Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge
Details
Imbuko Family Vintners will be hosting the “IMBUKO BIG FIVE MTB CHALLENGE” on Saturday 23 February 2019. In this unique challenge, riders will endure a total ascent of 3 020m over 75km, making it the ultimate one-day event to test your strength and fitness only three weeks before the 2019 ABSA Cape Epic. The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge aims to be the only South African race that tests riders on an international level when it comes to hill climbing. We aim to grow the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge in becoming THE benchmark event to test skill and endurance to compete in the ABSA Cape Epic and other international mountain bike races.
The route is designed by Pieter Van Wyk, who worked on the route design team of the ABSA Cape Epic for many years. Five major climbs (Imbuko ‘Big Five’) will be the main challenges in the race and will take riders through the iconic single tracks of the surrounding mountains of Wellington.
Riders can enter as solo, or teams of two riders each (male, female or mixed). There will be a substantial prize purse for the winners, and all riders will receive goody bags upon entering the event. The whole family can join at the finish line, where there will be food trucks, live music, MTB stalls and much more to keep everyone entertained.
Find us at www.imbukobigfiveMTBchallenge.co.za for entries and more details.
Imbuko Big 5 MTB Challenge - Beat the Unbeatable...
juan pelota, Nov 01 2018 03:38
75km.
3000m of vertical ascent
in boland feb heat
no where to hide in that race, not for me thanks!
milky4130, Nov 18 2018 11:16
European Style racing albeit still short of 1000m Elevation, sure will be a test of mettle & fitness if you are doing Cape Epic or just want to challenge yourself.
milky4130, Nov 21 2018 01:20
Enter before 31 December 2018 and.....WIN!! Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Grand Dédale Country HouseEnter here for the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge on 23 Feb 2019 and stand a chance to win this magnificent prize worth R5 800!
Only paid entries will be eligible to win.
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 04 2019 09:33
Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge
The event derives its name from the five big climbs on the route:
Photos and more info on each climb to follow…
Nr1: Hawekwa
The Hawekwa climb is the second longest climb of the day. It is exposed to the elements and often very windy. Riders will tackle this climb within a couple of kilometres from the start. The 10.2km ascent will take riders from the farmlands all the way up to Du Toitskloof Pass. Total ascent for the Hawekwa is 720m with a maximum elevation is 755m.
milky4130, Jan 04 2019 10:49
About 7 weeks to get ready for the biggest mtb climbing challenge in the Western Cape, who else will be there?
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 07 2019 09:19
Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs:
Nr2: Seven Peaks
The Seven Peaks climb starts immediately after the first water point. It is the shortest climb of the Big Five, but arguably the hardest. This single-track climb is 4.4km long and gains 375m, with riders reaching the highest point at 682m. Riders will be challenged by a couple of technical, rocky sections.
milky4130, Jan 07 2019 03:25
What doesn't get mentioned anywhere is with all the climbing comes the reward of the most amazing single track you've ridden in ages & the views of course. The old Welvenpas Black & Yellow Routes open especially for this event, you really will be blown away.
babse, Jan 07 2019 03:39
after all that climb, i want a tarred descend
milky4130, Jan 07 2019 04:15
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 08 2019 07:35
The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs:
Nr3 - Obiekwa (the Elephant):
The longest climb of the Big Five, 11.1 km long, starts on Bainskloof Pass for 2km, up the Aap D’huez single track climb with its 28 switchbacks, and takes riders to the second waterpoint. From here, riders will descend for approximately 1km, before ascending, via Angel’s Tears, to the top of the climb at a maximum elevation of 795m. The total ascent for this climb is 830m.
Beat the Unbeatable...
Imbuko Big Five Mountain ChallengeImbuko WinesImbuko GiantFull Sus #MTB
babse, Jan 08 2019 08:50
are you planning another recce?
milky4130, Jan 08 2019 02:12
I doubt it, Attakwas in 2 weeks time. Are you entered for this race?
babse, Jan 08 2019 02:43
nah think il try a recce before i commit to this... sounds like death
WaldoZ, Jan 08 2019 02:53
Don't do it, you guys are not tough enough for this race...
