7th Botrivier Van der Stel Pass Challenge

Race & Route Description


    The race is hosted by the Botrivier Education Foundation (BEF), a non-profitable voluntary association. The aims and objectives of the organization are to motivate and assist students in Botrivier to study in the fields of engineering, medicine and charter accountancy. Students are in a mentoring program and financial assistance is given in the form of student fees, educational excursions and university fees. Forty two (42) students are in the program with 7 currently at various universities studying accounting, education and science.



      Three MTB races:
      1. 60 km starting @ 07h30
      2. 37 km starting @ 07h35
      3. 15 km starting @ 07h45
      Fees: R 80 – 60 km
      R 60 – 37 km
      R 35 – 15 km
      T- shirts (fiber cotton) - R60

      Race and route description

      Interesting new sections exploring the hills and valleys in and around the Van der Stel Pass await all the new and previous participants. Porcupine Hills in particular is a section on the long route which cyclists will thoroughly enjoy. Don’t forget to look up to spot the eagles nesting. Mainly gravel road and jeep tracks. Short non technical single tracks are scattered along the course. The purpose of the route design is enjoyment, not technical, but still needs enough fitness and cycling in those legs especially for the 60km. The last 10km is a ride on the escarpment until the last descent back to the Botrivier station. Enough water and soft drink will be served along the route with friendly marshalling. All three routes follow the same direction challenging the “Hill of friends” so called due to an incline that will require most moderate fit riders to descent their bicycles and have a friendly chat whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery. For the super fit riders hardly a challenge.

      The 15km route has been changed in 2011. A fairly easy ride with one short uphill until the cut away back to the station. The 37 km and 60 km races follow the scenic Van der Stel pass before the 60km turns left with a steep climb for 2km towards Paardevlei. The riders will enjoy beautiful views once at the top of this climb. From here easy fast riding with stepwise decline through farming areas until the eagle’s nest at Porcupine Hills. The two long routes join again at the bottom of the Hawston view road. From here both routes travel together for ±4km until they once again split on the adjacent Hawston view farm. No further hills for the 37km as they head back to the station with a view of the Botrivier lagoon on their far left. The 60km route continues through open farm land with short inclines until joining the 37km route back to the station via the Beaumont wine farm.

      An indemnity form must be signed by all cyclists.

      Male and female winners of the 60km race receives R1000, 37km winner receives R300 and 15km R100. Category prize money is available.

      One thousand rand (R1000) for the male and female winners of the 60 km race. Medals for all and cash prizes for winners plus many lucky draws including R1000 draw, overnight stay at Arabella Hotel & Spa & many more spot prizes.


        • starting @ 08H00
        • starting @ 08H05
        • starting @ 08h10
        • starting @ 08h10


        Fees: R50 – 21km
        R40 – 10km
        R30 – 5km
        T- shirts (fiber cotton) - R60

        Male and female winners of 21km receive a R750 cash prize. The 10km winners receive R500 in cash. Category prizes available.

        R1000 lucky draw and overnight stay for two at the Arabella Hotel &Spa.

        Route
        The route follows the scenic Van der Stel Pass which is a very well maintained gravel road. Interesting places along the way will be marked, like the old bridge, “kyk in die pot” en “bobbejaanskloof”. Water and soft drinks will be available every 3km. Please throw empty sachets in the bins provided.

        Rules
        The race is run according the rule of Athletics SA and Boland Athletics. Athletes must turn 16 on the 29 October 2011 to be allowed to participate in the 21km and 15 to be allowed into the 10km race. Traffic officials and Marshalls must be obeyed at all times. Athletes participate at own risk and the organizers and sponsors cannot be held responsible for any injuries or lost. An indemnity form must be signed by all participants before taking part. Proof of age is required for category winners. A license number for 2011 or temporary license must be displayed on every athlete’s back who takes part in the 10km and 21km races. A race card must be handed in at the finish.

          Starting time 08H10 at the station
          Distance 6 km
          Sites to be visited 4

          Cut off 10H30
          Entrance Fee R50
          T- Shirts (fiber cotton) R60

          This is the first such “race” known to take place in South Africa. It takes place on the same day as the 21km, 10km and 5km running and walking as well as the 60km, 37km and 15km MTB events. It is called the Botrivier Cultural Historic “Race”, but in fact it is all easy walking which must be completed within 2½hrs. Four (4) cultural historic sites will be visited where individuals from Botrivier will convey interesting facts about their specific sites. The race will continue immediately after the time allocation has expired at a HISTORICAL STOP. Medals will be given and finishers also stand a chance to win lucky draws including a R1000 and overnight stay at Arabella Hotel & Spa. The route stretches for 6km. Guides will accompany the walkers

          Water, soft drinks and a medal will be on offer for all participants. The sites which will be visited for the 2011 race include, the KRAAL, Old Mill (restored), OUTSPAN and the OLD SCHOOL and GRAVE at Rooiheuwel. Different sites will be visited in 2012.

          The walk forms part of the education theme of Botrivier van der Stel Pass MTB, walking and running event on the 29 October 2011 which is hosted by the Botrivier Education Foundation.

          Start and finish of all races on Botrivier Station

          Entries and Registration:
          1. Morning of the race – starting @ 05h00 am in registration tent.
          2. Online entries @www.bef.org.za until Monday 24 Oct 2011. Online entries open on 1 July 2011.
          3. Registration on the station (registration tent) from 16H00 – 20H00 on Friday 28 October 2011.
          4. Race numbers can be collected on the Station (registration tent) from 16H00 – 20H00 on Friday 28 October 2011.

          Directions to Botrivier station
          To get to Botrivier station from Cape Town – pass the Hermanus turn off on the N2 at the bottom of the Houwhoek Pass. The next turnoff is towards Botrivier situated on your left. At the T-junction turn left. Continue with this road around a sharp bent with the Bot River Hotel and filling station on your left. Sign posts will easily guide you to the start 200m from the bent.

          Contact
          Wilfred @ 021 851 2295 or 0833241846 or email wilfred.habelgaarn@gmail.com or
          Anthony @ 0837732574 or email           anthess02@gmail.com