[Event] MTN National XCM #4 Clarens Driven By NISSAN

[Tim_Fair]

Event Name: MTN National XCM #4 Clarens Driven By NISSAN
When: 5 May 2012 - 6 May 2012
Where: Town Square, Clarens, Freestate
Category: MTB

Date: 05/06 May 2012

Venue: Town Square, Clarens, FS 28°30"8.35'S 28°25"12.62'E

Terrain: Rocky | Dry | Arid | Savanna

Elevation: 2600m | Ascent: 2500m

Participants: 1500+

Features: Slick Rock | Golden Gate National Park

Registration: Fri 04/05 14:00-21:00 & Sat 05/05 05h30 - 15h00

Enter Online: http://www.advendurance.com/nationalmtbseries/clarens

 

Saturday:

 

05h30-15h00: Registration & Line Entries

05/05 06h15: Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover

05/05 06h45: Start MTN ULTRA UCI PRO/Elite 113km Race

05/05 07h00: Start MTN ULTRA Amateur Men + Ladies Marathon

05/05 07h30: Start MTN Marathon 78km "A". Batches at +5min intervals

05/05 11h00: Winner of Marathon 78km Expected

05/05 11h45: Winner of UCI PRO/Elite Men expected

05/05 13h00: Prize Giving

 

Sunday:

 

05h30-07h15: Registration & Line Entries

06/05 07h15: Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover

06/05 07h30: Start Half-Marathon 48km "A". Batches at +5min intervals

06/05 08h20: Start Fun Race 20km

06/05 09h20: Winner Fun Race

0605 09h45: Winner Half-Marathon

06/05 12h00: Prize Giving

 

Please note all entries 20 days before online entries close are considered 'Ëarly-Bird' and are discounted.

Clarens is a beautiful part of the world and is also nice and central for many up-country riders. Being just 3hrs away from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Pietermaritzburg no reason to miss this beautifull event, so make sure you are there for this inaugral event. Situated in the Eastern Free State, Clarens is such a scenic and wonderful place that it is a big source of inspiration for many artists.

 

For the last two years the event caused quite a stirr, as it was said that the route is on world standards. And completely blew everyone away! The route is probably the most visually appealing and varied but challenging one that we have ever put together. It follows sand road, jeep track, huge rock-trails and single track over some of the most incredible rock landscapes in this country. This is all virgin land for mountain bikers as most of it is private land, so don't miss this opportunity. Home to various types of wildlife so you are guaranteed to see some around.

 

Bring the family and make a weekend of this event in the picturesque town of Clarens, featuring art galleries, gift shops and some of the best food in the country!

 

General Information

 

Clarens is a circular loop race; it will start in the Clarens Town Square, Clarens, Free State and finish at the same venue. This spectacular route crosses the Maluti Mountains on the edge of the Lesthoto border, which is the highest mountain range in South Africa. The race has been in existence for 4 years and has grown tremendously the riding is absolutely unique and spectacular.

 

“Ultra Marathon” – 113km

 

Exploring many of the foothills surrounding Clarens, the route windes closer along the highland kingdom, Lesotho, discovering great trails and picturesque scenery! Clarens is a beautiful part of the world and is also nice and central for many up-country riders. Being just 3hrs away from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Pietermaritzburg no reason to miss this beautiful event, so make sure you are there for this inaugural event. Situated in the Eastern Free State, Clarens is such a scenic and wonderful place that it is a big source of inspiration for many artists. This great route has been improved this year, and you'll find yourself in what must be the most scenic and wonderful part of South Africa!

 

The trails are mostly natural with some amazing diverse and incredible off-road riding literally chiselled out of the landscape!

 

Prize Money:

 

Prize money & Points will be calculated for the Elite Men in this distance only.

Elite ladies will earn points & prize money in the usual 75km marathon distance only.

All other categories will only be eligible for points and prize money in the usual distance.

 

Teams / Riders / Public Parking Location:

 

Teams have access to the Event Venue, and setup in the teams designated area next to the finish area. Riders will park just adjacent to the race venue next to the town square, and the public at the designated public parking zones, outside the riders parking zone, just off the town square in the adjacent streets..

 

Nearest Hospital and Medical Information:

 

A wide range of professional medical services are available, including:

1Ambulance - ER24 - Private Emergency Numbers 084 124

Medical Clinic Emergency Numbers (058) 256 1476

Dr PJ Janse van Rensburg Emergency Numbers (058) 256 1843

Fire Department Emergency Numbers (058) 303 5161

Meander Surgery - Dr Pauline Sheehan Emergency Numbers (058) 256 1036

Police Emergency Emergency Numbers (058) 256 6000 or 10177

 

Approximate riding times:

 

113km: 5h00min – 8 hours

78km: 3 – 6 hours

48km: 2 – 4 hours

Cut-off Waterpoint 6 – 84km 11:00am

113km has a cut-off at the finish of 8hours.

 

Registration & Entries:

 

Closing date for online entries 01/05/2012 Midnight

Registration will take place at the Protea Hotel, cnr Main str and V.D Merwe str, Clarens.

