MTN Ride Crater Cruise - XCM #8 driven by NISSAN
| Date: | 13 / 14 October 2012 |
| Venue: | Ride Arena, Parys, Free Sate |
| Terrain: | Rocky | Crater | Farmland |
| Elevation: | 341m | Ascent: 2600m (ultra) 1650m (75km) |
| Participants: | 1200+ |
| Features: | Single tracks | Gravelroad | Forests |
| Registration: | Fri 12/10 14:00-21:00 & Sat 13/10 06h30 - 16h00 & Sun 14/10 06h30 - 08h30 |
| Entries: | ONLINE ENTRIES OPEN SHORTLY |
| Early Bird Close: | TBA (Save up to R50! by entering before) |
| Entries Close: | Wednesday 03 October 2012 Midnight |
Registration days
| 10/10 09:00 - 19:00 | Anatomic Factory Shop, Silhouette House, 179 beyers naude Drive, Northcliff, JHB - GPS – S 26°08.638’ E 27°58.846’ |
| 12/10 11:00 - 18:00 | Anatomic Factory Shop, Silhouette Factory, 11 Carl Preller Street, Parys, Free State - GPS – S 26°55.368’ E 27°27.429’’ |
| 13/10 06:00 - 16:00 | Anatomic Factory Shop, Silhouette Factory, 11 Carl Preller Street, Parys, Free State - GPS – S 26°55.368’ E 27°27.429’ |
| 14/10 06:00 - 08:00 | Anatomic Factory Shop, Silhouette Factory, 11 Carl Preller Street, Parys, Free State - GPS – S 26°55.368’ E 27°27.429’ |
Saturday
| 06h30-16h00: | Registration & Line Entries - Anatomic factory shop |
| 13/10 07h15: | Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover |
| 13/10 07h30: | Start MTN Ride ULTRA Marathon UCI PRO/Elite 106km Race |
| 13/10 07h40: | Start MTN ULTRA Marathon Men + Ladies "A". Batches at + 5min intervals |
| 13/10 08h00: | Start Nissan Ride 28km Dirt Flirt #1 |
| 13/10 08h15: | Start SPUR Petit Cruise - Eiffel Tower |
| 13/10 09h30: | Winner of Nissan Ride 28km Dirt Flirt #1 Expected |
| 13/10 11h10: | Winner of MTN Ultra Marathon 106km Expected |
| 13/10 15h00: | Prize Giving - Ride Arena |
| 13/10 16h00: | Ride Elite Kêtathelon (a kêttie-shooting mountain bike duathlon) Petit Paris |
Sunday
| 06h30-08h30: | Registration - Anatomic factory shop |
| 14/10 07h45: | Riders Briefing / Leaders Jersey Handover |
| 14/10 08h00: | Start NISSAN Ride Crater cruise 1/2 XCM 56km "A". Batches +5min intervals |
| 14/10 08h30: | Start Ride Dirt Flirt #2 - 17km |
| 14/10 09h40: | Winner aQuelle Fun Race 20km |
| 14/10 10h00: | Winner NISSAN Ride 1/2 XCM |
| 14/10 12h00: | Prize Giving - Ride Arena |
One of the countries biggest Mountain bike events is back on the 13th & 14th of October 2012. This historic event draws people from all reaches of Southern Africa! With over R50 000 for 1st place it's no suprise that it also attracts the best of the best in professional cyclists from around the country.
With a distance for everyone and a friendly ridable route it's no suprise that this race has been the favourite year on year of so many mountain bikers!
Become a part of this great cycling festival and enter today!
The Ride Elite Kêtáthelon (starts at 16:00)
At 4.00pm on Saturday, once the dust has settled, the day’s activities are rounded out with the Elite Kêtathelon. Once again, there is significant prize money up for grabs and this event is a whole lot more serious (and harder) than the one held 24 hours earlier. Participants are required to ride 6 laps (9km in total) and they stand further away (8m) from the targets. This event inevitably gets contested between those who have the speed and those who have the skill, but is won by the person who combines them best. This event is by invitation only - only space for 32 riders!
