Exciting route overhaul for Pennypinchers Silverstar MTB Challenge Wonderful cooperation with land owners and lots of trail building over the past few months has resulted in a brand new route for the Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge, which takes place next Saturday on 7 September. Entries for the event close on Sunday. To enter go to www.asgevents.co.za or click here The 40km ride, for the first time in the history of the event, remains entirely at the bottom of the Krugersdorp mountain range. This means riders won’t have to climb the famous Hillsnacks ascent at the start of the event and the entire 18km section on the top of the mountain isn’t in the mix anymore. This will make the route infinitely more ride-able and a lot less daunting. Some of the sections on top of the mountain were very technical and demanding in the past and certainly only aimed at the top echelon of mountain-biker with a range of skills. The new route is a lot less demanding (it has 600 metres of vertical ascent compared to the 850 metres on the old route), and has a nice splash of technical sections in the mix. It has a wonderful variety of single track, jeep track and gravel roads with strong climbing challenges and wonderful downhill rewards. The old route had served the event well for the past six years, but the organisers felt is was time for a change and have been working relentlessly over the past two months, negotiating with land owners and creating new riding terrain and trails at the bottom of the mountain. The result is really satisfactory and the organisation believes that the riding experience in the event has been substantially heightened. A large part of the route building for this year’s event is the result of a colaboration with King’s Kloof Mountain Bike park on which 15km of new trails have been created specifically for the Silverstar Challenge. The bulk of the new trails are on the flat and easier side of King’s Kloof, on the northern side of Hendrik Potgieter opposite the Laurentia Farm Stall. The event starts off on the tarred road descent down to the Pinehaven crossing and then immediately ducks left into the bush on a picturesque piece of land that has been earmarked for a revolutionary “Green” development. Look out for the concept “Green House” that’s been built on this section. The ride makes its way on some jeep track and gravel roads towards the Laurentia Flower Farm and King’s Kloof. The famous Laurentia Flower Farm presents the second waterpoint among some real floral splendour. The first bit on King’s Kloof is the toughest before riders go to the other side via a culvert. Here it’s 10km of fast riding among the orchards and their vast nursery. Exiting the farm, you'll ride through yet a nursery and enter into the Honingklip plots via a 1km single track servitude past the spaza shop. Then it’s onto a few hundred metres of provincial road, which includes a 500 metre climb, before riders hit single track and jeep track on the escarpment which takes them all the way back to Silverstar. A quick duck underneath the R28 via another culvert brings you out right at Silverstar. The route really has the perfect mix and is ride-able throughout. It has a lot of variation and strong uphill challenges with vast downhill rewards. It will be a much faster ride than in previous editions. The 20km ride follows the same route out and back as the 40km but riders do a smaller loop inside King’s Kloof. The Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge, presented by ASG, is in its sixth staging and it’s great to welcome new title sponsors Pennypinchers on board. It’s courtesy of their sponsorship that the organisation has been able to free up budget to invest in the new route. The ride has become known as a tough, true test of mountain biking skill. This year it boasts a route filled with varied challenges, but it has been designed to be ride-able throughout and not too demanding technically. The Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain-bike Challenge undoubtedly showcases some of the most beautiful spots and awesome riding terrain in Gauteng. Although nestled in urban surrounds, the route is one of the most picturesque you’ll find anywhere in South Africa. Although you’re close to the city, you can truly feel part of nature and be spoiled with unsurpassed views and great riding. With Silverstar Casino as host venue, it all adds up to a hassle free, enjoyable experience. Other partners in the event include Global ASP (connectivity) and HIGH 5 nutrition. IMPORTANT NOTES: ON-LINE ENTRIES CLOSE ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE RACE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CORRECT SEEDING THROUGH THE SASEEDING SYSTEM. RIDERS CAN ENTER LATE AT THE REGISTRATION VENUES AT A PENALTY FEE OF R50 BUT THEY WON’T BE SEEDED. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE MORNING OF THE EVENT. RIDERS ON THE SASEEDING SYSTEM CAN RIDE WITH THEIR PERMANENT BOARDS, BUT STILL NEED TO REGISTER AT REGISTRATION VENUES AND COLLECT RACE PACKS. RIDERS WHO DON’T HAVE PERMANENT NUMBER BOARDS CAN PURCHASE A BOARD AT R35, OR THEY CAN RIDE WITH A TEMPORARY BOARD WHICH WILL BE ISSUED AT NO EXTRA COST. Entry fees: 40km: R160 20km: R120 The total ascent on the 40km event is 600 metres. Registration: Thursday 5 September: Cycle Lab Fourways: 10:00-16:00 Friday 6 September: Cycle Lab Little Falls: 10:00-16:00 For further information phone 076 621 1807 or email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za