W P A S S

RESULTS!

2010-02-01T11:26:00.000-08:00

ok, finally, here they are!

DOWNLOAD
feel free to complain about any scoring/checkpoints. we've got it all on paper and can double check stuff if it's incorrect.

Full race:
1st:Double Espresso(1st pair - Tbl Mtn Abseil courtesy Abseil africa)
2nd:Rust Proof
3rd:Energy
4th:Gooi mielies(1st mixed - entry to QA Spur Hi-Tec oak valley race)
5th:Running Goose
6th:Sleepless tigers(2nd mixed - entry to QA Spur Hi-Tec oak valley race)

unranked(for those who missed Compulsory Points - naughty naughty!):
kamakaze otters
inertial instabilities
AR Wannabees
funny bones
knysna maestros
moon tanners

lite:
binary mince pies(1st lite - Tbl Mtn Abseil courtesy Abseil africa)
oakhill1(1st Junior - Tbl Mtn Abseil courtesy Abseil africa)
oakhill2

Well done to all who completed. keep out there!

explanation on penalty deductions:
stages 1 and 2, 1 point deducted if after cut off time, and for every 10 minutes therafter.
Stage 3. cut off extended by an hour to 12pm, and a point deducted for every half hour thereafter.

ACTIONPHOTOZ

2010-02-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Some of the racer's might have noticed Kobus darting in and out of the course on Saturday. Unfortunately he battled to find us at first as there is barely enough signal for an SOS call in the northern part of the valley where we first started!

What a pity, as once we had met up(both driving in opposite directions!) he managed to get in some great shots in just a few hours. I'd love to know the story from the oakhill boys, you see they finished off the bike leg with a twist!

go have a look here for the race photos he picked for us.

and at his main site here

Finally...some race pictures

2010-01-31T11:46:00.001-08:00

Race briefing - can you spell 'chilled'

Hmm, let's discuss strategy

coming in to Visgat

keep on moving

approaching the campsite

double espresso...race finish and bushed

Rust Proof, 2nd place

the final steps

the well earned beer

where can I send these guys next?

shade is so good

Elzet, one half of the flapjack bonanza

all pics courtesy of Michelle Rhodes, who managed to snap some happy scenes inbetween running after team Running Goose and flapjack flipping at T4

YOUR RACE

2010-01-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

Any anecdotes? well add them in here!

The final kloof!

2010-01-24T05:14:00.000-08:00

Looks like it was a bit roffer than we thought, most teams in now.

The leaders

2010-01-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

With stage 2 almost done and dusted,we have an exciting finale to the race coming up.team double espresso of jamie waters and sean hutchinson have been just ahead of rust proof(albert and alec rust). Having both collected all compulsory and bonus points, they are bizarrely now on identical race time.

Its a sprint drag to the finish at fairfield. Witzenberg pass should decide it, but it's early on in the day.

Otherwise ugene nel and mark loftus of team energy could pip them both if things get out of control.

Prizes and sponsors

2010-01-21T23:12:00.000-08:00

Whilst not really a commercial event, we do have a few people to thank for making our prizegiving just that.

Abseil Africa
Quantum Adventures

And that spiffy doublecab i've been leant for the week-end, that's courtesy of Securistore

Directions!

2010-01-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

Get to the Gydo pass (from the south, I hope!)
as you arrive at the summit, you will see a tar road rising to the west, that is the road into this mystical valley.
Before you get to any buildings, take the turnoff to this road, it is unmarked, but if you overshoot it, turn around and from the north it is marked as WITZENBERG VALLEY. Reset your odometer.

Distances taken off google earth, I will trial them and update on the website if there are any glaring errors. If you see any OLD MUTUAL bunting/candytape, follow it!

