The opening edition of the BSi Steel dusi2c gave riders the luxury of floating bridges that assisted them in crossing the Msundusi and Mngeni Rivers before 2014 saw riders having to rough it through the rivers. 2015 will however see the return of the famous floating bridges as riders gear up for the two-day adventure that takes place on 20 & 21 June.
It was a request from the riders after the debut edition of the race that ‘Farmer’ Glen Haw makes the race a purer mountain biking experience and so he took on the advice and removed a number of the floating bridges that were around in the first year.
The first edition of the BSi Steel dusi2c saw riders spoilt with the use of floating bridges as they crossed the Msundusi and Mngeni Rivers on their way to Durban but 2014 saw organiser ‘Farmer’ Glen Haw remove some of these but they will return in 2015 when riders start their journey in Pietermaritzburg from 20-21 June. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media.
“We are putting some bridges back that we had taken out for the race last year,” Haw said. “Initially that was in response to riders who said that they wanted it to be a pure mountain biking experience and that meant having to carry your bike through the river.
2014 saw a couple of river crossings where the riders had to negotiate their way through some icy water on their way to the overnight stop at the Mfula Store, resulting in a few requests for the return of the iconic bridges which Haw has obliged in two sections of the river ahead of this year’s race.
“People said that they missed the bridges last year so we have put them back at Yellow Rock and below the Dusi Day One overnight stop and one more on Day two. The bridges are fun and they make it easier and faster,” Haw explained.
Haw’s vision for the Nedbank sani2c, Old Mutual joBerg2c and BSi Steel dusi2c alike is that each one is a unique adventure in its own right and so he has taken the decision to make the dusi2c a more ‘rugged’ outing than its older brother, the sani2c, something that has again seen the 2015 edition’s field having been filled well ahead of the firing of the starter’s gun.
014 saw riders of the BSi Steel dusi2c wade through the icy waters of the Msundusi and Mngeni Rivers but 2015 will see the return of a number of the floating bridges for the riders when they begin their two-day journey from Pietermaritzburg to Durban from 20-21 June. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media.
“The vibe at dusi2c is different and that is actually what we are trying to do with all of our stage races; create a unique and different vibe at each of them with each having its own personality.
“Dusi2c is pretty relaxed, and we like that.
“Maybe now that it has a name and reputation, the competitive guys can be a bit more serious but the atmosphere around the dusi2c is so chilled and everyone just looks to really enjoy each other’s company,” Haw stressed.
Another unique element of the race and something that helps keep the race as honest as possible is the use of GPS navigation by the riders.
The revolutionary race format is something that Haw hasn’t introduced fully into his other races but the dusi2c has embraced it wholeheartedly, something that has added significantly to riders’ sense of adventure.
“There will be a few small changes to the route this year but it will basically be the same as last year and we will still be doing it entirely by GPS.
“We want to keep it pure riding. We don’t want to over prepare the trails like we possibly do for sani2c,” he mentioned.
Over the two editions of the race thus far the overnight stop at the iconic Mfula Store has started to take shape and the race village has grown and become more and more welcoming for riders.
Haw believes that the recent addition of a few more elements will make the venue an even more welcome sight for riders at the end of the first day.
“The overnight stop at Mfula Store is well established now.
“We planted more grass there during the summer and Mzo and his team do a great job there levelling the site, cutting with brushcutters and trying to keep the cattle off the site,” he laughed.
More information can be found at www.dusi2c.co.za.
