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SEE THE ATTACHMENTS BELOW FOR THE ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN THE LOWVELDER ON THIS EVENT!
FAMILY FUN MOUNTAIN BIKE DAY
WILD FIG COUNTRY ESTATE
16 JULY
REGISTER FROM 07h30
EXPERT TRAIL STARTS : 08h30
NOVICE TRAIL STARTS: 09h00
There will be separate trails for experienced and novice mountain bikers respectively.
CYCLE LAB LOWVELD IS SPONSORING VOUCHERS FOR THEIR NEW STORE OPENING IN AUGUST !!!
The estate boasts more than 20 km of trails through a unique bushveld setting, and non-threatening game abounds.
So, whether you want to show off your talent; test your skills; or only want to enjoy a great day out with the family; come at 07h00 with your bike and picnic fare!
Access to the estate will only be allowed for participants and their family. A jumping castle will entertain the young ones. Stalls selling drinks and food will be there.
Entrance is free.
For more details please contact Louwdine Jordaan on 0823558345
MORE DETAILS ON THE TRAILS :
Hardcore Route
its a mad dash off the line over the only piece of flat ground riders will see all day, it starts off allong the WildFig fenceline and a sudden short descent will remind riders it wont be all plain sailing, another tight right turn into the steep and short downhill will prepare riders for some fun ahead. After 1 km the singletrack starts with a quick twisty descent that will have you feathering the brakes and shifting your weight from side to side to avoid going off the path, a deadstop T junction will steer the experienced riders to the right with some more rocky singletrack where riders will be required to match their speed to their skills. A quick dip through the water will lead into a slight climb (we`ll be coming back down this way again - woohoo !) and some nice singletrack , crossing a 50m transition zone the riders will once again plunge into some fast singletrack , remember the route as you`ll see it again, emerging from the singletrack riders will cross the dam wall, put tires onto the only paving for the day for a mere 50m, before plunging into leguan alley (or was that Mamba alley) for a fun twisty ride leading into a short but brutish climb to the specator point. At this point riders will have done 8 km and almost no climbing. The fun is about to start with a quick sprint up the 6% grade fenceline leading into a quick and rock strewn downhill, concentrate or you could end up like Johnny Hoogerland. The bottom of this descent signals the start of the race for the KING of the MOUNTAIN leading up to the highest point for the day, fit riders will enjoy this challenge. King of the mountain winds up and up requiring some deft skills and concentration in picking the right lines. The grade is severe with up to 20% climbing required, unfortunately someone spilled some concrete on the steepest section affording some traction to the huffing riders. It should be a sprint finish to the line and 550Watts+ should clinch it, the climbing is over for now and at 8.8km and 300+ metres of Ascent the meandering downhill begins again leading riders over some familiar terrain, over a short bridge and up an incline only the most skilled will be able to ride. A Fast descent follows leading down to the dam and another go at some familiar singletrack, its a fast downhill section all the way to the last short climb of the day. An uphill sprint finish for glory at just under 15km , riders have ascended 477m and descended a cool 567m. Any riders not yet spent are welcome to hang around and check out the rest of the trails at their leisure.
Expect riding times to be between 45 mins for racers and 1h45 for riders over one lap of the course.
Distance : just under 15km
Ascent : 477 m
Descent : 567 m
Novice
Its off they go following the path of the experienced riders, after the fun downhill that will catch out the unwary the route splits taking the starters and family riders to the left before another tight and quick downhill ending with a splash as riders cross a muddy section before having to face the only real uphill section of the day (apart from the last one ...) here the routes converge and although there should be no sharing of the route - it could happen - so just watch out for other riders going the same direction at different speeds. The riders will be huffing at the end of this short but tough climb and no doubt some riders will opt for a push. At last the trail starts meandering down and over some more twisty and fast singletrack - watch out for roots,rocks, holes ..... riders plunge through a watery section before facing the ALAMO of the day, there is no getting past it, it is an uphill finish that will break some legs and see 80% of the field hobbling on their riding shoes. A reward at the end awaits as tired riders with big smiles have experienced some real mountainbiking.
Novice riders and families should ride for between 35 min and 1h15 min.
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