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POST 31
Date: February 11, 2008
Posted By: Sean Robson

Try avoid the tar sections if at all possible.

Thanks for your feedback. We want a MTB race not a road race so we try to avoid too much tar, but logistically getting people through PMB is a problem and we also want the race to be something of a complete race -- single track, jeep track, gravel roads and urban assault -- so a bit of fast tar is not all bad, but promise we will take as much out as we can if there is a better and safer alternative.

Cheers

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 30
Date: October 24, 2007
Posted By: Russell Smith

Apologies for only submitting feedback on the H2H site now, but I did rate the race on the Bicycling site soon after the race.I agree that the organisors have achieved a great combination of a tough yet achievable course.If you prepare for this race, you are really going to enjoy it. There are 2 issues I\'d like to mention in terms of constructive criticism.

Firstly, I did the half marathon and found that the single track which was a little technical very early in the race, resulted in riders having to stop and wait for those who did not want to ride this bit of single track (around the dams). There was another tunnel under the railway bridge to the left of the golf course and a great jeep track that ran from the tunnel towards the N3, joining onto a great bit of fast dirt road right next to the N3 past the chicken farm. This is the same road that we eventually joined up with which took us to the coffee farm. Please consider this section for the first 3 to 4 kms for next year to split up the field early on.

Secondly, it was very disappointing that the MyPicture photographers messed up with the photos of all riders in the half marathon. They said that they never got the data cards from the photographers. This is a big disappointment for the many 40km riders who would have loved to have captured their event on a photo. The MyPicture guys certainly didn't do the H2H organisers any favours here!

However as far as the race goes, I will definitely be back next year. Good one!

Hi Russell

The single track early on was an issue and we are looking at various options to remedy the bottleneck problem. The option we will probably take (but this is not finalised yet) is to seed starters next year. A national seeding system may be in place before the race next year (so get licenced if you are not already), or we will do our own seeding system.

Sorry about the problem with the photographers, we will certainly take it up with MyPicture.

Look forward to seeing you next year

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 29
Date: October 24, 2007
Posted By: Gordon Borain

Course - good. I enjoyed it more than last year, despite it being longer. But please try to get better maps and long sections. Your last year's map was excellent (even if it was wrong in places). This year's map was a disaster, with even the N3 about 5km out of position. If you want a good example of a long section, look at www.sabiexperience.co.za. Your tables were pretty good.

Hi Gordon

Our maps were not as good as they should have been this year and there were a few late changes to the course which mean there were a few inaccuracies, but hopefully this will be better next year.

Thanks for your feedback.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 28
Date: October 19, 2007
Posted By: Jonathan Eweg

Needs a big hill soon after start 2 open up field b4 single track. (Or do downhill time trial day b4 2 seed riders 4 start)? Otherwise keep as is, unless u can possible fit more single track in. Thanks awesome course.

Hi Jonathan

Sorry for the delay in replying.

A national seeding system has been proposed which we may use or we will make use of our own seeding system for next year to try and sort out the bottlenecks.

Thanks for your feedback

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 27
Date: October 17, 2007
Posted By: Colin

Very late with my comments, but better late than never. I felt it was an awesome event. Difficult, but then for all the wimps who can't handle it, don't ride it.You definately ned to be fit, unlike myself, who was still recovering from an ankle and knee injury - no training in the last month. Other than no medical supplies at The Ark late in the afternoon, no complaints. I'm moving to Cape Town in Mid Nov but hope to make it back next year. Keep up the good work guys.

Hi Colin

Sorry about the delay in replying.

Thanks for the kind words. We aimed to make the race a "tough but achievable" challenge and I think we are close to that.

Glad to hear you will be back next year.

Thanks for the feedback.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 26
Date: October 12, 2007
Posted By: Thomas

Watering tables poor/in a sad state.

Hi Thomas

Sorry you felt that way. We are aware of some problems and have identified areas we can improve on so hopefully we get it right in 2008. To help us, can you give me a bit more detail on what you were not happy with.

