mountain, real bush and water to work with. One of the most enjoyable sections of the route will be the 15 kilometers of single track right next to the river.”

According to Pienaar the composition of the team involved in putting the races together is one of the main reasons for the success of the Nissan series.

“We are all keen mountain bikers ourselves, so we know what the riders want and will enjoy.  With every race we do our utmost to ensure that there are some of mountain biking’s ‘wow’ moments along the route.”

The fact that the routes of the Nissan series are designed by people who themselves are passionate about mountain biking, contributes greatly to making them so special.

Pienaar says one of the most exciting things about putting together a race is finding the right site.

“What helps me a lot is that I have been cycling for a long time and I am a keen motor biker as well.  I have ridden through most of the veld east of Pretoria at least once.

“It is very important to us when we are laying out a route, to work with nature and not against it.  This means that we do not want to destroy the eco-systems through which we take the riders. For example, with the Sammy Marks race there was a fallen-down tree next to the river.  Instead of cutting it up into pieces, we left it where it was and rather built a wooden bridge across it.”

Pienaar said they worked for a month on the Sammy Marks route.

“First we had to decide where we wanted the riders to cycle and then we had to establish what obstacles there were. Measuring a course to ensure that it is the right distance can be challenging and so is cutting open the single-track sections. Then you have to decide whether it is necessary to build any bridges.

“Another big stress factor is ensuring that the route is marked properly. Before the Sammy Marks race I checked the route twice a day for three days to make sure that all the necessary markers were in place.”

Pienaar said they are considering to keep some of the routes they have designed for the Nissan series intact to be used by the riders for pleasant training rides.