Berg and Bush

2 Day

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The 2-Day is sociable and features fast fun flowing trails! We welcome riders from ages 15 upwards!

Berg and Bush TWO Day 2022 Day1-0034

THE STANDARD BANK BERG & BUSH 2 DAY 2024

Price per Team of 2

R10 000

or Solo

R5000

Dates

8 - 9 June

Difficulty

Family friendly

Duration

2 days

Distance

110km

About the 2 Day

  • Manageable distances (60km, 50km)
  • Great for families (15 years and older allowed to ride)
  • Stay in one race village
  • Fun category prizes for teams (Mother/child, husband & wife, father/child etc) 
  • All new Bushbaby category (teams of school-going children aged 15-19 can compete) – Total of R30 000 in Prizemoney

Route & GPS

Day 1: 60km

Leaving the race village, we soon start climbing out of the Tugela valley passed the historic Spionkop Lodge before a long descent through Mount Alice Farm. We will have great views of the Drakensberg mountains as we climb back up via Shongololo single track. Another long descent down Big Red, a 4 x4 track, takes us into St Anton’s – an exhilarating purpose-built track down a ravine riding through large herds of game. Riding along some quiet farm roads we eventually come to the challenge of the day Mike’s Pass. This short sharp cheeky climb challenges most riders before summiting out onto the most incredible views of the Tugela River far below. We then descend down the most fun sections of the day being Puffadder pass and Mazambane. Following single track riding along the banks of the Tugela River we eventually arrive home having had such a fun day out.

Day 2: 52km

Early morning will take the riders to the base of Spioenkop on the southern side of the mountain where we ascend the Zig Zigs. Here riders follow a mellow gradient up and around 13 corners to where the real fun begins. We traverse the side of the mountain for a while before descending down the Fanagalo single track, a section of route which was used in The World Single Speed Champs a few years ago. Riding along the banks of the Tugela River, we pass through Tugela River Lodge before the next climb of the day, which is up and over Brakfontein Hill. Boer fortifications can be seen where they waited for the British to cross the river in 1899. Riders then descend down into The Kloof, a fun flowing section through beautiful African bushveld. At the bottom of The Kloof we ride along the dry river bed, passing Blue Cliffs before climbing out the other side on a section built by well-known trail builder, Glen Harrison. A fast descent, and along sections following cattle tracks, we eventually arrive at Spioenkop mountain climb. This 1.5km climb tests everyone’s fitness before summiting. The 13km descent back to the race village remains a highlight for many mountain bikers.

Entries

Your entry fee includes:

  • 2 days of pure Berg & Bush trails
  • 1 beautiful Race Village!
  • A goodie bag per person
  • 3 meals a day plus access to the famous chill zone
  • 24-hour coffee, tea, juice and crunchie station
  • Race facilities like hot showers, bike wash, chill zones, bar and more.
  • Medical support on the route.
  • Charity-run water points along the route with the most incredible local treats and people manning them!

It does not include:

  • Accommodation – We’ve removed the cost of accommodation from the entry fee to give you the freedom of choice! Tent options below which can be added to your entry form or BNBs in the accommodation tab. Any of the below can be used on the night of registration.
  • You can add the below tent options on your entry:
    • Standard Tent
    • Kudu Tent
    • Weaver Tent
    • Kingfisher Tent
    • Emseni Room
    • Self-camping
    • FishEagle Tent
  • Massages, physio, car shuttles, bike transport and bike mechanic service – book these separately.
  • Drinks from our race village pub

Refund Policy

Refunds processed up to 30 April 2024 will be refunded at 90% of entry fee.

However you can also sell your entry to another rider and do an online substitution.

The same refund policy applies to the cost of a tent, if it cannot be sold to another rider.

I undertake to participate entirely at my own risk. I agree that I shall have no claims whatsoever against the organizing body, any individuals, organiser or official, marshal, assistant, helper or agent, the sponsors, any local authority or land owners, in respect of any loss or damage whatsoever I may suffer arising from any injury to my person or loss or damage to property as a result of, or arising out of, whether directly or indirectly, my participation in this event, including my arrival and departure there from and attendance of any ceremony and function thereof, however such loss or damage may arise and regardless of whether or not same shall have been caused directly or indirectly by negligence, of one or more or all of the aforementioned parties. In the event of my approval of this form as a guardian of a minor, I hereby consent to such minor being bound by the foregoing and further I indemnify the aforementioned parties to the extent, if any, to which such minor is not capable of waiving his rights as stipulated within. I agree to participate subject to rules including any drug tests and penalties provided for therein. By entering, I agree to email and SMS communications from EntryNinja and possibly LiveTime depending on the timing provider, regarding event details. I have read the above indemnity and the rules understand them and shall abide by them.

