MTN TULBAGH - XCM #2 driven by NISSAN

Saturday:

 2011 RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE 

 PHOTOS FROM 2011 AVAILABLE HERE 

Only an hour and a half from Cape Town, lies the Saronsberg wine estate, nestled in the magnificent scenic beauty of the Saronsberg Valley. Tulbagh is charismatic town, renowned for its rich history, fine wines and Cape Dutch Architecture.

Tulbagh offers visitors a wide variety of activities and outstanding accommodation, not to mention the largest concentration of National Monuments in one street in South Africa.Be sure to take in the Cape beauty while visiting one of the many wine estates in the area or take the time to appreciate the wealth of local artistic talent that the small town has to offer.

Tulbagh is also the host for the first two stages of the 2011 Absa Cape Epic, so needless to say, there are an abundance of breathtaking mountain bike trails that are sure to challenge even the most adventurous. The National ULTRA Marathon #2 – Tulbagh is a circular loop race; it will start in the Saronsberg wine estate 5km outside Tulbagh, Western Cape and finish at the same venue.

Included in the entry fee, is access for the rider and supporters that can enter the Saronsberg wine estate grounds free of charge. Secure parking for teams is available on the Venue. The public will park outside the designated areas.

Entries:

• Early Bird Fees

• Normal Entry Fees

• Closing date for online entries is 14/02/2011 Midnight

Registration:

Friday 17th Feb                 17h00 - 20h00
Saturday 18th Feb           06h30 - 09h00

Registration will take place at the Saronsberg Wine Estate, Tulbagh.

Route Descriptions:

Ultra Marathon

Marathon

Half Marathon

Ultra XCM -110km (others to follow shortly, will be similar in nature but shorter in distance)

The route makes the best of the Saronsberg valley by completing a full anti clock-wise loop around the town of Tulbagh. 
But don’t be fooled by the route map, although the trail does not venture out of the valley, there are some challenging climbs and technical single tracks to test riders skills as well as stamina.

As the riders hug the base of the magnificent Saronsberg Mountains, they may be tempted to stop and admire the scenery. The route winds its way around cool farm dams, between luscious green vineyards and along rocky mountain tracks edged with indigenous fynbos and proteas. 

 Specifics:

• Total Distance: 110 km (GPS)
• Total Ascent: 2200m (GPS)

All marshals will be cleared from the course after 16h00 and all direction markers removed. The cut off at the finish line for the 110km route is 15h45.

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 70km marathon distance only.
• All other categories will only be eligible for points and prize money in the usual distance.

Approximate riding times:

• 110km:  5h00min – 8 hours
• 70km:   3 – 6 hours
• 45km:  2 – 4 hours
• Cut-off Waterpoint (TBA)
• 105km has a cut-off at the finish of 9hours.

Directions from Cape Town

• From Cape Town take the N1 North to Paarl. 
• Take R44 Klapmuts/ Wellington turnoff - turn left towards Wellington. 
• Follow the R44; on the outskirts of Wellington, turn left at the traffic lights towards Hermon/ Ceres/ Porterville. 
• Follow the R44 for approximately 50kms, past the Hermon turn-off and through the Nuwe Kloof pass. 
• Turn left at sign: Tulbagh 
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street 
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left 
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right 
• From Cape Town take the N7 to Malmesbury. 
• At Malmesbury, get on the R46 towards Riebeek-Kasteel. 
• Remain on the R46 to Hermon. 
• At T-junction after Hermon, turn left, and continue to Tulbagh on the R46. 
• Go through the Nuwekloof pass 
• Turn left to Tulbagh 
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street 
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left 
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right

Directions from Cape Town Airport 

• Leave airport towards Somerset West 
• Take R300 and travel north towards N1 
• Take N1 north to Paarl. 
• Take R44 Klapmuts/ Wellington turnoff - turn left towards Wellington. 
• Follow the R44; on the outskirts of Wellington, turn left at the traffic lights towards Hermon/ Ceres/ Porterville. 
• Follow the R44 for approximately 50kms, past the Hermon turn-off and through the Nuwe Kloof pass. 
• Turn left at sign: Tulbagh 
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street 
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left 
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right 

Online: http://maps.google.co.za/maps?capetowntotulbagh

Shuttle / Transport:

There are no official shuttle services on offer, public transport is available from CPT International airport, and this is the quickest way of getting to the venue. Saronsberg is situated about 1.5 hours drive from CPT International.

Accommodation:

Accommodation information on all available accommodation can be obtained from Tourist Information Web Site or from Tourist Reservations.

• Saronsberg website: http://www.saronsberg.com
• Tulbagh Website: http://www.tulbaghtourism.co.za
• Tourism Info: tulbaghtourism@lando.co.za or +27 (0)23 230 1375
• Tulbagh info centre - http://www.tulbagh.net/accommodation.htm
• Tulbagh Hotel - http://www.tulbaghhotel.co.za   +27 (0)23 230 0071
• Booking.com - http://www.booking.com +27 (0)23 230 1177
• Sleeping out - http://www.sleeping-out.co.za
• Fine dining, Paddagang restuarant - http://www.paddagangrestaurant.com/
• Waterval accomodation - http://www.waterval.co.za/ or info@waterval.co.za

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.

• Wash only                                     R30
• Wash, Polish and Lube             R50  

Nearest Hospital and Medical Information

A wide range of professional medical services are available, including:

• Dr Botha General Medical Practitioner +27 23 2300792
• Dr George General Medical Practitioner +27 23 2301004
• Dr Whitaker General Medical Practitioner +27 (0)21 762 4779
• Ambulance                                                            +27 10177
• Hospital                                                                +27 (0)23 312 1117
• Police                                                                     +27 (0)23 230 8100
• Fire Department                                                   +27 (0)23 316 1997