[Event] Belmont Valley Challenge

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Event Name: Belmont Valley Challenge
When: 24 April 2016
Where: The Belmont Golf Club, Belmont Valley Road, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
Category: MTB

Be ready to ride lots of single track!

All three events start and finish at The Belmont Valley Golf Club, just outside Grahamstown.

A highlight is the extensive trail system on private farms, some of which will only be open for these events.

The event is organised by Albany Saints & Sinners Multisport Club, the guys who bring you the G2C in July.

 

Route descriptions:

The "Race" (70km) makes the best use of 4x4 and cattle tracks and trails developed specially for MTB. After leaving the golf course, on dirt road the 70km route heads for the top of Belmont Valley then crosses the Port Alfred road, dropping over into some spectacular riding through farmland and Eastern Cape valley bush. Large parts of the route flow through untouched forrest, over hills (and down!), crossing fences (where you "post" your bike through or hike over the style), along streams and open lands with views to the sea (if you have the time). Then there's the final crossing of the tar road to ride the rolling dirt road (that means another climb, yes) before a sweet piece of downhill track drops riders back out on the finishing straight to The Belmont Golf Club.

The "Challenge" (40km) follows the 70km route out of the Valley, across the railway line and tar road, dropping into the trails, tracks and challenges of some of the best bush and farm MTB on the Red Route at Manley Flats Developing Trails before heading home via the Manley Flats road. The "Challenge" may be shorter, but it includes much of the best riding on offer in the area.

The "Adventure" (15km) rolls around the valley, along farm and jeep track, then heads up "prickly pear alley" to cross the railway line before zipping back to the golf course. It's not too technical, offers some challenging hills, but will have you back in time to watch the long distance junkies come home - and promises to be lots of fun!

 

You can ride the marked trails on Manley Flats Developing Trails at any time, using the self-issue permit system. The MFDT is a project supported by a number of farms in the area. Be prepared to "post" your bike through a few farm fences or hike over styles. Enter at Radway Green, off the R67 about 15km before Grahamstown from the Port Alfred side - follow the B&B and trail signs).

Go to Event Page

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Double Trouble on the Red Trail; Belmont Valley with the golf course where all races start and finish; and the trails on Radway Green where the real fun begins.

The marked Manley Flats Developing Trails start at Radway Green.  To get to the Trails follow the B&B signs from the R67 (Port Alfred road, 15km from Grahamstown) and look out on the left past the farm house for the yellow bicycle.  It's 0.5km down the dirt road where you can park behind a closed gate (do close it behind you!) and enter the trails.

You can ride the marked trails anytime - just pay your R30 for the day and sign in and out on the register.

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Some of the jeep track on the 15km route - lots of peppadews, mielies, views of the valley - and fun!

 

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Route maps and profiles for the three events: 15km Adventure, 40km Challenge and 70km Race.

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Don't forget: online entries close Monday 18 April!

Cash prizes for first three places in each event, spot prizes and lucky draw hamper on offer.  Food and drinks on sale at the Golf Club and a jumping castle for little people not riding their bikes.

Come join us!