Entries open for Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge

ONLINE entries for the 16th annual Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge opened last Wednesday, with over 4000 entries available for the weekend event.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge, which will be staged over two days, will kick-start the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour Lifecycle Week, when it returns to Stellenbosch’s Le Bonheur Wine Estate on the first weekend of March next year.

The MTB Challenge will offer something for every skill and fitness level, with five routes – 14km, 20km, 30km, 40km and 55km – to choose from. Each route, specially designed by Dirtopia’s trail building expert, Meurant Botha, will feature some of the most scenic wine farms in the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy.

The Saturday event, on March 4, will be about family and fun, as riders tackle the 14km, 20km and 30km trails. The three routes are shorter and perfect for those honing their MTB skills, or those looking for an enjoyable ride.

While the routes may be shorter, they offer a fair challenge. From sheltered forest sections to open vineyards, the shorter routes feature a mix of scenery.

The following day promises to be a cracker for the serious mountain biking enthusiasts, as they tackle the longer and tougher routes over 40km and 55km.

According to defending champion, James Reid (Team Spur), the route is exactly what you’d expect from the event.

“There is just so much single track. At least 60percent is usually on-the-edge, dusty and loose.

“So much fun and that is what this race is famous for.”

To enter, visit http://www.capetowncycletour.com/capetown-mtb-challenge/