After a hiatus last year, popular demand has resulted in the Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic making a return to the race calendar next month.
Race director Darren Herbst said they had resurrected the event, aiming to make it one of the premier one-day mountain bike races in the Cape Winelands.
The third edition, presented by ASG Events in partnership with the City of Drakenstein on May 20, will take riders through the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate and surrounding wine farms.
The third Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic will take riders through the scenic Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve and along custom-built single-track trails. Photo: Capcha Photography
With much of the single-track for the revamped event created from scratch, Herbst said the route would offer a new look for the field of about 1 000 that will take to the start at Rhebokskloof.
Besides the single-track which would provide a special experience, he said riders would have “great views while riding along the top of Paarl Mountain”.
With riders having two routes from which to choose – 60m and 30km – Herbst said they want to make sure the shorter distance remained a big attraction.
“In a lot of other events the shorter race is neglected, so we’ve concentrated on providing something that’s really special.”
He said the 30km event incorporated some of the single-track sections – especially the newer ones – of the longer race, which he felt would provide a memorable experience for the riders.
