![\"ccs-62657-0-10084200-1434528706.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-10084200-1434528706.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSondela Game Reserve is readying itself for \u201cthe Bushveld\u2019s biggest MTB bash\u201d, the Bestmed Sondela MTB Classic, which takes place near Bela-Bela in Limpopo Province on June 27 and 28. \/\/ Photo: Jetline Action Photo<\/span><\/p>\n Taking place on a 4 700-hectare nature reserve just 45 minutes north of Pretoria, the festival traditionally attracts around 1 800 riders across all events.<\/p>\n Sondela group operations manager Melgard Meyer said the reserve would open its gates to participants and their families as day visitors, which is not generally permitted outside of scheduled events.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most exciting part of this is to see how whole families take part in the riding,\u201d said Meyer.<\/p>\n \u201cTo get the serious cyclists out here is awesome but our focus is to get families to come and enjoy the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n He said riding options for the latter included 40km, 20km and kiddies\u2019 events.<\/p>\n As each race occupied its own timeslot, Meyer said adults could build their own mini stage race by choosing to do more than one.<\/p>\n Three to five-year-olds will ride on a specially built 500m track, with a 5km single-track course available for children up to the age of eight.<\/p>\n Meyer said special combination price packages were available for participants wishing to do the feature races on the Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n As route director, he said he personally got on his bicycle every day to inspect the trails.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Sondela Academy students, who study conservation and guiding, are out there hoeing, raking, slashing and cutting grass to have the trails as good as can be on race day.\u201d<\/p>\n While the routes were largely flat, he said they offered fantastic game viewing opportunities, solid technical challenges and what he called \u201chorizontal climbing\u201d on a few sandy stretches.<\/p>\n Once the racing was over, Meyer said riders could look forward to a full programme of entertainment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not a race where you ride, have some refreshments and then go home. When you come out here, you spend the whole day.\u201d<\/p>\n He said organisers had decided to move the race venue to a more hospitality-friendly, family-oriented area near the farmyard.<\/p>\n \u201cThe farmyard is where families can ride horses and go for donkey cart rides and feed the animals.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s also where all our restaurants and swimming pools are and where our activities take place.\u201d<\/p>\n While there was wild game all over the farm, Meyer said visitors would be able to interact with cheetah at the wildlife rehabilitation centre.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got loads of kids\u2019 activities such as the junior ranger programme, while moms and dads can enjoy our spa as well as the live music and beer garden.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the reserve was approaching full occupancy for the weekend.<\/p>\n A donation of R10 for every entry received will be made to the Cancer Association of South Africa.<\/p>\n