2014 Roof of Africa (a picture report)

[Michiel]

This is a little bit of a jump but the next time I got my hands on a camera was towards the end of
the day. Normally the action that Bushman's Pass sees always happen on the Western side of the
mountain but this time the Eastern side was the place to be.

With the Silver and Gold class riding longer and more difficult routes it so happened that Bronze class
was the first to cross this point on their way to the finish. By the time the riders got here they have been
at it for more than 6 hours. This climb from the valley down below was difficult enough and then you add
the fatigue to make for quite a show.

In fact, these are Sonja Laubscher's pictures. I was at the bottom helping the riders where I could.

 

[Michiel]

For about an hour we watched one after the other Bronze rider battle their way up the pass with no name.
Some riders stopped to ask for water and wanted to know what the name of this section was but unfortunately
I believe it has yet to be named.

By now we spectators had our eyes tuned in to the scene of carnage that unfolded before us and knew every
difficult section of the ascent from seeing riders stall and fall there.

Suddenly a single rider came out of nowhere. This time the pilot wasn't sitting down nor were his feet out paddling
slowly through the loose rocks. No, it was clear this guy meant business. Standing on the pegs, looking up and ahead,
moving with considerable speed and not hesitating event at the 1m step from the bottom of the pass.

It was Wade Young leading Gold class by more that 30min!

Pictures by Sonja Laubscher.





It was unbelievable to watch this guy. He criss-crossed through all the struggling Bronze riders and flew up
the pass in no time at all. I was properly impressed. This guy is a machine. It didn't even look like he was tired.
In fact, see for yourself, it looks like he is enjoying it even after riding two of the worst passes ever to be seen
in Roof history.



Dynamically moving his body this side of the bars, then that side and up he goes!

 

[Michiel]

Then the Silver class riders started coming through and in 3rd position was our very own Ruan Laubscher!

 

[Michiel]

With both Ruan and Pieter (Losper) now past the last refuel Sonja and I made our way to the finish
back at Nyakosoba. Here is a sequence I got of Ruan coming in at the finish. This was less than 500m
away from the Monster arch. Ruan was on a mission and bystanders had to duck and dive as he raced
to the finish.

 

[Michiel]

Losper coming though shortly after his son and getting the same applause from the spectators.



So here are our boys. Proud of you!

Ruan Laubscher with mom Sonja.



The family. Losper, Sonja and Ruan.



Ruan was terribly dehydrated. So much so I was worried. For a while he looked unfamiliar all dusty.

 

[JustBendIt]

Awesome Michiel !!!

Many thanks for this RR

 

[Davidp]

Brilliant pics and report.........

.......and MAXIMUM RESPECT to Losper and his laaitie (and all the riders)  :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Michiel]

The final day of this years Roof saw less riders starting than the day before because a lot of
the Silver and Gold class riders were time barred during the previous days racing. Ruan on the
other hand made good time and looked well rested coming off the line.



Saturday saw more spectators as many people came through for the day. Sonja and I spent the first half
of the day in different locations so I didn't have a camera with me. Another jump then but I guess everyone
are looking forward to the action that happened at the finish.



Like the day before the Bronze class riders were the first to make their way up the mountain and closer to the
triumphant finish. Being amongst the top Bronze finishers doesn't mean though that you are not really tired
and in need of a breath so close to the end.





Sometimes I guess one's legs are just a bit too short.



So close and yet so far.



The helicopter became a nuisance with all the dust it unsettled over all the riders and spectators.

 

[Michiel]

Suitingly the Gold class riders had their own approach to the finish. This time even the top runners needed a little
help from some friends. I will let the pictures do the talking.











More helicopter nuisance.



I don't actually know who this was. No 2 finisher in Gold class.



Then Graham Jarvis came in.

 

[Michiel]

Losper doing us proud by finishing Bronze class with time to spare.

 

[Michiel]

More action at the finish. Overall a very enjoyable and successful Roof experience. And that is about what I have to say.

Thanks for everyone watching and commenting. Glad to be able to share!

 

[LoopSoosStroop]

Fantastic pictures. Pipe dream!

 

[Michiel]

Forgot to point this out. This guy was so enthusiastic he tore his pants in the process.  ;D

 

[Hammerhead]

Thanks for sharing-some truly amazing pics!

 

[BiG DoM]

Great Pics Michiel - those Day 2 pics with Wade passing a bronze rider is him passing my son #440 … he told me he let him past to give him a chance  ;D   … actually followed him a bit and tells me that it is really something to behold from a fellow riders perspective … motion in poetry … fast poetry!  :ricky:

 

[Orangeswifty]

Madness!!!!
Great pics

 

[Abel]

As always great work.

 

[ETS]

Skitterend Michiel!!!!

 

[ETS]

Losper is a MAN :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:
Was so nice to be there-- Friday was not too good waiting at Bushmans after the timebar-- Luckily Andries cam ein just as it was getting dark--Him and Carl-- bottlenecks were just too long.

 

[machanicmike]

At the Start/Finish site lots was happening with helicopters landing and taking off again but
for me the real action was on the route so I back-tracked a kilometer or two down the mountain.



Even the time trial was to set the standard. The pictures will tell the story.

at last a pic of me at the roof