Akkedis Event

The Akkedis Mountain Bike Challenge

Presented by:
Schoemansdal EEC.
P & L Hardware Cycling Club.

This is a relative new and very exciting mountain bike race that meanders through previously restricted areas on the Western side of the majestic Soutpansberg Mountains in the Limpopo Province, an area rich in pioneer history and archaeological interest. The venue is the Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre (this is the old Veld School and the stop off point between the third and fourth stages of the Kremetart stage race). There are three race options - a 70 Km marathon, a 35 Km half-marathon and a 10 Km fun ride.

The 70 Km marathon starts at the Centre. Riders meander through the Happy Rest Nature Reserve and neighboring farms; Bristol, Perth, Buzzard Mountain Retreat, Heimat, to the Schoemansdal Museum, up Hanglip in the Komatiland forest, the famous Bluegumsport, then via the Air Force Radar towers, down the mountain and finally returns to the Centre. The marathon is a great ride including single-track, jeep track, gravel road, good climbs and fast descents. There will be ample water points including rock pools to drink from and cool down in.

The 35 Km route is non-technical and designed to include roadies, while still offering all the thrills of mountain biking.

The 10 Km fun ride is child-friendly with lots of single-track. Medals will be handed to all finishers in all three the events.

The “Akkedis” is named after the Flat Lizard (Platysaurus relictus) that is an endemic specie to the Soutpansberg region.

Views by Samantha Oosthuyzen (Winner 2005 and 2006)

As we arrived at 23:00 someone was still waiting up for us to show us the accommodation and inform us of the next days program, they were really well equipped for a large number of people varying from camping sites (power points can be arranged) to hostel rooms in good condition, the next morning we had no trouble in collecting our race numbers and study the route and get a shock of what I’m about to attempt, the route profile looked like the tour de France to me.

What a thrilling 70km of mountain bike trail…the race started on time and was marked so clearly that is would be difficult to get lost (I got lost in my last two races) except for Johan Van Zyl (GT team) he is such a skilled fast rider that he completely missed one of the turnoffs whilst concentrating on the road. We started off slow, 50 riders taking on new, never cycled on before hidden dirt roads, there were marshals everywhere, a photographer around every corner (the same person, how did he move so fast?) and they stayed until the last rider finished at 16:00 their dedication was phenomenal, I decided to stop for a quick drink at the first watering point 15km into the race, they had such a variety of cool drinks and I tasted every one of them before carrying on 2km further my front wheel hub seized and I was heart broken because I had a lead of at least 10min already the photographer lend me his cell phone, tried to calm me and took pictures of every rider passing as well including the next lady…I then exchanged my wheel with some friends and it wasn’t long before a marshal brought them a spare from the starting point, we had a grueling 3km tar road section and then a 10km+ though uphill (we climbed over the Soutpansberg, what did I expect?) I then caught up with the leading lady, the scenery soon changed form semi desert (I felt like that anyway) to pine tree plantations to indigenous forest with mist, and the same descending on the other side of the mountain still there was no shortage of water at any time, there was a section compulsory to walk a marshal grabbed my bike and ran the 20m uphill with me shortly behind, using a rope to pull myself up, there after the most beautiful down hill on a ‘paved highway’ I heard from one of the guys that he reached a speed of 101km/h going down there quite a thrill for the speedsters, I enjoyed every moment of it…we soon reached the end of this ‘free fall’ and entered a restricted nature reserve area (for our eyes only) before I knew it we were climbing again, back over the Soutpansberge to the other side, the friendly service and smiles from the marshals made the climb much easier, then came the down hill, the first section I enjoyed so much, there were little humps in the road and I was air borne a few times until the rocky downhill started, I didn’t realize we were so high up, I just had to take a few breaths to see this spectacular view, I could see to Pietersburg (Polokwane) and everything in-between, as I descended some more the already gigantic cliffs became more huge! Nature lovers there is no better view than from up close!!! I was still descending, getting tired of clinging on to my breaks, my hands were cramping and there was no letting go for me!! The few times I did manage to get my hands open I struggled to close them again and the bike just ran away with me, adrenalin pumping moments, and a few close calls…Quads were patrolling the whole route and I felt very safe as I raced alone most of the way the last 10km I got the worst cramps ever in my life, I dint realize how much water left my body during this race, if I could give anyone advice, take something with to eat whilst your out there, take at least 5 vooma’s or Gulp and Go’s or Goo’s with you and drink one every 45 – 50 minutes. I was surprised to have a prize giving so soon after a race usually it takes hours to get the results and then they are still not accurate, the organizers of the Akkedis mountain bike race really did well in this department too.

