Riders who missed their opportunity to enter the Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic will have one last chance to sign up for Sunday’s inaugural edition.
A mountain biker at play on the Rhebokskloof Wines Estate, which forms part of ASG’s inaugural Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic route. // Photo: Louis Ferreira
Wynand de Villiers of ASG Events said special arrangements had been made for those who missed the cut-off to enter on Friday and Saturday for the 30km and 60km racing options.
He said it was the first mountain bike race officially hosted by the City of Drakenstein and that participants would therefore enjoy unprecedented access to the usually off-limits trails inside the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.
Riders would also be able to enjoy unsurpassed single-track stretches on the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate and off the back of the Taal Monument, he said.
“Aside from the Paarl Reserve concession, the race will be the first mass participation event to ride eight new kilometres of single-track at Rhebokskloof.”
De Villiers said another novel twist would be that riders could sample some of the best craft beers and locally produced wines in addition to the standard fare en route.
“The route goes right past CBC Brewery, which will be setting up kegs of draught beer at the waterpoint so that thirsty riders can refresh themselves with a cold one.”
On the other side of the mountain, he said Rhebokskloof would be offering participants a selection of their award-winning wines.
“The Rhodes Food Group, which is synonymous with the Boland, has also come on board and all finishers will enjoy a warm ready-made meal, plus a smoothie and CBC beer at the finish.”
Title sponsor Bestmed will man a bike wash station in aid of the Cancer Association of South Africa. A further R10 from every entry fee will be donated to Cansa, with complimentary sunscreen provided in partnership with Incolab.
The race village is on the 31-hectare Paarl Arboretum on the eastern bank of the Berg River in the centre of Paarl, with plenty of parking and room for family and friends to spend the day.
Late registration and entries are open from 10am to 4pm on Friday at Chris Willemse Cycles in Tyger Valley. Riders will also be able to enter and collect their race packs and number boards between 9am and 1pm on Saturday at the race venue.
Late registration is open from 6am on Sunday but riders will not be able to enter on the morning of the race and only pre-entries will be seeded.
The 60km starts at 7am and the 30km at 8am.
Visit www.asgevents.co.za, e-mail eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807.
