Eight years into the Spur High Schools Mountain Bike League organisers are anticipating that more than 500 Southern African schools will be represented in the 2016 season.
The League consists of 11 South African regions including neighbouring African countries Zimbabwe, Namibia and Lesotho. Around 60 events take place from May to the season-ending National Final in Magaliesburg in October.
The first of four races in the Eden district will be hosted this Saturday, 11 June at the NMMU George Campus. York High School in George was crowned 2015 Southern Cape champions logging a convincing 252 points. Glenwood House was second with 173 points with Outenqua High third with 98 points.
Kirstin Roelofse of Yord High School in action at the 2015 Western Cape finals of the Spur Schools MTB League.
The girls’ team from York High School also impressed by finishing second at the Spur Schools Mountain Bike National Finals at Bekker School.
Registration for Saturday’s race opens at 07h00 and the course will be open from 07h30 to 08h45 for training with the first race setting off at 09h00.
Entry fees are R60 for primary and R90 for high school learners. Entries can online at http://spuredenmtbleagueseries2016.myactiveonline.co.za/capturedetails/registration.aspx with a discount applicable if you enter for all four races – 11 June at in George, 23 July at Cairnbrogie Farm (Plettenberg Bay), 20 Aug 2016 at Montessori (Knysna) and 10 Sept at Mount View (George).
The category breakdown and event programme is available on http://www.chaingangevents.co.za/mtb/events/43 .
Points shall be awarded to the top 25 positions in the following order starting from 1st position at 35 points scaling down to 2 points, while every finisher from position 26 onwards will receive one point for their school. The combined points of all six riders of a school team will determine the school positions. The Eden Primary and Secondary School Team winners will attend the Western Cape Semi-Finals on 17th September 2016 at Paul Roos Gimnasium (Stellenbosch) and the Eden Secondary School Team winners will attend the National Final on 8th October 2016 at Bekker School (Magalliesburg).
According to league director, Meurant Botha of Amarider participation at local events has been growing at a steady pace as schools accept mountain biking as a recognized sport.
“Although there are many kids finding their competitive edge on their bicycles, the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League’s focus is still to encourage more kids on bikes, more schools in action. It is important for all children to enjoy participating whether only starting out or having participated for a couple seasons. We also urge the regions to support local cycling development programmes and assist more kids to get out and ride,” says Botha.
For more information on the 2016 edition of the Spur Schools Mountain Bike League, visit www.spurmtbleague.co.za, or contact Amarider’s Michelle du Preez at 021 8844547 or michelle@amarider.co.za
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