[Event] KIA Val De Vie Mountain Bike Challenge

[ASG]

Event Name: KIA Val De Vie Mountain Bike Challenge
When: 16 September 2012
Where: Val De Vie Wine and Polo Estate, Western Cape
Category: MTB

KIAVal De Vie Mountain Bike Challenge

 

 

Date:Sunday16 September 2012

 

Venue:ValDe Vie Wine and Polo Estate

 

Time:8:00

 

RaceDistances and entry fees: 3km (R50), 30km (R140), 60km (R180)

 

 

Nestledjust off the R301 in the heart of the Paarl- Franschhoek valley , Val De Vie isa unique and very special estate offering visitors and owners the very bestlife has to offer.

 

 

Theestate itself has a host of offerings including ample space, breath takingviews and renowned wines. Residents are spoiled for choice with offerings like:

 

Vineyardsand specialist wine makers

 

Sportsfacilities including cycling , fishing , a gym and the Ryk Neethling swimacademy

 

Worldrenowned Polo fields, facilities and stables

 

Thefeel of the estate from entering is quite remarkable and oozes peace andquality.

 

 

Theteam at Val De Vie have expressed their desire to expand their offerings to thepublic and residents by hosting a mountain bike event that will showcase theestate and surrounds. From the outset Ryk Neethling and his team made it clearthat they want an event that will be one of the best and establish itself as anannual offering.

 

 

Thishas led to the Estate teaming up with ASG Events to host the inaugural KIA Valde Vie Classic on 16 September 2012. It’s one of five mountain bike events thatKIA are sponsoring countrywide. The others include the KIA Krugersdorp GameReserve Challenge, the KIA Walkerville Classic and the KIA KZN Expedition.

 

 

ASGnot only has the necessary experience but also the passion - as shown in their25 other cycling events all over South Africa - to deliver a truly amazingexperience to everyone on 16 September .

 

 

3events on offer:

 

Kiddiesrace: short 3km fun ride through a demarcated area within the estate

 

30kmroute: the 30km route incorporates the best terrain of the estate andsurrounds, showcasing the offerings in true off road style.

 

60kmRoute – This event is for the more experienced , winding along the same routeas the 30km but just veering off at strategic spots to offer riders a morechallenging environment.

 

 

Val De Vie is a quality estate that has sparedno expense to provide the best life has to offer, the goal of having a home ona wine farm with all the luxuries added has most certainly been met. The Polofields, Stables, sporting and other facilities are all built to the higheststandards and make this estate a dream destination.

 

The KIA Val de Vie Classic meets that standardand quality feel, yet it incorporates the adventure, fun, challenge and “dirt”of a mountain bike race.

 

 

Start/ Finish Area

 

Theevent will start at the Equestrian arena next to the main Polo field andClubhouse. This arena is not only spacious but the location is spectacular withthe views and proximity to other facilities

 

Theparking area for the vehicles will be on the hotel side and next to theclubhouse, about 150m away. Competitors and their families will make their waythrough or around the clubhouse across the main polo field through the Timingarch onto the arena - a spectacular walk.

 

 

CLUBHOUSEAND MAIN POLO FIELD

 

Visitorswill to live the Val De Vie experience for a day, making use of the polo themedclubhouse, restaurant and main polo field. This will include a tea gardenoutside and themed entertainment. The registration area is next to the teagarden. From there competitors and their families would walk across the polofield under the arch into the start finish arena.

 

 

Start/ Finish Arena

 

Astart / finish loop will be marked and bunted around the arena with all thecompetitors and facilities in the middle of the arena. Riders will start andfinish on the loop, giving loved ones the chance to spot them coming in.

 

 

Thearena will contain the following:

 

· Tents selling casual food and drinks (burgers , Prego rolls etc –Val de Vie’s Food and Beverage manager has put together a casual menu with atouch of flair)

 

· Picnic baskets – visitors can picnic for the day and enjoy theraces and entertainment – for information on picnic baskets, please email…….

 

· Kids entertainment area (Virgin Active Club V )

 

· Virgin Active Area and entertainment

 

· Bike wash facility and maintenance shop

 

· Medics

 

· Merchandise stands

 

· Sponsors area

 

 

Route

 

Inkeeping with the theme the routes have been selected with a variety ofdifferent terrains.

 

The30km circuit is fairly flat with a couple of mild undulations and greatdescents. The criteria when searching for the routes was to ensure that theestate and some of the key facilities were included, as well as other winefarms in the area and surroundings .

 

 

Ourroute building crew have selected the best possible, yet forgiving ridingterrain and trails to make the race something to remember.

 

 

Theabundance of varied terrains including jeep track, forest sections, horsetrails, farm roads and a bit of single track make for an interesting route.

