MTB NEWS 

The 42km Cape Town Cycle Tour is an exciting stepping stone to the classic 109 km event and a great introduction to mass-participation cycling for younger riders. It is ideal for young mountain

bike riders looking to try a mass participation event.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour is the safest day on a bike as there is full road closure - ideal for youngsters and their parents, or for riders who don’t quite feel up to the 109 kms.

With roadside refreshment stations, roving mechanics, full-time medical supervision and assistance, and a shiny medal at the finish – the 42km Cape Town Cycle Tour has everything the 109 km offers, in a less intimidating package. The emphasis is on fun, and the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust is encouraging the participation of school-going children, with recognition for the school that enters the most riders.

You need to be 11 years old for the 42km event (13 years old for the 109 km), so it’s a superb and safe opportunity to experience the rush of riding bikes fast with other people. The cost is R400 for under 18s and R 445 for general entries. (Note for learners to select their school from the drop-down list on the entry system.)

Enter before 2 January to avoid the 2024 price increase and challenge family and friends to get active in 2024 and be ready to enjoy the race!

The Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek, presented by Biogen, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in 2023. Over the decade and a half, the seven-day stage race took riders through the Klein Karoo and across the Garden Route. It traversed high mountains and fertile plains, challenging and rewarding by turns. It grew with the sport of mountain biking, maturing with 29ers into a mainstay of the South African cycling calendar.

Yet one of the only constants in life is change. And 2024 is the year for change. For rebirth and reimagination. For regrowth and renewal. As such the race will become the Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen. A five-day, UCI S1, stage race; complete with longer and more challenging stages, but maintaining the same “race with soul” ethos which made the original Pioneer famous.

“It was always our intention to pay homage to the pioneers of old, who trekked the ancient game paths along the coastal plains and through the mountains into the Klein Karoo,” Henco Rademeyer of Dryland Event Management explained. “They were not only the founders of our home town of Oudtshoorn, but also the spiritual guides of the pioneering spirit upon which the race was founded. Our desire was to share the landscapes with as many people as possible, to immerse them deeply in nature, so that they too can share in this unique countryside and develop a love for it.”

“We initially envisioned a race from Heidelberg, in the west, to Louvain, in the east, following the historic pioneer wagon trails. The dual desire to include geological and man-made features, like the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains as well as the Montagu Pass meant we soon diverted from a pure point-to-point layout,” Rademeyer continued. “We thus added an exploration element, as the pioneers would have done themselves, to allow for the taking in of specific sights and challenges.”

“After fifteen years of developing the race’s route, we felt it was time for a change. An evolution and a refresh,” Rademeyer noted. “The 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, will be a five-day event. It will maintain its UCI S1 grading, which means that elite riders will earn UCI marathon and stage race points by taking part, and it will continue to be built around the Race with Soul ethos which made the first Pioneer famous.”

The race will be more than a celebration of the best mountain biking in the region. It will showcase the Klein Karoo hospitality, share the love of the landscape which the founders hold dear, and treat every participant like the VIP they are. Each individual is sure to emerge emotionally revitalised from the experience, even if they are physically tired after the challenging riding the punchier route serves up.

The 2024 event will take in 380 kilometres of racing with 8 950 metres of climbing. “Starting in George, from Glenwood House School, on the 1^st of October the race will begin with a forest and fynbos packed singletrack day in the Jonkersberg Reserve within the greater Outeniqua Mountain Range. It is a tough introduction to the race, with a route that seems easier on paper than it is in reality,” Rademeyer warned. “Stage 2 will take riders over the Outeniqua, via a new and thrilling route which approaches Louvain from the south rather than the west. Stage 3 traverses the foothills of the Kammanassie to Oudtshoorn, through a beautifully wide series of farms and private nature reserves. The Queen Stage then boasts the signature mountain-top finish, with Swartberg Pass providing the decisive test of the day. The grand finale races through the rocky but magnificent Chandelier Game Reserve, where wildlife close encounters are virtually guaranteed, before finishing in luxury at the Queens Hotel in the heart of Oudtshoorn.”

The Race with Soul ethos will further be amplified by a finishers’ celebration with a gala dinner on Saturday evening, after the final stage. Prize giving and a final taste of the warm Klein Karoo hospitality as well as the hearty regional cuisine will kick off an evening of revelry. Riders can expect to dance nearly as hard as they rode as the night hots up for an afterparty like the Cape Pioneer used to throw in 2009…

Entries to the 2024 Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer, presented by Biogen, opened on 4 December 2023 with a special offer on a limited number of entries for the month of December, commemorating the rediscovery of the #RaceWithSoul.

