Ermelo cyclist takes on the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge
It consisted of five race categories namely Fun Ride of 20km, Half Marathon of 30km, Half Marathon of 48km, Full Marathon of 77km and Ultra Marathon of 110km.
This past weekend cyclists from the Office National Ermelo Cycling Club participated in the Barberton XCM Mountain Bike Challenge.
It grew over the years to become one of the toughest, if not the toughest one-day mountain bike race that Mpumalanga or the Lowveld has to offer, hence the slogan, ‘Not as delicate as a daisy’.
The race was a rude awakening for those who overindulged in eating all the festive season treats rather than spending some time on the saddle.
This scenic trail took participants through a variety of landscapes and heritage sites, passing the Makhonjwa and Lebombo mountains where majestic views over the De Kaap valley could be enjoyed and through a number of wildlife estates.
It consisted of five race categories namely Fun Ride of 20km, Half Marathon of 30km, Half Marathon of 48km, Full Marathon of 77km and Ultra Marathon of 110km.
Eben Swart ended 40th overall and Robert Cronje 57th in the 110km race, while Shaun Scott ended seventh in the 77km.
In the 48km race, Jacques Nel finished 24th, Jan Brendenhann 46th and Nico Steinberg 154th.
Jooste Coetzee ended sixth and Wildo du Toit ninth in the 30km race.
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