The organisers of the OUTsurance KZN Expedition have pulled out all the stops and have spared no expense to present what is set to become one of Durban's signature mass-participation events.
Backed up by Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World and Giba Gorge as world-class host venues, the routes for the three stages are simply stunning.
The expedition, to be held on 21, 22 and 23 November, offers riders an opportunity to tackle previously unexplored mountain-bike terrain in and around Durban.
And if that is not enough, each participant will receive branded Fox clothing and accessories worth more than R1 500.
Fox are among a host of sponsors who are working together to make the inaugural Expedition an event Durban and South Africa can be proud of.
As the first mountain-bike stage race centred in and around Durban, the Expedition is designed to provide mountain-bikers with an easy-as-you'd-like experience off the bike. At the same time, it represents the essence of the sport: an opportunity for riders to test themselves against the beautifully sculpted routes and nature's elements.
"Races such as the Absa Cape Epic and Subaru Sani2Sea have shown the way in mountain-bike stage racing. But with the Expedition, our aim is a little different," explains race organiser Wynand de Villiers.
"Our idea is to present a tough and challenging mountain-bike event, but one which is close to sufficient creature comforts to keep the whole family entertained while mom or dad, or grandpa or grandma for that matter, are out cycling.
"Families can come and enjoy the festive atmosphere in Durban during the Expedition. While their loved ones are riding, the others can enjoy the many attractions that Durban offers.
"We are putting on all sorts of entertainment at Giba Gorge and Suncoast, which means if you don't fancy spending time in Durban, there will be enough to do at the venues," says De Villiers.
Legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett will be the master of ceremonies over the three days along with former professional and SABC commentator Johnny Koen. On the final day, East Coast Radio will broadcast from Suncoast.
"The Expedition takes place close to the December holidays and we're hoping that riders from all over South Africa will knock off a little early and bring their families down to the coast."
De Villiers says they have structured the stages so that experienced riders won't have to kill themselves to finish, which means they'll still have more than enough energy left to enjoy the afternoons and evenings with their families.
"Family time has become a precious commodity and we took good cognisance of this when we shaped the event. At the Expedition riders can get the best of both worlds."
The Expedition is backed by a significant promotional campaign, but marketing is only the start of making an event a success.
"To make the event sustainable there are all sorts of crucial factors, such as putting together a true mountain-biker's course with lots of variety and single track, all against the backdrop of solid organisation," said De Villiers.
"Various individuals in Durban, people with many years of trail experience, have been working tirelessly to track and secure the best possible routes between Giba Gorge and Durban.
"I'm very happy with the outcome. I can assure riders they will experience the best trails in and around Durban - and they'll be back for more."
Flat and fast start
The 6km first stage of the Expedition will be, for most cyclists, purely a processional time trial to brush off the cobwebs on a flat and fast circuit on the beachfront around Suncoast - with a few obstacles and steps thrown in, just to make things interesting.
The whole time trial will be on tar but the organisers do not recommend tackling it with slicks. It starts down some steps at the northern complex entrance of Suncoast and there are some interesting riding challenges thrown in.
Times in the time trial will determine the starting batches for the next day. While the bulk of the field won't be too worried about their times, a few seconds gained or lost on the time trial could make the difference between winning and losing for the front riders in the overall picture.
This means their preparation, choice of equipment and lines on the obstacle bits will be of crucial importance.
Stage 2 is the signature one of the Expedition. Covering a distance of 73 km, it takes in a whopping 1 800 metres of climbing.
Ascending to that height in 73 km speaks volumes for the stage and the effort that has gone into preparing this stage.
It is a gruelling journey in every sense of the word and it offers riders a once-a-year opportunity tackle some unexplored terrain on tough trails between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
The stage starts and finishes at Giba Gorge, on the outskirts of Pinetown, which is without doubt the finest mountain-bike park in South Africa. It boasts numerous hand-carved trails into serious mountains. Some of the single-track downhill sections are more than 3 km long - simply stunning.
The route links Giba Gorge with Stainbank via a few farms before returning to Giba.
Downhill bliss
Says Eugene Boniface, one of the route-design crew, "We have put in some hugely challenging sections, but the course is exciting throughout.
