The Gorge Trail Run and Mountain Bike Ride Series
Weens onvoldoende inligting in die verlede was daar onsekerheid oor die
deelname van Buffalo Gorge 'trail run' deer registreerde atlete.
Hier onder is die volgende skakels waar daar meer inligting verkry kan
word rakende die aspek:
*verduideliking en tegniese detail
*voordele van veld wedlope
*'n verduideliking deur 'n ASA kommittee lid oor die tegniese aspekte
Buffalo Gorge "Trail running" reeks
Buffalo Gorge trail running series
Benefits - why would we consider trail running
Starts at 7:30 (in summer)
The MTB Chalenge and Trail Run traverse the plateau overlooking the "Avontuur Vallei" with primarily jeep track, some open dirt roads and single tracks. At buffalo Gorge we spend a lot of time on the single track so you will enjoy it.
Meer oor die Gorge MTB Challenge en Trial Runs
Click here for info in English >>
Die Buffalo Gorge Trail run reeks gaan nou in sy tweede jaar in en is ‘n moet vir enige hardloop entoesias.
Oppad na die begin begroet die pragtige natuurskoon jou en die effe warmer klimaat (as Middelburg) maak dit aangenaam, selfs in die winter.
Die verskeidenheid in afstande van die wedlope en terrein wat varieer gee aan almal die geleentheid om hulle self te toets teen die uitdaagings wat die die omgewing bied.
Die 2.5km is geskik vir die beginner en kinders of vir iemand wat sommer net wil stap. Daar is ook ‘n 6.5km roete wat ‘n kort tegniese deel insluit. Daar is ‘n 10km roete wat vir meer ervare atleet is en ook tegniese gedeeltes in het, asook ‘jeep track’. Indien jy egter avontuurlustig is en die natuur is sy totaliteit wil ervaar en dit terwyl jy draf, dan is die 18km roete vir jou. Dit sluit heelwat tegniese gedeeltes in en die drie ‘loops’ aan die begin naamlik ‘Dassie loop’, Buffalo Gorge loop’ en Wetland loop’ sal self die ervare drawer se vermoeë op die proef stel.
By die wegspring begin jy amper dadelik klim as jy die Dassie loop aanpak. Oor ‘n afstand van 850 meter klim jy ongeveer 68 meter. Daarna gaan jy die berg af met ‘n totale val van 82 meter. As jy dan links draai is dit effe af na die voet van die Buffalo Gorge loop. Hier klim jy omtrent weer 84 meter maar is dit heelwat steiler as jou eerste ervaring. Bo kry jy die geleentheid om jou asem terug te kry en die pragtige uitsig te waardeer.
Weer gaan jy die berg af en by die beginpunt verby om die Wetland loop te begin. Hier sal jy ook ‘n paar plekke weer jou hande en voete moet gebruik om oor die terrein te beweeg. Die volgende gedeelte sal jou oor rotse en tussen bome neem en dan af na die pad. Van hier kan ‘n mens bietjie herstel en ‘n gemaklike pas begin hardloop. Die ‘jeep track’ gedeelte sal jou vat tot waar die enkel paadjie begin. Hier sal jy al langs die berg beweeg. Dit is ‘n moet om by die 50 meter abseil punt te stop en jou oë oor die landskap te gooi met die Selons rivier wat daar doer onder verby kronkel.
Omtrent 2.5km verder sal jy die ‘Wild camp’ teë kom. Hier is geleentheid vir lafenis as die hitte vir jou te veel geraak het. Dit is dan raadsaam om jou waterbottels, ens vol te maak vir die res van die tog wat voorlê.
Van hier sal dit steil afwees met ‘n klipperige paadjie en dan sal jy weer klim tot bo by die Dassie stoel, wat ‘n moet is met sy pragtige uitsig. Van hier sal die kort afdraande weer kans gee vir die bene om te rus. Die boomryke roete neem jou om ‘n dammetjie om dan weer aan te sluit by die pad. Jy kan dalk ‘n Blesbok of ‘n paar vlakvarke teëkom hier erens. Met dan nog 1 km oor is die stryd oorwin en by die eindpunt kan jy saam met mede deelnemers ‘n worsbroodjie geniet terwyl julle die pas afgelope wedloop ontleed en jou volgende doelwitte beplan.
More about the upcoming Gorge MTB Challenges and Trail Runs
The Buffalo Gorge Trail run series is now entering its second year and is a must for any trail runner and people who love nature and the outdoors.
As you arrive at the venue you cannot do so without noticing the beauty of nature around you. Having a higher average temperature – than Middelburg – makes it a comfortable race during winter time.
The variety the race presents, gives everyone a chance to take part to his or her ability and to challenge and test yourself to what the terrain offers.
The 2.5km is a good start for younger kids. There is also a 6.5km route which includes a short technical section. The 10km will start of technical with some gravel road and jeep track. If you are more up for the challenge, then the 18km will be for you. It will require a good level of fitness but will reward you with breath taking sights. Here you will also start off with steep technical sections. The three loops Dassie loop, Buffalo Gorge loop and Wetland loop will test your abilities with great views over Buffalo Gorge.
Just after the start the Dassie loop awaits you. Over a distance of 850 metres the climb will be a total of about 68 meters. This will be followed by a drop of about 82 meters. Turning left at the bottom towards the Buffalo Gorge loop it will be slightly down. Here the total accent will be approximately 84 meters but with a steeper gradient than the first one. At the top one will take a moment to catch your breath while appreciating the wonderful view.
The same drop down the mountain awaits you and after passing your starting point, the third (Wetland) loop will begin. Feeling like a Dassie again you will at some stages need your hands and feet to pass over the terrain after it will change to a rocky section going down to the gate.
The more even terrain will give a chance for recovery and getting into a comfortable pace. The jeep track will take you the single track section alongside the mountain. A must will be to stop at the 50 metre abseil site. Far down below you will see the Selons River snaking through the valley below.
From here you will cover another 2.5km before arriving at the wildcamp. Water from the fountain will wash some of the dust away and cool you down. It is wise to fill water bottles and hydration systems for the rest of the road ahead.
A rocky road will take you down and then up again towards the Dassie chair. After this a downhill section gives you a break and takes you through the trees down to the road again. A Blesbuck or warthog might be seen along the route by wary runner. With one km to go you can almost see the finish. A sausage roll awaits you and your experiences can be shared with your fellow runners and already be planning where to improve the next time.