© 2011 Marrick MTB Challenge
Marrick MTB Challenge Terrain & Stages
You will find it hard to find a more scenic and enjoyable ride anywhere in the Northern
Cape. The route is challenging yet very beginner friendly. This race is ideal training
for the Epic or as a first time stage race, but don't be lulled into a false sense
of security. The route has some technical and challenging sections, rocks, sand,
drop-
Stage 1: Marrick MTB Challenge Night Stage. 40 km
Fast and furious, lungs will burn as the pace will be red hot from the gun. After shuffling for position riders will hit undulating 4wd tracks through rocky outcrops. Wildlife will view your progress through the dark night with interest and at times you will feel as if you are in the middle of dark Africa. Good lights are essential for this stage, that’s if you want to ride at pace.
Stage 2: Marrick Game Farm and surrounds -
A fast flat start will once again let you lungs burn as the pace will be red hot from the gun. 14 kms of flat district road leads you to undulating jeep tracks through rocky outcrops on a game farm. A couple of steep climbs to begin with and the opportunity to stomp a big gear and pretend you are Burry Stander. You may catch a glimpse of the game on the farms if you are observant.
You will have time to grap a cup of coffee and check if the bike is still working at the Scott Service Centre before tackling the sights and sounds of the Kimberley Tourist attractions..
Stage 3: Marrick Game Farm, 70 km of single track heaven
The best is always saved for last. Undulating, rocky, full of natural fauna and flora and rough (which we admit is a fairly basic description), this will be a stage that gets progressively faster as you traverse through all the single track and jeep tracks.
Do not wear your new Assos outfit for this stage, or any other new outfit for that matter.
The grassland tracks are underlain by fairly firm sand but can become like beach sand if it is the dry season. Large sections of the route has small rocks/pebbles, mainly in the "koppies", which involves around 25 kms of the route. The plains are dominated by grassland, or Acacia and Terminalia bush respectively and is slightly undulating to the first watering point at 21km. Watch out for Zebra, Wildebeest, Springbuck, Gemsbok in this area.
Riders will reach the first proper climb (this is the Northern Cape, we have no mountains
so any outcrop is considered a climb) going up Tower Hill to 1320m (at 31 km) watch
out for Giraffes, Waterbuck, Wildebeest, Bushpigs and Steenbok, from here it's a
down a steep (ski slope -
A short section of single track follows with 12 km of jeep -
Tubeless tyres and sealants are almost a must. Be warned.
Farm Access
The Marrick MTB Challenge has permission for access to the various privately owned property it traverses during the days of the race only. Competitors are not allowed to attempt to ride the course before or after the event. Some farmers do allow private rides on their farms but this must be arranged with them by appointment. This is essential and not negotiable.
Although most landowners are very cooperative, it takes just one selfish individual to upset a landowner and so jeopardize the future of the event. It is also essential that competitors show all landowners, farmers and locals their appreciation by greeting them with courtesy during the event and not littering the route with goo sachets, some farms have expensive game worth more than your bike and they for some unknown reason do not cope well by eating plastic and therefore die.
Let us continue to maintain the good relationships we have developed with the local farmers so that they will continue to happily welcome us to their farms in the future.
