Graskop:

The first records of Graskop history start in 1843, with the arrival of the Voortrekkers in the area. In 1838 Louis Trichard - in search of a port not under British rule - had reached Delagoa Bay via a particularly arduous route through the Oliphant's River Valley. This journey was completed at a tremendous cost in lives lost to fever, probably malaria. In 1843 Andries Potgieter - who had just founded Potchefstroom and on the advice of Trichard - took a more southerly route, which turned out to be virtually impossible - let alone arduous!! After negotiating what is known as CASPER'S NEK Pass (named after Paul Kruger's father who pioneered this oldest existing road in the region still in use), the party reached the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment down which there was no possible descent at that point, or - by line of sight - 50km in any direction. Leaving the women and children and a few men out spanned on the banks of the river just below the top of the escarpment - with strict instructions that the waiting group return to Potchefstroom if the scouting group had not returned by a date two months into the future - the men went in search of a way down to the Lowveld 1000m below. Access to the Lowveld was discovered to be via an animal track on a land under the control of a local chief named Koveni - hence the Afrikaans translation Kowyn - and onto Delagoa Bay where, for various reasons, the men were delayed. The waiting party, after staying a fortnight longer than instructed, left the river on who's banks they have been anxiously waiting, named it "Treur-rivier" (River of Sorrow). A few days later the returning men caught up with their womenfolk on the banks of another river, which was promptly named the "Blyderivier" (river of Joy)........More

 

 

Welcome to the Komatiland Forest 2 Falls Challenge  2008

Courtesy of the "Average Guy" of MTB-online

epic race I decided to go to Forest to Falls at the last minute. I checked the weather forecast on Monday evening and on the strength of that made some quick arrangements to stay in Sabie and go to the race. The forecast looked good, with some rain in the beginning of the week and then clear days from Thursday and a sunny day for race day. I am really tired of the muddy riding conditions and was looking forward to a good race, unaffected by conditions. Boy! Was I ever wrong. On checking in at the Sabie accommodation I had a chat to the lady there, she mentioned that they were no longer measuring the rain in the area in millimetres, but in inches and she said that many inches had fallen earlier in the week. I was still hopeful as I was sure the sun would dry up the tracks. Rule 1 of this years’ Mazda series; Sun does not shine in forests. The race got off to a slightly late start with four wheeler trouble but luckily the evil Mazda blimp didn’t try to kill any of the top riders like at the previous 2 Mazda series races. I noticed Kevin Evans slipping into mountain bikethe front of the start chute with the new carbon fibre Raleigh that he and Mannie will be riding at the Epic. There were many envious stares and many volunteers to hold it for him, while he got rid of the water bottle he was drinking from. I was too far away to get a good look, but the reactions of the others said it all, looks like a sweet machine. The race briefing confirmed my worst fears; it was going to be muddy! This was my first trip to Forest to Falls but I had heard the legend of the black marsh somewhere in the middle of the race, this we were told, was left out this year, as it was not at all possible to get through. We were warned of slippery conditions at the 15km mark just before the waterfall. I never pay much attention to these warnings as I am an ace bike handler!

The race rolls out on tar roads through Graskop with a nasty little climb, just before the dirt to get the legs warmed up. Once on the dirt the race seemed very similar to Haenertsburg, plenty of forest riding. You are never allowed to settle into a rhythm with plenty of ups and downs. It Graskop Spar at workwasn’t long until we hit the first mud bog, even though none of them were very long, it was enough to seriously slow your momentum, and sap energy for the little ups. It was also enough to really mess up the old drive train. There was one really bad bog just before the river crossing and I decided to try to clean my bike in the river. This proved very difficult, as a combination of pine needles and mud had seriously messed things up. I reached the 12km mark where there had been warnings of slippery pine needles and this was an awesome stretch of single-track, some of which I had to walk. But the rest was really good riding, my unwavering skills seeing me through. Then on the next warning spot at 15km. I could hear the waterfall that they spoke of and a single track dropped into a jeep track and down to the waterfall. Luckily I am so skilled and whoooooooooaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Next thing I am skidding for about 10 meters, bike optional! Never mind that my arrogance lead me to fall seriously hard but 2 other guys behind me also bit the mud, and to them I apologise profusely!! The waterfall at the bottom my own fall was really something to see. I stopped briefly to regain composure and soldiered on. The race is a figure 8 type design and after 35km you return back to Graskop and the lucky 35km riders finish and we go on. The climbs on the second loop are longer with a very long one to start out with, even though it is not very steep, the conditions were very slippery which makes it a tough climb. But don’t be too worried about all the climbing as there are also some spectacular down hills. This is not really a race I would like to do on a hard tail. My Raleigh RDS 9.0 really smoothed out the many grassy jeep tracks. It is always difficult to ride over grass, but the full susser really keeps things manageable. This route is really awesome. It has some of the best views of the races I have done and is incredibly well marked. Once again I would love to do it in the dry, but hey! This is mountain biking.................

Our Sponsors: Komatiland forestry and the The Graskop Spar