The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is famous for its rolling hills, elite private schools, historic battlefields, tea and cake, craft shops, Drakensberg views, Midmar Dam, shady trees, lazy streams and world-class mountain bike trails. Ride the Midlands is a new, social multi-day mountain biking experience that embraces the culture, cuisine and trails of the region. Here’s what you can expect…
Paid partnership with Ride the Midlands
If you’re an experienced rider, suffering from stage-race fatigue, or just developing your love for mountain biking, then Ride the Midlands is an ideal way to treat yourself to something fresh.
Ride the Midlands, which takes place from Friday 18-Sunday 20 August, has the routine of a three-day stage race but none of the pressure. The daily rides are guided and supported, so nobody gets lost or left behind. And you can stop to take photos, for refreshments or just to adjust your bib-shorts because Ride the Midlands is all about enjoyment.
Based at Providence Country Estate, Nottingham Road, the Ride the Midlands routes are different each day to ensure the riding is engaging and incorporates the variety of and beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Day 1 – approximately 20km in the Nottingham Road area; Day 2 – 50km that incorporates some of the iconic Howick and Karkloof Trails; Day 3 – 30km in the Nottingham Road area. It’s worth noting that these are KwaZulu-Natal kilometres and not Gauteng kilometres. There is no flat riding in the Midlands…
While the riding is the primary reason you’re booking your spot, the off-the-bike experience is what really separates Ride the Midlands from other traditional multi-day mountain bike events. Sure, there’s some novelty appeal to sleeping on the floor in a tent and standing in a queue to shower, but it’s very, very limited… Private, luxury accommodation is included in the Ride the Midlands entry package.
Providence Country Estate is an established weddings and conferences venue where guest comfort is a priority and the catering is top quality. Your entry fee includes six meals from Friday lunchtime until Sunday breakfast. You’ll also get a gift bag with high quality event swag.
Another great feature of Ride the Midlands is that you can bring along a non-riding partner to share the experience with you. It’s an ideal win-win offering. While you ride, your partner can relax at Providence Country Estate or explore the Midlands Meander, a scenic drive punctuated with quaint craft shops and coffee stops that support the local residents.
In order for Ride the Midlands to offer its exclusive experience, numbers are limited to ensure personalised attention to detail. You can find out more or book your spot at the official website here.
