Events

Revered Tankwa Trek route gets intriguing tweaks for 2015

· By Press Office · 11 comments

Ask any finisher of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek mountain bike stage race what stands out about the event and virtually every answer will include references to the race route, which is dramatic, varied, stimulating, suprising and, most importantly, rewarding.

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The third edition of the three-day race will take place from 13-15 February 2015 and once again promises to draw a world-class line-up to challenge for the various category titles. With similar terrain and distance-to-elevation ratio to the ABSA Cape Epic, the Tankwa Trek is becoming a preferred form-tester for those committed to Cape Epic participation.

The Tankwa Trek is held near Ceres, a prolific fruit-producing valley 150km northeast of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The geography of the region makes it a mountain bike route designer’s dream. The routes for each of the three stages are developed by three different mountain bikers that live in the area, each giving ‘his stage’ a different character, which helps add significant depth to the revered Tankwa Trek route.

“Between Hannes Hannekom (Stage 1), Mauritz Walters (Stage 2) and Charl van der Merwe (Stage 3), we have the ultimate route design team for the Tankwa Trek route,” said Carel Herholdt of Dryland Event Management, the company that organizes the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek.

“As mountain bikers, they understand what’s important, what’s dangerous and what’s stimulating. And since they live and ride in the area, they are able to spend a lot of time preparing the route so that it’s truly awesome. When you have a race route that’s so highly praised, it’s hard to better it, but these guys are doing just that for 2015,” added Herholdt.

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The geography of the Ceres Valley is perfect for creating stimulating, varied mountain bike routes and one of the reasons for the rapid success of the DUTOIT Tanka Trek.

“Stage 1 will be a little bit different from 2014, but will still retain the amazing views and challenging climbs. I’ve eliminated the sand section near the end, which nobody appreciated, and have added in a couple of sections of natural singletrack that will be a welcome surprise,” said Hannes Hannekom.

“We have a few changes to Stage 2 for 2015. I’ve left in the DUTOIT’s Drop singletrack downhill as well as the Merino Monster climb and descent. I’ll move the first water point further into the stage and it will be inside a fruit pack house, which is appropriate since this is the country’s prime fruit produce region,” said Mauritz Walters. “I’ll also eliminate one of the tar road crossings by taking the riders under the highway and I think I’ll make some other minor changes in the last 10km too.”

Stage 3 will see an innovation, introduced by Van der Merwe, designed specifically to improve rider flow.

“We will have a few sections where you can choose your singletrack option. They won’t run next to each other but each takes the riders on a different route for a while. Some will be equal in distance and technical difficulty simply to improve flow, but other options will offer a longer, less technical section or a shorter technically challenging section to cater specifically riders of different skill levels.

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The elevation gained by the climb up the Merino Monster on Stage 2 of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek offers incredible views of the surrounding fruit farming region.

“We’ll also add in some more bridges this year,” explained Van der Merwe, who has been resourceful in creating continuous singletrack through the region’s huge sandstone rock formations.

“By having such dedicated, expert route designers, we are able to focus on fine-tuning the rest of the racing experience for riders at the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek, such as the food, accommodation and ablutions, all of which are as essential to a stage race as a memorable route,” added Herholdt.

Entries are open for the 2015 DUTOUIT Tankwa Trek, but the field size is limited and cannot be expanded due to the potential capacity of the host venue, Kaleo. There are both team and solo rider packages available, which include three nights of accommodation.

For more information, or to enter, visit www.tankwatrek.co.za.

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The singletrack through the sandstone region on Stage 3 of the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek is one of the race’s signature features.

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Comments

nathrix

Oct 1, 2014, 11:53 AM

This is an awesome event with stunning views, not to be under estimated. That Merino Monster is a killer, not sure what's worse, the moerse climb or the moerse downhill after the climb!

nathrix

Oct 1, 2014, 12:11 PM

I am already entered. It is very highly recommended so I am super excited for it. Heard about this climb. I am quite strong up hill so look forward to it. I wonder if my single speed will want to join me on this one.

Good luck on the ss, you're going to bleed through your eyes, ears and nose if you're not going to change the gearing each day. I rode geared with my Niner MCR with carbon rigid fork, shook my arms out of it's sockets after the Merino Monster climb, almost had no feeling in my fingers to use the brakes!

nathrix

Oct 1, 2014, 12:27 PM

No, too much suffering, better to ask Tunariaan here on the hub, he rode 2014 Tankwa Trek on his green single speed, not sure if he changed the gearing for each stage to lessen the pain.

Skubarra

Oct 1, 2014, 12:35 PM

Also entered, can't wait for this one!

pinki

Oct 1, 2014, 7:39 PM

Best MTB stage race I've done, including all the "epic" ones ive done

Tatt

Oct 1, 2014, 8:15 PM

Hoping to do it again. Unbelievable venue and ride. Most classic picture I have is of the dude throwing his bike over the side of Merino Monster...

The heat was also interesting. .

Tom

tunariaan

Oct 2, 2014, 3:51 PM

i rode 34 and 18

no suspension. .hard but an amazing race

nonky

Oct 2, 2014, 6:08 PM

Have entered, along with a krazy Kenyan and two smart-ass surgeons...getting psyched already.

.

Any tips from guys who have ridden it for training, nutrition, tyres, etc??

 

any advice appreciated

nathrix

Oct 2, 2014, 6:47 PM

The only tip i can give you is to take the time to enjoy the views, it's absolutely breathtaking.

cobus3000

Nov 10, 2014, 9:14 AM

Hi all! Don't know it there will be any entries left...but would like to do it. Just don't know if I can do this and also Xterra (full) the weekend after  :huh:

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