There was an evening program as well for the persons who wanted to make a weekend of this race, a braai and a guest singer. A supper, bed and breakfast was included in the race entry of R200, it was a pity we had to leave early, thank you again to the organizers of this soon to be popular, exiting race. I’ll be back to defend my title next year…

Yours truly
Samantha Oosthuysen

Views by “The Average Rider”

The average rider has a racing philosophy of trying new and different mountain biking events. So when the Akkedis in Louis Trichardt (Makado) caught my eye, it was time to head north and see what the Soutpansberg had to offer.

Sadly, the average rider was feeling below average what with less than regular training (damn the Tour de France) and a few winter sniffles but bags were packed, bicycle stowed and off I went.

Brown, bare and dreary bushveld flashed past but north of Polokwane, spectacular boulder formations made their appearance and I crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. Must have been an omen as the terrain started to look ominous with a range of grey mountains beginning to spike on the horizon.

The town of Louis Trichardt was bustling on a Friday afternoon and pay day, and I was cheerfully directed to the local Super Spar to buy my provisions for the weekend – well, I shouldn’t have bothered – more on that later.

The 25km to the Schoemansdal Environmental Education Center gave me a look at what was to come. To my left was flat and dry Acacia Karoo (arid) bushveld and to my right rose the majestic first range of the Soutpansberg with thicker and denser mountain vegetation – and behind this range are massive folds with more mountains and valleys.

The Environmental Education Centre (Schoemansdal School) EC was a peaceful haven as I arrived at lunch time, long before the other riders were to make their appearance. Neat buildings and gardens were dotted under massive trees and of course there were the vervet monkeys at play in between the colourful bougainvillea and boulders bigger than a house.

David Pretorius and Johan van Dijkhorst were on hand to greet new arrivals and they are the movers and shakers that conceived the event last year and put in a mammoth effort into what would be an awesome experience.

Both teachers at the EEC, Johan is a keen mountain biker and David is beginning to test the waters. But together with the support of P & L Hardware Cycling Club based in Louis Trichardt, they have put together a gem of a race.

The centre sleeps 300 in a mix of dormitories and houses. Some of the houses have their own bathrooms but the ablution blocks are clean with plentiful showers and hot water. Many cyclists opted to camp on the lawns instead. And the best thing – 2700 hectares to play in.

Their hospitality was boundless. On arrival, the urn was bubbling away with tea, rooibos and coffee available. So the box of rooibos tea I had bought remained unopened. Oh well, still a whole bag of groceries to go through.

As the average rider, I am used to lining up in a queue, collecting my number and quietly fading into the background, you know, no one special. Well this team had other ideas.

I was personally escorted to where I was staying, showed around, given a potted history on the others who were in the same house and made to feel like I was a potential race winner. It was too late to regret the lack of training now. And you know what, everyone was welcomed in such as fashion. There is something to be said about smaller, more intimate races.

Dinner and breakfast was included in the race fee (R110) so there went the usefulness of the muesli I had brought. No limp spaghetti with a dribble of sauce here – oh no. Thick creamy pasta stuffed with vegetables and if you are a meat eater, sausages and other meaty looking things. Smit van Zyl, a doctor from Polokwane, went back at least three times so it had to be yummy and good for you. And did I mention there were three salads, juice and of course, the bubbling urn.

