Kickstart Your Fitness Goals with MTB, Bubbly and Chocolate

Whether you need a new fitness routine or a new activity for spring, this MTB event is a sweet place to start

It’s cold outdoors but these routes will test your fitness and heat you up. The Stellenbosch MTB Challenge and Farm Run takes place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July at the beautiful Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

Entries are limited to 2000 riders and all finishers get a special commemorative medal. The picturesque routes offer waterpoints with food and drinks and even bubbly and chocolate. There will also be tech zones to support riders in case of mechanical difficulties. 

THE VENUE AND ROUTES
Well-known route designer, Meurant Botha of Dirtopia, has been involved in mountain bike routes and events at Spier since the late nineties.

The 22km event is perfect for children and beginners (kids under 10 must ride with an adult) with less than 300m of climbing on mostly open dirt roads and tracks. You’ll ride through vineyards, orchards and large stretches of fynbos and can expect beautiful views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains. 

The 50km event for intermediate riders (from age 15 and up) doesn’t go through the town this year. To make up for it, Botha has added routing on the southwestern side of the course, including more riding in the Vlaeberg area as well as a wine tasting at one of the refreshment stations. With around 800m of climbing, the route can be considered fairly easy and non-technical. See the updated schedule and times online. 

THE POST-RACE CARNIVAL
At the finish carnival, there’ll be live music by local artists, Acoustic Vibe, and stalls selling food, wine and beer. Kids entertainment includes a jumping castle, soft toys and face painting. The prizegiving area is on the lawn in front of the farm kitchen deli. The lucky draw offers prizes including a Giant Bicycles mountain bike.

WATCH: ACOUSTIC VIBE

STELLENBOSCH FARM RUN 
The Stellenbosch MTB Challenge takes place on the Sunday, but trail runners can also enjoy this beautiful winelands area on the Saturday. There are three trail distances to choose from: 20km (elevation: 230m), 11,5km (elevation: 150m), 7km (elevation: 80m). All finishers get a medal, timing is optional and allows you to see live results online. Plus, Discovery Health members can earn Vitality points. 

The refreshment station will offer Powerade, fruit and jellies or nuts and drinks at the finish. There will be massages at the finish and a kids play area. The top three males and females get prizes in each distance. 

Stay until the end because lucky draw tickets are handed out before prize-giving to the remaining participants to win goodies from Falke, Capestorm, Spier Wine Estate and others.

TAKING PART 
Entries close on Wednesday 24 July or as soon as the entry limit is reached. For the Stellenbosch MTB Challenge, the 22km route costs R190 and the 50km route costs R330. Tickets for the Stellenbosch Farm Run on Saturday cost R130–R220 and can all be booked online. 

You can also order a unique once-off event long sleeve T-shirt or hoodie with your entry.

For more information, contact the organisers directly on +27(0)82 809 9878 or admin@dirtopia.co.za. Parking at Spier is free of charge and there will be designated areas for participants controlled by security. 

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