I have just returned to Cape Town after the most awesome weekend riding the Dusimfula. My riding partner and I had a brilliant time and are very keen on securing an entry for the full 5 day experience in 2010. 

Please let me know what the selection criteria will be and keep me posted about this event.

Thanks so much for a truly African experience this weekend- we loved it and hope more Capetonians will take part next year. So worth it!!!

Regards

Janet Lightley

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Hi Ray

I was initially quite sceptical about this seeding process.  This was my 1st Sani2C and when we saw our seeding, we thought they had got it wrong because they only had one ROAG event between my partner and I.  We sent in our other race times and they re-seeded us.  We stayed in the same group for all 3 days, so the re-seeding turned out to be pretty accurate. 

I think the big benefit was spreading the field so that people could overtake with relative ease without needing to beg, plead and swear to get slower riders out of the way. 

The reason I asked you about this was really because I was trying to picture the benefits of a batch start at the Dusi Mfula.  I think that batch starts would have an even bigger impact at the Mfula than they did at the Sani2C as the Mfula doesn't have nearly as much wide district road in the 1st couple of km's as the Sani2C which really helps to stretch out the field.  I've found that even when you are still on the road, the up-hills close to the start are just so clogged with slower riders that have started at the front and stayed with the bunch on the downhill.  I think that going the batch start approach (not necessarily ROAG - but why re-invent the wheel) would really lift the Dusi Mfula experience to another level.  For a mountain biker, I think that there is nothing worse than having to walk single track that you know you are capable of riding - all because you got stuck behind a bunch of slower riders at the start of the day.

From another perspective, I doubt that anyone would complain about batch starts.  Certainly the bunch of guys I ride with (many of whom are riding their 1st Mfula this year) with all very happy with the batch starts at Sani and most of them have done the race before without the batch starts. Even those that got poor seedings and didn't request a review said that it was easy enough to pass and apart from one

exception, there were no time wasting queues.     

Well - that's my 2 cents.  Good luck with the final preparations and see you in Maritzburg.

Regards

Dave

Dave Farrer

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Hi Ray - another great event and the seeding really did the trick.

The "virgins" that I convinced to do the ride, loved it and I'm sure that most of them will be back for more next year - I most definitely will be.

Thanks for giving us this experience.

Dave Farrer

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Here we have another satisfied customer:

Hi Vinnie
 
A big thank you to the Round Table for the car transport service - you made the Dusi Mfula experience even more enjoyable - for us vaalies.  It was great just dropping off the keys and collecting them again at the end and walking across the road to the car. 
 
I hope we will see you guys again next year and that the money you collected made your efforts worthwhile. 
 
Regards  

Dave Farrer

Be sure to check otu your photos at http://www.actionphoto.net!

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After each race we recieve hundreds of complimentary e-mails, here is one of our favourites along with a big thanks to all our supporters:

"Hi Ray and Dusi Mfula team

We would like to thank you for your generosity and the opportunity which we had to be able to take part in Dusi Mfula 2010 and use it as a fundraiser in our Phokophela charity campaign. We were both very impressed by the watering tables and the quality of service and products at each table. The police presence and marshalling was exceptional too. Congratulations to your team for another well organized event.

Many thanks again for the entry.

Kind regards

Claire Mercer and Stuart Clifton"

Thanks again to Claire Mercer and Stuart Clifton for their support and we wish them all the best in their future endevours.

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Dear Ray de Vries,

A very big thank you to you and all your many helpers for a wonderful event.

I cannot believe that you guys could blase a trail through the valley to get 600 cyclists to Durban. Remarkable! Your organisation was superb. It was a privilege being part of the Dusi Mfula. Well done and thank you.

Sincerely,

Rod de Villiers

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