What are the entry fees?
The entry fee for the 13km route is R65 for PPA members and R75 for non-PPA members.
The entry fee for the 26km route is R90 for PPA members and R110 for non-PPA members.
The entry fee for the 35km route is R110 for PPA members and R130 for non-PPA members.
The entry fee for the 55km route is R120 for PPA members and R140 for non-PPA members.

Please note that should you not belong to a cycling association or club, you will be charged an extra R30 for a CSA (Cycling South Africa) day licence.

Why do I have to pay for a day licence?
South African cyclists participating in cycling events in South Africa are now required to have either an elite/full licence, a Cyclosport licence, a Recreational/Membership licence or a one day event licence to be able to participate in events. This is in accordance with regulations that were instituted by the governing body of cycling in the country, Cycling South Africa, and took effect on 1 January 2008.

If I have entered and paid for a specific distance, can I change the distance before the race or at registration?
Yes, you can. Once the entries have closed and the numbers have been allocated, there will be an admin fee of R20 to change to a shorter route. If you wish to change to a longer route, the difference in entry fee will be charged if it is more than R20.

If I have entered and paid, but can't ride any longer for whatever reason… can I ask for a refund?
No Refunds, No exceptions. No Substitutions.

When do pre-entries close?
Friday 5 February 2010 or when we reach the respective event limits.

Are entries limited?
Yes, 4,750 in total for all distances:
- 13 km - 750 entrants
- 26 km - 1,250
- 35 km - 1,000
- 55 km - 1,750 entrants.

I have entered on the web, but have not paid. Will my pre-entry be cancelled?
If you do not submit your payment before the entries close, then your entry will be cancelled.

Shall I wear my own RaceTec (Winning Time) chip?
RaceTec chips will be compulsory on the 26 km, 35 km and 55 km routes. If you forget to wear your chip, you will not be timed. It is not compulsory to wear a chip on the 13 km, but you are welcome to do so if you would like to be timed.

When and where do I collect my race number?
Cycle Lab, Northgate Island, N1/M5 (Koeberg) interchange:
Wednesday, 3 March, 12h00 - 18h00
Thursday, 4 March, 12h00 – 18h00
Click here for the map.

Dirtopia Trail Centre at Delvera (on the R44 between Klapmuts & Stellenbosch):
Friday, 5 March, 12h00 – 18h00
Click here for the map and directions.

Boschendal Wine Estate:
Saturday, 6 March, from 07h00
Sunday, 7 March, from 07h00
Click here for the map and directions.


What are the start times of the races?
Download the start times here

Will PPA easy entries be accepted at registration for late entries?
No, not at this event.

Will all finishers get medals?
Yes, 4,750 finishers in total will receive medals at the finish.

Will there be prize money for the winners.
Yes, only for the 55km – first three men & women.

Other prizes or lucky draws?
Yes

How many water points?
13km –1
26km - 2
35km - 2
55km – 5

How do we get to Boschendal?
Boschendal is situated on the R310 between Franschoek and Stellenbosch. Please go to The Venue / Map on the website.

MTB Seeding Series!

With the phenomenal growth of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Mountain Bike Challenge staged at Boschendal over the past six years, the need for an effective seeding system for off-road riders has been identified. This fun seeding index will use our most popular events to make seeding of our riders for their starts much simpler and fairer. Basically, you can now start with your peers.

So, which events will qualify?
2009 Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge
2009 Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna MTB Challenge
2009 Stellenbosch Mountain Bike Challenge
2009 Lourensford Classic
2009 Nelson’s Creek MTB Challenge

IMPORTANT: This MTB Seeding Series is a fun index and not part of any provincial or national ranking system, it will measure riders’ ability and allow them to start with their peers. This will particularly benefit regular riders who always land in the back of the queue because they entered late.

Seeding for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Mountain Bike Challenge

55km, 35km & 26km: riders will be seeded according to this new MTB Seeding system.

13km: riders will be seeded first-come-first-served

Conditions of entry:

1. There are no refunds.
2. There are no substitutions.
3. The MTB Challenge will take place regardless of bad weather and will only be cancelled, re-routed or stopped for reasons of safety.
4. All photographic or video material of participants made by the organisers or their assignees during any activity deemed to be part of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour and other official Lifecycle Week activities, shall be free for use by the organisers in any matter relating to the Cycle Tour and Lifecycle Week activities at any time in the present or future.

Rules for the 2010 Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge:

