{"id":17694,"date":"2016-08-24T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T13:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2016\/08\/24\/varsity-mtb-track-promises-rare-opportunity-to-ride-exclusive-routes-r5458\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T07:45:48","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T07:45:48","slug":"varsity-mtb-track-promises-rare-opportunity-to-ride-exclusive-routes-r5458","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/varsity-mtb-track-promises-rare-opportunity-to-ride-exclusive-routes-r5458\/","title":{"rendered":"Varsity MTB track promises rare opportunity to ride exclusive routes"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an event aimed at camaraderie between both young riders and old-timers it is fitting that the two Varsity MTB Challenge stages are a reflection of the riders that will grace them. One, a mature, established trail, the other a brand new, young, unknown and exciting one.<\/p>\n

Varsity MTB Challenge, sponsored by FNB, takes place on 1 and 2 October with a first-of-its-kind two-stage race in Franschhoek. While five universities go head to head in the Varsity Sports MTB race, which will take place within the Varsity MTB Challenge race, alumni and the general public will join them on some of the finest track South Africa has to offer.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-71420700-1472049672.jpeg\"<\/a>Photo credit: Boschendal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Designer of the trail, Pieter van Wyk, has put together two stages that perfectly reflect the spirit of the event.<\/p>\n

Stage One: An \u2018Epic\u2019 start<\/h2>\n

Stage one begins at Nederburg in Paarl, on Saturday 1 October, where riders will face a taxing start to the event. The spectacular Nederburg wine farm will serve as a picturesque start to the race. But riders shouldn\u2019t be fooled by the calming, tall, lush trees or the beautiful rolling hills and vineyards; it\u2019s a gruelling start to the race.<\/p>\n

There is a gradual climb for the first 10km. From there riders will move into the olive orchards at Buffet Olives. And then the real climbing starts. \u201cThe track takes you all the way to the neck of Du Toitskloof Pass,\u201d said Varsity MTB Challenge trail designer, Pieter van Wyk. \u201cFrom there you can see the whole of the Boland and all the way down the N1 to Table Mountain. Spectacular views! That\u2019s the highlight of the stage \u2013 to look down and see the whole Boland and Cape Peninsula regions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shortly before the summit will be the first of a number of water points, 14km in. Then the single track fun begins. \u201cThere are a couple sections of single track in the pine forest and some more single track at Cascade Manor,\u201d said Van Wyk. \u201cIt\u2019s really wonderful single track going down there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stage gets easier after that. The tricky part will be first 20km or 30km. The last 15km is flowing jeep track along foot of the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stage one will be the tougher of the two, with a fair share of climbing. From 134m above sea level, riders will climb as high as 755m above sea level.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go hard you\u2019re going to suffer,\u201d said Van Wyk. \u201cIt\u2019s quite a bit of climbing in the first 20km. From 134m above sea level to 755m. But at the same time, if you take it slowly it\u2019s going to be a long, tiring climb up.\u201d<\/p>\n

What will have most MTB enthusiasts frothing at the mouth is the opportunity to ride a large portion of trail that forms part of the Cape Epic route. \u201cNot a lot of people come out to ride here,\u201d said Van Zyl. \u201cThere are sections of the plantation you are only able to do during races. Twenty-five kilometres of the track was part of the Epic this year, so it\u2019s something quite special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riders will end stage one with around 2km of single track before a bit of challenging jeep track with loose, rocky terrain and a slight climb. All in all a stunning but testing stage, with around 8km of single track to look forward to. La Paris Estate will be a welcome sight to rest the weary legs and sip on a glass of chilled white wine as the sun sets.<\/p>\n

Stage Two: Unchartered territory<\/h2>\n

Waking up to a glorious Franschhoek sunrise at La Paris Estate, riders will gear up for the second stage of the race. Passing through Drakenstein Prison, they will enter through the main gate, past the iconic statue of Nelson Mandela.<\/p>\n

It will be relatively flat riding to get to the other side of the valley, to Boschendal, where the real fun begins. Stage two will predominantly be on the Boschendal trail. \u201cThis is all new trail that Boschendal have been building over the past year,\u201d said Van Wyk. \u201cThey\u2019ve invested a lot of money there. Guys can expect to ride some of the best trails in the Western Cape.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor most people it will be the first time ever out there. It\u2019s an unbelievable experience. They\u2019ve created some really manicured trails for riders. There\u2019s some really fast-flowing track, where you\u2019ll reach some high speeds, then there is a bit of flat with some burns \u2013 a little bit of everything really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riders will pass across the Berg River, on a low-water bridge where Van Zyl guarantees they\u2019ll get wet. The final 3km will be same finish as stage one.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trails through Boschendal are phenomenal,\u201d he said. \u201cThe views from top of Boschendal as you look down into Franschhoek are breath-taking. There\u2019s also a good 15km of single track to look forward to on day two.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stage is quite literally set, for the first-of-its-kind MTB race. It\u2019s something experienced MTB enthusiast and trail designer Pieter van Wyk is looking forward to not only because of the route, but also the unique race format.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we (Capetonians) realise how beautiful it is,\u201d he said. \u201cThe climb on day one is something to experience if you aren\u2019t used to climbing. The brand new track on day two is spectacular and it\u2019s been exciting to set out a route that for a lot of people will be something they\u2019ve never experienced before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen the fact that it\u2019s encouraging both alumni, the general public and students to compete, adds to the event. No matter where you\u2019re riding in the field, there is something to ride for. It\u2019s a clever concept.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entries are still open for Varsity MTB Challenge. Included in the entry fee is: <\/strong><\/p>\n