On Saturday 06 April 2013, Orange Anvil will be hosting the Aspen Trans Karoo in association with<\/p>\n
the Northern Cape Tourism Authority. The 2013 event, dubbed the \u201cDown Ride\u201d, is being ridden<\/p>\n
from Sutherland to Ceres and is one of the longest single stage endurance mountain bike races in<\/p>\n
South Africa.<\/p>\n
Pitting man against the Karoo the distance, including 5 compulsory check point stops,<\/p>\n
must be completed within 17 hours in order for participants to avoid elimination.<\/p>\n
Starting at the Jupiter Lounge in Sutherland, and covering a staggering 240km of off road terrain<\/p>\n
across the Ceres and Tankwa Karoo, the race will finish at the Kaleo Guest Farm, 25km north of<\/p>\n
Ceres and includes the long steep ascent up Skittery Pass at 70km\u2019s from the finishing line .<\/p>\n
Photo credit: Kolesky\/ Nikon\/ Lexar<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI am thrilled to once again be able to host my dream race, The Aspen Trans Karoo, in 2013,\u201d says<\/p>\n Orange Anvil Director, Glyn Broomberg. \u201cStarting at 1 459m above sea level, the route includes a<\/p>\n hair raising trip down the infamous Ou Berg Pass which must be approached with a very cool head<\/p>\n and nerves of steel. The first 150km will be the exact reverse of last year\u2019s route, with the last 90km<\/p>\n swinging to the North instead of the South, as it did last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Aspen places significant focus on corporate responsibilities, which includes providing opportunities<\/p>\n to improve the quality of healthcare facilities in South Africa. As a consequence of the untimely<\/p>\n passing of Sifiso Nxasana, Aspen established the \u201cLong Ride for Sifiso Trust\u201d (the Trust) to raise funds<\/p>\n and awareness for paediatric healthcare. This initiative, which has been endorsed by the Minister<\/p>\n of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, was adopted by Orange Anvil as the primary CSI beneficiary of<\/p>\n the Aspen Trans Karoo and in 2012 Stephen Saad, Aspen Group CEO raised R10 million through<\/p>\n corporate and private sponsorships by completing the gruelling race in just under 16 hours. The<\/p>\n 2013 race sees this initiative being extended to the corporate world in the form of the Long Ride<\/p>\n Corporate Relay, which will allow teams to test their physical and mental endurance capacities and<\/p>\n to contribute towards raising additional, much needed funds for the Trust.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Kolesky\/ Nikon\/ Lexar<\/strong><\/p>\n The official website is now live and has full route descriptions and info. Entries are still open ,<\/p>\n and will be capped at a maximum of 500 competitors as the race traverses eco-sensitive<\/p>\n national parks. The competitor format will be solo riders or as a team of 2 members. Team<\/p>\n members will be required to ride together at all times. There will be 5 check points along the<\/p>\n route, with food, water and sports nutrition available. For more info and to enter please visit<\/p>\n