It’s been a challenging time for everyone. Trying to rediscover a sense of what’s normal after the disruption of a global pandemic is in itself a daunting challenge. But what was fun before should still be fun, right? Right. And that’s why the Savanna Origin of Trails is going bigger than before to boost the fun factor at the MTB party of the year. Here’s why you should accept the invitation…
Paid partnership with Stillwater MTB Events
Let’s recap though. The Origin of Trails is named this because some of the first mountain bike trails built in South Africa were in Stellenbosch in the late 1980s/early 1990s. More than three decades later, Stellenbosch is rated as one of the world’s finest mountain bike destinations and modern bikes shred the very same dirt as those of the MTB pioneers.
The Origin of Trails route is carefully crafted to ensure two days of immense stimulation. To the extent that the way you feel when you cross the finish line is highly conflicted. Happy that the suffering is over, but sad that the incredible experience is complete.
Suffering? Well, that’s really up to you. The harder you push, the higher the likelihood you’ll go into oxygen debt. But if you want to breathe easier, then just ride at a leisurely pace – preferably with your mates, blitz the iconic descents and stop at the water points for real refreshments (wink wink)…
You get two options:
Marathon (R1600 entry fee) – Stage 1: 45km | Stage 2: 40km
Half-marathon (R1400 entry fee) – Stage 1: 30km | Stage 2: 30km
Few events can boast a rider package that can match this one. Here’s what your entry fee gets you:
- Exclusive First Ascent event rider jersey (only to riders that enter and pay by Friday 28 October 2022)
- Exclusive event T-shirt
- Spectacular on route experience
- Access to world class routes that are usually not open to the public.
- A light breakfast pack with coffee on both days
- A scrumptious lunch on both days
- Complimentary drinks
- Well stocked water points
- A finisher medal
- Entertainment on route and in the race village
- Trail access fees
- Additional sponsor prizes
For those wanting to make a full weekend of it, both on and off the bike, there’s a Tented Village Party Package at R1300 which includes all of this!
Individual First Ascent Tent – yes, you can sleep over at the race village now
Complimentary drinks throughout the weekend – in the heat of summer, that’s always a good thing…
Dinner on Friday and Saturday Night – Real food, not energy bars…
A ticket to the Pub Ride through Stellenbosch, which includes drinks, dinner and entertainment – where else can you experience this in South Africa? That’s right, nowhere else!
Appropriately, the Savanna Origin of Trails is right near the end of the year on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November. For those who have worked out how to make the most of it with the sleep-over option, it actually starts on Friday 18 November. The venue is Coetzenberg, at the University of Stellenbosch which hosted a UCI XCO World Cup round in 2018 (so you know it’s world-class).
Smart mountain bikers will enter before 28 October 2022 to secure their First Ascent riding jersey worth R850. They’ll also send the link to this article on their riding WhatsApp group and ask who else is going to join in on the weekend’s activities because while it’s a solo-rider stage race, sharing the festive vibe both on the bike and off it is always going to produce better Instagram content and real-life memories…
The Savanna Origin of Trails is a true celebration of health and nature and a wonderful way to remind us that no matter what challenges we are facing, there’s fun to be found with your mountain bike tribe.
To enter or find out more, click here.
Paid partnership with Stillwater MTB Events