Dirt Flirts
Nissan 28km Dirt Flirt
The route follows a tranquil, fairly smooth and flat gravel road accross the open grasslands of the Northern Free State. The route is aimed at children, beginners and families groups. The last 5km includes a winding single-track through the Bluegum forest. Sub-juniors (13 & 14yrs) may compete as this event forms part of the Nissan series. For the rest, this is considered a fun event and competition is not encouraged by the organisers. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Éllyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena.
A medium level of fitness is required. The route is not considered very technical.
USN 17km Dirt Flirt
The route follows a tranquil, fairly smooth and flat gravel road accross the open grasslands of the Northern Free State. The route is aimed at children, beginners and families groups. The last 5km includes a winding single-track through the Bluegum forest. This is a fun event and competition is not encouraged by the organisers. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Éllyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena.
This event is aimed at beginners. Generally speaking, the route is not considered very technical.
The 56km Nissan Ride Crater Cruise - 14 October 2012
By entering the 56km Cruise on Sunday you receive automatic entry for yourself into the 28km Dirt Flirt on Saturday.
NO riders younger than 14 .
Medals to all finishers. Special Gold Silver and Bronze medals to all respective podium positions.
The 2011 route:
Starts in Carl Preller, Parys. The first 5 km is tarmac and relatively flat. Thereafter it goes over to a rather open undulating dirt road along the edge of the Crater. As you get closer to the river, the road gets narrower and the vegetation thicker. From the Hoenderland turn-off the road becomes narrow with a few technical sections, like rock gardens, sandy spots and short steep climbs. This continues until you reach the swim spot water-station at Hakuna Matata. From here the riders will be challenged with a partly corregated dirt road and a few longish drags. At the next waterpoint (91.4km), the route leaves all the "nice” roads and continues on farm tracks. The last 7km, beyond the final waterpoint, is partly single track and partly on the side of a railroad, until you reach Petit Paris. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Élyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena.
A medium level of fitness is required. A cut-off at 38km mark will be envorced. The route is not considered very technical. A medium level of technical ability is required
The 106km MTN Ride Crater Cruise - 13 October 2012
106km MTN Ride Crater Cruise (ultra cruise - only for Pro/elite & Pro U/23 men) 2012
No entries on the day of event.
This is only for Pro/elite men & Pro U/23 men, NO u/18's
A high level of fitness and technical skill is required
Collectors Medals to all finishers. Special Gold Silver and Bronze medals to all respective podium positions. King of the Gravel trophee to the winner.
Starts in Carl Preller ave, Parys. First 8km is tarmac and relatively flat. Thereafter a rural dirt road with 3 pieces of jeeptrack cutting though the Koedoeslaagte and USN farmland. Followed by ~10km of district road past Venterskroon. First real climb up Suikerbossie with a concrete jeep-track leading onto the Suikerbos Nature reserve. Here we leave the main roads that will lead us though farmland and the Espach's game farm. Here riders will encounter the toughest climb of the day that will lead you to a view point high above the crater land. After a steep, challenging rocky decent we leave the farm onto the winding dirt road that leads to the half-way mark at Schoemansdrift. 800m from Schoemansdrif we leave the district road. For the next 25km riders will deal with jeep-track and mainly single track along the river with a few technical sections, like rock gardens, sandy spots and short steep climbs. From the swim spot water-station at Hakuna Matata riders will be challenged with a partly corregated dirt road and a few longish drags. At the next waterpoint (91.4km), the route leaves all the "nice” roads and continues on farm tracks. The last 7km, beyond the final waterpoint, is partly single track and partly on the side of a railroad, until you reach Petit Paris. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Élyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena
Start in seeded block at the head of the event. Guntime will determine results. The riders participating in the Ultra Cruise will not have the leisure to clock out at the half-way mark at Schoemansdrift
106km MTN Ride Crater Cruise (excluding tough climb in Game reserve at 38km mark) (Women & single speed contenders and amateurs) 2012
No entries on the day of event
NO riders younger than 18! Elite Pro woman & U/23 Pro women, single speed contenders and Amateurs
A high level of fitness is required. Cut-offs at the half-way mark and the 88km mark will be envorced. The route is not considered very technical although technical at higher speed.
