RACE REVIEW
mechanics (I’d suggest having one of them
assemble your bike professionally after you
fly it over) and massage facilities.
The CMT is great for both experienced
racing snakes and the general MTB
rider who enjoys a good challenge and
experiencing some new scenery. It is not
the kind of race you want to do if you
haven’t ridden any previous multi-stage
races, as it does require a decent amount
of technical ability. It is, however, a great
way to see a different side of Mauritius
(with some amazing ocean views when
you are riding the higher plateaus) and
experience the local hospitality. Rather
than just lazing on the beach, time your
next Mauritius trip around this race and get
some good exercise in your holiday!
Our Ed’s Teammate,
John De Bruyn, Has
One Word Of Advice:
tubeless!
Every mountain biker dreams of muddy
sunrise laps and cresting volcanic mountain
tops on an island – especially an island
kissed by summer. The Colin Mayer Tour
offers exhilarating multi-stage riding while
taking in many facets of Mauritius. While
breathtaking, the stages are punchy, short
and hell-of-a-tough – on the body and the
bike. Each stage guarantees lava rock, and
heat. It’s a different type of rocky terrain to
what we are used to. It’s “special” sidewall-
cutting stuff with punctures aplenty for
those without tubeless. These lava rocks
have been lying there waiting for your tyres
for years. So be prepared and make sure
you have tubeless tyres and ensure they’ve
drunk a lot of slime. Aside from that, the
ever-changing flora allows for everything
from epic grassland jeep track to narrow
thorn tree lanes, the long African grass
always nibbling at your handlebars. Throw
in some beach riding on Tamarin Bay, vast
sugar cane crossings, red sandy roads, farm
dual track and even old pass service roads
(think Silvermine’s “Ou Wa Pad”). Daily river
crossings are included, mostly in the forest
areas. We loved the daily grassland reserve
riding but think that more singletrack will
lift this race to next-level MTB status. I
would without a doubt do this wonderful
race again. Being back at the hotel with the
family at midday, after criss-crossing the
island and being given a wide-eyed view,
was priceless. Thanks to the organisers,
my ripping riding legend teammate Paul,
and lastly and most memorably, RIP Colin
(read up about this legend and then book
for the 2019 tour)!
142 | MTB | island style