And that place is nestled on the banks of the Tugela, just shy of Winterton and is called Emseni camp. The Berg and Bush is easily one of the best MTB events on the calendar, with just the right mix of hard and easy, technical and simple, up and down (debatable on the up part...). This complemented by a race village focussed entirely on making the experience effortless off the bike and you have MTB heaven on your hands. The first day presented a number of highlights. First there is the lovely ride throught the Spioenkop reserver where Rhino was on for our viewing pleasure. Then, a speedboat ride across the dam facilitated by the really friendly farmers of the area. Then the highlight of the day, the climb up Spioenkop which averages out at a gradient of about 18% and peaks at just over 20%!! The reward? A fantastic waterpoint right on the peak, between the markers and memorials of the Battle of Spioenkop! (Not to mention the massage therapists dressed as French nurses...). And then, miles and miles of some of the best singletrack you could wish for back to the river and eventually the camp. One would think that a day like that would be hard to follow, but apparently not around here. Day 2 was a singletrack tour de force with trail built for one reason only, and that is to flow like water. Wow! One berm leading to another in a seemingly neverending series of delights! Oh, and there is also the zipline across the river for those who care to wait for it. In all, the last time I had this much fun was on the Sani2C Adventure, and that's saying a lot as that was voted the best race in the country. In my opinion? If they keep this race at the current size, farmer Glen has some serious competition!
