Event Name: The MTB Challenge, formerly known as the Cape Town Cycle Tour

Entries close: Monday, 24 February 2020 at midnight
 
CLICK HERE to view the final rider information
 
LATE ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT AN ADDITIONAL R20. NO LATE ENTRIES ON RACE DAY!

Collection points:

Wednesday, 26 February 2020: 12h00 – 18h00 @Mowbray Logistics: 9 Hill Park Lane, Mowbray

Thursday, 27 February 2020: 12h00 – 18h00 @Bellville Cricket Club: pp Smit Sportsfields, Durban Road, Bellville

Friday, 28 February 2020: 13h00 – 19h00 @Old Bethlehem Farm, Rooi Street, Kylemore, Stellenbosch

Off-road racing at its very best, the MTB Challenge hits the Cape Winelands on Saturday, 29 February 2020, and offers 15km, 30km and 60km options for all fitness and skill levels. The event has been running alongside the Cape Town Cycle Tour for what will be 20 years in 2020 formerly known as the Cycle Tour MTB Challenge. In September 2019 the event was handed over to Pedal Power Association to organise. We have taken the decision to take the event back to its roots where is all began and return to the beautiful routes of Banhoek Conservancy where it was last held in 2013. The venue is will be Old Bethlehem Farm that is situated in Kylemore, Stellenbosch.

The fun ride is aimed at all ages, shapes, sizes, fitness levels and income groups. The event is open to PPA members as well as non-members. The event targets both existing cyclists and newcomers to the sport, the average participant and newcomer, as well as the elite sportswoman and sportsman.

In addition to the three routes on offer we will be bringing in the Bike4All mobile BMX track for the little ones to enjoy. Bike4All has a simple, yet effective motto: PUTTING MORE PEOPLE ONTO BICYCLES. Many people think of bicycles in terms of sport or recreation; as a means to participate in road or off-road fun rides, or simply to get fit and healthy. But the bicycle is the ideal vehicle for transportation, especially for short trips to school, shop or work. Through this project, we aim to change mobility in South Africa. Their portfolio includes yet not restricted to; Bicycle and BMX distribution, road safety and awareness, helmet handout, visibility, bike mechanic training and community support.

Start times and age restrictions: 

15km (S) – start time from 08h20.

30km (M) – start time from 07h50.

60km (L) – start time from 07h00. Age: 15 years and older

* Ensure you are ready at least 30 minutes before your start to get into the chutes.

* The start groups. Note you will only get your start group after entries have closed!

Cut off:

• Cut off on 60 km route at waterpoint 2 will be at 10h15
• Cut off at the finish for all distances is at 14h30

Entry includes:

Entry, timing by RaceTec, finishers medal, beautiful on route experience, fully stocked waterpoints, post-race entertainment, lucky draw, goodies at registration.

Online Entries:

15km: R70 PPA Member and R170 Non PPA Member

30 km: R150 PPA Member and R250 Non PPA Member

60 km: R250 PPA Member and R350 Non PPA Member

*E Bikes are welcome on all distances: a bicycle that can be powered by electricity as well as propelled by pedals.

Should a rider wish to compete in the MTB Challenge by using an E-Bike, such rider must select the E-Bike category when completing the online entry for the MTB Challenge. If the rider failed to register in the E-Bike category, he/she will not be allowed to compete in the MTB Challenge.

An E-Bike rider may not start or attempt to start the race before his/her designated start group. Any rider who does so will be disqualified with immediate effect.

E-Bike results will be marked as such in RaceTec results and may not be used for seeding for other cycling events.

Riders using E-Bikes will not qualify for any prizes in The MTB Challenge.

Race pack collection:

In order to collect your race pack at registration you need to bring either the email or SMS containing your name and race number.

We urge you to collect your race pack before the event day to avoid unnecessary queues. Late entries will be taken at these collection points, however at an additional fee. Also note no PPA discount for late entries will apply!  (NB: NO late entries on race day!)

In you race pack you will receive:

• Permanent RaceTec MTB number board – This will become your timing chip for all RaceTec-timed MTB events going forward. (You will be able to purchase a replacement MTB number board for R50 at Registration and on race day.)
• Cable Ties – Use the cable times provided to attach the number board to the front of your handlebars.
• Event sticker – This sticker needs to be applied to the top of the number board. Each distance will have a different coloured event sticker. PLEASE NOTE: This will be your confirmation of entry into the start chutes. You will not be allowed into the start chute if your sticker is not on your board. The sticker will have your seeding printed on
• Goodies – There will be some goodies available for you.

*Save the emergency number on your phone: 083 414 1442

Merchandise – SOLD OUT!

The MTB Challenge T-Shirt: R250	The MTB Challenge Arm warmers: R220	The MTB Challenge socks: R100	The MTB Challenge Beanie: R100

Route:

60km Route (Actual 59km): 1886m Total Elevation. Start time from 07h00. Age 15 years and older

The 60km route is beautiful with all trail styles, single-track, jeep track, and gravel, but it is not for the faint-hearted. The route includes the best of Boschendal Trails and the legendary Banhoek Conservancy Trails with a few new trails thrown into the mix.

The start is relatively easy, flat and wide for about 14km before the first big climb of the day. The first single-track climb is quite wide, allowing for some overtaking opportunities. Then the route drops into the single-track Porcupine Trail on Boschendal. A jeep track climb follows leading to the flowing singletrack descent all the way down to the Sugar Bowl.

