There’s already a low-key buzz that’s set to grow to a deafening crescendo in anticipation of Round 2 of the 2021 Mpumalanga Enduro Series, presented by Trail Awareness Crew that will be held at Trailworx, Nelspruit on Saturday 5 June.
Mpumalanga’s top Enduro riders can be sure that a strong contingent of racing-starved Gauteng riders will be making the short trip (a 3:45 drive) to the five-stage Enduro, which also doubles as a round of the South African National Enduro Series.
Action at Round 1 of the Mpumalanga Enduro Series at MTO Trails White River. Round 2 takes place at Trailworx, Nelspruit on 5 June| Photo: Phonix Capture
The Trail Awareness Crew have been building, riding and fine-tuning the five competition lines at Trailworx, Nelspruit over the past few weeks to offer a full day of stimulating top-class racing that is both challenging and rewarding.
“Most of the trails surfaces are hardpack with some rocks and rock gardens to keep the riders focussed,” said Schalk Potas, Mpumalanga Enduro Series Race Director. “The trails are quite manicured with plenty of handbuilt berms and sharkfin jumps. We also have some roller-coaster sections through the ravines and some huge drop-offs.”
Potas was quick to add that there are alternative lines around all formidable obstacles, making it an ideal event for anyone that’s keen to give Enduro racing a go.
“Alwyn and Therese, the Trailworx owners, are very meticulous about their trails. Therese isn’t a big risk-taker so has ensured that there is an appropriate B-Line at each challenging obstacle or section on the routes,” added Potas who says all lines are rideable on a hardtail, but a full-suspension bike with 100-160mm of travel is most ideal.
“The longest trail, Blue Cheese, normally takes around six minutes to complete. So we have broken that into two for the Enduro event where the race runs will each take around 3 minutes to 3min30sec to complete.”
Action at Round 1 of the Mpumalanga Enduro Series at MTO Trails White River. Round 2 takes place at Trailworx, Nelspruit on 5 June| Photo: Phonix Capture
Mpumalanga Enduro Series Round 2 schedule:
Friday 4 June: Practice opens from 07h00. R50 per rider or R200 per rider for the guided full-route session (limited to groups of 6) – ideal for those new to Enduro.
Saturday 5 June: Race day!
06:00: Number board collection
06:45: Race briefing
07:00: Start (1.5-2-hour climb, almost all the climbing in one go)
08:45: Summit (coffee bar and snack bar available at the top of the Blue Cheese trail – cash only)
09:30: Elite category Start
10:15: Lite category start
12:00: Expected first finishers
12:00: 14:00 Lunch and beers @Friends Cafe
14:00: prize giving
14:30: more beers!
Sunday 6 June: Air DH (an optional extra fun stage on one of the jump trails)
08h00-10h00 meet and finish @Friends Cafe
Cost:
Elite Event: R350 – Full Enduro 5 stages
Lite Event: R300 – Full Enduro 4 stages. The Lite Event is a better choice for riders that don’t want to compete in the National event and don’t want to ride anything too technical but still want to get the full experience, the routes are easier with clear markings to choose easier B-Line options.
More information and online entry over here.
