Review of Emperors Palace MTB - 11 April 2015

Sport MTB Race
Event Emperors Palace MTB
Date 11 April 2015
Where Johannesburg, South Africa
Distance 20 Km
Finishing Time 02:03:55
Race Number 839
Result 391/487
Top % 80%
Pace 6:12 m/km
Speed 9.68 km/h
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My experience at the event:

Taking Lindsey to a race is always an achievement. She spent most of her London years cycling to work and back (which was by far the cheapest way of transporation), but since moving back to South Africa, car was always the first and safest choice.

So after introducing her to MTB racing 3 years ago for the Momentum MTB Challenge, I decided that i would try to involve her in as many races as possible. So, in April, I finally convinced to take part in the relatively flat and easy 20km Emperors Classic. 

The race started on a nice and warm Saturday morning, and for the first hour or so was more about waiting in queue with everyone else during the very slow forest section (1 track zig-zaging everywhere). Finally, once the course opened, we basically spent the rest of the time cycling around the O.R. Tambo airport, very (VERY) close to the landing airplanes. I took with me a gopro, which I used to film the whole course (and I will hopefully edit it soon).

20km ended up being around 25, and Lindsey got a bit tired at the end, but, as usual, she managed to find some inner strength to finish it!

Here are some pictures:

Lindsey ready to go
Lindsey before the race

Lindsey in the forest
In the forest

Olaf in the forest
Me too

Posing with my medal
With my medal

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