Growth in demand for The 36ONE MTB Challenge entries has exceeded all expectations to the point that Dryland Event Management have decided to close entries early for the 2017 event. Not only are there over 1 000 riders already registered to take part but over half of that number are set to undertake the full 361 kilometre race as solo competitors.
Dutch beach racing star Ramses Bekkenk in action during a 100km plus beach race in his home country. Photo by www.directsportfoto.nl.
In addition to the 530 registered solo riders for the full route there are another 136 riders registered to ride the long route with a teammate. The remaining entrants are either racing The 36ONE in relay teams of two or four, or racing the ‘short’ distance 180 kilometre option either on their own or as a team of two.
The 361 kilometre route, it is clear, is no longer the daunting challenge it once was. When 36ONE Asset Management and Dryland Event Management conceived the event in 2011 – the first event took place in 2012 – they fully expect the relay options to remain the most popular entry options. Part of the growth in entry numbers is surely down to the trend towards an increase in the popularity of ultra-distance events both in South Africa and internationally in mountain biking circles. Races like the Leadville Trail 100 MTB even feature lotteries for entries. The other determining factor in the increasing popularity of The 36ONE MTB Challenge is the famous Dryland hospitality. Never has 361 kilometres in on single stage race seemed so possible. From the water points; with the tables fully laden with endurance fuels, including Biogen products, home-baked banana bread, boiled potatoes, koeksisters, date-balls, biltong and more; to the check points, where a hearty meal awaits at each. Plus, of course, the oasis-like race village of Kleinplaas Holiday Resort where lush lawns, a swimming pool and a race finishers’ Lunch/Dinner, depending on each riders finishing time, awaits from 14:00 on Saturday afternoon until 02:00 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
With a strong international field it remains to be seen if locals like Tom Wetton (1st in 2016; second from left) Christo van den Heever (2nd in 2016; left) and Riccardo Stermin (3rd in 2016; right) can repeat their podium achievement in 2017, where 36ONE Asset Management’s Steven Liptz (second from right) will once again award the prizes. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The event organisers decided to close the entries earlier this year though “ultimately we could take this event to 1 500 riders this year, but we will never compromise the quality we offer – we feel that we need to limit entries annually. Entries have actually been full for a while, with additional registered riders being added to a waiting list” Henco Rademeyer, of Dryland Event Management explained.
The long, winding and corrugated roads of the Klein Karoo are best tackled on a mountain bike, gravel and cyclocross bikes are definitely not recommended. Photo by Oakpics.com.
“This year riders will see an increase in our water point offerings, as well as a new window period whereby spectators can only get to checkpoint one during a certain time. This is to ensure that riders are safer and do not have to ride in the dust while following vehicles. It is hard to better our water points, but with Biogen on board for The 36ONE MTB Challenge in 2017 riders can expect an increase in the offerings, both at the water points and at the finish line” Rademeyer concluded.
Unlike most ultra-distance marathon mountain bike races The 36ONE MTB Challenge starts at 18:00, meaning entrants race into the night on fresh legs and all spend an entire night on the route. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The racing at The 36ONE MTB Challenge promises to be more tightly contested than ever before for the 2017 edition too. Course record holder Jean Biermans, is set to return after a disappointing outing in 2016 where illness forced him to withdraw. Last year’s champion, Tom Wetton will also be lining up to defend the title he won in a time of fifteen hours, eleven minutes and fifty four seconds. The dark horse for this year’s race is Dutch rider Ramses Bekkenk. Bekkenk is an experienced twenty four hour endurance campaigner and is one of the top beach racers in the Netherlands. How Bekkenk’s undoubted talent for racing on wind swept beaches of his homelands will translate to the undulating route through the Klein Karoo remains to be seen though, but his presence will surely add to the excitement of the 2017 event.
The 36ONE MTB Challenge offers rider the opportunity to ride the full 361km solo, in a team of two, or as a two or four man relay team; as James Spring, Brett Stephen, Mitchell Arntzen and Carl van Maanen did in 2016. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The 361 kilometre route gains 5 250 meters in elevation as it circuits the Klein Karoo basin. From Oudtshoorn the route heads north then east to De Rust for the first 81 kilometre section of the race. Section two travels south towards the Outeniqua Mountains and then turns west at Daskop, and on to the half-way mark at Volmoed. The Half riders join the fray at Volmoed for their 180 challenge, which starts with the toughest sector of the race; the 97 kilometres south of the Gamkaberg and into the long and steep climbs of the Rooiberg, before the welcome sight of Calitzdorp greets the weary riders. From Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn only 81 kilometres remain but the corrugated roads via Kruisrivier and Lategansvlei make it anything but easy, especially with 280 kilometres already in the legs.
If you have not secured an entry to experience The 36ONE MTB Challenge in 2017 you can do so vicariously by liking the Facebook page or following @The36ONE on Twitter. To find out more about the race visit www.the36one.co.za.
Not long now for D-Day. My training was not as intense this year compared to last year, but "hope" results will be similar.