Dirtopia MTB festival moves to the winelands
2005-04-28
MOUNTAIN bike enthusiasts, leisure cyclists and spectators can enjoy a jam-packed weekend of fun and action at the 2005 Dirtopia MTB Festival which kicked off in the Stellenbosch winelands yesterday and will continue to Monday.
Adrenalin-boosting events from endurance races, cross-country courses, dirt jumping contests and bicycle polo to night rides, skills clinics and fun rides for the whole family will form part of the program.
All activities will start and finish from the Festival Village at Groenhof Farm (Knorhoek Road, 6km north of Stellenbosch).
A special kiddies’ arena with jumping castle as well as eats and drinks will be on offer throughout the event.
Late entries can be done at the registration point on Groenhof Farm during the six festival days.
“Our aim is to make the festival accessible to as many riders as possible and we will offer guided rides from 14:00 daily from the Festival Village.
“These will vary in difficulty, so whether you are a beginner or expert rider, we will have a route that caters for you,” says organiser Meurant Botha.
In addition, South African MTB Champion Hannele Steyn-Kotze will host daily clinics which will focus on technical riding skills, nutrition and training. These clinics will take place at 13:00 today and Friday as well as Monday.
Additionally the Dirtopia Trail Centre and other Trail Stations will be open daily from 08:00 to 17:00 for those riders who prefer to cycle in their own time and use the marked trails in the area.
The spectator highlights of this year’s Dirtopia MTB Festival are undoubtedly the Observed Trials Competition on Saturday at 13:00 which will test the balancing skills, followed by the FreeRide Challenge at 15:00 which will see participants jump their modified full-suspension bicycles off bridges, ramps and other obstacles.
Saturday evening finishes with the traditional dirt jumping event.
On Sunday participants and spectators can look forward to the Simonsberg Pedal Power Association Enduro which offers three distances - a 15km, 30km and 60km.
Local band Akkedis will entertain festival goers from 20:00 on Sunday evening.
According to South Africa’s 2004 sub-veteran downhill champion, Luke Borg, who assisted with the building of the downhill and freeride tracks, this year’s event will provide the opportunity to experience the grit, guts and glory of mountain biking at its most exciting.
Don’t miss this action-packed extravaganza. Camp for six days of festival fun or pop in for a day.
For more information and online entries, visit www.dirtopia.co.za, email theteam@dirtopia. co.za or call the Dirtopia Trail Centre on 884-4752.
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