EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Join us for the 9th annual Piket-Bo-Berg Cycle Challenge & Trail Run, sponsored by Boland SUPERSPAR. The trails will take you through the beautiful fruit farms and fynbos hidden away on top of the Piket-Bo-Berg Mountain. 

You can enjoy fantastic food and a vibrant atmosphere at the finish line – there will be a Beer tent and shaded seating for all our spectators welcoming riders and runners home.

The following routes are available:

• the 63km MTB Challenge: 
  • (1 600m ascent, 62% single-track, 7/10 technical score). 
  • Ideal for experienced riders.
• the 37km MTB Challenge: 
  • (700m ascent, 62% single-track,6/10 technical score). 
  • For riders looking to build technical skills and fitness.
• the 27km MTB Challenge: 
  • (594m ascent, 44% single-track, 4/10 technical score). 
  • A great introduction to our trails for fitness and skill. 
• the 12km MTB Challenge: is for the kiddies, 
  • Complete with a pump track and introductory single-track.

Ride for a GREAT CAUSE! This event is organised by the local NPO - The Piket-Bo-Berg Residents Association. All the funds raised through this event will enable investment in skills development and education, creating a better future for all in our community.

We are looking forward to sharing our small-town hospitality with you, while you enjoy some of the best trails South Africa has to offer. 

CLOSING DATE:

• 04 September 2018.

SUBSTITUTIONS & ROUTE CHANGES:

• Cut Off: 04 September 2018.

WHAT TO CARRY:

Riders & Runners are encouraged to take sufficient energy bars/food for your estimated time on the trails.

We will have water points along the different routes, but please bring at least two full water bottles along with you. Riders are strongly advised to bring the necessary tools required to repair a puncture and may want to carry their cell phones. 

Please bring antihistamines and the necessary medication if you are allergic to bees or sensitive to pollen as the race takes place in the midst of spring.

If you are allergic to any medication, kindly specify it on your entry.

Camping Fundraiser

The Staweklip Primary School, located opposite the Race Venue, will be hosting a campsite on the Friday night before the event as a fundraising initiative.

Support this great cause and book your spot!

Book one or multiple campsites for R150 per site which include:

• A 5m x 5m Campsite
• Ablution facilities
• Braai drums and wood
• Basic communal kitchen

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS:

The 12 km Fun Ride is a great introduction to single-track riding for the young and young at heart. The route takes you along the perimeter of the orchards, across the dam wall and into the first of six single tracks - “the Pine forest”, which have mini table tops and berms. Watch out for the “Redhill” climb, punchy uphill switchbacks on “Monkey climb” and when you get to the Blue gum trees you are half way.

Riders will enjoy jeep track through the orchards and back to the finish line. 

27 km, 37km and 63km Cycle Challenge

All Routes start in the century-old Oak Avenue, the entrance to the Starke family farm, Mouton’s Valley.  Riders with podium aspirations should ensure that they are in the front bunch, because the first single track is only 2.1km from the start!   The water points are set up at approximately every 10 kilometres – be sure to refuel – there are no free kilometres on these trails!

The first big climb starts at the Cross Over Bridge at the first single track called “Hermitage” that loops into a short section of jeep track, which then links up with “Never Ending Story”. It is 1.3km long and has 100 meters of ascent. This is a wide single track with switchbacks and contours winding up the mountain giving you a stunning view of our beautiful valley.  Riders continue to “Red Rock Rabbit Run” and “Muddy Waters”.

The 37km & 63km riders will do additional sections, with several highlights including “Buchu Bends” which was built by Eric Starke to showcase a stunning view of Table Mountain. You will also be treated to a spectacular view of the Sandveld and Atlantic Ocean on “Gryskop”!

“Rhino’s Passage” takes you south to “Suicide Run”.

The 27km, 37km & 63 km riders meet up at “Suicide Run” where all your efforts on the various uphill’s will be rewarded with an incredible 1.4km downhill!  

Exiting “Suicide Run” brings you onto a dam wall and into the heart of Michele Starke’s Buchu fields.  Mouton’s Valley is the largest organic buchu farm in South Africa, producing essential oil and dried leaves for the world market. 

Over the dam wall and next is “Bokdoring Draai” and “Twin Peaks”, both offer technical twists and turns leading into flowing sections that then link up with “The Canyon”. The fast downhill starts here taking you through “Steyntjies Poort” and into “Porcupine Avenue” - arguably one of the best sections on our trails.

From here you wind your way around the orchards on jeep tracks passing citrus, apple and pear trees. At Water Point 3, the 27km & 37km riders head home on a flat and fast jeep track, which runs next to the Bushman’s River.

The 63km riders will turn left after Water Point 3 and head up Levant Hill on a jeep track that contours around it, then a short climb takes riders into “Yellow Cliff Road”. 

This trail is a 1.3km switchback climb with an ascend of 100 meters. Make sure you leave something in the proverbial tank for this climb. It is technical - fitness and endurance are required to reach the top. 

After “Yellow Cliff Road” you climb into Levant Hill and circle around Avontuur Dam via “Hello Kitty” named after John Ince’s chance encounter one evening with a Leopard.

From “Hello Kitty” you pass through “Marshlands” and enter Buglers Post farm, belonging to John and Marika Ince. 

One of the several highlights here include the “Muy Berg” single track, which will give you a splendid view of the Rooi Karoo.  Next, the Pine Forest Play Park with some interesting obstacles including swinging bridges, ride the plank, drops and more, to test your skills!   You then follow the fire break road around Buglers Post and climb to the Duncan’s farm, Pomona. 

Here you will encounter “The Throne” – a remarkable first effort at building a single track from Rob Duncan. Now you are at the highest elevation point of the route! And the last water point!

The trail descends back to Buglers Post via “Blaaukop”, that then connects to “Jakkelskloof”.  Next is “Owls Corner” and a steep Jeep track climb gets you to “The Bug”.  “The Bug” takes you north and starts the descent to the finish line via “Fairy Meadows”. When you get to “Rondekop” you are back on Mouton’s Valley and the flat and fast jeep track, which runs next to the Bushman’s River will take you all the way to the FINISH.

We have teamed up with the dynamic team from I Love Boobies. You can buy a pair of 'I Love Boobies' socks when you enter (or on their website) to help to raise money to bring Mobile Health Clinics to the Piket-Bo-Berg Community for early breast cancer detection.  You can also buy any other merchandise on their website, using 'Piket-Bo-Berg' as your referral option to ensure that your purchase will be directed to breast cancer screenings in our community! For more info visit: https://www.iloveboobies.co.za/