The popular Bestmed Sondela Mountain Bike Classic takes place on 24 and 25 June this year and entries are now open for the weekend’s activities.
Entries are limited to 1400 cyclists over all three adult distances.
Sondela and ASG have been hard at work to ensure mountain-bikers are on the receiving end of famous Sondela hospitality coupled by a wonderfully sculpted ever evolving route.
Distances on offer this year are 60km, 40km, 20km and two kids rides. The 20km, 40km and kid’s rides take place on Saturday 24 June and the 60km ride takes place on its own on Sunday, 25 June, affording long distance entrants a user friendly experience without slower riders to contend with on the route.
Entries for all the rides on the weekend will close one week prior to the event, or as soon as the entry cap of 1400 riders is reached, to enable the organisers to correctly seed riders according to the ASG Events seeding system.
Provided we haven’t reached the entry cap, riders will still be able to enter at the registration venues, but no entries will be accepted on the morning of any event. Riders who enter at registration venues will pay a R50 late entry penalty fee and won’t be seeded.
Sondela operations manager, “Ranger Mel” Meyer, has created an absolutely stunning mountain bike course at the well-known nature reserve, and he’s made some delightful additions for the 2017 Classic.
This year sees the sixth running of the popular event.
Situated only 45 minutes north of Pretoria on the N1 Highway, Sondela Nature Reserve has been a popular bushveld getaway for many years – running on a high occupancy rate – and the mountain bike fraternity is privileged that the resort makes itself available for a mass participation mountain bike event, which is now a major winter stop-over on the local cycling calendar.
The total ascent on the 60km ride is 266m while the 40km presents 186m of climbing. The 20km ride has a total gain of 100m. It all adds up to fast riding and routes that are suited to all abilities.
It’s exhilarating on the almost endless flowing single track sections on which you can wiz along at a comfortable pace. It really is an experience to behold and the perfect winter ride to keep the legs going.
Sondela boasts stunning facilities, ample parking and wonderful entertainment along with a huge race village which sells eats and drinks throughout the day.
Riders will be able to use the neat ablution facilities when they attend the event. Numerous vendors will sell all sorts of eats and drinks and a beer garden with live music will provide the necessary post-race hydration for riders after their trip amongst the wonderful bushveld surroundings. The two heated pools are always very popular.
On the route riders will spot various game species, including Warthog, Impala, Zebra, Wildebeest, Nyala and Eland and they’ll be hydrated by vibrant staff at the well-stocked waterpoints on the route.
The Classic on Sunday will start at 9:00, which will not only give the day time to warm up before riders set off, but it also affords riders the opportunity to drive to the venue on the N1 highway from Johannesburg or Pretoria on the morning of the event.
Sondela have reserved the entire lush caravan park for mountain bikers who would like to sleep over for the weekend.
Because of the high occupancy rate at Sondela, chalet accommodation is open to the general public over the race weekend, which means mountain bikers who’d like to book in these luxury self-catering units have to get cracking as soon as possible.
Ranger Mel, a self-confessed mountain-bike addict, set out to create a riding culture at Sondela ten years ago. In the process he has cut more than 100km of mountain bike tracks on the splendid 4700 hectare farm as well as surrounding farms.
He is an absolute perfectionist and it shows in the ever evolving trails, which have been handcrafted to offer the best possible – quick and flowing – experience on a mountain bike.
While the Sunday’s event is geared towards those individuals with a racing attitude, Saturday, 24 June offers two distance options for the family and the not-so-serious wheel wobblers.
Saturday will feature a kiddie’s race for 3-5 year olds on a specially built “trail” with ramps and cool berms while 6-8 year-olds can try their hand at the 5km circular smooth single track MTB course.
The kids will be accompanied by skilled riders who will be spread on the course. There are a few interesting prizes up for grabs in the kids event. Typically a youngster, who crosses the finish line in tears, will receive the award for the toughest rider on the day. And a special surprise awaits the child who finishes last and the youngest competitor.
The 20km and 40km rides on Saturday afford Sunday’s serious racers the opportunity to do a twirl with their loved ones among the beautiful Sondela surroundings. There is a special deal offered to riders who would like to enter events on both days.
Of course; it’s all accompanied by great entertainment and famous Sondela hospitality. The resort boasts a heated pool and many scheduled activities for kids, which include “kleilat”-throwing, quad bike rides, tug of war and excursions to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and farmyard. Kids who get up early enough can even help milk the cows!
Proceeds from the Classic will go to the Sondela Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
Medals to all finishers and big lucky draw prizes are on offer at the prize giving, sponsored by RCI, Sondela and ASG.
The resort has won numerous awards for excellence and the mountain bike classic reflects this same culture of excellence.
Entries and further information on www.asgevents.co.za
For bookings at Sondela on 014 736 8900 or email info@sondela.com. Further info on Sondela and directions www.sondela.com
Bestmed Sondela MTB Classic – All the Facts:
Date: 24 and 25 June 2016
Times:
Saturday – 40km: 8:00; 20km: 11:00
Sunday: 60km: 9:00.
Kiddies Rides: Saturday at 13:00
Distances: 60km, 40km 20km, kiddie’s rides (500 metres for 3-5 year-olds and 5km for 6-8 year-olds)
Entry fees:
60km: R270
40km: R240
20km: R180
Kiddies rides: R60
Combined entries:
20km and 60km: R390
40km and 60km: R450
On-line entries: www.asgevents.co.za
Pre-entries close: 16 June 2016 or as soon as the entry cap of 1400 riders is reached
Timed by: Spectrum Sport
Programme:
Saturday 24 June:
8:00 – 40km start
11:00 – 20km start
12h30: 20km and 40km Prize Giving
13:00: Kiddies 3-5 year-olds
13:20: Kiddies Ride 6-8 year-olds
13h45: Kiddies prize giving
Sunday 26 June:
9:00: 60km start
13:00: Prize Giving
Registration:
Sondela Race Village: Friday 23 June 14:00 – 19:00
Sondela Race Village: Saturday 24 June 06:00 – 12:00
Sondela Race Village: Sunday 25 June 07:00 – 09:00
For further info on Sondela and directions go to www.sondela.com
For race enquiries email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 830 5587
