The big reason that the three-day event on those most hallowed private trails in the Piket-Bo-Berg sells out so fast, is the riding: In some sections it\u2019s almost impossible to comprehend how the trails were imagined, let alone crafted. Criss-crossing the hills above the race village, the trails weave audaciously over, through, between, and under rocks to create a near perfect flow on terrain which quite often shouldn\u2019t be rideable.<\/p>\n
Make no mistake – it\u2019s no manicured bike park (or walk-in-the-park, for that matter) the trails are physically and technically challenging, but generous in their rewards. On last year\u2019s event we often found ourselves \u2013 between the frequent rushes of stoke and fragrances of Buchu \u2013 wondering \u2018who on earth was bold enough to build out here?\u2019<\/p>\n (Well, you\u2019ll get to meet the trail builders and their crew at the race. Even share a beer or two).<\/p>\n This hand-crafted 100-kilometre web of trails on the Mouton\u2019s Valley and Bugler\u2019s Post farms are usually the private playground of the landowners and a few very select friends. The rest of us get to ride it on only two weekends a year, when the farmers open these to the public for the one-day Piket-Bo-Berg Cycle Challenge and the three-day The U for the benefit of the local community.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pbbtrails\/videos\/371199703738562\/<\/a><\/p>\n And, if that was the only drawcard, it would\u2019ve been more-than-enough reason to enter. Of course it\u2019s not: \u201cThe overall package is pretty hard to beat,\u201d says Oli \u2018The Pinner\u2019 Munnik, who goes back year after year. \u201cIt\u2019s a very well-rounded, family-run offering. And, the setting (of the race village) is quite a magical setting – looking out over the dam,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, to go off up the hill and into the mountains and test yourself physically, only to come back and be treated so well in the afternoon and evening is pretty special. You know, they (the organisers) just excel in all aspects – even the road to get there is flippen amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Pinner, the trails have been built to be challenging but not impossible. \u201cAll the obstacles and sections are rideable. You never really have to take your foot out, but correct gearing and having a good following distance is crucial to flow up there.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"ccs-62657-0-21796200-1555355948.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-21796200-1555355948.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>\u2018Who on earth was bold enough to build out here?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n![\"ccs-62657-0-72066700-1555355989.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-72066700-1555355989.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>There are very few flats on route. And those are interesting too, here a rider threads a buchu field.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"ccs-62657-0-15905200-1555356009.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-15905200-1555356009.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Not all race villages are created equal<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"ccs-62657-0-52056300-1555356026.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-52056300-1555356026.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>![\"ccs-62657-0-12656400-1555356037.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-12656400-1555356037.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>