Cancellation due to Force Majeure and Severe Weather. If Berg and Bush is forced to cancel a stage (or stages) due to severe weather conditions or fires that puts riders’ safety at risk, the riders will not have any claim against the organisers or any of their sponsors of whatsoever nature in these circumstances. Berg and Bush reserves the right to change the route for inter alia, safety and security reasons without notice. If Berg and Bush is cancelled in total as a last resort due to events beyond our control (force majeure) – relating to, inter alia, political turmoil, natural disasters, strikes, protest action or any other major disturbance beyond our control, riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses. Berg and Bush will do everything in our power to reroute and to run the event in a safe and secure manner should any event of force majeure arise.

No refunds will be made on partial payments. You need to be fully paid up to qualify for refund policy above.

Accommodation

Find accommodation in the Race Village here

Find accommodation near the Race Village here.

Find accommodation +20km from the Race Village here

Fly-in Packages

Available on the Descent only but feel free to contact us should you need any travelling assistance.

Directions

DIRECTIONS TO REGSITRATION & RACE VILLAGE

  • Transporting from Tokai, Constantia, Claremont, Somerset West, Cape Town and Paarl.
  • Johannesburg and Pretoria Areas
  • Simply drop your bike off race ready, no boxing, no disassembling required.
  • It’s not just transportation. Our customers enjoy service at a personal level, because it’s not our job – it’s our passion!
  • Dean – 082 729 7955bookings@allinevents.co.za
  • Book online at www.allinevents.co.za

Directions from Gauteng

Take the N3 South towards Durban. Go straight through the Tugela Toll Plaza. After 10kms you will find the Bergville offramp. Go up the left ramp and then LEFT towards LADYSMITH on the N11. After 4.6kms turn right onto the R600 towards Spioenkop Dam. After about 15km Em’seni is on your left hand below Spionkop dam wall.

Directions from Durban

Take the N3 North. After Estcourt, pass Ultra City, then take the first offramp Left to BERGVILLE/CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG (R74). Proceed left towards Winterton. Go STRAIGHT through Winterton. After 1km take the R600 right to Spioenkop Dam. Proceed straight for 18km. Em’seni is on the right.

Bike & Car Shuttles

BIKE SHUTTLES - All In Events

  • Transporting from Tokai, Constantia, Claremont, Somerset West, Cape Town and Paarl.
  • Johannesburg and Pretoria Areas
  • Simply drop your bike off race ready, no boxing, no disassembling required.
  • It’s not just transportation. Our customers enjoy service at a personal level, because it’s not our job – it’s our passion!
  • Dean – 082 729 7955bookings@allinevents.co.za
  • Book online at www.allinevents.co.za

Itinerary

Friday, 7 June 2024

  • Registration: 14:00 – 19:00
  • Check-in into race village tents from 12:00 – 19:00
  • Dinner: 18:00 – 20:00
  • Race Briefing: 19:00
 

Saturday, 8 June 2024

  • Breakfast: 6:30 – 8:30
  • Start: 8:00 (7 minutes between batches)
  • Lunch: 12:00 – 15:00
  • History Talk: 16:00 in Race Village
  • Dinner: 18:00 – 20:00
  • Race Briefing: 19:00
 

Sunday, 9 June 2024

  • Breakfast: 6:30 – 8:30
  • Start: 8:30
  • Lunch: 11:00 – 14:00
  • Prize Giving: 13:00

Physio & Massage

To book Sports Massage, Chiro or Physio, please contact Gill for the booking form: bergandbushmassage@gmail.com

  • Sports Massage @ R400.00 per 30 minute session
  • Chiro @ R550 per 30 minute session
  • Physio @ R550 per 30 minute session
  • Taping and strapping is an additional R50 and will be available each morning before the start and during the day in the massage tent
 

Sports Massage can help maintain the body in better condition, prevent injuries and loss of mobility, restore mobility to inured muscles and tissues, boost performance and extend the overall life of your sporting career.

