Ready to feel fast again? There’s no better way than to enter a mountain bike race! Sure, sometimes you don’t feel as fast as you may want, but the thrill of competing against others – and training for a goal – is essential to physical progression and mental positivity. Here’s a summary of all South African mountain bike stage races, marathons and half-marathons for the rest of 2021.
Racing makes us feel focused, challenged and rewarded. | Rider: Carel Bosman; Photo: Zoon Cronje
After the 2020 Covid-19 government lockdowns almost crushed the mountain bike events industry, there was a gradual recovery in late 2020 and then a pause in early 2021 when lockdown measures were tightened again. But there’s been a tentative return to a racing rhythm since April 2021 with postponed events happening again and some cancelled events making plans for new dates.
The move to Lockdown Level 2 from 31 May 2021 reduces maximum numbers for outdoor gathering from 500 to 250, which means events that have large numbers will need to revert to smaller batches or hold the event over more than one day.
We have compiled a list of stage races, ultra-marathons, marathons and half-marathons taking place between June and December 2021. We haven’t listed organised, non-competitive rides here or XC, DH and Enduro events.
GAUTENG
June
5-6 June 2021: Cool Ideas Cradle Mountain Trophy | Stage race, Marathon, Half-marathon | Magaliesburg (nearest city: Johannesburg)
20 June 2021: Berge en Dale MTB | Marathon, Half-marathon | Kingskloof (nearest city: Joburg)
26 June 2021: King Price Trailseeker Series #2 | Marathon, Half-marathon | Legends MX (nearest city: Pretoria)
July
25 July 2021: The Winter Fast One | Marathon, Half-marathon | Rand Water Grounds (nearest city: Johannesburg)
September
26 September 2021: Berge en Dale MTB | Marathon, Half-marathon | Kingskloof (nearest city: Johannesburg)
November
13-14 November 2021: 947 Ride Joburg MTB | Marathon, Half-marathon | Steyn City (nearest city: Johannesburg)
NORTH WEST
June
5 June 2021: Fedhealth Magalies Monster | Marathon, Half-marathon | Buffelspoort (nearest city: Pretoria/Joburg)
August
22 August: Cycle4Cansa MTB Classic | Marathon, Half-marathon | Sun City (nearest city: Pretoria/Johannesburg)
September
11 September 2021: King Prices Trailseeker Series #4 | Marathon, Half-marathon | Van Gaalen Cheese Farm (nearest city: Pretoria/Johannesburg)
LIMPOPO
July
31 July 2021: King Price Trailseeker Series #3 | Marathon, Half-marathon | Sondela Nature Reserve (nearest city: Pretoria)
MPUMALANGA
November
11-13 November 2021: The Sabie Xperience | Stage race | Sabie (nearest city: Nelspruit)
14 November 2021: Sabie Classic | Marathon, Half-marathon | Sabie (nearest city: Nelspruit)
KWAZULU-NATAL
June
15-25 June 2021: Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush | Stage race | Bergville (nearest city: Pietermaritzburg)
July
11 July: Goodersen Drakensberg Gardens MTB Challenge | Marathon, Half-marathon | Goodersen Drakensberg Gardens (nearest city: Durban)
31 July-1 August: Illovo Eston Trail Challenge | Marathon, Half-marathon | Eston Farmers Club (nearest city: Durban)
October
9 October 2021: Sappi Karkloof Classic | Marathon, Half-marathon | Karkloof Country Club (nearest city: Durban)
EASTERN CAPE
June
5 June 2021: Trans Elands | Ultra-marathon, Marathon, Half-marathon | Jeffreys Bay (nearest city: Port Elizabeth)
13 June 2021: Bay by Bike MTB Challenge | Marathon, Half-marathon | Port Elizabeth
WESTERN CAPE
June
4-6 June 2021: Sylvester MTB | Stage race, Ultra-marathon, Marathon | Beaufort West (nearest city: George)
July
17 July 2021: Knysna Cycle Tour MTB Challenge | Marathon, Half-marathon | Knysna (nearest city: George)
August
7-9 August 2021: Glacier Storms River Traverse | Stage race | Tsitsikamma Village (nearest city: George)
21 August 2021: Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme, presented by Biogen | Ultra-marathon, marathon | Oudtshoorn (nearest city: George)
September
4 September 2021: Race to the Sea | Ultra-marathon | Franschhoek (nearest city: Cape Town)
5-11 September 2021: Momentum Medical Scheme Cape Pioneer Trek, presented by Biogen | Stage race | Oudtshoorn (nearest city: George)
24-26 September 2021: Val de Vie MTB Expedition | Stage race | Paarl (nearest city: Cape Town)
23-25 September 2021: CCPP Group Dr Evil Classic | Stage race | Plettenberg Bay (nearest city: George)
26 September 2021: CCPP Group Karoo to Coast | Ultra-marathon | Uniondale (nearest city: George).
October
2 October 2021: Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB Challenge | Marathon, Half-marathon | Ladismith (nearest city: George)
9 October 2021: King Price Trailseeker Series #5 | Marathon, Half-marathon | Banhoek Conservancy (nearest city: Cape Town)
17-24 October 2021: Absa Cape Epic | Stage race | Cape Town
30 October: King Price Trailseeker Series #6 | Marathon, Half-marathon | Wellington (nearest city: Cape Town)
November
5-14 November 2021: FNB Wines2Whales | Stage race | Hermanus (nearest city: Cape Town)
Note: If we have not got your MTB race listed here and it’s happening before December 31 2021, please email the relevant information to Sean Badenhorst: sean@treadmtb.co.za
