EcoBound MTB Events

Event Name: Ride The Rail When: 28 May 2017 Where: Johannesburg station, Gauteng Category: MTB Imagine olde-worlde travel – like scenes from an Agatha Christy novel – meeting full-on fat tyre funk. Your journey will be all about a cross-country voyage, combining craft beer, camaraderie, comfort and good food for the ultimate in good times. We especially selected the Premier Classe Train (with that extra ‘e’) for this amazing journey of discovery. It’s a little bit like traveling in Business Class, but just with way more leg-room, plus the opportunity to explore a whole bunch of mountain biking routes along the way. Your ‘Ecobound Bike Train’ will depart on the #RideTheRail Adventure from Johannesburg Station on May 28th, 2017 as you set off across the South African interior. Seven days later – on June 3nd, 2017, you will finally steam into your destination - Cape Town Station – with a massive smile on your face. There will be suffering: flutes of champagne when you arrive at the Premier Classe Lounge; friendly staff assisting you with bikes and luggage; gourmet cuisine in the Dining Saloon; chilling with your mates in the Bar or Lounge Car while the endless Karoo plains flash past your windows ... not to mention an MTB experience par excellence!

 Go to Event Page

Our aim was to create a Mountain Bike Event which takes place over the whole of South Africa over a period of one year. This is the idea. We were then faced with the ‘how do you control this?’ questions. Various options were looked at and the App development was the perfect solution. For any MTB event people pay an entry fee, some up to R50 000. The App was developed, not as a stand-alone, general use App, but rather an event specific App to control the event and nothing more. The purchase price of the App must therefore be seen as the entry fee into the event and not as the purchase of an App. We are therefore not promoting the sale of the App, but rather enter the Big MTB Year event for a mere R199.00. To do this we must change people’s mind sets from ‘Free App’ to ‘Enter an event’. The price comparison must not be towards other Apps, but rather towards the entry fee of other events. You’re entering a unique event in an unusual way, that’s all...

What are you getting for your R200? An entry to the event, which runs for 12 months (or R17 per month if you like). The Big MTB Year app which is a convenient, pre-researched guide to 55 of SA’s best managed, marked trails. These will vary from year to year and will increase as the event grows. The app is also your personal access ‘accreditation’ to the Big MTB Year event where you earn points, get ranked and become eligible to win prizes. Prize-giving will be done monthly and include both regional and national rewards for quantity and consistency. A high priority will be given to lucky draw prizes, making it possible for any Big MTB Year entrant to win something cool Prizes are being sourced in conjunction with TREAD magazine and will only be prizes that mountain bikers covet. Prizes for Month 1 will be announced/listed by 21 December 2013. The Big MTB Year is unique. We expect there to be skepticism and criticism. We understand that it may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. We will do our best to answer all questions as they arise. Like any commercial event, the Big MTB Year is a business. We spent a year on the concept and the app development was costly. We appreciate the trust placed in us by those that have downloaded the app. With long-running, established mountain bike events such as Transbaviaans and To Hell and Back and an authoritative, respected media brand like TREAD, we have a proven track record that we are proud of. We will ensure that your first Big MTB Year is memorable and rewarding. We are excited to be delivering a world-first to a mountain bike public that is so passionate and enthusiastic. We are also proud to be able to help raise the standard and variety of mountain bike trails in South Africa. Which Big MTB Year trail are you riding today?

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This is the BIGGEST MTB event in SA. Covering the most distance. Seeing the most diverse surroundings this country has to offer. A race where the fastest guy doesn’t win. A race that takes place…….anywhere, anytime, with anyone! The BIG MTB YEAR.... The Big Year is an informal MTB event in the sense that there is no start or finish line with grand displays of banners and flags. You decided when you would like to start, what time and how fast or slow, you want to go. You've got 365 days to see how many of the 56 selected trails in the 9 provinces of our country you can ride. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Big-MTB-Year-South-Africa/599963690042474

Plenty of hubbering taking place with plenty of speculation on which route the ASG Trans Baviaans will follow this year. Well, after visiting the Baviaanskloof this past weekend we can now officially declare the following: The route through the Baviaanskloof is perfect. Deepest river crossing is just below knee high and if the Willowmore/Joubertina area does not receive 80mm or more rainfall in a single incident (24 hour period) then the river levels will not be affected. See a video update of the road conditions on youtube or on our facebook page. In summary, the 2012 ASG Trans Baviaans will follow the original route through the Baviaanskloof. The finish venue in Jeffreys Bay has moved to the Jeffreys Bay Primary school sports grounds as Kabeljouws Holiday Resort has closed down. See you there!!

There is plenty of hype around the conditions in the Baviaanskloof and about the route that will be used this year. Reports from the Baviaanskloof is that access roads are closed. At the moment water levels are too high for vehicular access. Levels are subsiding at a rate of a foot per day. Repair work will start next week. It is too early to make any decision regarding which route will be used. We liaise with Eeastern Cape Parks regularly. The situation will be monitored and a decision will be made closer to the time. For now we are still on the original route. Keep on training !!