Recovery Zone – Foam Rollers, stretching mats, calf & foot stretchers, resistance bands and Ice Bath Bins.

SPORTS EVENT THERAPISTS are a team of qualified and experienced Sports Massage Therapists, Chiropractors & Physiotherapists who have a passion and love for what we do.

Whilst maintaining a professional approach to our work we like to get to know our clients and share a few jokes inside the Massage Tent to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Prizes, Batching and Results

Categories for Teams 2024

*TEAMS CAN CHOOSE ONE CATERGORY ONLY

*EACH RIDER IS CLASSIFIED TO HIS OR HER AGE ON DECEMBER 31st OF THE CURRENT YEAR.

MAIN RACE:

  • MENS: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
  • LADIES: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
  • MIXED: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
 

BUSHBABIES: Highschool teams, 1st, 2nd and 3rd (PRIZEMONEY – R50 000 in total)

MOTHER / TEEN: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
MOTHER / CHILD: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
FATHER / TEEN: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
FATHER / CHILD: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
SIBLINGS: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
HUSBAND & WIFE: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
BIG BUGGERS (TEAM OVER 200KG): 1st, 2nd and 3rd
LOCALS: 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Training Programme

We are excited to announce that we have again partnered with Science to Sport’s A/Prof Mike Posthumus to bring you a scientifically developed training programme for the Berg & Bush. The training programme is available to anyone who enters the 2024 Berg & Bush before March of this year. The 10-week programme will be sent via Newsletter to all entered riders.

Train smart, not hard, and enjoy your best Berg & Bush yet

Rules

  1. All CSA rules apply.
  2. All our local farm rules apply too. Be nice. Be gracious and remember how privileged we are to be able to ride mountain bikes.
  3. Those convicted of doping may not enter!
  4. If you want your prize money, you have to attend prize giving.
  5. Anybody overheard swearing at staff, other riders or race organisers will be blacklisted from all future Berg and Bush events. If you couldn’t get in this year, now you know why.
  6. Anybody starting ahead of their allocated batch will also be blacklisted from any future event. The same rule applies to littering. 
  7. One hour time penalties will be incurred with:
    Riders not being within 2 minutes of each other at any time.
    Riders who give sweets, biscuits or chocolates to the kids on the route.
  8. Begging children are becoming a problem at races. Please don’t encourage them. They are given soccer balls and other incentives to entertain them if they don’t ask for sweets.
  9. The decision of the race director is final. And his wife’s decisions are even more final. 
  10. And the most important rule: make sure you smell the cow dung and look at the views. Before you know it, it will be all over. Enjoy your event.
 

TAKE NOTE:

USING AN ILLEGITIMATE ID NUMBER WILL RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR ENTRY AND FORFEITING YOUR PAYMENT. FURTHERMORE, AN EMAIL ADDRESS CANNOT BE USED MORE THAN ONCE – ONE EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE USED COMBINED WITH ONE ID NUMBER

E-Bike Rules

E-bikes are welcome at The Standard Bank Berg & Bush events, please note – there are some rules.
  • Hybrid Teams only (one E-bike, one normal Mountain Bike)
  • Due to the remote nature of our refreshment stations, Berg & Bush is a one battery event and no extra battery will be allowed.
  • E-bikes will start in D batch.
  • There will be no e-bike racing categories or prizes at the event.

What to Bring

Download your packing list here

Meals

Delicious meals from Friday Evening to Lunch on Sunday at Em’seni Race Village.

Well-stocked watertables along the Route

24-hour Snack Station

We have vegetarian and gluten-free options available – please choose your option on the entry form.

Mechanics




Sponsors

Supporter's Package

R3000/pp

Includes:

  • Meals from Dinner on Registration night to Lunch on the last day
  • Hot showers and ablutions
  • 24 Hour Tea / Coffee and snack station
  • Access to Race Village and Race Briefings
  • One Supporter point per day on route
*Excludes accommodation

Have any questions?

If there’s anything else you’d like to know or you’re unsure of, reach out to us and we’ll be sure to fill you in.

Jani Maritz

Galleries Of Our Past Races

Not convinced to enter just yet? Take a look at some of our favourite memories from past events to whett your appetite!

Videos

Videos

2022

2022

2021

2021

2019

2019