Family mountain bike fun at Lourensford.

The Cape’s original mountain bike classic will once again take place at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, on Saturday 3 October. This is one of the most popular mountainbike races offering beautiful landscapes and tough challenges to some riders and is held for the 8th year in a row at this venue. It is also a seeding event for the Cape Argus Pick’n Pay MTB Challenge (6-7 March 2010).

It is little wonder then that this event is so eagerly awaited every year. The race, offers three options: a 58 km route (advanced riders only), a 32 km route (intermediate riders) and a 15 km family fun ride. The long route is known as the Classic and comprises of winding sections through the Hottentots Holland mountains. The veld fires of last year together with the heavy rains of the past winter changed the atmosphere on the farm to a more open feeling with spectacular views over the basin. Beautiful flowers are blooming on the mountain – watch out for the Watsonias & Moreas!

The long route provides a tough challenge that will be remembered by all who complete it. Riders ascend into the mountains on forest and jeep tracks and the moss patches, roots and rocks add further challenges to the demands of the incline.

The heart-pounding climbs are rewarded with panoramic views across the valley to the sea, while the descents provide free-wheeling rest for the legs. Riders must remain alert to cope with the narrow switch-backs, water crossings, muddy patches and varying terrain and surfaces. Heading back into the fynbos and orchards, it is man versus mountain.

Fresh drinking water can be drunk straight from the Sneeukopriver about 38km in on the long route, but all routes have good waterpoint stops for riders too!

The 30 km route is for intermediate riders and offers a challenge for newcomers to the sport. It is a tough but rewarding route that shows what mountain biking is all about. This route offers enough thrills to ensure riders will come back for more.

The short 15km family route provides parents the opportunity to share an enjoyable ride with their children. The event is taking part in the International Mountain Bike Association’s (IMBA) ‘take a kid mountain biking day’ on the 3rd of October.

This year there will also be a 4km family walk/bike that will do a loop on the property. To entertain the little ones, there will also be a Spur Steak Ranches kiddie’s play area with jumping castles etc. A Schwinn mountain bike is up for grabs at the lucky draw!

The entryform can be found on www.dirtopia.co.za and pre-entries will save! Good news is that prices have remained the same from last year! Late entries will be available at registration on Friday, October 2nd from 16h30 to 19h30 and on Saturday, October 3rd from 06h30. Late entryfees range from R80 to R120.

For more information, phone the Dirtopia Trail Centre at 021-8844752, or e-mail theteam@dirtopia.co.za.
www.dirtopia.co.za