Being a dedicated mountain biker, Dennis Lawrie decided to create his own stage race. The inaugural event was established in 2004 and voted as the best stage race that year.
This mountain bike stage race has evolved to be family-friendly, fun, and affordable. And now 22 years later, this clover route cycling event caters for everyone. This year the race starts at Sybrand van Niekerk High School, twists through the pine forests and ends right back at the same venue.
As a dedicated mountain biker, Dennis Lawrie set out to create his own stage race. The inaugural Sabie Xperience was established in 2004 and was voted the best stage race of the year.
Over the years, this mountain bike stage race has evolved into a family-friendly, fun, and affordable event. Now, more than 22 years later, this clover-route cycling event caters to riders of all ages and abilities. The race starts at Sybrand van Niekerk High School, winds through the pine forests, and finishes back at the same venue.
Set against the backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, with its pristine waterfalls and vast open landscapes, the Sabie Xperience offers a well-balanced mix of climbs and descents. All routes and trails are carefully designed with accessibility in mind. Whether you are young or old, a novice or an experienced rider, Sabie Xperience truly caters for everyone — making it a genuine family mountain biking experience.
It is a three-day mountain bike stage race that showcases some of the most beautiful singletrack trails in South Africa. Each route is carefully crafted, regularly maintained, and set in one of the country’s finest riding destinations — the Sabie escarpment.
Anyone who has loaded a mountain bike onto their car and headed to Sabie, Mpumalanga, has likely ridden a trail built by Dennis Lawrie. From the mid-1990s national cross-country scene to the rise of marathon racing, Dennis and his team have been shaping the region’s trail network — clearing paths, building bridges, and creating routes that riders continue to enjoy today.
“This is a race experience of a lifetime. Loved every minute of it, through the pain of the hills and the striking beauty to be found all around. Tough but oh so worth it!”
“It was a MTB Heaven! Big climbs, thrilling single tracks and technical enough to challenge you. It is one of the best MTB races I have done so far. Congratulations to all involved.”
Awesome stage race with the perfect mix of what makes mountain biking great!! – Angie du Randt
Dennis lived and breathed mountain biking, he spent his nights staring at Google Earth, planning routes, calculating start times and water point positions, his weekends out with anyone who would join him, scouting new routes, re-exploring old terrain, and finishing it off with a milkshake and burger.
Few of us will ever leave a lasting legacy like Dennis. Like many of us that have been in this sport for so many years, he did what he did because he loved it. He loved sharing his ideas, his trails, and his experience and he will not easily be forgotten.
The Sabie Xperience, Sabie Classic, Sabie Shenanigan and Noon to Moon are iconic races that Dennis initiated and along the way a few of us got caught up in and became part of.
Dennis lost his short battle with cancer in 2021, but in his memory, we’ll keep burning the petrol, building bridges, and scouting trails. A great family man, best mate, and a role model of passion and commitment to our beloved sport. There are many trees in the forests of Sabie, but the tallest has fallen, RIP my friend ‘Uncle D’. – Brett Coates
The #XPfactor is the connection between people, the outdoors, and the pure enjoyment of mountain biking in Sabie.
It’s the challenge of flowing singletrack and honest climbs.
It’s the burn in your legs followed by the reward of the descent.
And it’s the dirt-covered smile that comes from earning every kilometre in the mountains.
The Sabie Xperience is an Affordable Stage Race for the whole family. We are proud to boast with the most beautiful and well organised family stage race in the world.
