New Sponsor For SA's Highest MTB Stage Race
Rhodes Extreme welcomes new sponsor Bonitas Medical Fund
Riders eagerly anticipating this year's Rhodes Extreme MTB stage race should be thrilled to hear that the event has now become part of the popular Bonitas Wild Series – a Wildlands Conservation Trust initiative.
The race organisers, as well as 2009 title sponsor antonapps, are extremely excited about welcoming on board new joint title sponsor for the 2010 event, Bonitas Medical Fund, which is chief sponsor of the Wild Series events.
The only series of events in South Africa with conservation as its driving force, the Wild Series is a collection of multisport challenges including well-established events like the Giants Castle MTB Challenge and Mont-Aux-Sources Run Challenge. Recently joining the series are the Didima Xtreme Challenge and Imfolozi Big 5 MTB Challenge.
The Wildlands Conservation Trust is a dynamic non-profit organisation working to conserve the natural heritage of this beautiful country. The trust works closely with the community, corporate and private partners and other conservation NGOs on four core programmes.
Says Heidi Mocke, Wild Series Manager at Wildlands Conservation Trust, who was instrumental in the deal: "We're just as pleased about these recent developments, and believe that the Bonitas antonapps Rhodes Extreme fits in very well with the Wild Series profile. The event takes place in an extremely beautiful part of the country, one that definitely warrants special care and attention with regards to conservation. Thanks to the efforts of the existing team, there are already environmental initiatives in place such as the Rhodes Tree Project. With additional funding and support through Bonitas Medical Fund, we should be able to make an even greater contribution to the area – while ensuring a fantastic stage race of course!"
The Bonitas antonapps Rhodes Extreme is an extreme multiday high-altitude team MTB stage race based on a ‘clover leaf’ out of Rhodes Village in the Drakensberg Highlands. Surrounded by crystal rivers and magnificent mountains, the three-stage race takes place over two days on the 24 September Heritage Day long weekend and is the ideal getaway for avid mountain bikers, outdoorsmen and families seeking alpine adventure. 2010 sees the addition of the Rhodes Relax (see right), a more mellow format which will ensure that partners and families wanting a relaxing outdoors experience are not left behind...
enter now!
Why is it a must-do ‘cult ride’?
- highest MTB stage race in South Africa: summit at 2678m on the boundary fence with Lesotho
- Ranked in Best mountain bike rides in South Africa as one of the country’s top 20 rides (Struik ISBN 9781868728251)
- Described in Tim Brink's article 'The Entry List' as one of 11 rides to do before you die, published in November 2009 Bicycling Magazine
- One of the oldest marathon MTB rides in South Africa (founded in 1993)
- Uniquely positioned on the Freedom Trail, the village hosts pioneering Freedom Challenge MTB riders refuelling during their mid-winter 2300km 26-day cut-off epic 'Ride Across South Africa' as well as being the final destination of the ‘Ride to Rhodes’, a 550km six-day supported stage race in the southern and south-west Drakensberg.
The 2010 multi-day format includes:
- Stage 1: 'Lucky 13' Friday 09h00. 39km alpine adventure through mountain track and really tough new single track
- Stage 2: 'Night-lights' Friday 18h30. 15km festival night ride around the village
- Stage 3: 'The Grandfather' Saturday 07h30. 85km extreme alpine ascent & thrilling downhill
Where and When
- Heritage Day long weekend: Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September 2010 (Friday 24 is a public holiday)
- Rhodes Village: it is essential get ahead and book your accommodation now as the Village has limited accommodation
Rhodes Village
Rhodes Village is a secret Victorian village – declared a Conservation Area in 1997 – and reminiscent of a bygone era. Hidden away in the Eastern Cape Highlands on the southern-most tip of Lesotho, Rhodes Village exudes the timeless charm and quiet of yester-year.
‘Off the bike’ activities include snow skiing, fly fishing, hiking, horse riding, trail running, wing shooting, rock climbing, hunting, walking, San rock art cave tours, alpine flora, 4x4 trails, star gazing, buying local ceramics and textiles or simply relaxing with a coffee and absorbing the village atmosphere. (See Rhodes Relax on right)
Tiffindell's Slope WebCam
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Check out the weather at Rhodes
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Not all our events are extreme... do the Rhodes Relax
2010 sees the introduction of the Rhodes Relax, a programme of five separate shorter and moderate fun events. You (or you wife, partner or family) may select to participate in some or all events – your choice.
Mums will benefit from ‘hands-free’ time by using the supervised play-park area where little ones can be entertained in safety while mums ride or run (or simply relax!)
Rhodes Village also has impeccable credentials as a high-altitude training zone. Uniquely positioned on the Freedom Trail, the village hosts pioneering Freedom Challenge MTB riders refuelling during their mid-winter 2300km 26-day cut-off epic 'Ride Across South Africa' as well as being the final destination of the 'Ride to Rhodes', a 550km six-day supported stage race in the southern and south-west Drakensberg.
The Rhodes Extreme promises to become a favourite among those riders who enjoy events like The Cape Epic, Sani2c, Swazi Frontier, Sabie Experience, Magalies Adventure and Cradle Quest.
You owe it to yourself to get there. |
