Route Information
Distance: 30 km
Vertical ascent: 440 m
Water point 1: 15 km
Starts with a climb to the View Point, which offers spectacular views of the Waterberg to the east. Then onto a section of winding singletrack around the top of the hill, where Roan Antelope sightings are common, before a long, gradual singletrack descent to the race village. After passing the race village, you join a fun, flowing singletrack section to the lowest point of the reserve, where herds of Blue Wildebeest and Tsessebe are often seen.
A steady gravel road climb takes you back towards the race village along the perimeter road before another long section of singletrack takes you to the top of Marula Hill. This elevated area offers 360-degree vistas of the Bushveld, before the fast, playful singletrack descent to the Aloe Forest, which boasts huge Aloe plants, estimated to be at least 500 years old. Then the return to the race village takes you along some jeep track before the final climb to the finish on a gravel road.
Distance: 56 km
Vertical ascent: 925 m
Water point 1: 15 km
Water point 2: 30 km
Water point 3: 46 km
The opening stage gives a good feel for the type of trails that riders will encounter for three days. It starts with a gradual climb up to the View Point before a very long, mostly descending section of singletrack that passes the race village and down to one of the lowest points on the reserve via the Red Ivory trail, where Tsessebe roam and Leopard have recently been spotted. A gradual gravel road climb takes riders close to the race village again before sending them on a long, engaging singletrack section of around 12km onto the Langwater plains where giraffe and wildebeest encounters are common. In this section, riders will pass through an Aloe forest, which is quite unique. From there, more steady climbing to the east of the reserve before a long descent and a final climb past the small, but beautiful Micci’s Dam, followed by a short section of singletrack to the finish.
The climbing is all relatively gradual on this stage and the surfaces are quite consistent – mostly hardpack and loose over hardpack with occasional embedded rock.
Distance: 36 km
Vertical ascent: 495 m
Water point 1: 18 km
Water point 2: 30 km
Starts with a long, gradual climb on a gravel road and up the concrete strips near Yorks View to one of the highest points in the race. It then tracks along the fence line on the perimeter road before taking in a long singletrack descent that comes in two parts, where Zebra and Kudu sightings are likely.
Then a short, stiff singletrack climb before another fast, fun descent that will keep you engaged. A short link along gravel takes you to steady singletrack climb where Pangolins were recently sighted. The route then turns down a rocky, ancient riverbed before a gradual climb loops you back to the top of the kloof and onto a popular local trail – Dam to Dam. This section has a couple of long climbs and descents that starts at one dam and ends at another, before sending you back to the finish via a gravel road to the View Point and a fun flowline trail to the finish.
Distance: 58 km
Vertical ascent: 1200 m
Water point 1: 18 km
Water point 2: 30 km
Water point 3: 44 km
The longest stage heads out of the reserve after 5km and onto the gravel road towards Dorset up a 5km climb. An additional loop takes riders further south before heading back into Summerplace Game Reserve via the Yorks View gate. A few kilometres along the perimeter road leads to the first section of singletrack which rolls down You Are Kidding Me, up Butterscotch and down Skyfall – trails well-known to Enduro racers for their steep gradients and flow. A long climb then commences before dropping into the Kloof – an ancient rocky riverbed that’s been expertly crafted into one of Summerplace’s signature trails. The climb out of the Kloof is technical but relatively short before a long section of singletrack that eventually climbs up to Yorks View lodge and out of that gate. More gravel road follows to the east of the reserve before a return via the main gate, a loop through the Langwater plains, where Eland, Zebra and Kudu are often seen, and a steady climb to the finish.
This stage incorporates gravel road sections, which should be fairly fast. The singletrack inside the reserve includes a range of surfaces, including hard pack, loose over hardpack, widely spaced rock, rock slab and loose gravel. The some of the climbs are steep and long, but the descents are flowy and fun.
Distance: 33 km
Vertical ascent: 490 m
Water point 1: 13 km
Water point 2: 22 km
After a demanding Stage 2, the final leg offers a more relaxed route that sees you climb to Yorks View from the start along a gravel road. This is followed by a very long, gradual, flowing singletrack descent that will have you smiling broadly. You should be on the lookout here for one of the large Sable herds and possibly Eland.
This bit of singletrack heaven eventually ends by getting you to the main gravel road, where you turn north and head towards the main entrance gate. Two loops – the first along a combination of jeep track and singletrack and the second along gravel roads – are sure to offer the chance of giraffe sighting before the final kick up the gravel road to the finish.
Distance: 50 km
Vertical ascent: 850 m
Water point 1: 11 km
Water point 2: 20 km
Water point 3: 31 km
Water point 4: 42 km
The final stage is the shortest, but after a tough two days, the shorter distance will be welcomed. It heads west on the perimeter road and then does a u-turn taking riders up the Red Ivory trail climb, which is long, but gradual and often delivers wildlife encounters. Roan antelope are regulars here and two Pangolin were spotted on this section of trail recently. The route then joins the Dam-to-Dam trail, which has typical bushveld vegetation – a combination of grassland and scrubby trees. A steady haul up Herman’s Pass then turns into the Super Scoop descent, which is fun, but always seems over too soon. A right turn takes riders back via jeep track to a steady singletrack climb that includes the very scenic Protea trail. This drops down into the valley and joins the Wild Olive trail briefly before doing two large loops on the east of the reserve and heading to the finish via the Rooibos trail.
The climbs are a combination of steep and gradual, but aren’t too long. There are some fun descents, but they do include some rocky bits that require line-choice consideration.
This race route is tougher than it appears due to the steep gradient of the climbs and the high volume of singletrack. It’s ideal for intermediate to experienced mountain bikers, who are fit and ambitious.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The race organizers will not allow vehicles to follow riders or tolerate any unlawful access to private land. Where a perpetrator can be linked to a rider or team, severe steps will be taken. Always park out of the way of riders and other traffic.
The organizers reserve the right to change routes, actual profiles and the ascent totals on short notice due to circumstances beyond their control, and if so, updates hereof will be given at the official race briefing or the evening prior to the stage start.
The data reflects actual GPS recordings. Distance measurements typically vary between 3-5% between devices, as well as the method of measurement (GPS or rolling measurement) Ascent gain may vary 10-15% between devices and may be up to 30% different.