{"id":61454,"date":"2023-02-14T11:56:02","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T11:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=61454"},"modified":"2023-03-20T08:50:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T06:50:29","slug":"seriousgees-is-only-a-click-away-fnb-w2w-switchback-entries-are-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/seriousgees-is-only-a-click-away-fnb-w2w-switchback-entries-are-open\/","title":{"rendered":"SeriousGEES is only a click away! FNB W2W Switchback Entries are Open!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Entries to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Awareness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback<\/a>, taking place from 20-29 October 2023, are now open and you can secure your team entry from just R12 975<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Gees? | 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P10uHkp1pbs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Calling all lovers of singletrack, adventure, wine, mountain biking, good times, and <em>GEES!<\/em> Entries to the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback are NOW OPEN!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past 13 years, the FNB Wines2Whales has delivered events that surprise and delight and that challenge and reward, and in so doing has cemented itself in the MTB race calendar as the on-bike celebration of the year. In fact, it was voted as the best short stage race in South Africa in Tread\u2019s recent survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Awareness\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"61456\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6728_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6728_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6728_Photo-Sam-Clark-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6728_Photo-Sam-Clark-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6728_Photo-Sam-Clark.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by Sam Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Awareness\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"61457\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6783_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6783_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6783_Photo-Sam-Clark-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6783_Photo-Sam-Clark-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6783_Photo-Sam-Clark.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by Sam Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2021, after years of racing from Lourensford Wine Estate to Oak Valley Estate and on to Hermanus, we switched things up and introduced the Switchback edition \u2013 a complete reimagination of the route that had carved its way into the hearts and memories of thousands of mountain bikers. Instead of racing the traditional vineyards to coast route, the route was flipped, and teams raced from Curro, Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate before finishing in Lourensford Wine Estate. New trails, new experiences, new challenges, and new memories. Even a few lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, we\u2019ve got the Switchback route dialled, thanks to the unwavering commitment to <em>GEES<\/em> from JK and the Cape Trails team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWe\u2019ve learned a few route lessons from the inaugural FNB W2W Switchback in 2021.\u201d <\/em>Said Johan Kriegler, FNB Wines2Whales Founder (JK as you\u2019ll likely know him).<em> \u201cThe 2023 Switchback edition\u2019s route experience will be even better, with less climbing and more new and scenic contour trails. And Play Day is going to be next level! We look forward to welcoming you again in October to serve another unique and magic MTB experience\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Sales\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09662-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09662-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09662-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09662-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09662.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kim Le Court and Vera Looser during the 2022 FNB Wine2Whales 3 day mountain bike event, Chardonnay. Stage 1 28 October. from Lourensford to Oak Valley. Western Cape, South Africa. Image by Simon Pocock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback follows predominantly the same route as that of 2021 and teams can expect all the usual suspects in terms of trails; however, as JK mentioned, there will be more than a fair share of new singles, more twists and turns, and improved features as teams race from Curro, Hermanus to Oak Valley Estate and onwards to Lourensford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teams are presented with several options in terms of entry packages and race dates and are encouraged to enter the event that best suits their calendars and ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The first event in the FNB Wines2Whales Switchback is the Chardonnay (20-22 October).<\/strong> The Chardonnay is the first of the three FNB Wines2Whales events and focuses on the women of mountain biking as the Pro racers and age group contenders are celebrated. Each year we see many of South Africa&#8217;s, and often the world&#8217;s, best female riders battle it out for the overall prize money and leader jerseys. The Chardonnay event is also open to men&#8217;s and mixed teams who are eager to experience the trails early in the FNB W2W Switchback race period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The midweek Pinotage then follows (23-25 October).<\/strong> With the reputation of being the most laid back and relaxed of the three events, The Pinotage sees the highest number of FNB Wines2Whales first-timers. The Pinotage also hosts the eager E-Bikers and teams have the choice to enter either the E-Bike Open categories, where they start an hour ahead of A Batch and race for Ciovita leader jerseys, or the E-Bike Tour which sets off an hour after the last batch. Being a mid-week race, the Pinotage is perfect for international tourists and riders from different provinces as it offers the chance to participate in the event and plan an enjoyable weekend on either side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Finally, the Shiraz concludes the series of FNB W2W events (27-29 October)<\/strong>, taking place over the last weekend of the race and has the reputation of taking up the pace a notch or two. While the Chardonnay celebrates the Women&#8217;s racing category, the Shiraz celebrates Men&#8217;s, Mixed and Exxaro teams racing categories in addition to honouring the determination of the rest of the field as they compete in their respective age categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Sales\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6642_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61465\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6642_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6642_Photo-Sam-Clark-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6642_Photo-Sam-Clark-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6642_Photo-Sam-Clark.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by Sam Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Sales\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"61468\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6512_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6512_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6512_Photo-Sam-Clark-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6512_Photo-Sam-Clark-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6512_Photo-Sam-Clark.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by Sam Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Sales\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"61469\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6600_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61469\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6600_Photo-Sam-Clark-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6600_Photo-Sam-Clark-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6600_Photo-Sam-Clark-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_Chardonnay_Stage1_6600_Photo-Sam-Clark.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by Sam Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Entries to the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback start at <strong>R12&nbsp;975 per team<\/strong> for a Ride Only package and top out at <strong>R25&nbsp;450 per team<\/strong> for the Single Luxury Tent package in Tier 1 pricing. The Standard Entry package is R17&nbsp;300 per team and includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Single tent per rider (including mattress)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 3-day stage mountain biking experience with fully stocked waterpoints on route<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ciovita Rider Jersey<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>W2W event gift<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>W2W finisher medal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to all race village services&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>7 Meals over the course of the event\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stage 1: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stage 2: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stage 3: Breakfast and post stage recovery snack<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enough war stories to tide you over until next year\u2019s FNB Wines2Whales.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f19e143183f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f19e143183f\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09730-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09730-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09730-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09730-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/FNBW2W22_CHARDONNAY_S1_SP_09730.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> Image by Simon Pocock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To secure your 2023 dose of #SeriousGEES, get your FNB Wines2Whales Switchback entry <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epic-series.com\/wines2whales-riders-entries?utm_source=web-story&amp;utm_medium=bikehub&amp;utm_campaign=Entry-Awareness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a><\/mark>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Entries to the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback, taking place from 20-29 October 2023, are now open and you can secure your team entry from just R12 975. Calling all lovers of singletrack, adventure, wine, mountain biking, good times, and GEES! Entries to the 2023 FNB Wines2Whales Switchback are NOW OPEN! Over the past 13 years, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":61482,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[15],"featured_location":[338],"class_list":["post-61454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-wines2whales","featured_location-bottom-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61454"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61494,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61454\/revisions\/61494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61454"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=61454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}