* ... quietly presses the enter button and enters ... *
milky4130, Jan 08 2019 03:31
The recce I did was with special permission from the organizers, some sections as mentioned already are closed off to the public i.e. the old Welvenpas Black & Yellow and only open on race day. There were other parts going over private land & farms too which we completely had to cut out. You can do some of the route by purchasing a trail permit at the Trail Center at Wild Boar Trails (there are maps). You can then do about 20-30kms of the actual route & possibly get in 2 or 3 of the 5 climbs. Combine it with the rest of the Wild Boar Trail network & you can easily get 45kms for your trip out there. Scouts Trail, the old Welvenpas Blue & White Routes which is now called Wild Boar Trails.
https://www.strava.c...ties/1748831458
If all else fails we could make a trip out there after Attakwas
Oufy MTB (Roadie), Jan 08 2019 04:59
I'm in, going to k@k but ja neemilky4130, Jan 09 2019 09:36
I'm sure you'll be fine. What has been your toughest mtb race thus far?
tazz1313, Jan 09 2019 11:56
I have ridden many of the trails. The superb single track and that feeling of being a 1,000 miles away from the city can only be experienced in Wellington. There is a reason the that the Cape Epic is a regular visitor to Wellington. Karl Plat often refers to Wellington as favorite trails.
The climbing is well worth it. If you haven't been there is a while, you will be surprised at the amount of new trails. The new trails is especially awesome.
milky4130, Jan 10 2019 10:49
Karl Platt & the Bulls Team always stay at the Cascades Country Manor in the area so they would ride those trails often & can understand why he loves it.
Oufy MTB (Roadie), Jan 11 2019 03:04
Longest - Ama Rider and Tip Trans
Toughest - Last year's Wellington Trailseeker we I went full gas and had a ball of a time tough.
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 14 2019 02:48
The Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge Climbs:
Nr4 - Groenberg (the Buffalo)
The Groenberg climb is the easiest
of the Big Five but might pose more of a challenge considering it is the 4th big climb on the route 
. It takes riders to a maximum elevation of 432m above sea level and is 4.4km long. Total ascent for the climb is 256m and riding consists of mainly single track 
.
Beat the Unbeatable...
milky4130, Jan 16 2019 09:40
Well the good news IMO is AmaRider 100 miler is tougher than Tip Trans.
Big 5 will use a portion of Wellingtons Trailseeker.
Amarider 100miler is longer for 2500m elevation, which is about +-500 shorter than Big 5.
Conclusion you'll survive as the Ama Rider 100 miler is tougher than the Big 5 IMO of course, you can let me know how wrong or how right I was afterwards
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 23 2019 08:37
The Imbuko Big Five MTB Climbs:
Nr 5 - Sweet Potato (The Lion)
The last climb of the big five is a jeep track climb of 6.6km, and 300m ascent. The mid-day sun might make this a difficult climb for riders♀♂ who have been at it all day.
Beat the Unbeatable...
Imbuko Big Five Mountain Challenge Imbuko Wines Imbuko Giant Wild Boar Trails Full Sus #MTB
Oufy MTB (Roadie), Jan 23 2019 10:08
Gravel Travel Events, Jan 28 2019 11:21
So, you have seen the Big Five
waiting for you at the Imbuko Big Five MTB Challenge.
But know this: You will be rewarded with some of the BEST
single track sections after each climb. Starting with the Scouts Trail Single after the Hawekwa (Rhino) Climb:
The Scouts Trail Single has five switchbacks
before riders will cross the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge 
, going on to the thrill of the (don't look down!) section to the Hawekwas Scouts Adventure Centre and your first water point. If you are scared of heights, remember the golden rule: Look Far Ahead of You on the Trail!! 
BEAT THE UNBEATABLE..