5.5km - go straight past t-junction(avoid right turn)
1km – go right at t-juction(tar road)
3.9km – turn right at t-junction(tar road)...**remember this spot**
(for those arriving friday night, continue to the campsite, you can drop off canoes on sat morning)
1.7km -turn right onto gravel road
0.5km take right hand fork
1km – drive along dam wall
~200m grove of trees alongside dam is on your left, this is the canoe dropoff.
Coordinates - 33°12'28.33"S - 19°15'3.63"E

Return to ****spot****
2km Follow the tar road west initially before it turns northwards and after some built up sheds, turns to dirt.
2.2km follow dirt road, passing the now famous rugby field to your right until you reach a fork labelled private/howbill
1.9km take the left fork and continue till you get to some sheds
0.7km continue straight, passing a small reservoir to your left and workers cottages to your right. The road gets a little rutted here, so proceed slowly until you reach the campsite/race HQ
co-ordinates 33°10'17.19"S - 19°13'33.27"E (ok, now you can turn your GPS off!)

Final instructions

2010-01-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

Race office is winding it all up and moving to the valley tomorrow.

A final mail will go out tonight to all registered teams.

The good news is we have a dedicated race doctor, Dr James Pape. He's just spent three years at Bara so shouldn't have a problem with your measly cuts and scrapes.

See you there, either on friday evening or early saturday.
Steve

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS here

Race Details - How to enter

2010-01-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

ok, it's like so totally easy

click here

and fill in your team details under the next available row

The only tricky thing is are you doing the Full(3 stages) or Lite(no night stage), and do you have seconds to help you?

And then, We'll fill in the paid once we have confirmed the cash.

Full R300pp

Lite R250pp

BANK and CODE:
J Baumgarten
ABSA bank
Branch - 632005 (Waterfront)
Account - 9196526664

simple, neh? and you get to see who's racing too

RACE LOCATION

2010-01-18T00:30:00.001-08:00

uhh, the long awaited whereisit?!

We're very lucky to present to you, the WITZENBERG VALLEY (huh?).
It's hiding between Ceres and Tulbagh, nestled between the witzenberg and skurweberge ranges.

Still lost, well it's here:WITZENBERG

Basically you go to the top of the GYDO PASS and turn left into an unmarked road which takes you to the valley itself. I'll post up the final detailed driving directions to the campsite/start later(it involves dropping off canoes on the way, so I want to get it right!).

CAMPSITE costs are included in race fee. For supporters as well(within reason). It has a single ablutions and no electricity; but views to die for, shade for africa and grass for jamaica.

The finish is at (drum roll)

Fairfield Cottages
click here. If camping is not your supporters' cup of rooibos, then Lizaan has the fynbos cottage (sleeps 12!) available.

Boring but oh so necessary RaceAdmin

2010-01-15T05:42:00.000-08:00

right click, save target as.

Kit list is here

EntryForm is here

cut and paste the pdf into word

fill it in, save and send off to westprov@gmail.com

or email for the doc format.

We'll add and update entries here

We have have got teams coming from grabouw, knysna, plet and hopefully a Tweet from joburg. So come on capetown!

Location clue

2010-01-14T23:28:00.000-08:00

Exact race Start and directions will be announce on monday. Let this one shuffle your brain over the week-end.

See you at Oaklane cottages for QUANTUM SPUR HI-TEC #1 on Sunday

ps. it's a supercryptic clue

PARTNERS required?

2010-01-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

Got everything together except for a race partner?

Under no circumstances will we allow solos to race.

call this the lonely hearts column, post away.

I suggest adding in recent race results/race ambitions/extraordinary skills

The finish

2010-01-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

The start and finish are seperate venues, just to throw the impression of point to point for the final stage.

That helps those with seconds, as they can pack up camp and go wait at the finish after the last transition. Then it's actually quite easy to get on the road to the way home. Those without seconds will have to jump back into cars and we'll shuttle you back to the HQ.

Secondly, it's got a dam. a massive one, so we can all splash around whilst we wait. Plenty of shade, so bring a chair. It even has cell reception, which is kinda sketchy at the start.

We'll have prizegiving there, exact time to be confirmed later, but bank on 1-2pm ish for now.

What say the crowd, you guys want some cold beers waiting on ice?

ok fine, here's a photo

Later alliGATOR

2010-01-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the hike leg(s) involves some scenic botany research. You won't believe the diversity of plant life crammed into the first section. The Fynbos warriors will be wideopen smiling.

Of course that does come with a tradeoff. My shins took a bit of mild exfoliation. No wild open cuts and scrapes like lantana or brambles, but just a few little nicks here and there. Not the end of the world, but just a little bit annoying.

