The D4G Swartberg Extreme MTB Race

The D4G Swartberg Extreme MTB day race will be the ultimate MTB Challenge to prepare you or your team for the 2022 Absa Cape Epic. 171km and 4870m of climbing, this is not for the novice rider!

DATE : 5 March 2022
VENUE : Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, Oudtshoorn
DISTANCE : 171km
ASCENT : 4870m
FORMAT : MTB – Solo or Relay Teams of 2 or 3




EVENT INFORMATION

The D4G Swartberg Extreme MTB day race will be the ultimate MTB Challenge to prepare you or your team for the 2022 Absa Cape Epic. 161km and 4500m of climbing, this is not for the novice rider!

DATE : 5 March 2022
VENUE : Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, Oudtshoorn
DISTANCE : 161km
ASCENT : 4500m
FORMAT : MTB – Solo or Relay Teams of 3


The day race will start at Wilgewandel family restaurant at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains and 2 km from the world heritage Cango Caves, R328 North on Saturday, 5 March 2022 at 05h00 in the morning.

A sharp left will take the riders onto the R328 where they will stay on the tarred road for 7.3km and then encounter a gravel jeep track. This section of 4.7 km is not easy, This section may end it for some participants due to mechanical failure or a fall. The accent is rough and unforgiving and riders jostling for a good position makes the start really dangerous so take extra care and rather be on the safe side.

After the first fast 12km a sharp right and the majestic Swartberg Mountains greets you. After the first 23,5km and elevation gain of 1140m the Riders reach the top of the Swartberg Pass. A 3km sharp and extremely curvy section will bring you to the first water and Checkpoint 1 point where numbers will be checked for missing riders or riders that bailed out. At this water point there will be coffee, coke, energy drinks and something to eat.

The Turn off to the hell starts 100m further. 37km of total Isolation, long steep uphills, dangerous sharp switchback descents, and heartbreak hill will take you to the entrance of the Hell. Extreme caution should be taken on this section with it sheer drops down to the River. If you overshoot a turn on this section the recovery process will be difficult. The entire route is a two way section and road rules will count at all times. If a rider Is found to be in an accident due to negligence a Immediate disqualification will rule. After the left Turn towards the Hell the second Water point will greet you With loud music and beverages. From this water point you will encounter a long climb well baptized Heartbreak hill at an average incline of 10.7%. 16.1km further and you will reach checkpoint 2. Here race numbers will be clipped. At checkpoint 2 there will be something to eat and a selection of beverages, Coffee and tea included.

A steep 5km climb out of the Elands Pass and 16.1km from the checkpoint you will get to Water Point number 4. From this point another 21km end a sharp left turn towards Prins Albert. After 2km and the Tee Berg water point will be stocked with drinks only. From here its a fast steep decent littered with switchbacks and descends towards “Eerste Water” and Checkpoint 3.

A rest, coffee, energy drinks and some eats will get you ready and moving for the long 12km climb to the top of the Swartberg Pass. Again, steep switchbacks and descending riders will meet you on the way up please take extra care and look out for these riders. At Tee Berg a satellite water point (5) will await you after your steep accent of nearly 600m. Another waterpoint will be only 1.8km further.

From the top of the Swartberg Pass its 21km of sheer bliss downhill toward Wilgewandel where a festive atmosphere will await you.

Riders will be issued 2 boxes. Box 1 will go to checkpoint 2 and box 3 will go to checkpoint 3.

This is an unsupported race, no spectators allowed on route. Spectators will be allowed to cheer for you at the start and at Checkpoint 3 at Eerste Water. No vehicles will be allowed to cross the Swartberg pass during the race. If any vehicle could be linked to a rider during the race an immediate disqualification will adhere.