ASG Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 Event Name: Sondela MTB Classic, Presented By ASGWhen: 7 July 2012 - 8 July 2012Where: Sondela Nature Reserve, LimpopoCategory: MTBAfter five years of meticulous track building, Sondela operations manager Melgard Meyer has created an absolutely stunning mountain bike course at the well-known nature reserve north of Pretoria, culminating in the advent of the first Sondela Mountain Bike Classic, which will be presented by ASG on 7 and 8 July this year. Situated only 45 minutes north of Pretoria on the N1 Highway, Sondela Nature Reserve has been a popular bushveld getaway for many years - running on an high occupancy rate - and it's now been made available for a mass participation mountain bike event which is set to become a major stop-over on the local cycling calendar. In the main event on Sunday, 8 July, two distances are on offer - 40km and 80km. It's a 40km track of which more than 80 per cent takes place on smooth, fast single track. It's exhilarating with the total ascent on the 40km course only 190 metres! Riders who would like to do 80km must complete the course twice. To enter, visit www.asgevents.co.za At times it feels as if one gets tunnel vision on the almost endless flowing single track sections on which you can wiz along at more than 30km/h. It really is an experience to behold and the perfect winter ride to keep the legs going. Sondela boasts stunning facilities as well as ample parking right next to the start/finish area. The event will start and finish inside the Sondela caravan park and riders will be able to use all the neat ablution facilities when they attend the event. Numerous vendors will sell all sorts of eats and drinks and a beer garden will provide the necessary post-race hydration for riders after their trip amongst the wonderful bushveld surroundings. Riders will spot various game species, including Warthog, Impala, Zebra,Wildebeest, Nyala and Eland and they'll be hydrated by vibrant staff at the three sponsored waterpoints on the route. The Classic on Sunday will start at 9:00, which will not only give the day time to warm up before riders set off, but it also affords riders the opportunity to drive to the venue on the N1 highway from Johannesburg or Pretoria on the morning of the event. Sondela have reserved the entire lush caravan park for mountain bikers who would like to sleep over for the weekend. To book your spot please see reservation details below. Because of the high occupancy rate at Sondela, chalet accommodation is open to the general public over the race weekend, which means mountain bikers who would like to book in these luxury self-catering units have to get cracking as soon as possible. Melgard, a self-confessed mountain-bike addict, set out to create a riding culture at Sondela five years ago. In the process he has cut more than 80km of mountain bike tracks on the splendid 4700 hectare farm. He is an absolute perfectionist and it shows in the trails, which have been handcrafted to offer the best possible - meaning quick and flowing - experience on a mountain bike. While the Sunday's events are reserved for those geared to a more racing attitude to their bikes, Saturday, 7 July offers an array of mountain biking activities for the family and the not-so-serious wheel wobblers. Saturday will feature a kiddie's race for 3-6 year olds on a specially built "trail" with ramps and cool berms while 7-11 year-olds can try their hand at the 5km circular smooth single track MTB course. There will also be afun night adventure ride for kids. The kids will be accompanied by skilled riders who will be spread on the course. There are a few interesting prizes up for grabs in the kids event. Typically a youngster, who crosses the finish line in tears, will receive the award for the toughest rider on the day. And a special surprise awaits the child who finishes last and the youngest competitor. A 20km family ride also features on Saturday, which affords Sunday's serious racers to do a twirl with their loved ones among the beautiful Sondela surroundings. Of course it's all accompanied by great entertainment and famous Sondela hospitality. The resort boasts a heated pool and many scheduled activities for kids, which include "kleilat"-throwing, quad bike rides, tug of war and excursions to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and farmyard. Kids who get up early enough can even help milk the cows! Proceeds from the Sondela Classic will go to the Sondela Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Medals to all finishers and big lucky draw prizes are on offer at the prize giving, sponsored by RCI, Sondela and ASG. The resort has won numerous awards for excellence and there is little doubt that their newest venture, in partnership with