 

Pasta Evening:

 

Pasta evening will take place on Friday 04th May at the Protea Hotel.

Vegitarian Pasta - R25 per person.

Meat Pasta - R35 per person.

 

Shuttle / Transport:

 

There are no official shuttle services on offer, public transport is available from JHB International airport, and this is the quickest way of getting to the venue. Clarens is situated about 3hours drive from Johannesburg International.

 

Accommodation:

 

Accommodation information on all available accommodation can be obtained from Tourist Information Web Site or from Clarens Tourism, Booking Officer , Tel: (058) 256 1542 or book online on Web site: www.clarens.co.za.

 

Important Pointers

 

As this event is held in the summer, the cyclist may experience hot or rainy to cool weather and should be prepared to cope with these conditions.

The (113km) Ultra Marathon will have a total of 7 water points along the route.

First Aid Services will be provided to the cyclists on the routes and at the finish.

The organisers may, at their discretion, shorten, lengthen or change the course if the weather, or safety of the cyclist, deem this necessary.

A Pasta evening is included for all participants, additional tickets are available at a extra fee for all non-participants.

Bike wash facilities will be available at the finish area

 

Start Venue: Clarens Town Square, Clarens, Free State - GPS coordinates: S33 39.753 E22 13.908

 

Directions:

 

http://maps.google.co.za/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Johannesburg+International+Airport,+Kempton+Park&daddr=Main+St&geocode=FWZEcf4dgsiuASnrhzsUnRaVHjGgsWdKZq0CDw%3BFRjoTP4dhq2xAQ&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=-28.51433,28.419142&sspn=0.012746,0.026157&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16

 

Directions from Johannesburg:

 

Take the N3 from Johannesburg to Durban.

As you cross the Vaal River at Villiers, before the Toll Gate, turn off the N3 and follow the R26 to Frankfort.

Continue with the R26 until you get to a T-Junction.

Turn to your right towards Frankfort. Continue past the Villiers/ Vereeniging turn-off, cross the Vaal River.

Soon after the Engen One Stop, turn off at the Villiers/Frankfort off ramp (±47 km from the first toll gate).

Turn right at the top of the off-ramp and cross over the highway towards Frankfort (R26)

30 km from turn-off turn right at the T-Junction (R26)

7 km from T-Junction turn left at Reitz/Bethlehem direction sign (still R26).

58 km from turn, you by-pass Reitz en route to Bethlehem.

53 km from Reitz, you reach Bethlehem. Continue straight through Bethlehem

7 km from Bethlehem, turn onto the R711/2 to Golden Gate & Clarens.

You are about 25 km’s from Clarens.

You will pass through the Noupoort or “Nek” of Clarens.

Continue down the hill until you see the road leading into the village at the bottom of the hill.

Turn right into the village of Clarens.

Go to Event Page

[Tim_Fair]

Ultra Marathon

 

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/380517_10150485025387584_82494432583_8722014_1374424978_n.jpg

 

Marathon

 

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399403_10150485023977584_82494432583_8722001_781004946_n.jpg

 

Half Marathon

 

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390850_10150485020767584_82494432583_8721985_364989064_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

Video: A quick look into what the MTN National XCM Series is all about!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFWQYg71WJc

Edited March 1, 2012 by Tim_Fair

[Tim_Fair]

A look back at last years action...http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150093063002584.269299.82494432583&type=3

Edited March 1, 2012 by Tim_Fair

[Tim_Fair]

Scouting a new route to cut out the technical rocky stair section near the end.

 

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/64834_10150598704835969_625210968_9607801_761087208_n.jpg

Edited March 6, 2012 by Tim_Fair

[Tim_Fair]

Accommodation:

 

Clarens Destinations

Tel: 0582561542 / 1622

clarens@bhm.dorea.co.za

[Tim_Fair]

Also check out Afriski High Altitude Training http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003462801627

[Tim_Fair]

Online entries: http://advendurance.com/nationalmtbseries/clarens

 

Early Bird entries close 15th April.

[Just Keep Pedaling]

For those who have not been there Clarens/Golden Gate is a spectacular area.

 

Any idea how much climbing there is on the 48km?

[Tim_Fair]

WOF (Working on Fire) team hard at work build an awesome new single track in the last 10km of the race.

 

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292662_10150616546772584_82494432583_9125581_616995636_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

View from new single track in Clarens Nature Conservancy.

 

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292662_10150616546782584_82494432583_9125582_564620535_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

Awesome "CAVE" section that riders will be treated to.

 

 

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292662_10150616546787584_82494432583_9125583_1607242750_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

Even the cows love our trails.

 

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292662_10150616546792584_82494432583_9125584_956976795_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

"BIG PICTURE" - One of the breathtaking single track descents.

 

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292662_10150616546802584_82494432583_9125585_1523173916_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

Test riding some of the virgin trails.

 

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/398211_10150616550627584_82494432583_9125588_735785801_n.jpg

[Tim_Fair]

A huge thanks to the WOF team for their hard work.

 

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/398211_10150616550637584_82494432583_9125589_228191826_n.jpg