[Event] The Pennypinchers Silverstar MTB Challenge

[ASG]

Event Name: The Pennypinchers Silverstar MTB Challenge
When: 7 September 2013
Where: Silverstar Casino: R28, Muldersdrift, Mogale City, Gauteng
Category: MTB

Mountain-biking at its best in the heart of the West Rand

 

2013 will see the sixth staging of the popular Pennepinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge, presented by ASG, and it's great to welcome new title sponsors Pennypinchers on board.

 

The ride, which takes place on 7 September 2013, has become known as a tough, true test of mountain biking skill. It boasts a route filled with varied challenges, but it's designed to be ride-able throughout and not too demanding technically.

 

The Silverstar Mountain-bike Challenge undoubtedly showcases some of the most beautiful spots and awesome riding terrain in Gauteng.

 

Although nestled in urban surrounds, the route is one of the most picturesque you'll find anywhere in South Africa. Although you're close to the city, you can truly feel part of nature and be spoiled with unsurpassed views and great riding.

 

With Silverstar Casino as host venue, it all adds up to a hassle free, enjoyable experience.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 

ON-LINE ENTRIES CLOSE ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE RACE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CORRECT SEEDING THROUGH THE SASEEDING SYSTEM.

 

RIDERS CAN ENTER LATE AT THE REGISTRATION VENUES AT A PENALTY FEE OF R50 BUT THEY WON'T BE SEEDED.

 

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE MORNING OF THE EVENT.

 

RIDERS ON THE SASEEDING SYSTEM CAN RIDE WITH THEIR PERMANENT BOARDS, BUT STILL NEED TO REGISTER AT REGISTRATION VENUES AND COLLECT RACE PACKS.

 

RIDERS WHO DON'T HAVE PERMANENT NUMBER BOARDS CAN PURCHASE A BOARD AT R35, OR THEY CAN RIDE WITH A TEMPORARY BOARD WHICH WILL BE ISSUED AT NO EXTRA COST.

 

40km Route

 

The total ascent on the 40km event is 700 metres.

 

The event starts off with the traditional 2.5km tar climb up Hillsnacks which spreads the field nicely before heading left into the mountain onto Mogale Parks ground.

 

The 13km on the eastern side of the Hillsnacks mountain are generally regarded as the most technical of the race and once you're through this bit the ride becomes progressively faster.

 

It's great to have the use of this entire protected area on top of the Hillsnacks mountain and a big thanks goes to Mogale Parks for assisting. The views from the top of the mountain are spectacular and one can see the Sandton Towers in the distance and even the outskirts of Pretoria.

 

The event then traverses the property that is owned by the Laurentia Trust on the Northern side of the R28 as well as the old ox wagon trails which present brilliant views on a wonderfully sculpted single track descent

 

To get to the Laurentia side the route ducks underneath the R28, through the nursery and up a steep tarred climb. It then drops down the valley on a 2km fast single track descent and then hits the first river crossing.

 

This section is the start of the popular King's Kloof Mountain Bike Trail. The course only uses the easily ride-able bits inside Kings Kloof.

 

Then it's a gentle climb up to the back of the Krugersdorp Grave Yard and then the route winds its way down the mountain via some of the old historical ox wagon trails which the early settlers used to get to Krugersdorp.

 

This is the most exhilarating bit of the route, which is brush cut and cleared to perfection to provide the coolest quick downhill with spectacular views.

 

When you hit Hendrik Potgieter it's a sharp right and directly into the famous Laurentia Flower Farm where the second waterpoint presents itself among some real floral splendor.

 

5km of fast riding await at Laurentia among orchards and their vast nursery. Exiting the farm, you ride through yet a nursery and enter into the Honingklip plots via a 1km single track servitude past the spaza shop.

 

Then it's onto a few hundred metres of provincial road, which includes a 500 metre climb, before riders hit single track and jeep track on the escarpment which takes them all the way back to Silverstar. A quick duck underneath the R28 via another culvert brings you out right at Silverstar.

 

The route really has the perfect mix and is ride-able throughout. It has a lot of variation and strong uphill challenges with vast downhill rewards. For seasoned campaigners it's a fast ride.

 

20km route

 

The 20km route is a lot less technical with very little climbing involved. It stays at the bottom of the Hillsnacks Mountain through the Heuningklip Plots before turning at Laurentia farm where it joins up with the 40km ride.

