The Trans Elands MTB marathon race

17th May 2015

Entries Open on 4 May 2015 

The Trans Elands MTB race starts and finishes at Slipperfields Mountain Bike Trails situated at Ladies Slipper, 30km from Jeffrey’s Bay and 30km’s from Port Elizabeth. The Trans Elands is a team event, 2, 3 and 4 member teams. It is an unassisted daylight ride with 4 watering/feeding zones and 2 technical assist points. The team members must cross the finish line within 2 minutes of each other and strictly no backup vehicles or seconding will be permitted. The race starts at 8am at the Slipperfields venue and prize giving will be at 6:30pm. The first hundred riders will receive gold medals, second hundred, silver and the rest bronze. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd mixed teams and prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd female teams will be awarded.

Route description & maps:

After the start at Slipperfields the race routes onto the gravel road through the Elands River Valley towards the Winterhoek Mountains. This is a beautiful scenic route along this historic valley with the Cockscomb range prominently visible. The valley is flanked by the Winterhoek range to the north and the Witteklip range and Longmore forest to the south. It is undulating terrain demanding constant effort from the rider as the route climbs steadily. The route passes through a beautiful agricultural area constantly crossing many streams running off the mountains. At about 60kms the route steepens considerably with a big climb up to “The Mast”, a well known landmark for local riders. As the riders crest the mountains they will have a magnificent 360° view of the entire region stretching from Baviaans to the West, Gamtoos River Valley, Cape St Francis and Jeffreys Bay to the South, Longmore to the East and the Cockscomb to the North.

A fast and exhilarating descent down to the Gamtoos valley follows. They will then route along the valley floor through the Citrus orchards and vegetable farms crossing the Gamtoos River numerous times. The riders eventually leave the valley floor just outside Hankey and it is back to climbing mode as they begin the long climb up towards Loerie and Thornhill. At this stage the riders will have the Ladies Slipper in sight and will route via the old Van Staden’s train bridge which crosses the magnificent Van Staden’s Gorge and back to Slipperfields and the finish. The riders will have completed 160kms and 2600m of climbing through one of the most pristine wilderness areas in SA. No mean achievement. This ride will require guts, stamina and determination.

Enquiries: Race Director Lex Holmes

Cell: 0833428306

Email: trans.elands@gmail.com

Website : www.transelands.co.za