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<\/a><\/p>\nThe winter sun is predicted and the green colours of nature this time of year, will make this the perfect opportunity for families and friends to be active together on routes that are not normally open to the public.<\/p>\n
All pre-entries close on Wednesday, 25 July at midnight, but late entries will be accepted at registration from 12pm on Friday 27 July at Dirtopia Trail Centre on Delvera farm. Free filter coffee to all participants on Friday when you show your race number. As registration closes at 6.30pm, there is the option to book for the lunar eclipse on Friday with OOG at Dirtopia Caf\u00e9 with live streaming of the event, telescopes, and a talk by an expert.<\/p>\n
On Saturday morning 9am the first trail run distance of 20km will start from Spier wine farm with the 11.5km and 7km to follow. Runners can look forward to live music at the finish carnival in front of the Spier farm kitchen, kids entertainment, showers, wonderful product prizes and of course wine and beer for sale.<\/p>\n
Sunday the main event will draw nearly 2000 mountain bikers that will ride either a 50km, starting from 8am or 22km marked route at 8h40 with both distances having various start groups. These are non-technical farm roads mostly and can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. The picturesque routes will cater for beginner to intermediate riders in keeping with this year\u2019s theme of having fun outside with friends & family.<\/p>\n
MTB Route descriptions:<\/strong><\/p>\n The 22km is the perfect beginners route with under 300m of climbing on mostly open dirt roads and tracks. The route follows 70% of the standard annual 30km challenge route and riders can expect a fast course. The 50km mirrors the 2017 route with of course the exclusion of the town-based route sections. To make up for these excluded sections we are adding routing on the south western side of the course, including more riding in the Vlaeberg area. To the best of our knowledge, these additional routes have never been used in a mountain event before. It is in the Vlaeberg area that riders will reach the first of 3 water stations at 20km, after quite a few rolling hills that are sure to be the cause of some thirst. The Stellenbosch Hills farms will ensure for a festive stop with wine tasting planned, among other treats. The views from the 1st half of the course is stunning with wide vistas of the Western Cape on offer.<\/p>\n After the 2nd stop in the Polkadraai area, riders descend back to Vlottenburg and Spier for the final 15km of flatter riding. A final water station with around 10km to go means that there is ample support on route for those that are a little more challenged on the day. With around 800m of climbing the route can be considered as fairly easy and non-technical.<\/p>\n Riders can expect well stocked refreshment stations (with even bubbly, fruit & snacks!), technical support on route and of course all finishers get a commemorative medal. At the finish carnival there will be showers, kids entertainment, live music, food trucks, beer on tap and of course wine! Book your bike into the bike park so that you can relax before and after prizegiving and socialize with your friends. A lucky draw with loads of prizes, including wine, accommodation vouchers and a Giant Bicycles mountain bike, to be won!<\/p>\n See website for route profiles and more information of the 13th edition of this event: www.stellenboschmtbchallenge.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
There is one waterpoint just after midway stocked with water, Powerade and Coke, as well as fruits and a basic bike workshop. You\u2019ll ride through vineyards orchards and large stretches of fynbos and can expect beautiful views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n