[Event] MiWay BIG 5 - Monzi Hippo Challenge

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Event Name: MiWay BIG 5 - Monzi Hippo Challenge
When: 8 September 2013
Where: Monzi, Kwazulu-Natal
Category: MTB

Date: 8th September 2013

Registration Time: 6am - 8:30am

Race Start Times: 50km - 9:00am | 25km - 9:10am | 10km - 9:15am

Venue/Registration: Monzi Club

GPS start co-ordinates: S28 25.900 E32 17.924

 

Director:

Brian Harrison

Cel: 083 264 5106

E-mail: mgclub@polka.co.za

 

Co-Director:

Brian Harrison

Cel: 083 264 5106

 

Track:

Ronald Harrison

Cel: 083 450 4323

www.monzivillage.co.za

 

 

The Monzi farmers are waiting to greet you with a tall glass of something refreshing on the rolling lawns of the Monzi Golf Club, the venue for the 4th race in the MiWay Big 5 Series, the Monzi Hippo Challenge.

 

Voted Best Overall Race 2011 by you the riders, this race has sections that are certain to both challenge and reward riders of all skill levels. This year the Monzi team have re-worked the route completely and now have a track that will be a delight especially for the rider who hasn’t quite developed those climbing skills and a perfect ride for the whole family through the country side. This is the ride you’d use to get the kids into cycling and for those of you hovering over the decision to upgrade to a 50km route.

 

Being a comparatively fast track, for the race snakes and the riders chasing a position in the MiWay Big 5 Series, the Monzi Hippo Challenge race provides the perfect opportunity to improve your overall time. Leave this one out and you may be saddened to see your rivals leaping ahead of you with an improved overall average time.

 

Set along the Monzi flats through the sugar cane fields and partially bordering the Southern Perimeter of the World Heritage site of the St Lucia Wetland Park, this tree-lined track winds through the scenic countryside next to the Umfolozi river. Once again there will be some very rideable single track at the start, as well as through the natural forest adjacent to the Futululu reserve towards the finish, with most of the long flat sections from previous years discarded.

 

The 10km route is designed to be a fun race aimed at encouraging the next generation’s 50km entrants to begin their riding careers. The circular route is made up of two 5km laps, allowing the smaller kids or the unfit parents to participate in the race and take a break if the legs give in.

 

The overall day promises to be a fun family day for all involved. Whether you are the cyclist in the family, or the family cheerleader, you are sure to find something at the Monzi Hippo Race that tickles your fancy. So even if it’s the Monzi ladies’ mouth-water bacon and egg rolls, there are many reasons to come join us at the Monzi Hippo Race on the 2nd of September. We look forward to seeing you all there once again.

 

The weather forecast predicted cooler conditions with light rain for the fourth Big 5 MTB Race - The Monzi Hippo Challenge. The race was held at the Monzi Golf Club and by 5:00am there was much activity sorting out generators due to an unexpected power failure. However, it was not long before the farmers had made a plan and by 6:00am people started arriving for registration. There was much anticipation as riders huddled under the veranda hoping the rain would soon subside. By 8:00am the clouds had parted and we were all treated to a magnificent, dust free, cool Zululand morning.

 

Despite the early rain, numbers had exceed expectations and it was not long before the riders were racing down the 18th fairway. Once out of the Monzi Village they passed through Macadamia orchards and through some soft sand which caused a few thrills and spills. It was then through the cane fields and across a foot bridge which was the gateway to a new stretch of single track cut through the Futululu forest. Upon exiting the forest, riders were treated to the hallmark section of the race - the scenic irrigation canals of the Monzi Flats.

 

It was then time for the 25km riders to turn for home as the 50km riders headed on through a variety of landscapes from sugarcane, timber, strelitzia and banana plantations as well as the natural forest areas of Northern Zululand. All riders later came back together again on the home stretch through some great single track along the edge of the Dukuduku rural development and then up through the Monzi Golf Course and back to the club. The kids were treated to a 10km ride which had a few testing hills for their small legs and there was much excitement as mums and dads ran alongside to help push.

 

Through the day, the Monzi Club was buzzing with noise, chatter and laughter as many hamburgers, coffees and drinks were consumed while people enjoyed the music, kids zone and parachute drop. Thanks to everyone for making 2012 a great event - roll on 2013 and we will be back to up our game even more!

 

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