SouthxSoutheast

18 years of age.

Parking at The Stone Cellar

E-Bikes, Alcohol, Firearms, Earphones

Event organizers, sponsors, promoters and staff are not responsible and will not be held liable for the riders safety. The riders partake at their own risk and each rider is responsible for his/her own safety. There will be no road closures. Riders must therefore be aware of their surrounds at all times. It is for this reason that earphones are strictly prohibited. Marshals will direct riders over dangerous road crossings, but care must be taken always.

Riders will be provided a GPX file prior to the event. Riders should familiarize themselves with the route. This route can be loaded onto GPS units and Smartphones prior to the event. Rudimentary route marking will direct riders, but each rider should be responsible for their own navigation as well.

This will not be a timed event in the classic sense. The first 3 to cross the line will form the podium. There will also be 5 segment winners. This will be determined with data gathered from Strava on the day.

There will be one Checkpoint on the route (67km). This will act as a neutral zone where participants will be permitted outside assistance from their own support. Alternatively, there will be a mechanic point supplying basics like tubes and bombs. There will also be a water point. Riders will each receive a token at this point. This will act as proof of passing through the Checkpoint. A Cut off time will also be implemented at this point. If riders exceed this cut off, they will be asked to abandon the race.

A rider is entitled to swap or gift a ticket to another rider. In that instance, please contact Howler support on support@howler.co.za or +27 11 880 2199 so that the new rider details can be updated on the database.

Each entry will receive a race ticket, coffee and fruit, checkpoint token, bike wash, lunch and complimentary beer. Prizes (podium and segment). Cash Bar is available.

Lunch and prize giving will take place at The Stone Cellar. Riders will receive a beer on tap as they arrive back, followed by a lunch, swim in a reservoir pool, a cash bar with beers and refreshments and a prize giving on the lawns. There will be a food vendor to cater for non-racers. Friends and family welcome.

The race leaves the race village, on the banks of the Suikerbos River. The race will start with a neutral zone until the riders cross the river after two kilometers, and shortly thereafter turn right onto the first gravel sector. Here, the flag will drop and the race will begin. It follows the undulating road through the hilly river valley and crosses into Mpumulanga, shortly afterwards it takes a right turn onto some farm jeep track and starts to ascend. This isolated pass winds its way over steep rocky terrain through an exquisite game farm. The likelihood is that riders will portage CX-Style up the loose rocky ascent. The first segment for good measure! Once the grassy plateau is reached, the riders start their descent down a bumpy jeep track. A few challenging kilometers follow with some short rocky ascents, sand and punchy sections, before the riders go through a tunnel underneath the highway. A short tar sector follows for some 5km, after which the race turns West and follows some single track through the maize fields. The fast-flowing single track gives way to rural school roads as we hit the second tar sector. The next right turn will take riders on a smooth, wide gravel highway. This forms the second segment for the points classification, an intermediate sprint sector of about 7km. Shortly thereafter, riders will begin climbing a steady 4km climb that may prove instrumental in the final result. This will be the third segment in the points race. A gnarly descent and a short loop ensues taking the riders to the half way checkpoint. Here, riders will be able to take on some food and water. This will be the only point where riders are allowed to collect spares or have any external help in terms of support crew (for any mechanicals etc). This will be a great section of the route as riders will pass each other in both directions. After a long descent, the riders cross the Suikerbos River once more, before turning left onto the third tar sector. A fast, flat gravel sector follows before turning North and once again following tar for a few kilometers. The riders turn East once more and follow a series of sharp, stoney rollers for just over 5km. With punctures a strong possibility here, this could well spell the end for some riders. This punchy, rocky segment is aptly named, Rocky Raccoon. A quick zig zag sends riders over an old highway overpass and down towards the Valpré Water factory. This will be the last chance for a bidon to be topped up. As the road crosses the busy R23, the hundred-mark is reached. Ten of the most technical kilometers remain. The route follows some fast flowing farm jeep track before utilizing the railway service roads. These small technical trails could be where the race is won... or lost. After turning right onto a smooth, wide and slightly downhill district road, the race crosses the R23 once more. A short, winding gravel climb leads us back to the race village. Approximately 110km later with over 1100m of vertical gain, SxSE 2019 will come to a close. We can’t wait!