Event Name: To HELL & BACK MTB 2 Day Stage Race When: 17 November 2012 - 18 November 2012 Where: Oudtshoorn, Western Cape Category: MTB The original multi-stage MTB event in SA!! Limited entries are available. The route includes the longest mountain pass in SA. Entry includes a tour of the historic Gamkaskloof Valley (The Hell). Total distance is 120km over two days and 3700m accumulated climbs. Go to Event Page

Entries for the 2012 To Hell & Back MTB 2 day stage race is open!! Limited entries are available. Enter online at www.tohellandback.co.za

Yes, send us an e-mail and we will reserve one for you.

Event Name: Klein Karoo Klassiek 3 Day Stage Race When: 15 June 2012 - 17 June 2012 Where: Calitzdorp Spa, Western Cape Category: MTB The most affordable MTB 3 day stage race in the country. Distances over the 3 days are 93km on day one, 95km on day 2 and a 45km time trial on day 3. Shorter distances (45 & 15km) are also available on Saturday (day 2) for the rest of the family. Enjoy the weekend at the Calitzdorp Spa with plenty of mountain biking. Online entries are now open!! Go to Event Page

Point noted. You will definitely notice the difference this year.

Sorry, its done. More photo's are available from the official event photographers.

Welcome to ASG as the title sponsor for the Trans Baviaans 24hr MTB Marathon this year. With limited entries and more great prizes on offer, time is running out for those who still want to enter. Check out the website for more information www.transbaviaans.co.za

Fees and increases is always a problem. Looking at the Baviaans entry fees you also need to keep in mind that for the last two years (since 2010) no increases (0%) were made to the entry fees for the event. In the meantime everything else increased, some more drastic than others, and we had no option but to increase the fees for 2012. We will however in future consider an annual, lower %, increase to avoid a sudden increase of +-14% with every two year interval. As far as the credit card payments is concerned, the online banking provider charge us with a 9% surcharge on every credit card transaction made throug hthis system. The main reason is for the provision of a secure online system which will safeguard the credit card user. We carry 3% of this charge and the entrant the other 6%. If this option is a problem then there is still the EFT option which does not have any additional charges.

The online entries for the 2012 ASG Trans Baviaans 24hr MTB Marathon are now open!! Entries are available on the website www.transbaviaans.co.za. Remember, entries are limited to 400 teams only and due to the popularity of the event, for the last 2 years in a row, limits have been reached way before the closing date !! Don't think about it, you maybe too late.

We are considering this - keep watching the website. We expect hillbilly to be the first solo entry !!

Trans Draak 24hr MTB Quest entries for 2012 are now open!! Visit www.transdrakensberg.co.za to enter.

The climbing is not quite double that of the TB, but it is about 300m more than the Langs Baviaans of 2011 (Groot Rivier Route)

It is the end of the rainy season, or so we hope!

Yes, due to it taking place at the wrong time of the year with too many other event clashes during this time. Therefore we have changed the date to 3 March 2012 and hope that the weather will not be a problem. As mentioned on the website, this is definitely not an event for beginners. It is tough, but provide something of everything - district roads, jeep track, single track, and awesome downhills.

With the Freedom Challenge you know what you enter for and come prepared for any encounter and know that support is minimal. Many Freedom riders also prefer to ride together in a group. With the Trans Draak support is provided, the pace is quicker and in most cases the route is more treacherous. In addition to this must one not forget the dangers that fatique can manifest (lack of concentration, disorientation, etc) after about 16 hours in the saddle at night time. Safety is therefore the main reason for this being a team event.

Event Name: Trans Draak 24hr MTB Quest When: 3 March 2012 Where: Harrismith/Bergville, Freestate Category: MTB It is a 24 hour mountain bike event. Teams of 2 - 4 members can enter with a support vehicle who can assist them at the checkpoints along the route. This is an ultra event and not recommended for beginners. The inaugural Trans Draak 24hr MTB Quest took place on 22 October 2011. According to myth the Dragon cycle of life follows the path of the five elements, fierce as Fire, grounded like the Earth, calm and contemplative as a still Pool, mysterious as the Darkness, and their very presence as ethereal as a gentle Breeze. Participants in the Trans Draak will only conquer the Dragon through believe in their trusty Steed, a Magiclight to fend of the darkness, proper Armour to safeguard you from the Dragons attacks, Fitness and stamina to overcome all five elements, and of course a strong Will and Spirit with a touch of Humour to survive and conquer the mighty Dragon. Participants in the 2011 event experienced the Dragon's presence and fierceness with a strong headwind and a number of veld fires in the area. Some prevailed, but others failed....... It has never been easy to slay a Dragon......... The Trans Draak 24hr MTB Quest will take you over a route of 210km and a total ascent of 3600m in the Bergville area in KZN and OFS. The support and Checkpoints on-route are superb, nice things to eat, friendly people, and where else can you get a massage at 12:00 at night (with a smile) at a luxury lodge? The event starts at the quint little town of Swinburne (just of the N3 25km from Harrismith) and finish at the Drakensville ATKV Holiday Resort at Bergville. We invite all you brave hearts to ENTER THE DRAGON!! Go to Event Page

Results are available on the website at www.tohellandback.co.za