Hayterdale Trails, the organisers of the annual PwC GREAT ZUURBERG TREK, is proud to announce South Africa’s first multi-day MTB Event completely focussed on the growing pedal-assist genre. Their GZT E-EDITION will be presented by RUBICON, SA’s leading sustainable technology company.
“We see Rubicon at the forefront of technology and believe that technology isn’t just useful in our day to day lives – it can also have a fun component. The GTZ-e is exactly that! Rubicon echoes Tesla’s mission statement to accelerate the world’s transition to a sustainable future. E-mobility, whether it be e-bicycles or other forms of electric vehicles, promotes that ideology – hence our proud involvement in this event”.
Greg Blandford (Director: Rubicon Energy & E-mobility)
There is no arguing the current boom in e-Bike technology or the burgeoning growth in the number of riders investing in electric bicycles. Globally, there has been a massive spike in e-Bike purchases, to the extent where pedal-assist purchases are outstripping the demand for regular mountain bikes in many developed countries.
“In my opinion, electric motors are arguably the most important invention in cycling since the introduction of gears, more than a century ago”, says Eelco Meyjes, a well-known South African e-Biking enthusiast and activist. “Take the Cape Town Cycle Tour: in 2020, more than 250 electric bicycles lined up at the start, and that was for the first year they were allowed”.
Meyjes argues that e-Bikes allow people with varying skills levels to ride together, while allowing recreational riders to also improve their distances and accumulated ascent in order to experience trails normally beyond their ability.
The additional advantages for commuters and cargo transport goes without saying.
Hayterdale Trails, together with local organisers, Mountain Events, will apply their special brand of outdoor funk to the brand-new GREAT ZUURBERG TREK E-EDITION.
The central trailhead will once again be at the legendary Hayterdale Trail Park, situated in the scenic Zuurberg mountains, a part of the world-famous Addo Elephant National Park.
“This next arrow in our events quiver aims to embrace the technological advances made in the world of pedal-assist biking”, explains Trevor Hayter.
“We know our audience well, but this gives us the opportunity to allow a new segment of our MTB family to experience the utter exhilaration of singletrack set within the indigenous Eastern Cape wilderness”.
The E-EDITION chapter will bring relevancy to the strong supporters’ base laid by the original GREAT ZUURBERG TREK Race, a definitive pacesetter as far as boutique mountain biking events goes. It will be presented for the first time from 10-12 September 2021, and promises to become one of the fastest growing genres in this exhilarating outdoor sport.
What is sure to make the GREAT ZUURBERG TREK E-EDITION so different is having e-Biking as the main event, with a course and infrastructure especially designed to suit their unique riding style and technical abilities. Rob Hayter, the man behind the Hayterdale Trails, has this to say: “One thing is for sure; rider can expect exhilarating riding on our trails as they explore this pristine Zuurberg wilderness”.
The link with RUBICON, the official distributors of the TESLA POWERWALL in South Africa, makes for a perfect fit. “Taking on title sponsorship of the inaugural GZT-e is a great opportunity as we pride ourselves in being a key player in the decentralization, digitalisation and decarbonisation of energy”, says Kelly Scott, the Group Marketing Head.
“This event gives us an opportunity to drive this ethos in the lifestyle space. We look forward to developing a strong partnership with the GREAT ZUURBERG TREK team, and in taking part in this fun-filled and dynamic event in September”, Scott continues. The GZT-e stage race will be presented over three days, from 10-12 September 2021. Teams of two will line up for consecutive stages of approximately 60km, 60km and 50km respectively. In order to allow riders of varying skill- and fitness levels to ride together, organisers have agreed to accommodate traditional mountain bikes, either as teams or paired with the e-bikes.
Both the GREAT ZUURBERG TREK and Mountain Events Teams have decades of combined experience in presenting outdoor and sporting events. According to Trevor Hayter, “The crew will leave no stone unturned to run this event in strict adherence to COVID-19 parameters, taking every step possible to comply with prescribed safety regulations in order to keep participants safe”.
Change may well be the order of the day as e-Bikes power onto the trails, but our GZT guarantee remains the same: Great Outdoors. Great Indoors. Great Impact
GZT-e stage race https://gztebike.co.za/