And there's a whole whack of seeds and little sticks that want to come along for the ride too. Have a look at the stuff that collected below the tongue on my socks, and the rest that jumped inside too.

GATORS, worth their weight for sure.

few options here:

*for just keeping the shoes clean:

lisa's fixit plan

keeping the shins spotless:

*just somme get an old pair of jeans and cut below the knee, get creative with elastic and you're A for AWAY

*go buy some at your local hiking/sports store.

Some scouting scenes

2010-01-11T06:45:00.000-08:00

We spent two days charging around the race course last week. Was good fun and opened up some more possibilities.

Did a hike that will never work at night (so you're saved) and found an even better finish venue.

Legs were a bit tired for the Totalsports Challenge, but it was a fun day in the sun nonetheless. I tried talking Dan Hugo into entering but he has sleep planned for that weekend!

Pictures taken by Daniel from www.irideafrica.com

Campsite/race HQ

2010-01-06T23:29:00.000-08:00

View from the deck - it's a pearler!your seconds will be in style.

Having loads of fun scouting, this broadcast is coming from a mountain peak

It's on here

2010-01-05T01:15:00.000-08:00

Just at department of land surveying. Looking at this 18voertsek map of the western cape, location is here, somewhere

sneaky race piksha

2010-01-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

photo from the secret location....i can spot rugby field, orchards, forest..and a big mountain

WPASS 100 - 2010 - web release 14 Dec

2010-01-04T04:36:00.000-08:00

okee dokee crazee fit capey people, this is a newsflash par excellence - Put down that third mince pie!

just spent the week-end scouting a radilicious deluxe race course.

thanks to google earth, the mapping and survey department and aeroplanes with windows, I have found a spot worthy of ADVENTURE. so much so that I have to go back to the drawing board and decide what to LEAVE OUT!

BEST of all, the farmers and landowners in the area are soooper excited by the ideas. I even got offered horses!

100% money back GUARANTEES:
kick ass mtb riding (did i say singletrack? )
to die for views trail running
a little bit of flatwater paddling(with provisions to the boatless, you could run around or swim..so it's not a deal breaker- but rather beg, borrow or gumtree yourself a k1/k2/surfski. ..surfboards could even work, lilos probably not so much)
NAVIGATION and strategy skills to be rewarded, this is not extera

Payment Pending possible ASSURANCES:
Leafy campsite with dam for backup/pom pom girl fans
Kloofing section
SPECIAL spicy stage that will require a snorkel and goggles
DAN HUGO as race mc in a speedo(ok, i'm kidding, but anything to encourage the laydees to enter)

Maybe Baby Will have to check with the man upstairs Scenario:
Self sufficient racing - ie. no seconds required, will definitely be encouraged and helpful to your cause.

DETAILS:
I have selected a format to be as inclusive as possible; hardcore wikus van heerden types and keen been but clueless newbies will both find it a challenging and rewarding experience.
pairs, trips or fours.(no relay format)
Date:23/24 January 2010
Stage Won: 10am-6pm
Stage Too:7pm-5am
Stage Free:6am-10am
Prizegiving 12pm

Full course do all stages, lite course skip Stage Too(the night stuff)
Stages Won and Too will involve Compulsory checkpoints and Bonus Optionals with serious penalties for missing cut-offs

$$$:Full course R300pp - Lite Course R250pp. frikken bargain!

Race area, ~2:30hours drive from Cape Town CBD

GREAT news - any person who lives EAST of the Breede River Mouth pays half price entry, [including you rich okes from the place of gold, sort out your business trips ASAP]. Entry details will be released in due course, please send any queries to westprov@gmail. com - I am going to be 'out of the office' and on my bike from the 15-20Dec.

nothing on the website, so don't go looking!

