ASG Posted June 20, 2014 Posted June 20, 2014 Event Name: Sondela MTB ClassicWhen: 28 June 2014 - 29 June 2014Where: Sondela, LimpopoCategory: MTBThe Bushveld’s big MTB bash is back! The Bestmed Sondela Mountain Bike Classic hosted 1400 riders last year and this year’s event again sees an array of mountain bike and other activities planned for the weekend of 28 and 29 June 2014. Distances on offer this year are 60km (which, for the first time goes outside the Sondela border onto neighbouring farms), 40km, 20km and a kiddie’s ride. The 20km, 40km and kid’s ride take place on Saturday 28 June and the 60km ride takes place on its own on Sunday, 29 June, affording long distance entrants a user friendly experience without slower riders to contend with on the route. Entries for all the rides on the weekend will close one week prior to the event to enable the organisers to properly seed riders according to the SASeeding system. Riders will still be able to enter at the registration venues, but no entries will be accepted on the morning of any event. Riders who enter at registration venues will pay a R50 late entry penalty fee and won’t be seeded Sondela operations manager, “Ranger Mel” Meyer, has created an absolutely stunning mountain bike course at the well-known nature reserve north of Pretoria. This year sees the third running of the popular event. 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 a high occupancy rate - and the mountain bike fraternity is privileged that the resort still makes itself available for a mass participation mountain bike event, which is now a major winter stop-over on the local cycling calendar. The total ascent on the 60km ride is 266m while the 40km presents 186m of climbing. The 20km ride has a total gain of 100m. It all adds up to fast riding and routes that are suited to all abilities. It’s exhilarating on the almost endless flowing single track sections on which you can wiz along at a comfortable pace. It really is an experience to behold and the perfect winter ride to keep the legs going. Sondela boasts stunning facilities, ample parking and wonderful entertainment along with a huge race village which sells eats and drinks throughout the day. The event start and finishes on the polo field adjacent to the Sondela caravan park, which has been bolstered with almost 40 new stands with their own private ablution facilities. Riders will be able to use the neat ablution facilities when they attend the event. Numerous vendors will sell all sorts of eats and drinks and a beer garden with live music 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 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. 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’d like to book in these luxury self-catering units have to get cracking as soon as possible. After the much publicised veld fire which ravaged through Sondela last year, the rebuilding of the chalets are complete, which means there is ample accommodation for riders, provided you book your spot early. Ranger Mel, a self-confessed mountain-bike addict, set out to create a riding culture at Sondela seven 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 - quick and flowing – experience on a mountain bike. While the Sunday’s event is geared towards those individuals with a racing attitude, Saturday, 28 June offers two distance options for the family and the not-so-serious wheel wobblers. Saturday will feature a kiddie’s race for 3-5 year olds on a specially built “trail” with ramps and cool berms while 6-8 year-olds can try their hand at the 5km circular smooth single track MTB course. 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. The 20km and 40km rides on Saturday afford Sunday’s serious racers the opportunity to do a twirl with their loved ones among the beautiful Sondela surroundings. There is a special deal offered to riders who would like to enter events on both days. 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 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 the mountain bike classic reflects this same culture of excellence. For bookings at Sondela on 014 736 8900 or email info@sondela.com. Further info on Sondela and directions www.sondela.com Sondela MTB Classic – All the Facts: Date: 28 and 29 June 2014 Times: Saturday - 40km: 8:00; 20km: 11:00; Kiddies rides 13:00. Sunday: 60km: 9:00. Distances: 60km, 40km 20km, kiddie’s rides (500 metres for 3-5 year-olds and 5km for 6-8 year-olds) Entry fees: 60km: R190 40km: R170 20km: R130 Kiddies rides: R50 Combined entries: 20km and 60km: R280 40km and 60km: R320 Pre-entries close: 22 June 2014 Timed by: Spectrum Sport Programme: Saturday 28 June: 8:00 - 40km start 11:00 – 20km start 13:00: Kiddies 3-5 year-olds 13:20: Kiddies Ride 6-8 year-olds 14:00: Prize Giving Sunday 30 June: 9:00: 60km start 13:00: Prize Giving Registration: Solomons Cycles, Gift Acres Shopping Centre, Lynwood Road Pretoria East: Thursday 26 June 10:00 – 16:00 Sondela Caravan Park Pub: Friday 27 June 14:00 – 18:00 Sondela Caravan Park Pub: Saturday 28 June 7:00 – 12:00 For further info on Sondela and directions go to www.sondela.com For race enquiries email eventsupport@asgworld.co.za or phone 076 621 1807 FOLLOW THE RACE ON FACEBOOK at facebook.com/sondelamtbclassic <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> Go to Event Page
BrendonHumphreys Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 Tried to enter the race on the closing day, only to be told that it was already closed ????
TALUS Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 Exactly the same. I also sent an e-mail and phoned them. Still nothing. I cannot understand why it would close early. I wont ride without seeding - lots of singletrack. Maybe they are just too full? Leaves a bad taste though.
Squier Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 I emailed them, received a reply about being able to enter on Thursday at Solomons. I've replied and asked about the seeding, but nothing. ASG, given all the singletrack in the race, is it possible to accommodate the late entries with a seeding, especially since the entries closed earlier than advertised?
BarHugger Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 I don't think there will be seeding.......one big bunch start and sprint for the first singletrack 400m away.....then the fun starts......
TALUS Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 Bloody Hell I am frustrated by this. I have been cut to size in many ways - but being shown the middle finger by a race that I planned to pay for... arendoog 1
BarHugger Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 Bloody Hell I am frustrated by this. I have been cut to size in many ways - but being shown the middle finger by a race that I planned to pay for... Registration coming Thursday at Solomons......have friends coming through from Haenertsburg for the weekend to also race Saturday and Sunday. Also struggling to register.....going to do it for them manually (and verbally) at Solomons. Eish!!
BarHugger Posted June 24, 2014 Posted June 24, 2014 ........race that I planned to pay for...... ???????? mmmmmmmm???????(now where will the emphasis lie in that sentence?) TALUS 1
BarHugger Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 ......by the look of things it is going to be a busy Saturday at Sondela.....Sunday good for the 60km.
GrantRH Posted June 26, 2014 Posted June 26, 2014 I wasn't able to get to Solomon's for registration today. Any chance I could do it tomorrow at Solomons or on Sunday morning at Somdela before the 60km? I really don't want a round trip of 4 hours from Jozi just to pick up my registration pack.
Squier Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 As far as I know you can register at Sondela on the morning of the race.
GrantRH Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 Thanks Squier, website says you can on Friday and Saturday at Sondela, but no mention of Sunday (for the 60km). Tried to check with ASG and Solomons but no one is answering the phones or returning my email.
GrantRH Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 Ok, so I phoned Sondela and the guy confirmed I could register at the venue on Sunday morning.
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