Nedbank Swaziland confirms sponsorship of the 2008 Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic.. Nedbank Swaziland has once again demonstrated their commitment to this fantastic event, which has drawn top Swazi and South African riders alike. Their commitment extends beyond pure MTB in Swaziland. The proceeds of this event go towards selected community projects and conservation.
Date: Saturday 7 June 2008
Distances: * ·
- Classic 64kms
08h00
…for experienced riders!
· Challenge 35kms
09h15
…challenging ride for people with average fitness!
· Family 20kms.
09h45
…for the whole family
Due to the overwhelming support this race receives and the delicate nature of the environment, race numbers will be limited to 400 this year.
Accommodation: Please contact Big Game Parks Central Reservations office for bookings at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. A great variety is offered, including beehives, rest camp huts, dorms, self-catering, camping and caravan sites within the Rest Camp, Sondzela Backpackers lodge including rondavels (2 Km from Rest Camp) and Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge (3 Km from Rest Camp).
Winter Special Rates apply for two or more nights stay!!
(excluding camping)
Tel: (+268) 528 3943/4 Fax: (+268) 528 3924 reservations@biggameparks.org www.biggameparks.org Watch this space for entry forms…in the meantime, to get a taste of what’s in store as far as the race is concerned, click on the link below to read one rider’s tale…
The Aim of IMVELO MTB CLASSIC is to :
-Encourage positive sustainable use of conservation areas through tourism;
- Increase tourism to Swaziland. The event is a good way of introducing people to Swaziland providing a good reason to visit; the Imvelo has become a weekend event thus there is more time for cyclists to visit other areas and craft shops in the area. Through events such as this, Swaziland is marketed and revealed as an adventurous destination and we do very well as a safe, happy, relaxed country which is easy to visit;
- The Imvelo MTB Classic is an opportunity to market various tourism destinations and attractions around the Kingdom through exciting prizes which will bring these same cyclists back to Swaziland;
- We hope to portray that the parks are a place for healthy recreation
- Through the Imvelo MTB Classic, funds and awareness are raised for conservation and community projects
- Finally, we aim to promote Mountain Biking as a sport in Swaziland, encourage more events and increase Swazi entries. We will keep you informed about Swaziland's Nature Conservation and Community projects that Imvelo MTB Classic has raised money for. We are presently negotiating projects near Mlilwane north, watch this space for more details !.
Classic 64km
Begins at 08h00
This is the BIG GUY - not for those weak at the knee!
The first 22 Km is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads, allowing the field to open out and the body to warm up nicely for the mountains to come. A quick detour through the "Donga Route" providing a Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest onto the "Hippo Trail" - a bit of excitement and adventure before beginning the first climb up Mantenga View Point, a short rocky road / trail with stunning views and technical riding. Travel the newly cleared 4x4 Track, down a little game path and bounce over and along the railway line for a short distance before dropping down the valley past Njunju then following the Usushwana River. Now for the first big one .... cross the river and tackle The King of the Mountain climb 2 Km of slippery clay road through the shaded Gum Forest (Mantenga Nature Reserve). The Reward? - catch a glimpse of the beautiful Mlilwane North opening up in front and to the north, while narrowing onto technical single track - a serious down hill which takes many wary prisoners. The well-deserved gentle forest 2 Km track back along the river provides a breather before taking on . "The Grim Reaper" - the most mindless 7Km of the entire course! This is an undulating climb up the back of Nyonyane Mountain through the Usuthu Forest. Prepare for an Adrenalin Rush, a quick 4km descent of Nyonyane on dirt road - beware the uneven erosion spots and the large drainage humps. We weren't finished with you yet.. Back out the Sanctuary, along a tranquil river single track, through the fence and into - yes, the Usuthu Forest! Yebo!.. another climb - the "Scorpion" - a series of short sharp climbs and descents traveling up the Mhlambanyatsi River, crossing a rough drift and finally heading home up and over the last obstacle, back through the fence onto Mlilwane - and home through the plains once again.
Challenge and Team Challenge 33 km
Starts at 09h15
Challenging ride for people with average fitness, but who aren't up for the classic. The first 22 Km is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads, allowing the field to open out and the body to warm up nicely for the mountain to come. A quick detour through the "Donga Route" providing a Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest onto the "Hippo Trail" - a bit of excitement and adventure before meeting the real challenge head-on . leave Mlilwane via a neat forest single track, over the Mhlambanyatsi River and begin the one and only real climb of this race - a little ± 3 Km taste of the Classic craze! Catch your breath, hold on to those handlebars and enjoy the downhill, coasting back into Mlilwane, through the plains and to the finish.
Family Fun 22km
Starts at 09h45 The entire Family course is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads. An escape route is provided at 12.3 km making the "Chicken Run" roughly 14 km. Those who are not quite done yet will continue onto Mphumalanga Plains, including a slightly challenging 2 km detour through the "Donga Route" - an Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest for a little shade, cross over the dam wall and head home to the finish. |
