“Why walk on the wild side if you can ride on it.”
This is how the organisers of this exclusive event sum up the three-day MTN Tour of Legends. As far as the MTN Tour of Legends is concerned, reference to the ‘wild side’ is certainly no exaggeration. It is not unusual nowadays for mountain bikers to encounter all sorts of wildlife during races in South Africa, but you don’t often hear cyclists telling stories about having to stop to allow elephants to pass, or even being diverted to allow the lions to move to a safe distance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veH9xHZ5GEw
As such, the marshals at this event are equipped with high-powered rifles and only qualified game rangers, with a good knowledge of the habits of Africa’s Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), are used as marshals. For the duration of the event, 24 hours a day, the guides and rangers monitor the movement of lions to make sure that no ‘meals on wheels’ incidents occur during any of the stages.
So if you are a mountain biker, nature lover and adrenaline junkie, then the MTN Tour of Legends is a ‘must do’ for you.
The MTN Tour of Legends is an exclusive three-day mountain-bike tour in the Waterberg that guarantees five star accommodation, exquisite food, the thrilling presence of the big five and last, but definitely not least, top-class mountain biking. It will take place from 15 to 18 August 2013, at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort, Entabeni Conserve, Limpopo, which is situated in the World Heritage ‘Waterberg Biosphere’ of the Waterberg Mountain region. The Entabeni Conservancy offers a 22,000 ha malaria-free, big-five game reserve and boasts five ecosystems.
The inaugural event in 2012 was by invitation only and the much sought-after invitations were only extended to the crème de la crème of MTN’s clients, executives and top businessmen, with a passion for mountain biking. The lucky few were spoilt with not only the natural splendour and incredible riding but everything the luxurious resort had to offer in terms of entertainment. Each evening had a different setting from a ‘lapa’ to a ‘shebeen’ and included live shows and a pulsating African vibe, and the days were spent recovering on game drives and soaking up the African sun. So it comes as no surprise that the word ‘legendary’ was often used by riders to describe their experience.
The big news in 2013 is that 200 entries have been made available to the public. This means that anyone can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event and rub shoulders with some of the top businessmen in the country.
In addition to the limited 200 slots, there will also be a one-day event on Sunday, 18 August. This is open to anyone who would like to get a taste of the true Tour of Legends experience by participating in the 60, 30 or 15 km events, as well as to supporters and the general public.
According to Fritz Pienaar from Advendurance, the company responsible for the organisation of the MTN Tour of Legends, the main motivation behind this race is the continuous influx of mountain bike enthusiasts and participants. “This race creates an ideal environment for networking” says Pienaar, “because mountain biking is the most popular sport among high-earning individuals.”
What makes this race so unique is that it is the first multi-day mountain-bike stage race with-five star accommodation and exquisite food, as well as the first stage race that will take place in a big-five game reserve. Pienaar believes that this combination of the rough and toughness of the outdoors, with the luxurious setting that executives expect, promises to become a new craze because it will satisfy a much greater crowd in the world of mountain biking. MTN, the main sponsor, was intrigued by the concept and immediately agreed to take the title of main sponsor.
Ryan Gould, MTN SA General Manager: Brand and Communications says: “MTN is proud to be associated with the MTN Tour of Legends again following a successful maiden year of the event in 2012. If last year’s excitement and thrilling riding in the scenic Entabeni Private Nature Reserve was anything to go by, we encourage more riders to register to partake in the 2013 race which promises much more. As proud sponsor of the MTN Tour of Legends, our association with this adventurous event displays our continuous commitment towards profiling cycling as both a lifestyle and endurance sport whilst connecting people and their passions.”
This race, comprising 500 riders or 250 teams of two, is without a doubt an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The riders will experience the African bush and the wild animals like never before and, after the uphill battle, blood and sweat, they will be treated to the pure luxury.
For more information about the race and to enter, visit www.touroflegends.co.za
Find it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/touroflegends