Dryland have expanded their entry package offerings, with solo riders and two person teams being able to choose between ride only, standard tented accommodation, and luxury tented accommodation, as well as formal accommodation packages in two tiers, namely gold and platinum.

To find out more and to secure your spot in 2024 visit www.capepioneer.co.za.

(Courtesy of Santa Cruz – Instagram)

Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Syndicate announced that Greg Minnaar will no longer be racing for them. The GOAT, Greg Minnaar, has been with the Santa Cruz team for 16 years so it is somewhat of a surprise. At 42, Greg is still highly competitive and is showing no signs of slowing down. One of the fittest and smoothest riders on circuit, rumours are running rife that Greg is heading to another team, with Norco seeming to be at the top of the rumour pile. We wish Greg all the best wherever he goes!

“After 16 epic years of racing, puzzling, and making incredible memories together, Greg Minnaar is hanging up his Syndicate jersey. We wish Greg nothing but the best, and want to extend a huge thanks for everything he and the Santa Cruz Syndicate have accomplished together. From the dominant 00’s to his current status as the Greatest Of All Time. It’s been one hell of a ride.” – Santa Cruz Bicycles

Namola elevates safety and convenience at Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience

The 10th annual Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience, held this past weekend (Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November), reached unprecedented levels of rider safety and security through its significant partnership with Namola.

SA’s most trusted safety App, Namola's cutting-edge features empowered riders to swiftly request assistance in case of emergencies.

"We were thrilled to have Namola as the official Safety Partner of the 2023 Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Event Founder. “This collaboration added a layer of safety and convenience, reflecting both organizations' commitment to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable MTB adventure for all participants. Riders could enjoy Stellenbosch’s world class trails with peace of mind, knowing that Namola was there to provide added security and assistance."

"We had an incredible time at our first Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience,” says Courtney Lawrence, Namola Marketing Manager. “The sponsorship aligns perfectly with our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of individuals in all aspects of life, including their recreational pursuits. The success of this event underscores the importance of community and well-being, values that resonate strongly with Namola.”

"Working with Stillwater Sports as a sponsor has been an incredible experience for Namola. Their commitment to safety aligns with our mission to ensure the well-being of every participant. The dedication and excellence showcased by Stillwater Sports have been truly remarkable, and we're honoured to be part of their journey in setting new standards for safety and enjoyment in the biking community,” says Peter Adolphs, CEO at Namola.

Key Advantages of the Partnership:

1. Swift Assistance: In case of an emergency, riders could use the Namola app to request immediate assistance, ensuring a rapid and precise response to their location.
2. Elevated Safety Standards: Namola's inclusion as the official safety partner raised the overall safety standards of the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience. Participants could focus on the race, knowing an additional safety net was in place.
3. Collaborative Emergency Response: The partnership facilitated seamless collaboration between event organisers and private emergency services, ensuring a well-coordinated and effective response to any safety concerns.
4. Post-Event Safety: The Namola app continues to offer safety beyond race day, providing participants with an additional layer of assurance during their mountain biking adventures.

For more information on Namola please visit www.namola.com, for more information on the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience visit www.stillwatersports.com.

Next year is the 10th year and The Munga want everyone to join. There is a 10th-anniversary entry special available till 31st December 2023. DO NOT miss out on this great opportunity to become a part of a family of Ultra Endurance Riders & LEGENDS like none other.

T&C's Apply

Special prices also apply for Equipe entries so DO NOT miss out!!

ENTER NOW:

https://mungamtb2024.myactive.co.za/.../LoginRegister.aspx

#themunga2024

The 2024 Lions Karoo to Coast will take place on Sunday, 22nd September which also happens to be the Heritage Day Long weekend with Tuesday the 24th being a Public Holiday.

It is the MAGNIFICENT route, KAROO hospitality and beauty of KNYSNA - that keeps riders returning to the K2C!

This event started in 1999 and is one of the ORIGINAL point to point experiences that take riders on a journey from the Karoo to the Coast that they will not forget in a hurry.

Free dinner at Registration is included in your very reasonable entry price of R780!*

Limited numbers will be accepted in 2024.

*2023 Entrants please check your inbox for a mail regarding your 33% discounted entry!

The Lions Karoo to Coast welcomes MTB, Gravel and E-Bikes, with Prize Winning Categories for all in 2024.

With E-Bike Entries tripling in 2023, the event now offers a FREE battery swop service and podium places for the top three ladies and men on E-Bikes!

Gravel bikes will start in the usual seeded bunches - BUT there will be a separate generous prize money and podium places for the top 3 Gravel Bikes.