Mountain bikers who registered from April 1 for the 2014 FedGroup Berg & Bush can expect a few radical route changes, organisers have stated.
Entries for the eighth edition of the FedGroup Berg & Bush mountain bike stage race opened on April 1. The event rolls out in the Central Drakensberg in mid-October. Photo: Kelvin Trautman
The eighth edition of the popular stage race, which is fully subscribed year after year, takes place near Winterton in the Central Drakensberg in October.
Race director Gary Green said the three-day Descent and Great Trek routes would feature brand-new trails coming down off the escarpment into the Tugela Valley bushveld around Spioenkop.
“New farms with great new single-track have been discovered and we’re also looking at innovative ways to cross Spioenkop Dam.
“Our tunnel of floating JoJo tanks that we used to cross the Tugela River washed away in the recent floods, so we’re also investigating new possibilities there.”
Green said would-be participants could enter either the three-day races or the original two-day event.
“A few riders enter all three and stay for 11 days as they think the riding is that good!”
He said the field had been marginally increased to allow cyclists on the waiting list a chance to enter.
“The event is mainly for two-man teams but we do allow solo entries in the Great Trek.”
Green said those riders who took part last year would be guaranteed an entry if they signed up and paid in full by April 4.
“We really do value their support.”
Once the events were fully subscribed, he said additional entrants would be placed on a waiting list and notified via e-mail should spaces become available due to cancellations.
While anyone could enter any of the three events, Green said the Descent would be the official prize money race for the men’s and mixed teams.
“This year, prize money in the women’s racing category will be awarded only in the Great Trek, while only medals will be given to the first five ladies’ teams in the Descent.
“We believe that this option suits the ladies as the Great Trek field is smaller, you get your own tent, great food and roving mechanics to help with mechanicals along the way.”
Green said riders would also have the opportunity to get involved in the event’s rural library project and donate to the cause during the entry process.
The race organisers aim to hand over basic library furniture and new books to four junior farm schools situated near the Emseni Camp race village.
“For the children at these schools, reading will be as much a journey of discovery as the race is for our riders.”
He said the beneficiary schools would be Schietsdrift Primary near Winterton, Middledale and Ekhukhanyeni schools in the vicinity of Ladysmith and Ekajesu Crèche adjacent to Spioenkop Nature Reserve.
Some 500 learners between the ages of three and 13 will benefit from the project.
“The book hand-outs will be managed by local farmers’ wives, most of whom are former teachers. If the venture is successful this year, we’ll expand to the senior school in the township where the need is also great.”
Green said the idea for the initiative first arose when his son Wesley lent a local matric pupil a copy of Ian Player’s Zululand Wilderness, as he was desperate to improve his English.
“Wes found out that the boy’s teacher subsequently used the book as a class reader as there were no books at all in the school.”
Horrified at the situation, Green contacted Lynette Heron who had started a library initiative at Schietsdrift.
“Lynette, an ex-teacher, organises students from overseas to help teach and do volunteer work. They have converted an old room, redone the floor, put in some shelves and started a small library.
“The school has been taught a filing system but now needs carpets and suitable reading books.”
He said many of the children’s parents worked on the mountain bike event as route builders and marshals; therefore it was important to give back to the community wherever possible.
“It’s imperative as these people are lacking in basic facilities such as running water, transport, electricity and a good education.
“These things we take for granted but for many locals it just doesn’t exist.”
In previous years, the race has been able to donate solar panels and rainwater tanks to local communities, as well as repair 5km of game fence along the boundary of Spioenkop Nature Reserve.
Last year, sponsor JoJo Tanks matched riders’ donations and the funds were used to purchase 25 tanks and gutters for households along the route.
The FedGroup Berg & Bush kicks off with the Descent on October 10, followed by the Great Trek from October 14 and wraps up with the two-day race from October 18.
The three-day routes start near Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State and feature a spectacular drop off the escarpment into KZN, while the two-day event is more suited to first-time stage racers and crosses the picturesque Spioenkop Dam and Game Reserve.
Enter at www.bergandbush.co.za.
Find the race on Facebook or follow @bergandbush and @FarmerGaryGreen.