Steven Burnett and the WPASS massif

Any help with donating prizes muchos appreciados

Swazi baby

2009-05-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

I reckoned I owe someone a ride report. If you have saddle sores, then clearly there are stories worth sharing. Man I can’t believe I left the tub of MarkII in cape town. Also if you take a bike to another country and ride it, it is your right to show off, gloat and share. Since this country was Swaziland, where the national flag includes a shield and spears, I’m going to do it in bullet form (if you’re reading this boss, well then I’m saving you time too)
• Load bike, paddles, etc + other AR paraphernalia onto 1Time flight. No excess charge to JHB, but they did leave the paddles behind. Total baggage weight = 35kg, total pairs of underwear = 1. Beat the partner Pete the Aussie to the homebase.
• Do some business in the big smoke, buy loads of grub and head off to Swaziland via our awesome second JP and his Pajero
• Swazi Xtreme – 60hours non-stop Adventure Race. Get some maps at briefing and tinker around before trying to sleep befoe the 5am start
• First leg is a run around the wildlife sanctuary before jumping on a mystery bus and ending up in Mbabane for some Urban racing. Doesn’t take you long to run out of tar and we end up in a cave. A dirty deep cave with a crawl section. Pete even has a bat fly into him. Helmets +1.
• Dirty boys do a swazi tv interview and run down to the river. To our bliss there are rafts waiting. Swim the grade IV weir, but miraculously jump back in. Shark Marais was there so there should be some concrete evidence
• We line up the compulsory mountain peak and halfway up decide it’s the wrong one. Hit another peak, no marshal. Charge down other side to find dam has disappeared. Go back to ‘wrong’ mountain to find it was right afterall. Eish pappa, at least we weren’t last! Down to dam to swim 300m. Still have helmet on as crocodiles choke on polystyrene.
• Paddle an Epic round dam before it sinks, leave JP to drain it. (an Epic is a moer heavy canoe that has no place in a race – but we got ours with hire charges waived..sweet))
• Jump on mtbs, been going 11 hours hard now. Have to skip lots of optional points as we’re behind sched to make cutoff. Charge through some forest, cane it down from a MTN tower to miss it by just 8mins. 1 point docked.
• Get some solid food down, mom’s 2l block of macaroni has thawed to a gore may. Jump back on bikes and head into forest with some dodgy maps (all updated in ’91), a river on our right and a rabbits foot.
• Make good time of nav and forest roads. Get all the optional checkpoints, even climb a waterfall. Last one took ages as we could not get out of wherever we were.
• Manage to grab 2 hours of our ‘compulsory sleep’ at the checkpoint. Wakeup at 5am shivering, Mixed pairs has its advantages.
• Head down the hill to some brekkie and, another bike leg. Will be 16 hours straight riding…It’s a mindless blast down valley and slog back up. Pete is starting to show his running strength.
• Put the shoes on for the ‘simple’ 8km hike. 2 roads on map, 40+ in real life and some dense forest which could hide a nuclear powerplant. We follow the firebreak around this valley.
• Transition at the end of the world, head down valley through some little villages, awesome riding
• Got option of doing the monster march up to a peak with optionals on adjoining peaks or biking up river for optionals. We go with bike first
• Criss cross river at least 6 times, only footpaths
• Do the march to the peak. Pete is starting to show his running strength.
• Find out we slept the least on night 1 – indicating hardcore status, 4 more hours to make up the 6. Checkpoint placements mean we’ll have to break it up. Head back onto the bikes and slog up the valley in the dark. Little school appears after too many unmarked rivers make themselves known.
• Go up 500m vertical in 8km in the pitch black to a plateau. Payback for this mornings downhill. Feel cheated
• Finally find the optional in this rock garden. Requires scaling a 30m high granite boulder in cleats. Jeremy climbs up the wrong split and jumps across. Eyes like saucers and he gives out the code to avoid anyone else being so stoopid!
• Settle down for some sleep in soft soft pine needle forest, marshall wakes us up at 2am and we try find the last 3 optionals
• Someone at MTN switched off the mast lights and we follow every road up the mountain, but none over it. Eventually throw in the towel and get a power nap in camp before the final leg. Only Cyanosis (winners) actually found any of those checkpoints. They make you earn them on the final day!
• Hike up another mtn to the mast, and pick our route to the kloofing. Blackjacks,lantanas and other thorned creepers unavoidable!
• Swim/scramble/treehop to a 40m bumslide. Looks like a fatal plunge at the end.
• Arrive at the granite cliff on other side of valley to do rope section. Scale the crack and clip in the jumars to climb over the dome. Little fuss as most of the traffic has already left ahead. Scratchy rope skills pass and we hit another peak before pulling into last transition.
• Leisurely lunch and then bikes for last time. 30km mainly on disused railway line, my left leg is not enjoying any walking but biking is manageable.
• Back brake tunes me nooit, but I manage to hodge it together with cable ties…(de)merits of V-brakes?
• Railway riding is awesome. Then aggregrate starts appearing, then sleepers, then rails, then trees. Confronted with bush. Luckily team Kinetic have spent an hour here and option C of heading down slope takes us to a road. Becomes a huge talking point and we find sense of humour all over the valley floor. Photographer’s girlfriend overtakes me up a hill on a makro bike with takkies, I must be tired.
• We find checkpoint in tunnel. Huge debate over how we’re going to get last three optionals on top of mountain. Maybe there’s a road, so I’m with bike, Pete is with foot. Argument solved when we see car driving down featureless mountain. Stand off averted and we snigger
• Take our time up top and scream down a good 400m classic into finish. Forgot about early cut-off and we make it with 5 minutes spare. Talk about getting money’s worth.
• Heaven’s open for a full hour 30minutes later, must thank Derek for organizing that postponement.
• Restaurant offers a R105 buffet dinner. Could be liquidated soon.
• Final four teams pull in hours later. Grumbles about rail sections (some of the optimists didn't have their lights on them!).
• Prizegiving next morning, we came 3rd in Pro Pairs and 5th overall. Not bad and it might have been close if we hadn’t royal jamboreed the first day’s hike.
• Cyanosis defended their title in the teams with Mcain Adventure Fanatics (the ‘b’ squad) just behind, good to see the real pros hammering and tonging for three days
• Distances guestimated: mtb 210km, hiking 70km, paddle 15km, swim 300m – altitude gain, must be everest + kili + aconcagua (give or take a few ben nevis). Race time, 59hrs, 55mins. Total rest: a luxurious 8 hours)
• Stoked that we had no issues with punctures or bikes in general. Pete was on a borrowed GF Tassajara that has done its time and then some. El cheapo Kenda Komodo even lasted the distance.