Medals to all finishers. Special Gold Silver and Bronze medals to all respective podium positions. Queen of the Gravel trophee to the winning lady. Single Speed trophee to the winner on a single speed bike (flip-flop hubs are allowed)
Starts in Carl Preller ave, Parys. First 8km is tarmac and relatively flat. Thereafter a rural dirt road with 3 pieces of jeeptrack cutting though the Koedoeslaagte and USN farmland. Followed by ~10km of district road past Venterskroon. First real climb up Suikerbossie with a concrete jeep-track leading onto the Suikerbos Nature reserve. Here we leave the main roads that will lead us though farmland and the Espach's game farm. From the winding jeep-tracks of the game reserve riders join onto the winding dirt road that leads to the half-way mark at Schoemansdrift. 800m from Schoemansdrif we leave the district road. For the next 25km riders will deal with jeep-track and mainly single track along the river with a few technical sections, like rock gardens, sandy spots and short steep climbs. From the swim spot water-station at Hakuna Matata riders will be challenged with a partly corregated dirt road and a few longish drags. At the next waterpoint (91.4km), the route leaves all the "nice” roads and continues on farm tracks. The last 7km, beyond the final waterpoint, is partly single track and partly on the side of a railroad, until you reach Petit Paris. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Élyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena.
Start in seeded blocks. Except for the Elite women, a rolling start for each seeded block will apply (your riding time starts when you cross the startline). Except for the elite women, all riders will have the leisure to make use of the clock out at the half-way mark at Schoemansdrift. Their stoptime at this point will be subtracted from their over-all time in the results. THe Elite women results will be determined by the guntime.
106km MTN Ride Dual Cruise - 106km 2-riders relay (excluding tough climb in Game reserve at 38km mark).
No entries on the day of event
Any mix of gender, NO riders younger than 14. Medals to both finishers (RIDER B will receive both medals upon finishing).
2 riders (any mix of gender) join forces to complete the 106km route. The rider riding the second leg from Schoemansdrift to the finish will provide his/her own transport to the half-way mark. The rider riding the first leg will need to organise his/her own transport to the finish. The idea behind the Dual Cruise is to give riders the opportunity to experience the beauty and challenges offerd by the full route.
RIDER A. Starts in Carl Preller ave, Parys. First 8km is tarmac and relatively flat. Thereafter a rural dirt road with 3 pieces of jeeptrack cutting though the Koedoeslaagte and USN farmland. Followed by ~10km of district road past Venterskroon. First real climb up Suikerbossie with a concrete jeep-track leading onto the Suikerbos Nature reserve. Here we leave the main roads that will lead us though farmland and the Espach's game farm. From the winding jeep-tracks of the game reserve riders join onto the winding dirt road that leads to the half-way mark at Schoemansdrift where the second rider will start. RIDER B. 800m from Schoemansdrif we leave the district road. For the next 25km riders will deal with jeep-track and mainly single track along the river with a few technical sections, like rock gardens, sandy spots and short steep climbs. From the swim spot water-station at Hakuna Matata riders will be challenged with a partly corregated dirt road and a few longish drags. At the next waterpoint (91.4km), the route leaves all the "nice” roads and continues on farm tracks. The last 7km, beyond the final waterpoint, is partly single track and partly on the side of a railroad, until you reach Petit Paris. When you reach Petit Paris, there is an overbridge crossing the road to enter the Champs Élyseés up to the Arc de Triomphe and into the Ride arena.
The riders (RIDER A) participationg in the Dual-Cruise will start together in the last of the seeded blocks, ahead of the unseeded riders. A rolling start will apply (your riding time starts when you cross the startline).The change-over/stoptime at the half-way point will be subtracted from your over-all time in the results.
All marshals will be cleared from the course after 16h00 and all direction markers removed. The cut off at the finish line for the 105km route is 15h45 we will also have a cut-off at approximately 75km, time to be confirmed soon...
