Gravel Travel Events

We will be sending out a comprehensive email to all entrants on Wednesday after entries have closed. The email should be going out at about Wednesday 18h00.

Cut-offs are as follows: Start time is at 7h00 Cut-off 1: 28km - 10h00 Cut-off 2: 45km - 12h30 Finish - 15h30 You have to average 9km/hour to make the cut-offs

Water points will be at the following distances: 18km 33km 46km 58km 69km All water points will have the following: Coke, Water, Endurade Potatoes, Bananas, Donuts, Banana bread, Jellies, Water melon, Simba chips In addition to the above, the 5th water point will ALSO have boerewors rolls.

Oooh, no! Just be careful..you might be over-trained by Saturday . We recommend a week of rest and tapering .

So, you have descended the Scouts Trail , Black Hawk Down , Cool Runnings, Cool Runnings Too , all the Full Monties , and Route 66 ! Following Climb Number 4 of the Big 5, which is Groenberg (the Buffalo), the Golden Mile awaits! With only three days left to enter, you need to commit now! The weather forecast looks favourable! BEAT THE UNBEATABLE...

Headline for the week: The Full Montys are part of your reward on the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge! We had a look at the Scouts Trail Single, Black Hawk Down, Cool Runnings and Cool Runnings Too ... Your third climb of the big five will be preceded by Full Monty 3 , and followed by Full Monty 1 :clap:and Full Monty 2 . Those who have been on the famous Black Route, you know this is MTB Utopia... BEAT THE UNBEATABLE...

Hi there! Yes, you are accurate in all respects! Paarl Adventure Trails (Hero) permit holders may use the Wild Boar Trails using their Hero permits, AND we do have the most fun trails around! Enjoy the ride!

So, you have seen the Big Five waiting for you at the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge. But know this: You will be rewarded with some of the BEST single track sections after each climb. We had a look at the Scouts Trail Single , now for the well-known Cool Runnings and Cool Runnings Too - these are your reward after the Seven Peaks Climb (Climb #2 of the Big Five). BUT, before these two, there is the small issue of Black Hawk Down ...a short, but shweeeeeeet piece of downhill to make sure you get all the rewards you deserve! Wanna see some stats on these downhill singles? Visit Strava.com. BEAT THE UNBEATABLE..

So, you have seen the Big Five waiting for you at the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge. But know this: You will be rewarded with some of the BEST single track sections after each climb. Starting with the Scouts Trail Single after the Hawekwa (Rhino) Climb: The Scouts Trail Single has five switchbacks before riders will cross the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge , going on to the thrill of the (don't look down!) section to the Hawekwas Scouts Adventure Centre and your first water point. If you are scared of heights, remember the golden rule: Look Far Ahead of You on the Trail!! BEAT THE UNBEATABLE..

The Imbuko Big Five MTB Climbs: Nr 5 - Sweet Potato (The Lion) The last climb of the big five is a jeep track climb of 6.6km, and 300m ascent. The mid-day sun might make this a difficult climb for riders‍♀‍♂ who have been at it all day. Beat the Unbeatable... Imbuko Big Five Mountain Challenge Imbuko Wines Imbuko Giant Wild Boar Trails Full Sus #MTB

Event Name: Masgcor Cederberg MTB Trek When: 6 April 2019 - 7 April 2019 Where: Yellow Aloe, Clanwilliam, Western Cape Category: MTB The Masgcor Cederberg 2-day Trek offers a more laid-back experience of MTB'ing in the Cederberg, with the additional perks of a well-organised event! Bring your riding buddies and supporters and enjoy an all-inclusive camping weekend at Nuwerust in the heart of the Cederberg. The new there-and-back route ensures that logistics are sorted, and your car will be kept safe in Clanwilliam. Approximately 80km per day will ensure you earn your beer! Go to Event Page

Event Name: 2019 Masgcor Cederberg100Miler - The Race When: 7 April 2019 Where: Yellow Aloe, Clanwilliam, Western Cape Category: MTB A brand new route for the 2019 Cederberg100Miler will take rides on a circular traverse of Pakhuys Pass, the historic mission stations of Heuningvlei, Wupperthal and Eselbank, via Kromrivier and Uitkyk Pass back to Clanwilliam. Logsitics are sorted with the start and finish now in Clanwilliam. This route is not made for gravel bikes, but mountain bikes and e-bikes are welcome. Go to Event Page

The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs: Nr4 - Groenberg (the Buffalo) The Groenberg climb is the easiest of the Big Five but might pose more of a challenge considering it is the 4th big climb on the route . It takes riders to a maximum elevation of 432m above sea level and is 4.4km long. Total ascent for the climb is 256m and riding consists of mainly single track . Beat the Unbeatable...