Many thanks

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 25
Date: October 10, 2007
Posted By: Mario Zanninello

100's do not change a thing. Be back again!!

Hi Mario

Thanks for the feedback ... Sorry but we will be changing a few things, but hopefully only to make them even better.

Thanks
Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 24
Date: October 03, 2007
Posted By: Brett Speddick

Race was good but your answering email queries ...SUCKS !!

Here is my question which I sent and still don't have an answer to: Who are the photographers for hill 2 hill and where can we see the photos

A previous request to change my entry from the long race to the short race never got answered and only when I sent another stern email did I get a reply.

Hi Brett

Sorry to take so long to reply.

Some photos should be posted on the website within the next 24 hours and My Picture will be sending you pictures for purchase within the next few days and should have something on their website soon.

Many thanks

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 23
Date: October 03, 2007
Posted By: Grant Morrison

I did the 100km race and I thought that it was awesome! Tough but not stupidly hard, and a really good balance of single track and dirt roads. Well done to the course engineers!

Hi Grant

Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate the kind words.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 22
Date: October 03, 2007
Posted By: Warren Strauss

What an awesome experience! Thanks to the organisers and sponsors, will be back next year! Thanks again!

Hi Warren

Thanks for the kind words.

Please remember to Rate the Race (http://www.bicycling.co.za/rate_your_race) and see you next year for an even better Hill 2 Hill.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 21
Date: October 03, 2007
Posted By: Charles Henderson

Hi Tim

Congratulations on a well organised and run event. Having been involved in organising and running 2 other MTB events recently, one quickly finds out how some people are prone to complaining. As I'm sure you are well aware, you will never ever please everybody - if you ca\'t handle it, buy a roadbike!!!!!

I have been reading your responses to the feedback already sent in and well done - well handled. If there is to be seeding for next years event - my humble suggestion is maybe use results from this years race as a starter. It seems most people will be back, myself included.

Cheers

Hi Charles

Thanks for the feedback. Using this year's results is certainly one of the options and probably will be one of the criteria used.

Appreciate the kind words.

Please remember to Rate the Race (http://www.bicycling.co.za/rate_your_race) and see you next year for an even better Hill 2 Hill.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 20
Date: October 03, 2007
Posted By: Trudy Forster

Great ride - brilliant organising, fantastic marking - I will definitely be hitting the big one next year!

Hi Trudy

Thanks for the kind words. One change we will be making just for you: Wimps will not be allowed to change entries to the shorter event. Will believe that you are going to "ride the big one" when I see it!

Please remember to Rate the Race (http://www.bicycling.co.za/rate_your_race) and see you next year for an even better Hill 2 Hill.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 19
Date: October 02, 2007
Posted By: Brian Berry

Hi,

I've just read through the comments and agree with the comments about the food at the water tables but must extend a big thanks to those manning them. At the water table at the Paxton's, Tracy ended up supplying it with food from her own kitchen. They did a great job of looking after the riders. Thanks... I did the race on a hard tail and yes it was very tough but don't change a thing about the course. I thought tough was a given. I also thought the course marking was good. I would agree with the following: Having a batched start to take care of congestion (I know this makes timing more difficult and even those of us at the back of the field want an accurate time) Food at the tables for the middle and back of the field needs to be taken care of Spectator directions would help. It was really great to have spectator support along the route but it as limited. A nice touch would be landmark name boards and distance markers at strategic points

I had a great time and will be back next year.

Thanks.
Brian.

Hi Brian

Thanks for your feedback.

The Paxtons are great friends of mountain biking, as are all the landowners who allow us access to their farms during the race and all the volunteers who man the water tables. Next years we will improve our rider communications with maps and spectator points and have to sort out the start with batching or seeded starts. See you next year.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 18
Date: October 02, 2007
Posted By: Nigel

Hi Tim

Thouroughly enjoyed my first one will be looking for my green number for sure. No complaints at all.

Hi Nigel

Thanks for the positive feedback ...
Remember to rate your race (http://www.bicycling.co.za/rate_your_race)

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 17
Date: October 02, 2007
Posted By: Ursula

I really cant complain about anything! Thanks to all the organisers and sponsers for a great event. Cant wait to be back next year!