Sjoe, am I ever going to get to the race bit. Well, after a breakfast spread of bacon, eggs, mince, sausage, yoghurt, muesli, bread and jam, one could be forgiven for not starting the race. But the average rider knew to go easy and opted for poached eggs (the protein thingy) and bread (carbs) and jam (sugars) washed down with tea (hydration).

Finally we assembled for the start. Clearly I wasn’t going to be the race winner with the likes of Johan van Zyl, Dana Coetzee and Samantha Oosthuizen all lining up for the gun but it sure felt good to treated as one.

A short race briefing and we were off flying down 250m of tar before swinging onto some fast single track and bolting along here as fast as we could because legs were strong and hearts were still brave.

The field cruised through the rocky paths and twists and turns and popped out at the main tar road. With marshals shouting encouragement, we flew done some gravel roads, waved at the train going in the opposite direction and met up with some of the 35km racers who briefly joined us for about four kms. I have to say my pet hate is congested single track and the crowding of routes with the shorter race distances. Not even close here. However, if the race grows as it should, this will be something to consider.

At the first water point, we 70kers started heading closer to the mountains. One quick traverse of the tar road again and immediately, the terrain and vegetation changed. Joy of joys, more single track through thick indigenous bush which was greener and lusher. The route followed small farm roads and wound its way along the base of the mountains until we reached La Ndou Guest house where the road was paved and suddenly started to climb with a vengeance.
Having studied the map and the profile, I gritted my teeth and prepared to grind my way up because there is always a downhill. However, never trust profiles or maps – this was tough, very tough but interspersed with the steep rocky or grassy climbs were flat sections or short downhills to catch one’s breath. I think the trained and fit rider would really race through this section unlike us genetically challenged climbers.

As always, the fantastic camaraderie of mountain bikers came to the fore and we cajoled each other up the mountain if not in words, in spirit. About two thirds of the way up I entered the eucalyptus forests and flew through on one of the shorts descents. My moans as I turned to climb again faded quickly as I entered some of the most spectacular Komatiland Forests I have ever seen. Tall pine trees with brilliant green undergrowth and sunlight dancing between the shadows. The gradient was comfortable and to add to my wonder, I emerged in the Hanglip Indigenous forest reserve which was the perfect setting for a water point. After a brief stop, it was 500m to the top and a 2km descent to the cement road.

Imagine my surprise when I got there and was instructed to get off my bike so that the marshal could carry it up the steep embankment for me!! I love this race!

Then it was hands off the brakes, assume the aerodynamic position and try to clock a really fast time past the speed cops. The average rider lurves downhills and managed to register 81km. The fastest time on the day was 94km. Wahoo!

The red dusty roads leading to Rooibult awaited and true enough, the organiser’s sense of humour was there to test you. “Is Rooibult going to get you?” they challenged. Well I can report that even if it was 4,5km an hour, Rooibult ate my dust.

But as always, there is another sting in the tale. Buzzard Mountain Retreat. It was a wicked climb very reminiscent of Suikerbosrand. Yes, it was on tar (I am not complaining about this) and yes, there was a cyclist spotted doing the full monty.

But boy, was the descent worth it. Did I mention I love downhills. The first part twisted and turned through the bush with even the porcupine holes marked and when the marshal warned us that it was about to get gnarly, the joy of mountain biking flooded my veins.

I hurtled through the indigenous forests, dodging boulders and bushes and then it got really, really steep. This also coincided with loose gravel sections which have the tendency to move with your wheels. But I hadn’t come to walk a downhill and those disc brakes earned their keep. Keeping in mind my personal mantra (Momentum is your friend), I headed for the bottom where we rejoined our earlier route. It had been fast to start with and it was fast going back. The organizers added some more single track bringing us safely home to the finish.

What a welcome. I still felt like a winner. 64km,1490m of ascent, a hot shower and I was like new. You guys at the Akkedis rock.

The Average rider.