Event Name: Gravel Travel MTB, Trail Run & Gravel Ride When: 11 May 2019 Where: Linton Park Wines, Wellington, Western Cape Category: Multisport Join us at Linton Park Wines, Wellington for the annual Gravel Travel MTB and Trail Run. We have added a 40km Gravel Ride for those who prefer the wide, open road! 40km Gravel Ride - 8h00 10km Trail Run - 8h15 50km MTB - 8h30 25km MTB - 8h35 5km Trail Run - 8h40 Goody bags and wonderful lucky draw prizes! Go to Event Page

The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs: Nr3 - Obiekwa (the Elephant): The longest climb of the Big Five, 11.1 km long, starts on Bainskloof Pass for 2km, up the Aap D’huez single track climb with its 28 switchbacks, and takes riders to the second waterpoint. From here, riders will descend for approximately 1km, before ascending, via Angel’s Tears, to the top of the climb at a maximum elevation of 795m. The total ascent for this climb is 830m. Beat the Unbeatable... Imbuko Big Five Mountain ChallengeImbuko WinesImbuko GiantFull Sus #MTB

Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs: Nr2: Seven Peaks The Seven Peaks climb starts immediately after the first water point. It is the shortest climb of the Big Five, but arguably the hardest. This single-track climb is 4.4km long and gains 375m, with riders reaching the highest point at 682m. Riders will be challenged by a couple of technical, rocky sections.

Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge The event derives its name from the five big climbs on the route: Hawekwa (the Rhino) Seven Peaks (the Leopard) Obiekwa (the Elephant) Groenberg (the Buffalo) Sweet Potato (the Lion)Photos and more info on each climb to follow… Nr1: Hawekwa The Hawekwa climb is the second longest climb of the day. It is exposed to the elements and often very windy. Riders will tackle this climb within a couple of kilometres from the start. The 10.2km ascent will take riders from the farmlands all the way up to Du Toitskloof Pass. Total ascent for the Hawekwa is 720m with a maximum elevation is 755m.

Event Name: Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge When: 23 February 2019 Where: Imbuko Family Vintners, Western Cape Category: MTB Imbuko Family Vintners will be hosting the “IMBUKO BIG FIVE MTB CHALLENGE” on Saturday 23 February 2019. In this unique challenge, riders will endure a total ascent of 3 020m over 75km, making it the ultimate one-day event to test your strength and fitness only three weeks before the 2019 ABSA Cape Epic. The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge aims to be the only South African race that tests riders on an international level when it comes to hill climbing. We aim to grow the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge in becoming THE benchmark event to test skill and endurance to compete in the ABSA Cape Epic and other international mountain bike races. The route is designed by Pieter Van Wyk, who worked on the route design team of the ABSA Cape Epic for many years. Five major climbs (Imbuko ‘Big Five’) will be the main challenges in the race and will take riders through the iconic single tracks of the surrounding mountains of Wellington. Riders can enter as solo, or teams of two riders each (male, female or mixed). There will be a substantial prize purse for the winners, and all riders will receive goody bags upon entering the event. The whole family can join at the finish line, where there will be food trucks, live music, MTB stalls and much more to keep everyone entertained. Find us at www.imbukobigfiveMTBchallenge.co.za for entries and more details. Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge - Beat the Unbeatable... Go to Event Page

Yes, I have added the Snapscan Codes on our website - click here to access the web page. There are two Snapscan Codes: one is for the Hawequas Scouts Adventure Centre Trail (Seven Peaks) and the other is for the rest of the Wild Boar Trails.

Join us for a group ride of the Hawequas Scouts Trail on Saturday 8 September 2018, departing from the Wild Boar Trail centre at Val du Charron/Piza e Vino, Wellington at 9h00. Distance 30km with 1 000m ascent, and about 3 hours of riding. Normal trail fees apply.

I think it will be best to drive to the Hawequas Scouts Adventure Centre and start/finish there. There will be Snapscan boards for the Scout's own bank account. The Scouts Loop needs to be ridden with the help of a GPS - the GPX file can be downloaded on our website - www.wildboartrails.co.za - just click on the GPX link. Or here is the direct link for the download.

The FB page is www.facebook.com/WildBoarTrails.

Looks like perfect riding weather this coming weekend. The Wild Boar Trail centre will be open from 8h00. Come check out the top merchandise in stock!

Some brave men and women turned up at the wet and cold 2018 Olympic Dirty Double - the 'agterstevoor' duathlon on the beautiful Wild Boar Trails outside Wellington. The cold front hadn't hit in full force yet, but was still a proper challenge to be out and about. The new Long Course was won by Pietie Oosthuizen (2:44:35) and Hanlie Booyens (3:19:39), with the first teams on the Long Course giving each other a good run for their money: Hierviribier (Bruwer-Lentz) won the men's team category, while the women's was taken by Double Trouble (De Klerk-Scrooby) and the mixed by the Speedbumps (Briers-Louw-Roux). The traditional Short Course winners were David Sher (1:20:26) and Marguerite van Niekerk (1:31:59), Starsouth (Basson-Joubert), Two Cousins (Orchard-Venter) and the Wilkins team of father (Deon) and daughter (Elzahn). Thanks to all our sponsors, supporters and old faithfuls: Olympic Shoes (Olympic International), Breedenet, Grand Dedale Country House and Doolhof Wine Estate. Hpoing for an even bigger and better event next year!

Please note that the Olympic Dirty Double has been moved to Saturday 25 August 2018!