Thanks for the kind words ...

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 16
Date: October 01, 2007
Posted By: Rodney Owen

The Good - brilliant course, well balanced and a real challenge for a one day event. Route marking and marshalling was good. Water tables efficient and friendly and had what I needed (only water to refill my camelbak). Start was better (less congested) than last year but could be improved (see below). Overall well organised, registration was good and best of all is what gets ploughed back into the communities along the route.

The bad - Start could have been better thought out. For example some tape marking the start chute at the same width as the inflatable tunnel we passed through would have prevented 10 abreast suddenly trying to become three abreast. What happened to the advertised separation of licenced/unlicenced riders at the start - and how were you going to police this at the start anyway?

The distance of the long ride was about 98 km - this is only 500m longer than last year on my (accurate)bike computer - in spite of the hype about the longer distance this year, although the course was harder. Would be nice to do an honest 100km for this event. In spite of advertising no chicken runs, there was apparently one at the bull run at bartletts which was faster than the bull run.

The Ugly - including two portages at the top of Key Ridge to replace one last year to bring us out in more or less the same place.

Hope these comments help make the 2008 event even better.

Hi Rodney

Thanks for the well thought out feedback.

Glad for the good.

The bad: We are looking at the start and hopefully can sort out the problems there.

The ugly: The two poprtages were forced on us by a fence which was put up across the single track we cut into the hill for last year's race.

You put some good suggestions and we will include those in our planning for next year.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 15
Date: October 01, 2007
Posted By: Andrew Sheard

Thank you for a fantastic, well organised event. One of the best I have participated in. I would like to make a suggestion about the start. Would it not be possible to have a seeded or batched start to try and eliminate the bottle necks in the beginning?

Thanks Andrew

Hi Andrew

Thanks for your feedback

We are looking at the start and will almost certainly introduce some form of seeding or batch start for 2008.

We are just looking at the best way to handle it: batch starts, or specific seeding races, or previous Hill 2 Hill results, or general race results; or first come first served are just a few suggestions / options.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 14
Date: October 01, 2007
Posted By: Gary Botha

Great race, tables could have been better stocked for the middle to back markers. The last 15 kms were heaven by comparison to last years race, great job. In closing are there any plans to institute a green number club on the a similar principle to that of the Comrades or Amashova?

Hi Gary

We will try to improve our tables for next year. We are thinking of a five-year "green number club" or something similar. Nothing finalised yet.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 13
Date: September 30, 2007
Posted By: Rudi Sonntag

For those of us who are new to the area, it would be great if you could publish GPS co-ordinates of the spectator points as well as the start and finish (makes navigation so much easier).

Hi Rudi

Good idea, we will look into doing it for next year.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 12
Date: September 30, 2007
Posted By: Mark Duckham

awesome race! only 2 complaints: no food on the tables for the mid to rear riders and secondly the sign boards everywhere were too small,for seconds and riders and a suggestion to put in place for next year is a seconders map of water tables and vantage points. other than that well done and i will be back for next years ride.

Hi Mark

Sorry about the food, it will be better next year. We will look at improving signage and will include maps both online and in race packs for next year.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 11
Date: September 29, 2007
Posted By: Bruce Ayling

Howzit.. Enjoyed the race.. Just to let u guys know .. near the ark (peacevale) their was poor marking .. I took about 20 to 40 cyclists with me and got them lost... Next time can we put some chalk (arrow) down on the ground.. Thanks 4 an awsome ride looking to the whole one next year.

Hi Bruce

Sorry about that. It seems like some marking were stolen between our course check in the morning and the first riders going through. One of the marshalls was told about it and he went and remarked ... Obviously too late for you though, sorry again.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 10
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Squeaky Refilwe

Very good, to do it fast,only to have my bike nicked the same evening. So next year I will be there, faster and hopefully no bike to be nicked.