 

 

It isquite exciting to note that on the 30km & 60km route the competitors willbe going through a number of different areas and historical monuments , theseinclude :

 

· Stable areas

 

· 7 different vineyards

 

· 8 Farms

 

· Sweet potato farming

 

· Citrus plantations

 

· Forrest

 

· Natural spring

 

· Historical monuments dating back to the 1600’s

 

· 6 river /stream crossings

 

· Around 5 dams

 

· Through polo fields and equestrian areas

 

· Within the residential estate of Val De Vie

 

· On a section of the Epic and Cape to Grape route

 

 

Thereare a host of attractions on the route, including breath taking mountains andviews

 

WATERPOINTS

 

TheKIA Val de Vie Challenge will boast four.

 

VirginActive : will do a activation which will include a Club V (kiddies area) , someentertainment and also a water point

 

 

Redwill provide a hilltop activation including product , entertainment staff andthe Red Bull music Rig

 

AquaBella Mineral water will provide product and a water point with the famous“shower heads” from the natural spring , as used on the Epic

 

 

ValDe Vie residence point : this area will be manned by the residence of theestate and is earmarked for the picnic area on the far side of the estate nextto the Berg River

 

 

Theentire route will be clearly marked and marshals will be at all necessarypoints. We will also have assistance from the Traffic department to ensure the2 road crossings are manned and safe.

 

 

Forfurther information on the event, email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone076 621 1807

 

Go to Event Page

[Max Headroom]

R180 !!! #$%^&*()

[duringd]

R 180 is a bit high.....

[SeaBee]

R 180 is a bit high.....

 

Heck yeah, that's not luring me away from my planned last long training ride before K2C...

[CJVDM]

Any idea how much climbing is involved for the 60km ride?

[ASG]

More than 800 riders have already entered for Sunday's KIA Val de Vie MTB Classic, presented by ASG. Late entries will be accepted at the registration at the Val de Vie Polo Club at the following times:

 

Friday: 10:00-16:00

Saturday: 10:00 - 16:00

Sunday: 6:30-8:00

 

We look forward to having you there!

[ASG]

Any idea how much climbing is involved for the 60km ride?

 

Hi CJVDM

 

You can check details with karla@asgworld.co.za

[megdobson]

Hi CJVDM

 

You can check details with karla@asgworld.co.za

 

Anyone got info yet on amount of climbing or profile for 60k event. Sent e-mail to karla yesterday and still no response!

[(Deon)]

Keen to know how this one was! The added services on offer sounds like it could be a great day out for the family.

 

Interesting route description too!

[Guest ctMTBer]

 

 

Hi CJVDM

 

You can check details with karla@asgworld.co.za

Why not make it public ?

[Niner]

Don't go this race. Route is cr@p. muddy and bad organization. Never again ASG

[Sammyboy]

60km was great, solid race. Route very well marked and good support. Some of the route was part of the 3rd day from Grape Escape, not a lot of climbing. The sand, mud, water crossings and rocky terrain kept it tough. Very enjoyable!

[Niner]

60km was great, solid race. Route very well marked and good support. Some of the route was part of the 3rd day from Grape Escape, not a lot of climbing. The sand, mud, water crossings and rocky terrain kept it tough. Very enjoyable!

Did we do the same race? Where most off the route was cut yesterday?

[flymango]

Did we do the same race? Where most off the route was cut yesterday?

 

Hi Niner. What specifically didn't you enjoy? For a first time event on a route which hardly if ever gets used I thought it was a pretty good show. Sure, one or two small things could have made a difference (like having the PA system working on time and playing "Beautfiful Day" to get some spirit going before the race), but the route was scenic and well marked. Yes, there was a hectic bottleneck crossing the donga, but for the rest I thought it was a nice route (admittedly I did the 30 but my wife says the 60 was great too). And when last did you get Red Bulls after the race? Not that that's the measure but just asking. Horses for courses I guess. No pun intended.

[Thor Buttox]

Not sure if the organisers will read this, but I did the 60km and also didn't particularly enjoy it... I did the Ideafruit ride two weeks ago and it was also really muddy, so it's not a complaint about toughness cos that had 400m more climbing, but I also felt the newly cut/very muddy/rough trail wasn't really that much fun, specially the second time on the way back... And the sand was also really hectic on that last bit. I may just be gormless in my beach riding skills, though.

 

Maybe I'm just feeling cranky today, and low on 22% gradient legs, or something... (although I'm more worried about my baby's crank grinding merrily )

 

On the positive side - it was really well marked, and the marshalls/water point people were great. It's also a great venue, and the hosts were very hospitable!

 

So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they do as some other races have done where there have been issues with sand, etc, and look at making those adjustments in future years!!

[Mmmm]

I loved this ride. The 60km route was brilliant, if you don't like mud and sand buy a road bike. Freedom Hill water point was great - thanks for the spuds, beer and bike wash.