Griffin

Awesome having Bikelife out on the Howick Trails recently. Have a look at the video and hope to see you out on the trails soon https://www.facebook.com/howickmtb/ https://www.facebook.com/bikelifesouthafrica/videos/1410016245708307/

Official results for the 2017 Sappi Howick Enduro are available at http://www.elitetiming.co.za/results/

Local MTB star Jedson Tooms used his local knowledge and technical skills to win the Sappi Howick MTB Classic title for a second time while XCO star Bianca Haw raced away to take the women’s marathon title to add to the enduro title she won on Saturday. Racing on a new course between the Curry’s Post Road and the N3 freeway, Tooms (ROAG/Quattro) paced his race well and took advantage of spills around him to take the lead and cross the line at Howick High School unchallenged. Jedson Tooms combined technical skills and local experience to win the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media “There was a big pack together early on,” said Tooms. “I had to play catch-up after dropping a chain twice. “A couple of the other guys crashed in front of me on a slippery uphill section. “The single track here was absolutely amazing!” added the Howick local. “The technical sections really force you to raise your technical skills. “This course was forced on the race organisers but they made it spectacular,” he added. The win was a second in his local major for Tooms after he edged out Travis Walker in a sprint finish a few years ago. Tooms was quick to acknowledge the absence of several local pacesetters like Andrew Hill and another Howick local Stuart Marais, but was thrilled to claim the top step of the podium in his own backyard. RMB Change A Life rider Sthembiso Masango was elated to grab second place, ahead of former Sharks centre Jeremy Thompson. Sthembiso Masango was delighted to claim second place at the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media “Man, they did an amazing job on those trials,” enthused Thompson, whose fun on the trails was interrupted by a high speed collision with a tree. “There was lots and lots of single track, with some really cool technical sections. That’s the way we love it,” Thompson added. Bianca “Yankee” Haw showed signs of her return to top form, as she ground away from the other women’s race contenders to take the women’s marathon title to go with her win in the enduro the day before. Bianca Haw was peerless in the women's race at the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media “Our race started really fast,” said Haw (Red Bull). “The first climb was hard. I was riding with Tiffany Keep at that stage and she was really strong. “I managed to get away on one of the climbs and then just worked at keeping the gap,” she added. Haw had a few anxious moments as her lead shrank after several crashes in the slippery sections, muddy after overnight rains, and on tricky sections on loose pine needles. “The technical section through the rocks were really great. I need to up my technical skills! Today made me feel quite rusty,” said Haw. Haw is about to leave for a few months XCO racing in the European spring, in Italy, France and Germany. Keep duly wrapped up second place, while another regular to podium at this race Christie Leigh-Hearder secured the last spot on the women’s podium. The Howick MTB Club did an excellent job in organising all the aspects of the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media The 20km race was won by Bradley Scott from Anthony Horter. Howick MTB club trail builder Sbu Vilikazi duly completed his first MTB race, finishing an impressive 12th overall, on the bike donated and built for him by local riders, and conceded that he needed to do more training. “It was good fun but I need to train more. Basically my training was done on one day – on Friday!” said the enthusiastic local hero. On Saturday the Sappi Howick Classic Enduro drew rave reviews as the big field took on the new and largely unknown course on the left hand side of the Curry’s Post Road that consisted of four timed stages and a fifth untimed descent. Downhill pacesetter Tiaan Odendaal took the men’s title from Keira Duncan and Sam Bull, thriving on the fast technical timed sections. “I had an absolute blast today,” said Odendaal. “I am very happy to take the win. I really enjoyed the fast flowing trails and felt really good on them. “It was an excellent event, and I am already excited for the next one,” he added. The men's podium at the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic Enduro on Saturday 4 March, from left Keira Duncan, Tiaan Odendaal and Sam Bull. Gavin Ryan/ QuickPics The women's podium at the 2017 Sappi Howick MTB Classic Enduro on Saturday 4 March, from left Kathryn Fourie, Bianca Haw and Charné Dreyer. Gavin Ryan/ QuickPics The women’s title race provided a thrilling showdown between Haw and rising star Beanie Thies. The pair was almost inseparable as they pushed each other on the fast technical timed sections, until Thies’ chance of pulling off a major upset win ended with a technical mishap, when her timing chip failed to register on the timing system on one of the timed stages. Runner-up Kathryn Fourie said the event was well supported by riders across all the age categories, all of whom praised the new trails prepared for the event. “The stages were unique, fast paced and all had different types of challenges. The cherry on the top was Stage Five, which was untimed and just done for fun. “It was absolutely insane! It’s a fully European style of trail and is seriously steep and gave people an opportunity to try out proper Enduro style trail, with no racing pressure. “This is the kind of trail that will lift the standard of riding for everyone. The Howick MTB Club have promised to put in more trails of this style, in anticipation of another event later in the year. We can’t wait!” said Fourie. SUMMARY OF RESULTS Sappi Howick Classic 40km 1.Jedson Tooms 2:00:03 2.Sthembiso Masango 2:00:49 3.Jeremy Thompson 2:01:21 4.Dean Wortmann 2:03:58 5.Bongmusa Zikhali 2:04:36 6.Grant Underwood 2:06:16 7.Cian Leveridge 2:08:56 8.Andrew Kenward 2:09:30 9.Bianca Haw 2:10:11 (1st woman) 10.Warren Price 2;10:24 Women 1. Bianca Haw 2:10:11 2.Tiffany Keep 2:13:21 (1st Jnr) 3.Christie-Leigh Header 2:17:20 Sappi Howick Classic 20km 1.Bradley Scott 1:09:50 2.Anthony Horter 1:10:21 3.Craig Pike 1:11:32 4.Omar Wilson 1:13;17 5.Judy Gous 1:16:45 (1st woman) 6.Lungisani Xaba 1:17:18 7.Riley Smith 1;17:31 8.Ian Smith 1:17:47 9.Reuben Price 1:18:14 10.Matthew Strydom 1:18:50 Sappi Howick Classic Enduro Men 1.Tiaan Odendaal 2.Keira Duncan 3.Sam Bull Women 1.Bianca Haw 2.Kathryn Fourie 3.Charné Dreyer More information can be found at www.howickmountainbiking.co.za or www.facebook.com/howickmtb.