Hi

Sorry to hear that, but obviously any bike which finishes the Hill 2 Hill is a desirable item. I will be publicising your plight in the Independent on Saturday this weekend. Hope it helps.

Tim Whitfeild
Race Director

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POST 9
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Shannon

Hi :)
Did the 40km, was my first 'race' ever, had an awesome time, only thing i didnt enjoy was the major bottle neck in the beginning, seemed to carry on far too long, and happened just as everyone got into their stride. otherwise the scenery was amazing, marking was awesome, the lime i think was the best way of marking along with the little orange stickers through the cane fields. T-shirt in the goodie bag is of great quality, thanks, rocky section took its toll on me and a few other girls i saw, but i thoroughly enjoyed the technical parts! Maybe next year there can be indicators of how many km\'s left every now and then? i had my computer but it showed i still had 8 km\'s left at the finish, and people everywhere were giving me different readings. but overall i had a wonderful time and have decided to go for the big one next year :)

Hi Shannon

Thanks for your feedback and glad you enjoyed it.

We are working on plans to prevent the bottlenecks and will probably introduce distance marking for next year.

Thanks for your feedback

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 8
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Mike Thomlinson

Some comments regarding the Hill2Hill:
As a past vice president of Border Cycling I am aware of the organization and commitment required to put on an event of this magnitude and I can only say thank you for an extremely well organized event. The course marking, marshalling and support were of the best I have seen.

However:…….
I noticed at the start that some riders on the 105 ride did not appear to be geared up for a ride of this difficulty –(running shoes with no peddle straps or clips, no cycling shorts, and physically did not appear to be able to take on a marathon ride like this). I’m sure that 2-3 hrs into the ride a lot of riders were renaming the event: the “Hill to Hell”!
My point is: This is a difficult ride, both from the technical and fitness perspectives – prospective riders should be left in no doubt as to what they are letting themselves in for and at what level of fitness and expertise they need to be at, to complete this. The problem is that your current website does not do this. The gallery shows riders cruising on scenic dirt roads with no inkling of the huge amount of challenging single track to be tackled. Course profile was also only put up later on and again does not really give a good picture of how difficult the course is. Comments on the previous event are limited to those given by expert MTB’ers such as: “best one day MTB ride” etc. Contrast this to information given by the Sani 2 Coast organizers: “this is not a ride for weekend warriors” – this leaves you in doubt as to how difficult the ride is! Having said this though, I did hear a lot of positive comments by experienced MTB’ers revelling in the challenges of the single!
track.

Smaller niggles:

• The bottle neck bogie: I/2 hr to ride 3 k’s? My observations on this score were that more inexperienced riders got to the front at the start and then bogged down the single track. In my experience the only way to thin the field is either put in a big climb right at the beginning and let the stronger riders take their rightful place or split the riders into seaded groups.
• Registration: needs to be open from 2-7 PM to give out of town riders an easier opportunity to register.
• Facilities at the finish; Surely you could organize hot water showers? Even a small event like the Thomas River ride here in the Eastern cape which is held in the back of beyond offers riders a warm shower at the end.
  I hope my comments are seen in a positive light that can only add to what is surely destined to become one of the premier MTB events of SA.

Hi Mike

Thanks for your comments.

Will look at adding a "disclaimer" about the difficulty.

Bottlenecks: Next year we will certainly have seeding or batches, just looking at the best way of implementing this.

Registration: If contacted we make a plan for out-of-towners.

Showers: There were hot-water showers in the clubhouse and the outside showers were meant to be hot ... It will be improved for next year with our supplier promising they would sort out the problem.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 7
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Hennie Kriek

Hi guys. Thanx for a great event. It was awesome,well organised and great fun. The route was 100%! Will definetly see u next year,all the best! You KZN GUYS ROCK! Cheers for now

Hi Hennie

Thanks for your feedback .. Look forward to seeing you next year.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 6
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Dave

My sincere thanks to the gent wearing the Supa Quick kit who loaned me his RYDER wheel pump at about half way on the 106km ride. I would like to return the pump. If it is your pump, please contact Dave Alderson 083 231 6591

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POST 5
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Gavin Maxwell

Very good test of hill-climb strength and overall endurance, but there was not enough organisation. I had expected much better planning from all the hype. There was no food for the back-markers at the first 3 tables, and the route was not as clearly marked as it could have been. The route profile is not accurate, as Mikes hill looks harder than fox hill but is actually infinitely easier, and the last 5km is marked as uphill but is nearly all downhill.