Go find some pics at
http://www.mccainaddicts.co.za/Race%20reports/Swazi2009/Swazi2009Photos.html

Marching on

2009-03-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

get the pdf of this here
http://tinyurl.com/d9have

The WPASS week – 31 March 2009

Once again, there’s plenty on the platter for those with an active appetite.

I’m busy recovering from just following the Cape Epic. Between the live tracking, the Epic Website and a few other sneaky sources it was easy to see the drama unfolding. Then all the racing was on the 10pm daily highlights package. Well done to all those who took it on and got to Lourensford. Forgetting the seasoned pros at the sharp end of the pack for a second, the real winners are those who manage to juggle work, family, finances and training while keeping a smile about it.

My issue with the Cape Epic is the sheer cost of it. 2010 requires R25200 to get your pair to the startline. However the fact that the initial batch of 100 entries got snapped up faster than Burry’s front wheel on stage 4, means that the price is justified given the demand – a true success story right on our doorstep.

Staying with the Cape Epic, here’s the overhead map of the grueling Stage 1 – Gordon’s Bay to Villiersdorp. Same distance as the Argus, but offroad and almost 2.5 times the cumulative altitude gain. Participants from last year’s WPASS 100 should recognize a lot of the terrain. The highlight of the route is from WP2 you’ll see the route (blue line) trace up a mountain.

That mountain is ….GROENLANDBERG…it’s a monster! But the view from the radiomast at the top is amazing. It’s also a conservation wonder with buy in from almost all the landowners on it, look more at its own website www.greenmountain.co.za.

Last week saw the final race in the PenOC Sprint Series. It was a great little course in Bishopscourt with some route choice options to play with. I for one never knew that there was such an awesome little garden section in the Liesbeeck river right there next to the M3 highway. The final log is up here and you might find some recognizable names in the list – well done to all who took part and a big thanks to PenOC for putting them on.

Staying on Orienteering, the end of the Sprint season becomes the beginning of the Colour Coded course season. Sunday sees the first of these. There’s normally four routes ranging in length from about 4-10km to suit all tastes. Remember orienteering kilometers are hard, so a 10km course is about 15 normal kays!