Venue Highlights / Facilities:
- Mountainbike Expo (Friday 11:00 - 19:00) (Saturday 08:00 - 16:00) (Sunday 08:00 - 12:00)
- Coffee Bar (Friday 11:00 - 19:00) (Saturday 06:00 - 15:00) (Sunday 06:00 - 12:00)
- Beer garden (Friday 11:00 - 19:00) (Saturday 09:00 - 17:00) (Sunday 08:00 - 13:00)
- Food Court The best of local cuisine (Friday 10:30 - 19:00) (Saturday 08:00 - 17:00) (Sunday 08:00 - 13:00)
- Recreation Swimming fountain, jumping castle etc. (Friday 11:00 - 19:00) (Saturday 06:00 - 17:00) (Sunday 06:00 - 12:00)
- Wash only R20
- Wash, Polish and Lube R40
Merchandise:
You can order your event shirts when you enter any of the events. Have a look at these 2009 designs, the 2010 designs will be finalised soon! more details here: http://www.cratercruise.co.za/merchandise
Prize Money*:
- Prize money & Points will be calculated for the UCI PRO/Elite Men in this distance only.
- PRO/Elite ladies will earn points & prize money in the usual 75km marathon distance only.
- All other categories will only be eligible for points and prize money in the usual distance.
Approximate riding times:
- 106km: 3h40min – 8 hours
- 56km: 3 – 5 hours
- Cut-off Waterpoint (TBA)
- 106km has a cut-off at the finish of 9hours.
Directions :
From the North - Johannesburg, Pretoria, Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga. Take the N1 South, go through the Grasmere Toll Gate. Stay on the N1 until you cross the Vaal River. Take the next turn off to Parys/Sasolburg. Turn right. Drive on for another 20km into Parys. Stay on the main road and follow the direction boards to the Expo at the Ride Arena (previously the ARWA building).
From the South - Cape Town, Kimberley, Bloemfontein,Welkom, Kroonstad, etc. Take the N1 North to Kroonstad. Stay on the N1 until you are just past Kroonstad where you will find a turn off to Parys. Stay on this road, pass Vredefort and do another 16km to Parys. Follow the direction boards to the Expo at the Ride Arena (previously the ARWA building).
From Klerksdorp and further West. Go through Potchefstroom and take the road directly to Parys. Cross the Vaal River into Parys and follow the direction boards to the Ride Arena (previously the ARWA building).
From Carletonville and further North West. Take the road from Carletonville, via Fochville, over Ertjiesberg to Parys. Cross the Vaal River into Parys and follow the direction boards to the Ride Arena (previously the ARWA building).
Via aeroplane. The Parys airfield is 4740 feet above sea level. The main runway is 4700 feet long with two runways, 06 and 24. There is a short grass cross-runway that is usable for landings; it is only about 2000 feet long with headings 11 and 29. The airfield is unmanned and has its own radio frequency - 123,5 MHz. Since the CAA messed up with its previous edition of the AIP please also monitor the frequency 124,8 MHz. Aviators with older frequency charts may not be using the designated airfield frequency – 123,5 MHz! The airfield’s co-ordinates are 26° 53’ 14” South and 27° 30’ 19” East. Please all, FLY SAFELY, and remember to communicate on both the airfield’s unmanned frequency, 123,5 MHz and the unmanned regional frequency, 124,8 MHz.
Shuttle / Transport:
There are no official shuttle services on offer, public transport is available from Johannesburg International airport, and this is the quickest way of getting to the venue.
Accommodation:
Accommodation information on all available accommodation can be obtained from the following link
Important Pointers
- As this event is held in the summer, the cyclist may experience hot or rainy to cool weather and should be prepared to cope with these conditions.
- First Aid Services will be provided to the cyclists on the routes and at the finish.
- The organisers may, at their discretion, shorten, lengthen or change the course if the weather, or safety of the cyclist, deem this necessary.
- Bike wash facilities will be available at the finish area
Location of Amenities
Teams / Riders / Public Parking Location
Teams have access to the Event Venue, and setup in the teams designated area next to the finish area. Riders will park just adjacent to the race venue next to the venue, and the public at the designated public parking zones, outside the riders parking zone, just off the start finish venue.
Nearest Hospital and Medical Information
A wide range of professional medical services are available, including:
- Medi-Cross +27
- Ambulance +27 10177
- Medi-Clinic +27
- Police +27