Very little range of technical difficulty on the course, nearly everything was very very easy apart from a few virtually impossible obstacles. A few distance markers along the route would be easy to organise and very welcome, as everyones odo seemed to have a different reading.

I would love to see more info on the course, I remember only 4 boards, Sk\'s Dip, Fox Hill, Mike's Hill, and 5km to go (which was actually at about 6)

If only I had known that that first major hill was NOT Fox hill, I would have eased off a bit and saved myself some disappointment.

I will definitely be back, better prepared and with a plan based on what I learnt this year, but I am a little disappointed that this very hyped-up race did not show the basic organisation it could have. Many things could have been done better, from toilet facilities to marking, to congestion relief, to goodie bags that do not contain mostly expired samples.

I hope this race continues to develop, it can and should be the Comrades of the MTB calendar, for those not on the Sani2C or Elite exclusive lists.

Hi Gavin

Sorry you did not feel the organisation was up to standard. We have noted all your comments and hopefully will provide a better event next year. Many thanks for giving us feedback.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 4
Date: September 28, 2007
Posted By: Andrew Mysell

Thanks for a great race !!! I thought that the course was excellent and very well marked !!! It was long, but then that is what is expected on the Hill 2 Hill. My only sugesstion would be more toilets at the start and to try and further reduce the congestion at the single track as we decended from Worlds view (but this was not a big issue at all). Thank you for an awesome race!!!

Hi Andrew

Toilets at the start were too far away from the start and not well enough signposted and we are going to introduce a seeding system for next year to try and solve the perennial bottleneck problem.

Thanks for your feedback

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 3
Date: September 27, 2007
Posted By: Pete Grobler

COMPLETE overkill on the single track/bundu-bashing. This course must have been designed by a sadomasochist! On a hard-tail it was purgatory. It actually became a bit boring knowing that every uphill slog would be followed by a painful single-track descent. Been there, got the T-shirt, wont be back.

Hi Pete

Sorry you feel this way. The race is meant to be tough and the overall feedback from the course has been positive.
We will miss you next year, perhaps you would prefer the easier, shorter 40km event.

Tim Whitfield
Race Director

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POST 2
Date: September 25, 2007
Posted By: Dennis

Wow, did the 45km last year but dared the Big one this last Sunday! The bottleneck at the beginning sorted itself out very quickly to my amazement. The stairs at the end of the suspension bridge in PMB claimed a broken arm an stiches to one of my friends, no guts no glory I suppose. Traffic police were outstanding! The first waterpoint didnt have water? the other water points were superb. The track was well marked and seemed to have a well balanced varience of track types . Over all the first half seemed to be more difficult that the last half, but the last + - 25kms home were just awesome, definately designed to tease us to sign up again for 2008! Well done to everyone that made this event possible. Number plates seemed a bit flimsy and goodie bags didnt seem as up to scratch as last year, but on the whole brilliant!

Hi Dennis

Thanks for your feedback regarding the race. We are looking into the problems and will be doing our best to sort them out so 2008 is an even better experience for you, the rider. Without making excuses, we had last-minute supplier problems regarding the water points and have already contacted a new supplier for the goodie bags for 2008.

Tim
Race Director

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POST 1
Date: September 25, 2007
Posted By: Gary

The event was spoilt by poor seconding tables. All drinks were warm. Food ? Tables were much better last year.

Hi Gary

Thanks for your feedback and sorry you felt the water tables were not up to scratch. Without making excuses, we had late supplier problems and will be doing our best to ensure they are better next year. Hopefully we will fix the glitches you mention for next year and can make your race experience better.

Tim
Race Director

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