Diarise the week-end of May 23/24 – It’s the WP Orienteering champs, at Lebanon Forest in Grabouw. We’re working on putting a decent program to play with some bikes and boats inbetween the events…maybe even a quick shot nav course!

Before I forget. here are the details:
Event: Nuweberg Colour Coded
Date: 05 Apr 2009 Planner: Kobus Coetzee
Venue: Nieuweberg Forestry Station, Grabouw Controller: Ricky Raine

No dogs allowed
Registration: 09:00 - 11:00
Starts: 09:15 -11:15
Courses Close: 13:30
Courses: Standard colour coded; details later
Emit e-punching will be used
Cost: COST: MEMBERS NON-MEMBERS
Individual: R40 R60
Junior < 21 R20 R30
Group R50 R70
Orange/Novice: R30 R50
Extra map R10
EMIT card purchase - R300 per card
EMIT card hire - R10 per card per event

All info of course from PENOC. EMIT is the fancy electronic timing device, very cool!

Now the intuitive here might have followed my line of thinking and noticed the plan that’s hatched. Nuweberg Forest station is WP2 on the map, and the starting point of the ride up Groenlandberg. Now being on the fancy Cape Epic, surely there’s no way we’ll be able to access that land? Ha ha, our friends at CapeNature have this as one of their trails. It’s public access for R24 (considerably less than what the 1200 riders paid to put their rubber on this route last Sunday).

Whilst we’re at it, here’s the profile – starting from 55km/Nuweberg.

We’re arranging to split cars and make it a point to point ride. Warning/Achtung! this is quite a big ride, and should take us about 4 hours. It’s probably safe to say that only riders capable of a sub5 hour argus(on a calm day) should attempt it. However, Grabouw is a mtb paradise, and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction for Oak Valley(stage base for Epic), Thandi or Lebanon.

Please indicate if you’re keen to join by emailing westprov@gmail.com or getting hold of Steve @ 0834586091 by Friday lunchtime!

Next evening meeting:
Monday 6th April – 7:30pm
Avalon Three, 123 Hope Street, Gardens
Please rsvp westprov@gmail.com, so we can get an idea of numbers (and have some snacks and refreshments accordingly)

We have the awesome Tatum Loftus (Prins until recently), coming to share some of her amazing stories from AR. She’s the business having raced in Brazil, Scotland and all over SA. However she’s also going to give us an insight and advice into how to get there (there’s more to it than just train/train/train!). So if you’re daunted by the longer 100km+ races, come get inspired.

We’re also going to give you an insight into what’s on our calendar for 2009, so you can get your race schedule loaded! There’s some exciting stuff on the menu, but we need YOU to support us so we can put it all on!

See you soon,
Steve and the team

PS. It’s fair to say that the Cape Epic, oops sorry
the ABSA Cape Epic presented by Adidas, fueled by energade, navigated by Garmin and driven by Toyota
is the ‘Argus’ of MTB races, where Joe Public reckons you’re not a MTB till you’ve finished one. I still get asked if I’ve done it, despite doing way more hardcore stuff like the Freedom Challenge (plug - have a look at MiWay MTB show on Supersport this week for episode 2 of 2 of that badboy!). It’s hard to get a ticket anyway given the demand so here’s some sneaky tips on some other awesome events that WON”T break the bank.

Easter Week-end
MAKADAS stargazer. 3 day stage race in Montagu. Nightracing! So you chill out during the day. R500 per team of 2. That’s R83 a stage! BARGAIN – I’m doing it. Enter HERE before Sunday

25/26 April
Wines 2 Whales – grabouw to hermanus
I can’t believe this is not sold out! R400 for a 150km 2 day stage race!
Go here now and get your ticket…I’ll be in Swazi jolling with the AR big boys

May 16
AMArider 100 Miler
I’m a self-confessed disciple of AMArider, link from here to find out more. Any interest in a WPASS team?

Pps. Excuse the MTB bias this week, blame the Epic. I didn’t even get to mention the awesome nightride we did with the Warthogs..17 bikers flying through tokai at night! You have got to go and see what’s new at Faerie Garden!

