Kat Classic Race Report by Leon Havenga

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Race Report by Leon Havenga from Port Elizabeth:

There I was, standing at the start line, hoping the race wouldn’t be a repeat of last year’s race where a couple of us got lost on top of the mountain. Whilst lost I met a lady who comes  from a farming area, and well, lets say: she would have made a sailor blush during that extra excursion we had on top of the mountains.

Looking at the  map the previous evening, I noticed that we weren’t starting straight away by going up the Kat pass. We would have a chance to warm up before we got there - I thought. Well, the race official said something about a neutral zone, but fat chance of that happening, as we all started in one hell of a rush. As we got to the top of the estate road, we frightened some Springbucks, who ran across our path. One unlucky one wiped out in front of me, and all I could think of was: biltong! Alas, he got up and sprinted away to catch up to his mates. Then we were out of the estate on to a short single track path which had us following a dirt road to the start of the pass, which wasn’t so bad, except for the wind near the top. Then we dropped down a little, before we climbed and dipped and climbed and walked and climbed some more, before we arrived at the compulsory 5 minute stop. We were greeted by a friendly time keeper who had some sarmies and water for us.
After our stop we were off in the time gaps we had arrived, racing downhill.
Not long after I had restarted, my bike turned into a Rodeo Bull, and decided to throw me off! Well, I came off second best, as I flew chest first into the ground, knocking the wind out of me. For a moment I lay there one foot stuck in my back wheel and rider approached and asked if everything was ok. I managed to muster what was left of my ego “yeah I’m ok” but in reality I was in pain. I rode to the next water point slowly, once there I took my cycling top off to inspect my chest. Luckily no marks, except on my arm and legs – good to go! Then I was away again.
When I got to the last water point Liam Victor was there saying this next part would be the best single track I will ever find. Boy it was fun! You felt like you were in a different world! You couldn’t see the sky, it was just a canopy of leaves! You constantly heard the sound of running water. Then I got to a hairpin bend with a drop off of about 20 meters to my right. I went around the one side and then on the other side my handle bar got snagged on a branch sticking out! Well, I dove off to safety while my bike plummeted down below. I then had go Kloofing to recover my bike! At the bottom I was struggling to get back up, when a fellow rider rode by. I shouted for him to give me a hand. And was he shocked to see me down below. He and another rider helped pull me out. From then on it was pretty much downhill to the finish.

The weekend isn’t just about the riding. It’s about having a good weekend too. That evening after dinner there was some more lucky draws and the auctioning off of the Postman’s bike. You see, some guy was dared to do the Kat on a Postman’s bike. He came stone last - but he did it! How he managed beats me, walking all those hills, and being bounced around on that broken springy seat. The back pedal brakes, which would smoke when going downhill, and on top of that having only one brake block in front!! Madness ! But things like this make for stories around the campfires to come(remember so-and-so did that).

Oh and don’t forget all the fines which were handed out to many culprits, for many trivial things. All part of the fun… Then the party started.

Later that evening or rather morning some crazy woman and some guy from East London came to my room with some wine to drink, and to relive the day’s happenings. But this did not bug me, as I could not sleep anyway. Because when I closed my eyes, all I would see was the rocks and dirt roads from the days ride!

 Would I be back next year? Probably.

Leon Havenga

Ed: Thanks Leon for a very colourful account of the event.