Berg & Bush, Mountain Biking with a Smile

The Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush, based just outside Winterton in KwaZulu-Natal, is back, with new trails, new dates, and an event philosophy geared towards maximum rider enjoyment.

Well-known for its fast, free-flowing trails, the popular KZN event is emerging from pandemic-related frustrations with a singular focus – to provide the most mountain biking fun possible for all entrants.

To achieve this goal, race founder Gary Green has been crafting new trails with expert trail builder Glen Harrison, a new high school-focussed category has been introduced, and an emphasis on riding for the sheer joy is being placed on the Tour, 2-Day, and Descent.

New June event dates will also benefit the rider, as this time of year in KwaZulu-Natal generally provides stable riding weather with cool nights and mornings, and sunny, calm days.

“Our events are for every level of rider,” says Green. “We have something for riders who like to race. We have something for social riders, for couples, for groups, for families, anyone who loves riding. But most of all, we are a mountain bike event for mountain bikers who just want to have fun. That is our ambition moving forward, to put the fun back into cycling and offer a mountain bike experience that leaves you smiling after the two or three days of riding.”

Riders who enter the 2022 Berg & Bush can choose from four events – three rides and one two-day trail run. The options are the Tour, the Trail Run which forms part of the Tour, the 2-Day, and The Descent.

The Tour and the Trail Run take place at the same time, allowing participants to enter as a Happy Couple – one partner runs while the other rides. The winning Happy Couple (the team with the best overall time) will win the incredible prize of a stay at ultra-luxurious Nambiti Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. Participants in the Trail Run will run 15km and 10km, while the “third day” consists of a champagne breakfast and riverside yoga session.

The major shake-up in the festive 2-Day ride is the introduction of the Bushbaby category. The Bushbaby is open to all school-going mountain bikers aged 15 to 19 and allows young riders to compete in a multi-day stage race. “We’re really looking forward to hosting the future stars of mountain biking and encourage the kids to challenge their classmates and other scholars,” says Green.

R20 000 in total prize money is up for grabs, with prize money categories for Boys High School Team and Girls High School Team.

Between now and the event, the Berg & Bush team will continue to build new trails, to complement their existing, highly enjoyable trails like Zig-Zags, Puff Adder Pass, and Garden of Eden.