The farm road route turns up hill slightly with a few sharp but short climbs and goes into the lower traverse across Simonsberg. You will ride over the Vuurberg Hellsend Bike Park on a flattish single-track contour dropping into Hillcrest Berries and Zorgvliet farm before exiting onto the gravel road to Tokara. Then drop into the Old Helshoogte Pass into a long culvert underneath the new Helshoogte Pass, which can be weird as it is pitch black inside! Now a long climb up Botmaskop along the single-track Goddess Trail into the Botmaskop Sky Traverse.

The Botmaskop Sky Traverse is a single-track contour trail with beautiful views. Then the drop off Botmaskop will be into the brand New singletrack Camissa Descent, The Camissa Rock Garden and Banhoek Berms all the way down to Oldenburg road. A long gradual gravel road and jeeptrack climb taking you deep into Banhoek Valley to the concrete wier, with some of the cleanest water in South Africa (we tested it!). The climb up NikNaks single-track and onto the Bethlehem Sky Traverse. Then a single-track drop down Klipwerf and the Cobra, Up the Elevator and down The Afterburner and a fast flat downhill jeep track to the finish line.

There are 4 waterpoints on the 60km route. The first waterpoint shares the waterpoint with the 30km route. All the waterpoints will have some music to keep the spirits high. At waterpoint 1 you have the option of banana’s, sweets and something savoury. Coke will be activating this point and of course some water. At waterpoint 2 you can choose from banana, oranges and sweets to keep the energy levels high. Stay hydrated with Coke, water and Powerade. At waterpoint 3 you have the option of banana’s, watermelon, sweets and something savoury as well as Coke, water and Powerade. There will be a stationed medic and mechanic at this waterpoint, so if you need assistance try make it to this point. At your last waterpoint you have the option of banana’s and sweets. Coke will be activating this point and of course some water.

30km Route (Actual 30.13km): 466m Total Elevation. Start time from 07h50. Age 15 years and older

An easy, flattish, fast start which follows the Game Trail towards Boschendal. Then takes a loop through Normandie and the York dam on Boschendal. Then through the drift in the Dwarsrivier, across the tar road and into the Boschendal trails on Simonsberg. A longish climb is rewarded with the Porcupine flowing single-track descent. Then across the dam wall and down the skills single-track. Back across the tar and the race is on for the finish line. Keep your eyes open and you could see a herd of Eland and Gemsbok.

There are 2 waterpoints on the 30km route. The second waterpoint shares the waterpoint with the 15km route. At waterpoint 1 you have the option of banana’s, sweets and something savoury. Coke will be activating this point and of course some water. There will also be some music to keep the spirits high. At waterpoint 2 you can choose from banana, oranges, watermelon and sweets to keep the energy levels high. Stay hydrated with Coke, water and Powerade. There will be a stationed medic and mechanic at this waterpoint, so if you need assistance try make it to this point. There will also be some music to keep the spirits high.

15km Route (Actual 14.93km): 236m Total Elevation. Start time from 08h20. Age 8 years and older

This route follows the same route as the 60 and 30km routes for the first 6km. Basically along the Game Trail route of the Banhoek conservancy, from Old bethlehem farm to Boschendal and a short loop in Normandie and then around York dam before swinging back to Old Bethlehem. Keep your eyes peeled and you could see Eland and Gemsbok along the route. Flattish with some moderate climbs on jeep track, gravel roads and some easy single-track.

There is 1 waterpoint on the 15km route. Choose from banana, oranges, watermelon and sweets to keep the energy levels high. Stay hydrated with Coke, water and Powerade. There will be a stationed medic and mechanic at this waterpoint, so if you need assistance try make it to this point. There will also be some music to keep the spirits high.

The Bike4All track will be open all day for the kids to enjoy for free.

Prize Giving:

All winners need to be present for prize giving to claim prize. Prize giving will start at 12h00 and lucky draw to follow immediately after. Lucky draw tickets will be handed out, so ensure you listen to the announcement made. Prize money will be awarded to all distance winners in 2020, with men and women receiving equal amount. Up to a total of R30 000 to be won. There will be a Coke winners’ area at the finish for all winners to relax in with Peninsula Beverages Company sponsoring ice cold drinks to enjoy.

The Venue:

We are excited to take the event back to where it all begun, Banhoek Conservancy trails. Old Bethlehem Farm provides a beautiful back drop for this event. We urge you not to leave any valuables in sight in your cars. Use the bike Park after the race whilst you relax in the race village.

The info tent will be able to answer any last-minute questions or to purchase replacement MTB board (R50). The bikeshop will be at the start to assist with minor bike adjustments and will be selling any last-minute spares you may need. Seattle Coffee will be there for your caffeine fix with varies stalls which include pancakes, food, wine, beer, cooldrinks, biltong, massages, Influence Clothing, ice cream and lots more! There will be a bike park to ensure more room around the venue, we have introduced the Bike park where you will need to put your bike after you have finished the race. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy all that the venue has to offer! Kids entertainment will allow the kids to have a fun time whilst mom and dad enjoy the live entertainment on offer. Bike4All will also be there bringing in the Bike4All mobile BMX track.

Social Media:

Facebook: @PedalPowerAssociation

Instagram: @Pedal_Power_Association

Twitter: @PedalPowerPPA

Use the hashtag #MTBChallenge