Overberg MTB Events will bring the art and love of mountain biking to Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, when it hosts the inaugural Sky Villa Trans Plett MTB Classic.
This two-day stage event, which kicks off with a prologue on March 11, 2022, takes place at the world class boutique hotel Sky Villa.
The 18km prologue starts at the Sky Villa hotel.
Riders will experience a few challenging climbs that will take them right to the top with a 360-degree view of Keurboomstrand and Plett before descending into a total of five exhilarating and flowing single tracks.
The second stage covers 70km and starts at Cairnbrogie Farm.
Riders will experience beautiful forestry trails before moving on to magnificent sea views on cliff edges and the well-known Harkerville Red Route before returning back to Cairnbrogie.
Indeed, a perfect balance of jeep and single track routes, that will keep riders enticed all the way.
The 50km final stage will see riders line up at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. This stage is essentially the same route used in the Dr Evil MTB Classic.
Thanks to Leon Evans, Dr Evil himself, this route was recommended to Overberg MTB Events, and it strikes a fine balance between jeep and single track.
Riders will be traversing through indigenous routes in the Buffelsnek forestry trails. The typical lush green and tropical plantations is exactly what is needed to end off a weekend of riding in paradise.
Before heading to Plett, Overberg MTB Events will host the popular Stanford MTB Classic at Stanford Valley Guest Farm on February 26, 2022.
The event consists of an 85km Ultra XCM, 55km XCM, and 25km Marathon.
This is the Overberg’s most challenging one-day MTB race, and it is affiliated with the Overberg Cycling Association.
It’s also a qualifying race for Overberg MTB colours.
The next event after the Sky Villa Trans Plett MTB Classic is the Greyt Middelplaas Escape, which is taking place from June 11 to 12.
It’s returning as a two-day MTB stage race, which promises to be better than ever before.
The 2022 edition will be hosted at the spectacular guest farm Elandskloof, just 20km outside Greyton, set against the backdrop of the majestic Riviersonderend mountain range.
A very exciting aspect is that mountain bikers will get to ride the Cape Epic 2022 stage three and four routes.
It’s the perfect weekend away for avid mountain bikers and ideal to include the whole family. Various activities can be enjoyed, such as hiking, mountain biking, splashing in the river, or just relaxing in beautiful surroundings and reading a book.
New dates are set for the 2022 editions of the Elgin Bikes 2 Blossoms, Tulbagh Olive & Wine MTB Tour, and De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience.
Overberg MTB Events’ Anneke Jacobs said that being in the MTB industry as an event organiser required not only a passion for what you do, but a lot of hard work and persistence.
“My journey with MTB events started back in 2016 when I took over the Greyt Escape Classic and changed it into a stage race. It took another two years before I started getting momentum and took over the Stanford MTB Classic.
“De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience followed in 2018, and in 2021 two more super events were added to the calendar, which included Tulbagh Olive and Wine MTB Classic, and the Elgin Bikes 2 Blossoms.
“Now almost at the end of 2021, for the first time we will be hosting the Sky Villa Trans Plett MTB Classic in 2022.”
Jacobs added that she had never been more rewarded and satisfied as she had been the past few years.
“Mountain biking brings people together. It creates memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
“For those who don’t understand the art of mountain biking, this is not only about racing and being on the podium, it’s about sharing what you love doing, building friendships and developing ways of increasing the most important thing in life: Health and a quality of life.”
View more information on all the Overberg MTB events, and enter here:
Stanford MTB Classic (February 26, 2022)
Sky Villa Trans Plett MTB Classic (March 11 – 13, 2022)
Greyt Middelplaas Escape (June 11 – 12, 2022)
Elgin Bikes 2 Blossoms (October 1, 2022)
Tulbagh Olive & Wine MTB Tour (October 15 – 16, 2022)
De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience (May 20 – 22, 2022)
