SOUTH AFRICAN CYCLING FEDERATION MOUNTAIN BIKE COMMISSION

2004 Mazda-Drifter SA National MTB Cup Series XC #3

XC VENUE:                Cascades Shopping Centre - Pietermaritzburg

DATE:                         Saturday 26 June 2004

DH VENUE:                Ferncliffe, Warwick Ave, Pietermaritzburg

START:                       From 08h00 on (See start times attached)

ENTRIES:                   Online Entries www.raceday.co.za ; Fax (028) 313 2677

LATE ENTRIES:        Late Entry at Cascades Friday 25 June from 10:00 to 17:00

REGISTRATION:       Cascades Shopping Centre, 25 June 2004 from 10h00 to 17h00

LATE ARRIVAL:         By arrangement only collect number boards from Registration at start at least 1 hour before start of race on Saturday 26 June 2004

OFFICIAL PRACTICES:

XC:                              Friday 25 June      10:00 to 16:00

DH:                              Friday 25 June      10:00 to 16:00

                                    Saturday 26 June 10:00 to 16:00

RACE OFFICIALS:

1.         Richard Durrant                                  Chief Commissaire.

2.         Rene Eales                                         Assistant Chief Commissaire

3.         Hazel (or Chris Cunnington)               Finish Commissaire

4.         Greg Eales                                          Start Commissaire

5.         Grevile Ruddock                                 Secretary, Timing and Results

DIRECTIONS TO VENUE:

From Jhb:

Take the Duncan Mackenzie Off Ramp (Exit 86), turn right over freeway, at traffic circle take first exit on your left (Montgomery Drive) and to the robot (at Greys Hospital) and turn left, then first robot right.

From Durban (Incl Durban International Airport) or from Umlhanga:

Take the N2 to the N3 to Pietermaritzburg. Travel through PMB on the N3 until you reach the Midlands Mall/Greys Hospital offramp (Exit 82). At the yield proceed around the circle toward the Midlands Mall, filter off left. Continue over two traffic circles into Sanctury Road.  At the next intersection cross over into Chase Valley Road, about 500m left into McCarthy Drive.

THE XC ROUTE:

The Cross Country route is a 7-kilometer lap through the forest at the Cascades Shopping Centre. The route is mostly through the blue gum plantation. The route is a mix between single track and jeep track, with challenging uphill sections and really quick downhill sections. The climbs range from gentle gradients to short and steep and are there to challenge the rider.  The downhill’s wind through the forest with some gnarly drop offs to keep the rider white knuckled on decent. The main downhill has some very technical sections and riders need to be aware of these.

KZN is a summer rainfall province; hence the track will most likely be dry. Although we have recently had some out of season rain in the area, the course may still become dusty and powdery on the day.

The route is 80% single track, 15% jeep track and there is a total of 400 meters of cobbles and tar.  There are two the river crossings. The first is has a drop onto a wooden bridge, the second is through the river itself. The bridges are slippery when wet and need to be ridden with due regard for the rider’s skill. Passing on one or two of the single track sections is difficult and the start times will be adjusted to separate groups of different ability and to allow earlier start groups to clear the course before the next group starts.  Make certain that you check the final start times at registration.

CROSS COUNTRY PROFILE:

PARKING AND ACCESS TO THE RACE VENUE:

1.                  Entrance to Cascades is free.

2.                  The XC route includes the parking area between the Shopping Centre and the Hill. There is additional parking alongside the centre and two car guards will be posted on the entrance/exit to ensure that your vehicles are safe.

3.                  No Vehicles will be permitted inside the start/finish, feed zone area at all – barring medical rescue vehicles.

4.                  Do not leave your bike lying around away from the start / finish area. This is a public area and there may be members of the public wandering around. There have been no problems for years now, but we prefer to be a bit cautious.

5.                  Teams, please brand your gazebo, feed area and around your vehicle, but before branding the route just clear the positioning with the Race Director so we keep the title sponsors happy.

6.                  There will be no refreshment vendors at trackside as there is an entire shopping centre for whatever you may need. Please utilise the facilities.

7.                  The entire route is accessible on foot for viewing. Pedestrians, please stay off the racing line as much as possible and be aware of cyclists at all times.

8.                  There will be a route map on display that will highlight spectator areas.