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The annual Die Burger Mountain Bike Challenge
Get your helmets ready for the seventh mountain bike challenge set to take over Stellenbosch
The 2012 Die Burger Mountain Bike Challenge is taking place in the heart of Stellenbosch on Saturday, 28 July 2012.
Now in its seventh year, the adrenaline-fuelled event boasts five challenging, but scenic, routes that start at the Eikestad Primary School and wind their way through some of Stellenbosch’s top wine farms (40 to be exact). Heading into the surrounding mountains, cyclists will be tested with serious climbing and scenic single-track racing.
SA’s top mountain bikers are invited to enter the 75-km route, as the Die Burger Mountain Bike Challenge is a seeding event for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Mountain Bike Challenge 2012.
Alternatively, the 60-km, 42-km, 30-km and 15-km routes are open to anyone who would like to enter, and who meets the minimum age requirements.
Routes for the seventh Die Burger Mountain Bike Challenge
All riders will start and finish at the Eikestad Primary school with the first race shooting off at 8:15am, and the last starting time will be at 10am.
- The 75-km route will navigate several local mountains and is definitely not for the faint hearted. Cyclists can look forward to some intense climbing, technical descents and some wonderful single-track routes at the Delvera Farm.
- The 60-km and the 42-km routes mirror the 75-km route; though, the 60-km route bypasses the Delvera Farm, and the 42-km route heads back towards the R301 road and Stellenbosch at the Delheim Wine Estate.
- The 30-km route is among the most popular, and is a relatively flat course taking cyclists towards the Spier Wine Estate. This track is perfect for those who want to push for more than the 15-km route, but who are not quite ready to tackle the climbs of the 42-km route.
- Proven to be ideal for novices, the 15-km route is a shortened version of the 30-km route.
How to enter
Online entries are open and will be on a first come, first serve basis. Eager cyclists can enter online with a credit card or EFT payment, or they can simply fill in an entry form and email or fax it to Dirtopia with a proof of payment (account details are on the form). Unpaid entries are not valid.
Entries close on Monday, 16 July or once the 4000 entry limit is reached.
No late entries for the 75-km, 60-km and 45-km races will be accepted. All participants need to complete an indemnity form, which will be sent before the race, and which will need to be presented at registration.
Riders need a license to participate. If you are not a member of Cycling South Africa (CSA) or an affiliate of CSA, then a one-day CSA event license can be purchased at R35p/p/. For more information contact the Trail Centre at theteam@dirtopia.co.za.
Cost to enter
AmaRider members
& AMA Tag holders Other Pre-entries Entries limited to
75 km R195p/p R225p/p 200
60 km R140p/p R160p/p 750
42 km R120p/p R140p/p 1100
30 km R100p/p R120p/p 1100
15 km R65p/p R75p/p 850
Registration for the MTB Challenge
- Registration will take place at the Dirtopia Trail Centre on Wednesday, 25 July between 12pm and 6pm.
- Registration will take place in Cape Town at a venue to be confirmed, on Thursday, 26 July and on Friday, 27 July between 2pm and 6pm
- Final registration will take place on Saturday, 28 July between 7am and 9:30am before the race at Eikestad Primary School in Stellenbosch.
Event vendors and stalls
Refreshments by Caffé Pronto and Spur Steak Ranches will be supplied at the event; a pancake stall will also be preparing sweet and savoury treats. The mobile bike shop, Mason’s Bike Inn, will be on-site for all your biking needs; Influence Clothing for sports apparel and Amarider will be present for those who want more information on how to become members of SA’s growing mountain biking community.
Prizes to be won
Prize money is awarded to the first man and first women over the finishing line for the 75-km event. A draw will be held which will see one lucky winner walk away with a Giant Snap to the value of R2 500. Jordan Wines will award each adult to cross the finish line a bottle of wine. Accommodation prizes are also up for grabs, so everyone’s a winner.
About Dirtopia
It all started in 2000 with a mountain bike festival, and now, today, Dirtopia is on the forefront of mountain bike culture and trail construction, focusing on events in the Western Cape. Based on Delvera Farm, north of Stellenbosch, Dirtopia has established its headquarters at the Trail Centre, where active travellers can buy mountain bike and hiking trail permits as well as maps, clothing, snacks and basic mountain bike accessories.
Don’t have a bike?
Never fear, Dirtopia is your one-stop mountain biking stop. Bikes from all sizes are available for hire for cycle challenges, competitions and events at only R250p/p.
For more information and updates on this event visit www.dirtopia.co.za or email theteam@dirtopia.co.za, you can also call the Dirtopia Trail Centre on +27 (0) 21 884 4752. Also, visit the Dieburgermtbchallenge.co.za for information on entries, rules and regulations of the race.
Route maps for the 75 km, 60 km and 45 km races.
Route maps for the 30 km and 15 km races.
Affiliated to Amarider and Cycling South Africa (CSA)
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Mad about cycling? Or just looking for a chance to dust off the old bike? Check out the hipster Sunday Shoot Out race every second Sunday of the month, or howl your way through the streets of Cape Town by participating in the Moonlight Mass Night Cycle.
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