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4 - 6 November 2021

Mpumalanga, Sabie

THE SABIE XPERIENCE

Solo Challenge

R3,900.00

per rider

* The (Solo Challenge Route) is subject to change due to forestry operations

Race Summary

Solo Challenge - Day 1

The stage starts at Floreat Riverside Lodge. (Calibrate your GPS to 1007m above sea level)
After exiting the venue, the participants immediately enter the Safcol forestry area for an initial climb to spread the field of riders on jeep track sections before a fast descent on a main forestry road into the Tweefontein area. A short, sharp climb ends with a steep winding single track onto a main road ending on an uphill single track to the first refreshment station at the Tweefontein Forest Nursery at 14km.
A fast downhill, a narrow single track, a challenging bush tunnel exit, and over the now defunct railway line, takes riders to the iconic Hippo Dam hidden in the forest. From there the route climbs gradually and continuously for a few kilos to the split, where the Team Lite riders turn away to the left.
From this point the climbing starts in earnest up to the ridge before Mac Mac, where a 1,5km newly -constructed “Fern Forest Single Track” winds down and then up and over a hill to the King and Queen of the Mountains and next refreshment station at 26km at the Mac Mac Road crossing.
Some undulating main road ends at the turn onto the historic Burgers Pass climb, past some majestic 90 year-old Pine trees, and onto the upper ridge before a fast jeep track descent to the optional third refreshment station at 38km the Mac Mac crossing again. A very fast, rolling ride down the Bell Road to the last refreshment station at 45km at the turn-off up the “Mini Scorpion” which will test the legs for a last time before dropping down a twisty single track back to the Bell Road. A superfast, steep main road decent into the series of winding Ceylon Plantation single tracks, the riverside tourist trails, through Merry Pebbles and on to the finish line at Floreat.

DAY 1

Solo Challenge - Day 1

Quick Release
Total Distance:
65 Km
Accumulated Ascent:
1550 m
Tar Road:
1 Km
Forestry Road:
24 Km
Single Track:
14 Km
Jeep Track:
26 Km
Railway Line:
N/A
Starting Point
Floreat Riverside Lodge S 25 5.492’/ E 30 46.298'
View Route
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Refreshment Stations
Station 1
At approximately 14km after a short single track climb to the Tweefontein Nursery. Self-service Energy drink, ice and cold water, fruit, and energy bars.
Station 2
At approximately 28km after the climb out of the Fern Forest Singletrack to the Mac Mac crossroads. Self-service Energy drink, ice and cold water, fruit, and energy bars.
Station 3
At approximately 38km back at the crossroads. Self- service Energy drink, ice and cold water, fruit and energy bars.
Sabie Xperience
Sabie-Experience-Mountain-bike-Single-Track-min
Water-Bridge-min

Race Summary

Solo Challenge - Day 2

The start and finish will, as usual, be at the Floreat Riverside Lodge. (S 25 5.492’/E 30 46.298’) The direction is again the same as in 2019. When reaching “The Oaks”, after a fast 14km warm-up along the Sabie Valley floor, the e riders will be following the main forestry road with about 60m in ascent over 2km before they reach the base of the 3km HKK climb up to the King/Queen of the Mountains point at 1588m, and the Misty Mountain Refreshment Station a few metres further on at 19km From there, after an enjoyable recovery section through the “Awesome Forest” the route turns left, away from the Team Lite route and the tips steeply upwards to “Sally and Michelles’ Highway” to link up with a wide contour road to reach the second refreshment station at 35km. The jeep track climbs over open montane grassland, to an altitude of 2160m and then takes a long descent down “Leopard Run” before flattening out across the “vlaktes” and through a forest section to the Stables Hut refreshment station at 60km. From there it is almost all downhill via a series of tricky single tracks to the valley floor and along the riverside single tracks to the finish at Floreat Riverside Lodge.
Solo-Challenge-Forest-min
Jeep-Trail-Solo-Challenge-min
Solo-Challenge-Race-finished-min

DAY 2

Solo Challenge - Day 2

Quick Release
Total Distance:
78 Km
Accumulated Ascent:
2050 m
Tar Road:
300 m
Forestry Road:
39 Km
Single Track:
16 Km
Jeep Track:
22 Km
Railway Line:
n/a
Starting Point
Floreat Riverside Lodge S 25 5.492’/ E 30 46.298'
View Route
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Refreshment Stations
Station 1
At approximately 19km, at Misty Mountain, above Long Tom Falls
Station 2
At approximately 35km, at the split up to the high road above Hartebeesvlakte. Make sure you stop here to take on water for the next 25km. Especially in hot, humid summer conditions.
Station 3
At approximately 60km, at the Stables Hiking Hut

Race Summary

Solo Challenge - Day 3

The route basically follows that of 2019, which starts at The Floreat Riverside Lodge complex, and utilizes a balanced combination of the surrounding purpose – built single tracks, jeep tracks and challenging climbs situated within a 12km km radius of the start. The riders will find the valley bottom with many flowing single tracks great fun, while the climbs and single tracks will be more technical, and challenging, dependent on the weather! This year we have a few contingency sections and open road climbs to allow for any change in the weather to avoid the sticky mud sections, and allow the faster riders to pass the slower participants more easily.

DAY 3

Solo Challenge - Day 3

Quick Release
Total Distance:
39 Km
Accumulated Ascent:
880 m
Tar Road:
1 Km
Forestry Road:
13 Km
Single Track:
15 Km
Jeep Track:
10 Km
Railway Line:
120m Floating Bridge
Starting Point
Floreat Riverside Lodge S 25 5.492’/ E 30 46.298'
View Route
Book Your Entry
Refreshment Stations
Station 1
Refreshment Station 1 at Maritzbos Hut: At 17km, with an energy drink, cold water, energy bars, bananas. Bring your own energy bars and gels of choice.
Station 2
Refreshment Station 2 under the powerline: At 27km, at the base of the final climb to the Ceylon/Tweefontein Ridge. with energy drink, bananas, cold water.
Station 3
N/A
Wood-Bridge-Solo-Challenge-min
Solo-Challenge-Trail-track-min
Solo-Challenge-before-start-min

Route Maps

Solo Challenge - Race Routes

Day 1

Solo Challenge Day 1 Map

Day 2

Solo Challenge Day 2 map

Day 3

Day 3 Map

Click on image to enlarge map

Spectator Points

Solo Challenge - Spectator Points

The Solo Mountain Bike Challenge is perfect for any rider looking for a unique experience at their own pace. This Solo Mountain Bike challenge is three days long and will offer a wide variety of terrains and levels of difficulty.

Spectators: Covid rules and regulations apply

Follow us on Facebook for regular updates and information. If you are looking for other challenges, feel free to browse our website for additional information.

Need help with your entry?

Entries Enquiries: Sandy

+27 (0)83 799 4458

Route Enquiries: Denzil

+27 (0)82 455 7153

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.

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