MTB events in National Parks

[Vaultboy]

I would appreciate info on any mtb events (names,  dates, price) associated with National Parks, and a bit of a review/race report? I know of the Sylvester Ride at Karoo, and Trans Augrabies, but only just became aware that Marakele also has an annual MTB event. It also looks like Mokala has one as well. I haven't done any of these events,  but would like to start ticking them off. 

 

 

 

 

[ChrisF]

18 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:

I would appreciate info on any mtb events (names,  dates, price) associated with National Parks, and a bit of a review/race report? I know of the Sylvester Ride at Karoo, and Trans Augrabies, but only just became aware that Marakele also has an annual MTB event. It also looks like Mokala has one as well. I haven't done any of these events,  but would like to start ticking them off. 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a look under "Events".  Two editions of Trans Augrabies, with pics and race reports there.

 

Basic concept, which should apply to all these events:

- NO cycling trails.

- Routes are on the various roads in the park

- Routes also include parts of the hiking routes.

- Temporary pellet type portages are sometimes used to link the route.

- With Trans Augrabies the routes actually exit the park, then cross farms.  Obviously this depends on the organisers and buy-in from the neighbours.

 

Having visited Augrabies before, even driven parts of the park, the MTB event was an awesome experience.

 

 

I certainly will follow this thread to hear of similar events at other parks.

 

[Vaultboy]

40 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

Basic concept, which should apply to all these events:

- NO cycling trails.

- Routes are on the various roads in the park

- Routes also include parts of the hiking routes.

- Temporary pellet type portages are sometimes used to link the route.

 

That's an interesting set of 'rules', @ChrisF. I'm just keen to know what's out there,  but a big allure for me about Trans Augrabies (which started the idea for this thread) was exactly that it's a route you can't normally do outside of these events,  which is why I haven't included Provincial reserves, which typically have MTB trails.

[madmarc]

Didn't Kruger Park also have and event - I seem to remember from a few years back

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, Vaultboy said:

I would appreciate info on any mtb events (names,  dates, price) associated with National Parks, and a bit of a review/race report? I know of the Sylvester Ride at Karoo, and Trans Augrabies, but only just became aware that Marakele also has an annual MTB event. It also looks like Mokala has one as well. I haven't done any of these events,  but would like to start ticking them off. 

 

um. what is a national park? if you're thinking of big game type stuff then there's that. there are plenty that are kind of open land with a bit of management.

otherwise events off the top of my head that have been in local national parks.

TMNP - epic prologue and loads of trail runs

Westcoast - langebaan cycle race, weskus marathon

Tankwa karoo - any race that uses ouberg (or gannaga?) pass

might be some that go in namaqua and richtersveld np too

bontebok - swellendam mtb races

garden route national park - knysna/sedgefield/plett races, (karoo to coast for one).

[dave303e]

honestly the hidden gem could be Stihl Imfolozi mtb. Not a race, but a really cool ride and really affordable IMO

 

[Johnny82]

Tour de Addo has come across my feed once or twice. Not a race, but it seems a nice experience if that is your kind of thing (and you have the budget)

https://tourdeaddo.com/

[Vaultboy]

1 hour ago, madmarc said:

Didn't Kruger Park also have and event - I seem to remember from a few years back

You might be thinking about the Skukuza marathon? It's a big annual run. The only Mtbing that I'm aware of is a ranger-led trail ride that you can book at Olifants rest camp. Not an event. 

[Ozzie NL]

Tour de Tuli; https://landofthegiants.co.bw/

[Super Sywurm]

Mokala MTB Classis is a lekker race, nothing fancy, just lekker.

 

[The Ouzo]

23 minutes ago, Vaultboy said:

You might be thinking about the Skukuza marathon? It's a big annual run. The only Mtbing that I'm aware of is a ranger-led trail ride that you can book at Olifants rest camp. Not an event. 

 I also recall a mtb event heading through KNP over a couple of days.

[BigDL]

3 hours ago, dave303e said:

honestly the hidden gem could be Stihl Imfolozi mtb. Not a race, but a really cool ride and really affordable IMO

 

100% - an incredible ride 

[Anthem24]

Well, here's the list and map of SA's national parks.
https://www.sanparks.org/travel/plan/travel-information/interactive-map

Agulhas National Park is not your normal NP with fences so this goes thru the park:
https://capeagulhasmtb.co.za/cape-agulhas-mtb-race/

25 miler (40km) fun ride through the Bontebok National Park as part of https://www.aroundthepot.co.za/

The Knysna Festival MTB events in June-July school hols go through the Garden Route NP

Golden Gate NP:
https://www.oldmutual.co.za/news/experience-the-thrill-and-scenic-splendor-of-the-old-mutual-go2berg/
and https://www.malutidouble90.co.za/event-information-2/

By events due you include tours?

Camdeboo National Park: 
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/258479-wildehonde-mtb-adventure-ride-2024/#/

and Roof de Karoo : https://www.mzcpe.co.za/rdk.html
https://www.facebook.com/RoofdeKaroo/?ref=bookmarks&_rdc=1&_rdr

and a gravel race: https://www.bicycling.co.za/event/road-to-desolation-24/

Trisport have mtb tours in the Richtersveld and Namaqua areas, but not sure if they are in the NP -- there are community conservancies too. https://trisport.co.za/

Marakele and Mokala MTB events here: https://www.sanparksvolunteers.org/support-an-event/