Single Tracks & Sunshine

As we get ready to say good bye to 2018, its time to start your planning for the last event on the calendar for the year,
the Bloem 24Hour MTB. 1-2 December 2018

Powered by WesBank and supported by LandRover Bloemfontein, the 2018 edition of this historic year end event is going to be awesome! Celebrating its 16th edition, this is still Bloemfontein & the Free State’s  oldest MTB event.

After moving the event to the VCSV Retief Camp site four years ago we have shown great growth in numbers & quality of the event, helping the campsite with fundraising for various different projects throughout the year was one of the main reasons for changing venue. By growing this event and attracting major partners we are definitely reaching our goals.

Single track smiles -Photo Reblex Photography

Adding to the excitement, Panarottis Mimosa Mall will once again be providing participants with fantastic meal options, Pizza & pasta, drinks & ice cream. Hot coffee/Ice Coffee & various other delightful drinks will be available brought to you by FABA Roastery  during the full 24hours of the event. So sorting out your caffeine fix will not be a problem.

*As per previous years we ask that everyone abides by the Venue rules of “No Alcohol on the premises”

The 2018 event is going to be one to remember, so join is for the most fun you have ever had on a bike.

 

Get your entries in… www.onlineentry.co.za

Read more about the Bloem 24Hour MTB here: Article by Dirt Jam

In 2016 I attended the Bloem 24HR Mountain Bike Race which was held just outside Bloemfontein at the Retief Camping Grounds. This event has been part of the Free State Mountain Biking calendar for quite a couple of years, and since AfriAdventures took over they have worked very hard to improve it every year.

Being a 24hr event, accommodation is always important and the venue offers the riders a large choice, from neat camping spots to cozy chalets for the comfort seekers.  It also has ample ablution facilities and guaranteed hot showers.

The AfriAdventures team made sure everyone was well looked after – with blistering heat during the day, cold water was always available to fill the empty and dusty water bottles. Panarottis & Faba were on hand to look after riders meals and drinks needs during the ride.

The event is held early in December and wow did it get hot – we measured 42° C at times; luckily the guys from JoJo Tanks sorted us out with a couple of pools to dip in while taking a break from dust and the heat.

The track was changed a bit this year and George Stroebel and his team had every one drooling over the course,  with more than half of the loop consisting of fast flowing and technical single track. In just under 7km you would climb about a 50 meters – reach 10 laps on the course and you are on a 500 meters of short, hard and teeth grinding breaks.

Night time the track turned into a completely different beast, making sure the course is well balanced with technical yet flowing single track, chicken runs and jeep track, it made for a superb ride. In the end all the riders managed the course, and since this event is focused on making it fun for all the riders, George had to find the perfect balance for all skill levels and did this superbly.

Teams and solo riders all pushed through to the following day at 12:00 and what stood out was the energy all the riders had even after some had little sleep. It was clear that the effort AfriAdventures put into the event definitely paid off.

Brilliant event – looking forward to what next year would bring.

[ The Muddy Cyclist ]