Taking part in his 4th W2W’s, Shayne Dowling reflects on motivation, the race and what keeps us coming back for more.
I wasn’t going to do Wines 2 Whales this year. I had convinced myself that I had done it three times and it was time to move on. I have done the Houw Hoek MTB Tour pretty much every year too and although only two days long it covers most of Day 2 and 3 of Wines. Not to mention, the MTB God’s conspired and presented several challenges: my partner had to withdraw with four weeks to go (thanks to my mate Paul Farrell for agreeing to ride with me at such short notice!), I found out my bike had a frame problem and had to be changed, so pretty much no training in the four weeks leading up to the ride and to top it off I was hit with bronchitis that put me in bed for 3 days with two weeks out. Terrific!
So, what makes mountain bikers keep coming back to a stage race? What makes them keep coming back to W2W? I’ve had a couple of days to think about it and after sharing war stories with mates and replaying the ride in my mind, I have a few thoughts:
Vibe: each race has its own soul and no matter what the organisers’ expectations are this is something that isn’t completely controlled by them, it’s an intangible consequence of the entire product. It is certainly affected by the elves in the background, their personality and demeanour, but mostly it’s a result of the participants – and in every W2W from the pros to the whales (us heavy okes at the back) there is vibe by the vat-load. There is a nervous but happy tension in the first days’ chutes that becomes more relaxed and friendly every morning thereafter. There is just a “vibe”, an unexplainable sense of pleasure and camaraderie that comes with being in this now notorious event.
Slick: The race village at Oak Valley is superb. I doubt that there is anything like it at any stage race in the country. It really is a village and one that most local governments wished theirs worked as well. Chill areas, lounges, great food, gear stalls, refrigerated water trucks, massage area, luxury tented village and a huge bike workshop area serviced by most brands. A description does it no justice, you need to experience it, see it, feel the vibe. The village may be the crown jewel but the organisation on the route is also immensely impressive. Marking is on point, the water tables are generous and energetically manned – the Paul Cluver and Art House are particularly memorable and made even more so by the music and presenters – Susie is of course someone you can’t forget and her enthusiasm certainly adds motivation to keep going.
Familiarity: The event is like meeting an old friend – it really is! There is a comfort in seeing familiar faces, pacing yourself because you are familiar with most of the route while trying to anticipate the new sections you know Johan has put in for you (and cursing when it’s a vertical climb!). Connecting with people you only see at W2W – year after year. Knowing that you are going to drink to much red wine on the Saturday night but being perfectly happy as you know that Sunday is “play day”! Reconnecting with the W2W vibe!
Fresh: Keeping it so is probably the biggest challenge that most event organisers have. How to keep it fresh? How to keep the riders coming back every year? The route is exactly the same route for the first pro to the last rider – no matter whether in the Adventure, Ride or Race – it needs to be a challenge for the pros and do-able for the final batch. I reckon W2W achieves this admirably. There is definitely enough to challenge the pros who are going hammer and tong and it is perfectly acceptable in the back bunches to hop off and walk a killer climb. That being said, everyone is timed and there is pride involved so everyone ends with the tank refill light on. The route is constantly being tweaked and adapted, there always seems to be new pieces of singletrack and every year there are one or two pleasant surprises. It keeps the race fresh and keeps us coming back. The rider offering off the bike is also constantly being upgraded, from various race options to evening entertainment in the village. This year they had comedian Barry Hilton on the Saturday, I’m not sure Stillwater had anything to do with the rugby test but this followed the Cousin on big screens. Uhm, yes the red wine flowed! What a lekker vibe!
Challenge: Every day has its own notorious challenges and these all add to the legacy of W2W. Day one is without a doubt the Gantouws portage; it is dramatic in that you are walking over a mountain with your bike and following the wheel tracks of Voortrekkers to do so. It’s where most folk cramp on what is also the toughest day, but you wouldn’t miss it for the world! Day two is toted by the organisers at “play day” – don’t be fooled, it isn’t for kids. Singletracks are the challenge here. It’s a tough day with constant ups and downs. The upside is that you are treated to some of the best singletrack you will ever ride. But it requires concentration and most of all a vestige of technical (singletrack) confidence and skill! Rather than the route profile (because let’s be honest how often do your really look at it on the bike) the obligatory sticker for everyone’s top tube should read “Momentum is key!” There is rarely anyone who ends the day without a story from the trail and a smile on their face. Day 3 is the real “fun day”! Yes, it’s the last day and this helps the mind and the legs but the challenge is the climb to the Art house followed by Karwyderskraal. They can definitely be made more challenging with the Cape Doctor in the house – a pomping South Easter definitely makes the ride home interesting.
Memories: Someone told me that you cannot recreate pain in your mind. I suspect this is true – otherwise why would we keep coming back for more? What we can do though is make wonderful movies, take awesome pictures and store them in our memory banks. This is what keeps us coming back every time! The sharing of these memories is particularly relevant and despite personal goals, the making of new ones is the key inspiration to participate.
I am very glad that I took part this year. That I managed to conquer my personal challenges and that I rode over the line with a friend who succeeded in obliterating his! (Shot Paul you conquered W2W like a boss!) If you are a mountain biker and you haven’t done a stage race – do it! Train, get a few technical lessons, challenge yourself and you will find out for yourself – W2W, much like mountain biking, is such a special vibe!