 

Registration:

 

Thursday 5 September: Cycle Lab Fourways: 10:00-16:00

Friday 6 September: Cycle Lab Little Falls: 10:00-16:00

 

For further information email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807

 

Go to Event Page

[ASG]

Entering for the upcoming Pennypinchers Silverstar MTB Challenge? Check out what's on offer:

• Rudy Project Zuma/Rydon Combo R 2500
  
• Rudy Project Zuma helmet R 900
  
• Rudy Project Swifty R 1350
  
• Official Race Cycling Shirt R 490
  
• Official Race T-Shirt R 110
  

 

These deals are available upon registration for the event: http://www.asgevents...gnUp.php?id=131

Edited July 29, 2013 by ASG

[Kerbouchard]

I am diarising this race

[ASG]

Exciting route overhaul for Pennypinchers Silverstar MTB Challenge

 

Wonderful cooperation with land owners and lots of trail building over the past few months has resulted in a brand new route for the Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge, which takes place next Saturday on 7 September.

 

Entries for the event close on Sunday. To enter go to www.asgevents.co.za or click here

The 40km ride, for the first time in the history of the event, remains entirely at the bottom of the Krugersdorp mountain range.

 

This means riders won’t have to climb the famous Hillsnacks ascent at the start of the event and the entire 18km section on the top of the mountain isn’t in the mix anymore.

 

This will make the route infinitely more ride-able and a lot less daunting. Some of the sections on top of the mountain were very technical and demanding in the past and certainly only aimed at the top echelon of mountain-biker with a range of skills.

 

The new route is a lot less demanding (it has 600 metres of vertical ascent compared to the 850 metres on the old route), and has a nice splash of technical sections in the mix. It has a wonderful variety of single track, jeep track and gravel roads with strong climbing challenges and wonderful downhill rewards.

 

The old route had served the event well for the past six years, but the organisers felt is was time for a change and have been working relentlessly over the past two months, negotiating with land owners and creating new riding terrain and trails at the bottom of the mountain.

The result is really satisfactory and the organisation believes that the riding experience in the event has been substantially heightened.

 

A large part of the route building for this year’s event is the result of a colaboration with King’s Kloof Mountain Bike park on which 15km of new trails have been created specifically for the Silverstar Challenge.

 

The bulk of the new trails are on the flat and easier side of King’s Kloof, on the northern side of Hendrik Potgieter opposite the Laurentia Farm Stall.

 

The event starts off on the tarred road descent down to the Pinehaven crossing and then immediately ducks left into the bush on a picturesque piece of land that has been earmarked for a revolutionary “Green” development. Look out for the concept “Green House” that’s been built on this section.

 

The ride makes its way on some jeep track and gravel roads towards the Laurentia Flower Farm and King’s Kloof. The famous Laurentia Flower Farm presents the second waterpoint among some real floral splendour.

 

The first bit on King’s Kloof is the toughest before riders go to the other side via a culvert. Here it’s 10km of fast riding among the orchards and their vast nursery.

 

Exiting the farm, you'll ride through yet a nursery and enter into the Honingklip plots via a 1km single track servitude past the spaza shop. Then it’s onto a few hundred metres of provincial road, which includes a 500 metre climb, before riders hit single track and jeep track on the escarpment which takes them all the way back to Silverstar.

 

A quick duck underneath the R28 via another culvert brings you out right at Silverstar.

The route really has the perfect mix and is ride-able throughout. It has a lot of variation and strong uphill challenges with vast downhill rewards.

 

It will be a much faster ride than in previous editions.

 

The 20km ride follows the same route out and back as the 40km but riders do a smaller loop inside King’s Kloof.

 

The Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge, presented by ASG, is in its sixth staging and it’s great to welcome new title sponsors Pennypinchers on board.

 

It’s courtesy of their sponsorship that the organisation has been able to free up budget to invest in the new route.

 

The ride has become known as a tough, true test of mountain biking skill. This year it boasts a route filled with varied challenges, but it has been designed to be ride-able throughout and not too demanding technically.

 

The Pennypinchers Silverstar Mountain-bike Challenge undoubtedly showcases some of the most beautiful spots and awesome riding terrain in Gauteng.

 

Although nestled in urban surrounds, the route is one of the most picturesque you’ll find anywhere in South Africa. Although you’re close to the city, you can truly feel part of nature and be spoiled with unsurpassed views and great riding.

 

With Silverstar Casino as host venue, it all adds up to a hassle free, enjoyable experience.

Other partners in the event include Global ASP (connectivity) and HIGH 5 nutrition.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES: ON-LINE ENTRIES CLOSE ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE RACE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CORRECT SEEDING THROUGH THE SASEEDING SYSTEM.

 

RIDERS CAN ENTER LATE AT THE REGISTRATION VENUES AT A PENALTY FEE OF R50 BUT THEY WON’T BE SEEDED.

