The 36ONE MTB Challenge is unquestionably one of the toughest events on South Africa’s cycling calendar. Known as the Ultimate Race, it circumnavigates the Klein Karoo, taking in 4 930 metres of climbing in 361 kilometres, between the 12th and the 14th of May this year. It does however also boast a half-distance option, measuring just 189 kilometres with 2 900 metres of climbing, which is comfortably more than the 100 milers in the country.
Despite the imposing nature of the tests put forth by the 36ONE MTB Challenge courses, both are infinitely finishable.
This is in part due to the generous cut-offs, and in part due to the incredible support riders receive out on the route. The full distance features 11 water points, including the three check points, which help nurse solo riders and teams around the course. Especially from Check Point 2, at Volmoed, onwards many are just riding water point to water point, or oasis to oasis. Which is fine, because each one is set up to ensure the next stretch is a manageable challenge.
“The big unknown for 2023 is how gravel bikers will fare against the mountain bikers,” Henco Rademeyer, of Dryland Event Management, mused. “They will certainly be faster along some stretches of the course, but on others the mountain bikes will maintain a big advantage. We’ve had gravel bikers contesting and winning the Half for a few years now, but the full distance is a different beast. Perhaps the undulating but fast run, past Lategansvlei, in the final 30 kilometres will help someone on a gravel bike break Drikus Coetzee’s record of 13 hours, 17 minutes and 50 seconds?”
“The other change for this year is the location of the Half start,” Rademeyer confirmed. “Like the full 36ONE MTB Challenge, it will be starting at Klein-plaas Holiday Resort in Oudtshoorn. This means the route will be 8.5 kilometres longer, but it will be logistically much easier for the Half riders as they now also start and finish at the same point.”