“Then the route heads into quite a technical section called ‘Greg's’ where they will be going over quite a lot or rocks.

Reminder that online entries close this afternoon at 12 sharp! http://www.roag.co.z...px?EventID=1918

Reminder that online entries close this afternoon at 12 sharp! http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=1918

Its debatable. The biggest reason we decided to make it voluntary is that cause stage 5 is very steep, brand new and has no B lines. We are not a Provincial or Series event so making it voluntary has no effect on podium. SP 5 will be open post-event so riders who don't ride it are welcome to come give it a bash the following weekend

Start and finish based at the High School.

Not too bad...

2017 Sappi Howick Enduro : Please note that there will be cut off times applicable to each stage on race day. Stage 1 & 2 will close at 10h00. Stage 3 will close at 11h00. Stage 4 will close at 11h30. Stage 5 is voluntary and only suited to experienced Enduro riders and will close at 1230. Timing will only take place on Stages 1 to 4.

Hey G. Sorry about the late reply.. been out clearing and marking. I have a route map but am hesitant to make it publicly available at this stage for 2 main reasons : - Sappi is harvesting in several areas and riding there is dangerous. We have assurance from Sappi that harvesting on race day will be suspended but prior to race day the areas are out of bounds - The route is not yet fully marked If there are any specific queries (eg how technical is the route) please feel free to ask and I will happily advise