 

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE MORNING OF THE EVENT.

 

RIDERS ON THE SASEEDING SYSTEM CAN RIDE WITH THEIR PERMANENT BOARDS, BUT STILL NEED TO REGISTER AT REGISTRATION VENUES AND COLLECT RACE PACKS.

RIDERS WHO DON’T HAVE PERMANENT NUMBER BOARDS CAN PURCHASE A BOARD AT R35, OR THEY CAN RIDE WITH A TEMPORARY BOARD WHICH WILL BE ISSUED AT NO EXTRA COST.

 

Entry fees: 40km: R160 20km: R120

The total ascent on the 40km event is 600 metres.

 

Registration:

Thursday 5 September: Cycle Lab Fourways: 10:00-16:00 Friday 6 September: Cycle Lab Little Falls: 10:00-16:00

 

For further information phone 076 621 1807 or email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za

[Borborygmi]

I did not think it was technical before and hope we'll have a fun ride with the new route. It sounds a bit boring now. But we will see on the 7th. Can you upload a map for us to see the sections in Kings that will be included??

[ASG]

I did not think it was technical before and hope we'll have a fun ride with the new route. It sounds a bit boring now. But we will see on the 7th. Can you upload a map for us to see the sections in Kings that will be included??

 

Hi Borborygmi

 

I've contacted the ASG Events department to try and get the map you're looking for

[RocknRolla]

From what I read, all the elements that made this race great has been removed.

 

I agree with Borborygmi, it seems boring now.

 

 

The ride has become known as a tough, true test of mountain biking skill. This year it boasts a route filled with varied challenges, but it has been designed to be ride-able throughout and not too demanding technically.

 

 

The route last year was not demanding technically. It was tough, given that 80% of the ascent took place in the first half of the race over a short distance, but not demanding technically.

Although I understand the organisers wish to maximise on entries, the essence of this race has been lost.

Stop dumbing down races - if i wanted to ride easy dirt road, i would go to Breedt's nek, or better yet, save some money and ride dirt shoulder road around my 'hood.

 

Could I enquire as to why the decision was made to change the route? I mean if it has worked for 6 years, why significantly change it now?

Edited August 28, 2013 by RocknRolla

[ASG]

Hi guys

 

I followed up with race organiser, Wynand. A new route profile has been uploaded but is not yet complete.

 

Riders will have a much better experience with the addition of about 12km new and exciting tracks inside King's Kloof.

 

They're also busy preparing another 7km on the 40km route which means the final route profile should be ready by around next week Wednesday

[Borborygmi]

Thanx for the reply ASG

[_David_]

I did not think it was technical before and hope we'll have a fun ride with the new route. But we will see on the 7th.

 

+1

[dalem44]

From what I read, all the elements that made this race great has been removed.

 

I agree with Borborygmi, it seems boring now.

 

 

 

 

 

The route last year was not demanding technically. It was tough, given that 80% of the ascent took place in the first half of the race over a short distance, but not demanding technically.

Although I understand the organisers wish to maximise on entries, the essence of this race has been lost.

Stop dumbing down races - if i wanted to ride easy dirt road, i would go to Breedt's nek, or better yet, save some money and ride dirt shoulder road around my 'hood.

 

Could I enquire as to why the decision was made to change the route? I mean if it has worked for 6 years, why significantly change it now?

 

ASG can you tell us the reasoning behind the changes?

[divernick]

Ai toggie, Oh well, it might be a 1h30min sprint, or a really fun ride.

 

Still good to have a race-pace ride a week before the VG Trailseeker. Now that's gonna be a proper MTB race.

 

ASG, I hope you don't disappoint those of us wanting a real MTB race!!!!!!

[RocknRolla]

Ai toggie, Oh well, it might be a 1h30min sprint, or a really fun ride.

 

Still good to have a race-pace ride a week before the VG Trailseeker. Now that's gonna be a proper MTB race.

 

ASG, I hope you don't disappoint those of us wanting a real MTB race!!!!!!

 

Unfortunately the silverstar will probably be stricken from the "real mountainbike race" list.

 

time will tell.

[_David_]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

[canfan]

Real pity they changed the route. I live in the area and know it pretty well and from what I read on the revised route announcement it will be removed from the real MTB race list. The piece of Kings that has always been in the race and this new piece that is added is not the part of Kings that has made Kings one of toughest places to ride. And with the race only being 40km, can't see that its going to be a race worth doing if you want a real challenge.

[ASG]

Guys, the predominant reason why the route was changed is to ensure riders' safety, especially the section at the top of the hill. The race organisers felt it's become too risky to ride there