Autumn on the march

2009-03-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

Shorts Details:
Earth hour peakfeast

People are switching their lights off around the globe at 8:30pm this saturday. What better place to see it than from above the city? You've all done lion's head and platteklip so come join us up Devil's Peak.
Time:6pm
Place:Derry rd parking lot, Vredehoek
Bring:food for a mountaintop chowdown
headlamps
warm clothing just incase
The hike is about 100minutes up, we should be back around 10pm.

Please don't just rock up!
mail: westprov@gmail.com with subject line "Earth hour peakfeast" if you're coming

March Madness

2009-03-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot going on recently for those taking a walk on the wild side.

It's on my to-do list, I suppose - the midnight hell-run. It's been run (ha ha) by the
Mad Scientists and well known WPASS folk Michael and Heather Graz for the last time now. I could tell you more, but go look here
http://midnighthellrun.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.hellrun.co.za/index.html (see, we're not the only ones running two sites!)

Oh, I (that's me....steve) did my first ever marathon, for the hell of it. What an epic one to choose, the Weskus. Awesome to be running through a National Park. They've been meddling with the dates, so keep an eye on this site for the next edition. I sneaked in under 4 hours, but only after klapping it down the last hill.

We have the final PenOC sprint race on Tuesday 17 March at Bishopscourt. It's your last chance to come tear around some suburbia for this series, but there's plenty more in the year from our friends with maps and compasses. Damon made the race report from Race 4, mainly due to donating some blood all over upper campus (his 'stomping ground').

Some dates to diarise for now:
Sat 28 March Earth hour PeakFeast. We're gonna celebrate all the people turning on the darkness from a mountain top, and test your campcook skills at the same time!

Sun 19 April: Bike-O, a joint event we're holding with PenOC. urban bike orienteering round Tokai.

Epic Argus

2009-03-11T00:56:00.000-07:00

This is not really the place for road races, but the Argus is a special event. They'll talk about this one for years. I knew when my windsurfing friends were planning an epic session that it would be rough, but I never thought i'd lose the group after 50m when we all battled to get under the Civic Centre!

not often you see people walking after just 50m!

A lot of people pulled out, as it was tough and indeed dangerous. It seems the mtb crowd fared quite well, we're used to struggling through a race where you can't just somme pack it in. Well done to all who completed the 109...add in your own story in the comments below!

great video from Bicycling that sums it all up:

http://www.bicycling.co.za/articles/blog/22/4051

WPASS 100 2009

2009-03-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

This is an open thread with suggestions for this year's big kahuna. The annual WPASS 100km adventure race.

Add your comments on:

Date (we're looking oct/nov)
Format
Night/Day
Sponsors you have found for us

you don't need an account to comment, but please add a signature of some sorts, so we can pick between all the 'anonymous' ones

PenOC Sprint2

2009-03-04T05:16:00.000-08:00

A WPASS sprinkling pitched up at the second edition of this fun little series. Tokai East forest is very flat, but there's a lot of stuff in there so it's easy to go fast in the wrong direction.
With 16 controls in just 3.4km, nav would play a much more important role than rambo fitness.
We all seemed to go wayward for different sections.

3 Steven Burnett M21 00:23:08 1
11 Brett Chilcott M21 00:31:49 1
20 Damon de Boor M21 00:49:00 1
22 Kevin Scaife M21 00:50:30 1
full results and more here

I remember Damon putting a beer or two on the line on the result...hopefull he can back this up with some result later in the series! Make the effort to get to these events, they are great for nav training and are just R20 WPASS members (and you get a cool map!)
SB

ooh, what's this then?

2009-02-24T04:31:00.001-08:00

Welcome,
Make yourself at home, but don't get too comfy, as this is just a prefab house of sorts.
This is really a little guinea pig to see if constantly updated info is what the Cape Town outdoor crowd wants from the club.

In the background we have a spiffy new site coming online soon. Of cause it's a little delayed, so I'm jumping the gun. If this little test tube is a success, well then we'll just push it into the main site interface. So any suggestions ideas, just scribble below.

I'll start the ball rolling. Who wants to see a mini forum on our site?
Steve