ASG Events, will reflect this same culture of excellence. For accommodation bookings at Sondela on 014 736 8900 or email info@sondela.com. Further info on Sondela and directions www.sondela.com Sondela MTB Classic -Quick Facts: Date:7-8 July 2012 Time: 09:00Distances:80km, 40km 20km, kiddie's rides (500 metres for 3-6 year-olds and 5km for 7-11year-olds, night ride)Entry fees:80km: R20040km: R14020km: R100Kiddie's rides: R30 Programme: Registration: Sondela: Friday 6 July 14:00 - 18:00Sondela: Saturday 7 July 07:00 - 12:00Sondela: Sunday 8 July: 07:00 - 09:00 Saturday 7 July: 09:00- 20km start11:00- kiddies 3-6 year-olds12:00- kiddies 7-11 year-olds18:00- Kiddies night ride Sunday 8 July: 09:00- 80km start09:15- 40km start14:00- Prize Giving Categories: 3-6 yrs: scooter hooters7-11 yrs: jack & jills12-15 yrs: teenie bopbers16-19 yrs: jong & jeukerig20-29 yrs: plenty twenties30-39 yrs: dirty thirties40-49 yrs: naughty fourties50: old farts & tarts For further info on Sondela and directions go to www.sondela.com For race enquiries email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807Go to Event Page
divernick Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 Only 190m of climbing over 40km? Sounds FAST! Not very single-speed friendly...... BeniG 1
BeniG Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 <h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}"> </h6><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><strong>For all the people who are joining us for the Sondela Classic make sure you riding tubeless, and you going to ride where u need your tyre pressure @1.6 -1.8 and make sure you know your gears!!!!!!!!!!! & don’t forget the slim — thanks <a href="http://www.facebook.com/melgardm">Melgard Meyer</a> for the Tip</strong></span></span></p>
BeniG Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 <p>sorry this post went totally wrong; lets try again:</p><p> </p><p>For all the people who are joining us for the Sondela Classis make sure you riding tubeless, and you going to ride where u need your tyre pressure at 1.6-1.8 and make sure you know your gears !!!!!! and dont forget the slim .... thanks to Melgard Meyer for the tip</p>
Nettie R Posted June 9, 2012 Posted June 9, 2012 (edited) Main race on sunday? Last year we went riding on Sunday to see game after Saturday's race. When we got back to the chalet at 12h00, we got the angry look from cleaners who wanted us checked out by 10h00 already, even though we asked for a late checkout the day before.Somehow I don't see myself being back at the finish line before lunch. Edited June 9, 2012 by Fester
ASG Posted July 2, 2012 Author Posted July 2, 2012 Hey guys, Remember to enter for this Saturday's Sondela MTB Classic! It's going to be lots of fun! http://www.asgevents.co.za/pages/events/raceSignUp.php?id=61 See you there! :clap:
sr2106 Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Hey guys, Remember to enter for this Saturday's Sondela MTB Classic! It's going to be lots of fun! http://www.asgevents...ignUp.php?id=61 See you there! :clap: Booked - can you give us gps co-ords to Sondela ?
Herman mtb'er Posted July 3, 2012 Posted July 3, 2012 Any idea where to look for 2011 results? Always give me a good indication of what to expect from a race by looking at previous results?
ASG Posted July 3, 2012 Author Posted July 3, 2012 Booked - can you give us gps co-ords to Sondela ? Hi sorry for the late reply, GPS coordinates:S24 55.508E28 23.282 Regards ag
428 others Posted July 3, 2012 Posted July 3, 2012 Hi sorry for the late reply, GPS coordinates:S24 55.508E28 23.282 Regards ag Hi AG, what number boards are used? SAS?
ASG Posted July 3, 2012 Author Posted July 3, 2012 Any idea where to look for 2011 results? Always give me a good indication of what to expect from a race by looking at previous results? Hi Herman This is the 1st Sondela MTB Classic, the event was held as a fun ride in the past so no formal records of timing etc. Regards ag Herman mtb'er 1
ASG Posted July 3, 2012 Author Posted July 3, 2012 Hi AG, what number boards are used? SAS? Hi Scottondale and Herman It's not a SAS event but each rider will be presented with a number board, timing will be managed by Spectrum Sport but if there are too many riders then we will manage the seeding Regards ag
Herman mtb'er Posted July 3, 2012 Posted July 3, 2012 Thanks. Well, great to be part of it then! Will be doing the 80km and are looking forward to it! Hi Herman This is the 1st Sondela MTB Classic, the event was held as a fun ride in the past so no formal records of timing etc. Regards ag
ASG Posted July 3, 2012 Author Posted July 3, 2012 Thanks. Well, great to be part of it then! Will be doing the 80km and are looking forward to it! Awesome, see you there!
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