1. Every rider shall ride carefully and with due regard to the safety of other cyclists and other trail users.
2. Every rider shall wear a bicycle helmet with the strap securely fastened under his/her chin.
3. Every rider shall immediately comply with the instructions of a marshal and/or a traffic officer.
4. Every rider shall provide information requested by any marshal immediately.
5. Every rider shall at all times display his/her race number legibly.
6. Every rider shall identify him/herself and give his/her address on request to a marshal or any other rider requesting such information after a collision/race incident.
7. Every rider shall ride the full course and retire if he/she does not complete the full course.
8. A rider may not use a personal music system or a radio communication device, including a cellular phone, whilst riding.
9. A rider shall not ride with another person’s number or timing identification.
10. A rider shall not use foul or offensive language to his/her fellow riders or to any marshal.
11. A rider shall not dispose of any litter along the course except in refuse bins.
12. A rider may not start or attempt to start before his/her designated start.
13. A rider shall endeavour to complete the course with his/her own effort and shall not receive any assistance in this regard.
14. A rider shall provide reasonable assistance to any other rider involved in an accident while participating in the MTB Challenge.
15. A rider shall be responsible to other riders for the proper control of his/her bicycle.
16. A licensed rider shall in addition comply with all applicable UCI rules and regulations.
17. The Cycle Tour Trust, trustees, organisers and their employees, volunteers and assistants shall not be liable to any rider or other person claiming on behalf of a rider for damage to property, personal injury or death caused before, during or after the MTB Challenge, whether such damage to property, personal injury or death was caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Cycle Tour Trust, trustees, organisers and/or their employees, volunteers and assistants and shall not be liable for any claim for contribution or indemnification in this regard.
18. A rider may not participate whilst under the influence of alcohol or any drug or medication that prevents or might prevent a rider from properly controlling his/her bicycle.
19. A rider may not use performance enhancing drugs. A rider is not subject to anti-doping testing, except that any rider may be tested for alcohol or drugs after an accident.
20. A rider shall not display on his/her bicycle, clothing and cycling equipment and writing, logo or item that is offensive or that may bring the MTB Challenge into disrepute, as determined by the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.
21. A rider who is informed by a marshal that he/she has been disqualified shall immediately slow down and cease to ride. A rider so disqualified shall thereafter cease to race but may thereafter ride the course only with permission of the marshal but may not cross the finish line or mats.
22. Every rider entering the MTB Challenge consents to his/her name and/or number being publicly displayed and publicised (including on the internet) in the event that he/she is disqualified.
23. A rider may be disqualified summarily without a hearing by any one or more of the following persons:
    23.1 A trustee of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
    23.2 A PPA marshal.
    23.3 Any other person authorized by the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust.
24. Such summary disqualification shall be done by 14:00 on the day of the MTB Challenge except in the case of a report from the official timer of the event, in which case the summary disqualification shall be made within a reasonable time after such report is made or a reasonable time after calling for further information from the rider and/or other persons.
25. In the event that a person is aggrieved by a summary disqualification he/she may request in writing to the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust within 24 hours of the completion of the race to be reinstated. Such a person may supplement such a request for re-instatement in the event of he/she receiving further information at a later time.
26. Any such request for reinstatement shall be considered by a tribunal appointed for that purpose who may:
    26.1 Take no action;
    26.2 Reinstate the person;
    26.3 Order that further information be obtained;
    26.4 Impose additional penalties including a fine of up to R1 000.00 and/or recommend to the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust that the person shall not be eligible to compete in the MTB Challenge in future.
27. In addition, whether or not a rider has been summarily disqualified, the tribunal appointed for the purpose may, on notice to a rider by e-mail or other means of communication, call a hearing to determine whether a rider should be disqualified or another penalty imposed for a breach of the rules.
28. A hearing will normally be convened either on the day of the MTB Challenge or within a few days thereafter.
29. In the event of a disqualification, whether summary or after a hearing, a rider shall forthwith return any prize previously awarded to the rider and comply with any sanctions imposed.
30. A rider shall not be entitled to legal representation at such a hearing, except with the permission of the chairman of the tribunal. The chairman of the tribunal shall determine the procedure to be followed at any hearing.

CAPE ARGUS PICK N PAY MTB CHALLENGE: NOW TWO DAYS: 6 & 7 March 2010

Quick Guide | Background | General Rules

QUICK GUIDE

Date: Saturday, 6 March & Sunday, 7 March 2010
Venue: Boschendal Wine Estate, R310 outside Stellenbosch
Route: Saturday: 13 km & 26 km | Sunday: 35 km & 55 km

BACKGROUND

The MTB Challenge is an official event of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Lifecycle Week and part of the build-up to the annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

The 2010 edition will be the eighth event using Boschendal Wine Estate as a venue. For the first time, the event will span over two days and will take place the weekend preceding the Cycle Tour.

The first MTB Challenge took place in 2002 and the event has grown from 700 riders, almost 1300 in 2004 to over 4 200 in 2009.

The 2009 Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge was the biggest MTB event in the country at the time.

Take a thrilling mountain bike ride through the exquisite Boschendal Wine estate. Test your skills on steep slopes, corkscrew turns and furrowed vineyards. Both seasoned bikers and brave newcomers will have plenty of opportunities to test their limits over a variety of routes.

And if you prefer relaxing with a glass in your hand – instead of gripping the handlebars then book a picnic, bring the family and sample some of Boschendal’s exquisite wines in the picturesque scenery of the Franschhoek valley.

Finish Line Attractions

• Kiddies area – arts & crafts, balloon making, facepainting, jumping castle
• Live music at the finish near the food stalls from Jeremy Olivier
• Helderberg Cycles to run a bikeshop
• Massages from physiotherapists available at R50 for 20 minutes
• Showers available (near the medical tent)
• Bike wash available at the cellar

• Seeding: 55, 35 & 26 km: riders seeded according to the new MTB Seeding Series. 13km riders seeded first-come-first-served.
• No PPA easy entry tickets accepted at registration.
• R20 admin fee will be charged for changes to a shorter distance. The difference in entry fee will be charged for changes to a longer distance.
• No helmet, no ride.
• First riders over the line wins - so if you start at the back, you won't win...even if your time is faster than the guy/gal that crossed the line first!
• All participants will sign a waiver at registration
• No refunds. No substitutions. No exceptions.
• Prize-money for 55 km winners only.