"And no matter how much the field suffer, they'll forgive us after the long single-track downhill section at the finish. It's pure bliss!"
The route is indeed challenging and hilly, but with almost endless single-track downhill rewards.
After the gruelling second stage, the 70km third stage presents a slightly milder challenge. It starts once again at Giba Gorge, which means there is no travelling involved for participants making use of the tented accommodation at Giba Gorge. The route tracks its way back to Durban via Inanda.
It will be the first ride presented from Giba Gorge to Durban and there are massive logistics involved, with various river crossings and even a bridge that is being built especially for the race.
The final 35km stretch, which is also the distance for the final-day fun ride, takes place on the Dusi Mfula route. The route drops into Durban, to the Umgeni River mouth and then to Suncoast via a 3km tar section on the beachfront.
Magic at Suncoast
Riders will arrive to a hub of activity and entertainment at Suncoast, including a freestyle motocross display sponsored by Fox, and a host of cycling's trial-riding magicians and other performers.
The East Coast Radio crew and many spectators will be at the finish to bring you home along with the Voice of Cycling, Phil Liggett, MBE.
Durban residents will be out in full force to support the East Coast Radio Toy Ride, which forms part of the Expedition festivities on the final day. This is part of East Coast Radio's Toy Story campaign, which is also sponsored by OUTsurance.
The final stage offers terrain that will be easier to negotiate than that on the second stage, but it is also undulating.
The ease with which riders complete this leg will be determined solely by how their legs react to the punishing second stage and by the wind. If the northeaster blows, it may be a long day in the saddle for some.
The route takes in lots of jeep track on sugar-cane farms. One distinguishing feature is the fast river sections next to the Dusi in the final 10 km, but there are also a few technical river crossings to negotiate, which makes it exhilarating and spectacularly scenic.
The most notable personalities in the route design are Eugene Boniface, who initiated the Sun City Mountain-bike Classic ten years ago, the Foster brothers, Shaun and Mark, and local specialist Kim Phillips.
The Dusi Mfula section of the route will be controlled and set up by Andrew King and Ray de Vries, who are experienced campaigners and know every corner and obstacle on this section, which is a logistical challenge of real proportions, to put it mildly.
They have all been riding mountain-bikes and planning routes for longer than ten years. Mark even boasts a finish in the Trans Alp.
"Riders who take part in the event will agree that they have never experienced anything like this in KwaZulu-Natal," said Shaun Foster. "We go through areas that have never been ridden and offer some of the best mountain-bike terrain I've seen," he said.
It has been a huge task, negotiating with all the farmers and tribal chiefs to ensure free passage for cyclists as a once-off concession and to build infrastructure to make it possible.
But everything is in place and ready for an unparalleled two-wheeled off-road experience.
Go on: Explore KZN like never before.
Action at a glance
The OUTsurance KZN Expedition: Four races in one spectacular weekend
1 The OUTsurance KZN Expedition stage race
Day 1 ( Friday, 21 November 2008):
Stage 1
Prologue time trial Suncoast (6 km). Starts at 14:00
Day 2 (Saturday, 22 November):
Stage 2
The signature stage of the Expedition. The stage starts and finishes at Giba Gorge and goes into the heart of the Valley of a Thousand Hills via Stainbank and back (73 km): Starts at 8:00
Day 3 (Sunday, 23 November)
Stage 3
The final day presents a 70km ride from Giba Gorge back to Suncoast on the Durban beachfront. Expedition riders will set off at 06:30
2 OUT@Night (21 November)
A 6km Concrete Chaos midnight event open to all mountain-bikers: Riders start and finish at Suncoast. Start: 23:00
3 OUTsurance KZN Expedition single-day Mountain-bike Challenge (23 November)
Mass-participation events to coincide with the final day of the Expedition stage race, giving fun riders an opportunity to share in the Expedition.
Stage race riders to start at 6:30
A 70km fun ride to start at 7:00
A 35km fun ride to start at 9:00
4 OUTsurance Toy Ride (23 November)
A 5km closed-circuit ride around Suncoast. Everyone is welcome and all proceeds go to the East Coast Radio Toy Story campaign. Entrants will be required to bring a new toy. Start: 9:00
To enter, or for more information, log on to www.outsurance.co.za/outexpedition
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