Once mountain biking started to overtake road cycling in popularity in South Africa, every major road cycling event felt the need to make the most of this and add a mountain bike race.
Not a bad thing at all. But of course the big problem is that road cycling and mountain biking are very different and the 947, Joburg’s biggest road race discovered this during the formative years of the MTB event.
Uninspiring routes and bottlenecks saw many opt out of returning the following year, preferring instead to spend that time chasing fun, not managing frustration.
But instead of giving up, the organisers looked for solutions and now seem to have found a ‘happy place’ for what is Joburg’s biggest mountain bike race (5000 entrants!). Here are five reasons the Telkom 947 MTB Challenge matters.
It helps spread the growth of mountain biking
For many, the short route of the annual 947 MTB Challenge is their introduction to mountain biking. If they like it, they want more. Before you know it, they’re entering other races, riding trails with their new friends and signing up for skills clinics to help ride with more confidence and speed.
It brings mountain biking to the city
Let’s face it, we love getting out of the city to ride mountain bikes. But for many, that’s just not practical. With an estimated 25% of South Africa’s mountain bikers living in the greater Joburg area, organising a race like the 947 MTB Challenge brings mountain biking to the city for a change.
It buys mountain biking some mainstream love
Let’s face it, the 947 Cycle Challenge is a world class road race with a mountain bike event added on. By putting on a MTB event each year, the organisers are, through their media partner, 947, reminding a few million people that mountain biking matters. Many of these people are not mountain bikers, but they’re certainly more aware of it as a result of this event and it’s 947 Highveld Stereo.
It caters for all levels of mountain biker
Sure, the 947 MTB Challenge route may not offer the spectacular views of races in Mpumalanga, or KZN or the Western Cape; but when it comes down to it, views are secondary for many and the challenge of completing the route is the priority. By having two distances – 25km and 55km – the 947 MTB Challenge ensures that even moderately fit riders will be faced with a challenge that’s not unreasonable, but certainly rewarding.
It boosts the Gauteng cycle industry
It’s no secret that 2016 has been the most difficult year for most bicycle retailers. An ailing economy means less buying of new bikes and ‘want’ gear, which hits the retailers right in the solar plexus. An event like the 947 MTB Challenge helps boost the local bicycle market at a time when it’s most needed as participants get their bikes serviced ahead of the event and, for some, repaired afterwards…
There are probably no entries left, but if you want to find out more about the event or try your luck, head to www.cyclechallenge.co.za
