The Paarl city fathers have opened their precincts to fresh hordes of mountain biking enthusiasts with the establishment of the first ever municipally endorsed mountain bike race.
Photo: Jetline Action Photo
The inaugural Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic – presented by the City of Drakenstein – will roll through the streets, vineyards, orchards and mountains around Paarl on November 16.
Offering a 30km and 60km route, the event starts at the 31-hectare Paarl Arboretum on the eastern bank of the Berg River.
The lush Arboretum, which is home to more than 650 species of trees and shrubs, provides a picturesque point of departure and shady welcome after an unbeatable day’s riding.
Organiser Wynand de Villiers of ASG Events says one of the many highlights that riders will experience on the route is the renowned Rhebokskloof Estate single-track – including a brand-new, previously unridden 8km section.
De Villiers says the Paarl race promises to deliver an unmissable showcase of Western Cape mountain biking.
“Where else can you ride great single-track and beautiful wine farms with spectacular views such as Paarl Mountain and the Taal Monument?”
The event opens with a neutral zone through the town to give residents a glimpse of the action before the racing gets underway on the dirt road up to the tower.
After the ascent comes the Rhebokskloof descent, which, says De Villiers, features more than 10km of single-track nirvana.
What goes down must go up, as riders ascend once more on the Suid-Agter Paarl Road side on the Cement Road and Google Ridge climbs.
Dropping down into three local wine farms, they finally turn uphill once more to hit the iconic Taal Monument.
“Then it’s all downhill to Main Road and a street race through town back towards the Arboretum.”
De Villiers says the shorter route also goes up Paarl Mountain but cuts out the Rhebokskloof and wine farm sections to create a less taxing but nevertheless thrilling route.
“The 30km riders still have to get all the way up the mountain before they can enjoy the downhills in the second half.”
Back at the spectator-friendly race village, participants can enjoy refreshments and a post-race massage. Their bikes will also get special treatment with a bike wash in aid of the Cancer Association of South Africa.
