The Grindrod Berg & Bush is one of South Africa’s most popular mountain bike stage races. It didn’t achieve this status without constantly innovating to ensure the three events – Descent, Great Trek and Two-Day – remain attractive to newcomers and stimulating to experienced participants. And the 2017 editions of each race this October will see even more developments. 

There are two priorities each year for the organisers of Berg & Bush: The first is to deliver a route that’s challenging, but not treacherous, ensuring that the sacredness of singletrack is always upheld and that ‘proper’ mountain biking prevails. The second is to ensure the riders have a great time off the bike at the event. Here’s what participants can expect this October:

The route:

Anyone that’s ridden the world-famous Garden Route Trail Park near Knysna will have experienced the trail-building talents of Rob Dormehl. Rob has been involved in helping convert Longdrop Pass into “a brand-new trail of happiness” and has also built new berms on The Bell Run. Still in the works is a brand new downhill section along Big Red on Day 2, through the game farm.

What does this mean? It means more flow. It means more fun. It means an already great route will be even better.

The riders:

By paying just R1500 extra (per tent), riders can now upgrade from the standard small dome tent camp to the more comfortable Kudu Camp, which has canvas tents that allow you to stand up and which have two beds with mattresses in each. That’s right, actual steel beds with the event mattresses on top and space beneath to store your bag and gear. Many will also appreciate the ability to stand up, in private, which makes putting on your bib-shorts the right way around every morning a lot less challenging.

“Our long-term goal is to have all riders sleeping in these larger canvas tents in the next five years, included in their entry fee. Our short-term goal is to make it possible and affordable for as many as possible to take advantage of this option this year,” said Gary Green, event founder and race director.

Also new this year is a race village at Windmill Farm at the top of the escarpment. Riders can now book a tent for the night before the start; and the Centriq Chill Zone with CBC draught beer and Fairview wines on the banks of the Tugela River. Only the riding should be tough…

Continuity is important to the Berg & Bush organisers and they’ve confirmed that Grindrod, Bell, Volvo, JoJo Tanks are all once again committed to the event. The investment from these brands all of which are leaders in their categories, allows the organisers to keep the entry fees exceptionally reasonable.

For those that aren’t sure of the format, here’s a summary:

Berg n Bush Descent

Duration: 3 days (6-8 October)

Ideal rider: Obsessed, fit and strong.

Format: Teams of two only

Cost: R11500 per team

Berg n Bush Great Trek

Duration: 3 days (10-12 October)

Ideal rider: Committed and fit; MTB couples

Format: Teams of two AND Solo

Cost: R11500 per team; R5750 per solo

Berg n Bush Two-Day

Duration: 2 days (14-15 October)

Ideal rider: Fun-loving, family-focussed, not super-fit

Format: Teams of two

Cost: R8600 per team

To find out more, or to secure your entry, visit www.bergandbush.co.za

If you’re looking for a special adventure on your mountain bike, then look no further than the Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush. The Descent, Great Trek and original 2 Day all take place in October this year, and once again the team has been working hard to prepare trails that increase thrills and limit spills.

With an intimate knowledge of the surrounding area, race organiser Gary Green is constantly tweaking the bushveld bliss (Read: Improved Route) of his three-day stage race (and the 2 Day).

The Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush takes riders through some of the best scenery and along some of the most incredible trails in South Africa. Starting at Sterkfontein Dam, the Great Trek and Descent takes riders on a winding journey off the escarpment and into the bushveld. With a team dedicated to creating a fun experience on and off the bike, the Berg & Bush is the ideal mountain bike getaway.
Photo: Em Gatland

This year, new developments include an upgraded Longdrop Pass down Spioenkop – built by Rob Dormehl of Garden Route Trail Park – and rejuvenated berms on the famous Bell Run. At present, there are also new single track routes being built and added to the event’s trail grail day two. This is a ride that truly is the Holy Trail of mountain biking. Watch: ‘We’ll see you at the bottom‘

“Our aim is always to leave the riders smiling, says Green. “We’ve found that over the years, if you keep improving the trails, and making them more fun, then riders will leave happy and return happy. From the moment last year’s 2 Day event ended, we have been coming up with ideas and plans to improve every aspect of the Berg & Bush.”

Some of those additions include the event partnering with the Cape Brewing Company and Fairview wines. A range of their respective products will be on offer at the Berg & Bush at the Centriq Chill Zone, which was a major highlight at the event last year.

To make riders feel at home during their stay at the Berg & Bush Em’seni race village, hammocks and bean bags were laid out in abundance, while a temporary sundowner deck was constructed over the Tugela River.

Photo: Em Gatland

One fan of the entire package was 2016 men’s champion, Erik Kleinhans (who rode to victory alongside Matt Beers). “It was my first time at the Berg & Bush last year, and I have to say it was a really special event,” says Kleinhans.

“The trails were incredible, but what I enjoyed the most was that they didn’t feel handmade. They looked and felt like they were part of the surroundings, so the riding really felt like you were out in the bush, far away from civilisation. The entire event was great fun, but it was very cool to just lose yourself in the veld. And of course, riding up then down Spioenkop is a truly spectacular way to finish three days of riding.”

Kleinhans was also impressed with the off-bike atmosphere of the event, which he says made it feel like a home away from home. “The race village was one of the best I have been in. It’s nice that most people stay there, so there are lots of people chilling out, but there is great food, great scenery and lots of opportunity to spend time with friends and other riders.”

Photo: Em Gatland

To make the Berg & Bush feel even more like your own bedroom, the event is now offering improved tents in the Kudu Camp. Here, riders can enjoy a large canvas safari tent with two beds and mattresses. No bending over, no rustling tent in the breeze and no jostling for position if you happen to be sharing.

To find out more, and to enter the 2016 Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush, go to https://www.bergandbush.co.za/