Howick MTBers rally around local youngster Howick - Sbu Vilakazi's budding mountain biking career received a massive boost this week when he took delivery of a competitive mountain bike sponsored and assembled by a passionate group of local riders. With the Sappi Howick MTB Classic weekend just around the corner on 4 and 5 March, the Howick local has been working for the Howick MTB Club, but has not been able to get involved in the sport because he does not own a mountain bike. Members of the Howick MTB Club took up his plight and soon the key components of a competitive bike were being sourced, and Rod Boden at the Howick Cycles agreed to assemble the bike for the excited youngster. All smiles, Vilakazi has quickly got to grips with the bike and promises to take on the 20km ride at the Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March to mark the racing debut of his new MTB. "Sbu has been a star, working on the trails for the club," said Gavin Ryan, trail designer for the Howick MTB Club. "He knows the trails better than I do! "Working on the trails is actually much more than just the physical clearing of the vegetation and grooming the track. To do this really well you need to understand how the trail flows and how to cut it best to provide a special riding experience. "I suggested to Sbu that he should start riding, and his eyes lit up," said Ryan. Ryan started by donating a frame, and soon fellow club members were chipping in components, and the local bike shop owner Rod Bowen of Howick Cycles agreed to assemble the bike professionally. "It was great to see his face when he collected the bike," said Ryan. "He couldn't stop saying how beautiful it was. It reminded me of when I got my first bike." he added. "I am really excited about riding my new bike for the first time at the Howick MTB Classic!" said Vilakazi. "I have been doing some training for the race and I am really grateful to everyone that has helped me." Vilakazi was keen to take on the tough 40km ride at the Sappi Howick MTB Classic on Sunday 5 March to mark his racing debut but Ryan has persuaded him to aim at the 20km intermediate ride instead. "I told him not to get ahead of himself, that 40km ride is pretty tough" said Ryan. "He is super excited, and I hope this is the start of a long and happy MTB career for him." The 20km intermediate ride will take the big field of MTB enthusiasts on a new network of trails that Vilakazi has been helping Ryan prepare, between Curries Post and the N3. The Sappi Howick MTB Classic takes place on Sunday 5 March and consists of a 40km Marathon, 20km Half-Marathon, and a 10km Fun Ride, with a five stage Enduro on Saturday 4 March. All entries are through ROAG. More information can be found at www.howickmountainbiking.co.za or www.facebook.com/howickmtb.

Howick MTB Club makes use of https://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-mtb-club--trails/ to provide up to date information on routes, trail closures and trail information. Did you know that the trailforks mobile app also has an emergency function ? If your GPS is activated it will pinpoint your last location and allow you to call emergency services (Cell phone emergency - 112 - For emergencies, you can call 112 from any cell phone in South Africa. It's very easy to get caught up in distress but remember to stay calm and make sure the emergency medical services team knows exactly how to reach you.)

Trailforks online map now shows what areas are closed (red overlay) and out of bounds. This will be updated as harvesting progresses https://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-mtb-club--trails/

One very appreciative and happy cyclist ! Thanks so much Theo187 for the donation.

Trail update : Harvesting is taking place in Middle Road area. Trail closed signage has been put in place. Please obey these closures. Updated closures include Middle Rd from the 6 Beer hill intersection as well as Middle Rd from the Karkloof tar road entrance.

Think you got what it takes ? 40km route profile

Think you got what it takes ? 40km route profile

Lots closed due to harvesting/fires.. but the only thing we have in common with our beloved Government and taxman is that we always have a few tricks up our sleeves 1 brand new trail.. and a few others with twist as subtle as a koeksister

Event Name: Sappi Howick MTB Classic When: 5 March 2017 Where: Howick High School, Kwazulu-Natal Category: MTB 40,20 and 10km routes available. The SAPPI Howick Classic is our highlight of the year. It is the oldest race on the KZN Mountain Bike calendar and one not to be missed. The race offers several different events -40km Classic, 20km Intermediate (Sun) and Enduro! Don't let the 40km distance fool you....this is a very tough event and is often described by participants as one of the more challenging they have ever ridden! Howick Mountain Bike Club boasts some of the most technically challenging and tough singletrack in the Country. This is RAW and UNPLUGGED Mountain Biking at its best! Go to Event Page

Event Name: Sappi Howick Enduro When: 4 March 2017 Where: Howick High School, Kwazulu-Natal Category: Enduro 1 day.5 stages. Endless fun Go to Event Page

If you go down to the woods today .... There are some trails that you going to be seeing/using for the first time ever

Huge shout out to Greendale Spar who will be providing our young 10km race snakes with a goodie bag after their event. https://www.spar.co.za/Home/Store-View/KWIKSPAR-Greendale-KwaZulu-Natal

Bos Sports on board to help keep you going during the 2017 Sappi Howick Enduro & Classic Look out for them at the finish of the Enduro, finish of the Classic and out on the route...

Had a very positive and encouraging meeting with Sappi tonight. The good news is that the Sappi Howick Classic 40km route is pretty sorted and that we will be able to use some of the existing singletrack. We will also be able to keep open/re-open some of the routes for day to day riding. Details will follow shortly