Enter J-Bay MTB Open

ENTRIES for the second edition of the Jeffreys Bay Mountain Bike Open, which will take place on July 19 as part of the J-Bay Winterfest, opened this week.

With new routes on offer this year, the event promises to have something for riders of all fitness and skill levels.

The event will feature four routes – a 20km fun ride, as well as distances of 40km, 60km and 85km – all designed by Arthur Joubert.

Each route shows a classic combination of his skills as mountain-biking enthusiast and construction specialist, and riders can expect fast farm roads, cattle tracks and a purpose-built single track.

The 20km is aimed at children and those doing a mountain bike race for the first time, while the 40km is for the adventurous fun rider looking to ride a significant distance. Both routes will be fairly flat and non-technical.

The longer routes require good technical proficiency and some training, with the 60km being aimed at trail riders and the 85km at fit racers with marathon experience.

"Last year's race had a little bit of everything," top PE cyclist Anriette Schoeman said. "It had single track, gravel roads, Arthur's bridge, river crossings – you name it."

That was Schoeman's second event and she said the route had been challenging, yet easy enough to enjoy.

Highlights of the longer routes will be the trademark wooden bridges and berms along the Seekoei River, as well as a new twisting, flowing single track.

There is also a vegetation "tunnel" which should be a talking point.

The J-Bay MTB Open will start and finish at Fountains Mall.