Organiser
Paarl Trails (pty)
2020 sees the third staging of The Rock 3-Stage MTB Race . With the first two editions having resulted in the event vesting itself as Paarl’s signature mountain-bike offering.
FROM ONLY R980.00 for a 3-Stage MTB ADVENTURE !!!!
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
“THE ROCK” caters for true and spirited mountain-bikers who live for great trails, but also love to have fun in vibey upbeat race villages boasting lots of entertainment, stacks of fun activities and a range of artisan culinary delights.
No frills, no fuss… just great trails, tough racing, wonderful camaraderie, and great hospitality! “THE ROCK” affords mountain bikers with a passion for their sport, a quintessential off-road experience in sublime surroundings without the usual arm-and-a-leg cost to enter.
Because of the COVID-19 virus we have had to relook at the offering for the 2020 event and although it is not what we had planned , the decision was made that on condition we are allowed to continue ( gov regulations ) we will reshape the event for this year to hopefully be able to offer as much as we can but taking rider Saftey into consideration .
We also give a guarantee that if the event is not able to take place because of lockdown restrictions we will move your entry to the 2021 event with not extra costs even if the entry fee is increased for 2021 , so you will not loose your money or entry . This has also given us the opportunity to discount the entries even further for 2020 , making it even more affordable
Due to popular demand we have added 2 distances to this years event .
·Big Rock : 3 stages 135km ( 20km Prologue , 60km , 55km )
·Little Rock :3 stages 75km ( 10km Prologue , 30km , 35km )
Mountain-bikers can also enter any one of the stage race daily routes individually (if you don’t fancy doing all three stages).
Participants are looked after particularly well on and off the trails and they have a choice of a wide array of great food and drink options for breakfast, lunch on race days.
Full Service Tour
“THE ROCK” saves no expense in our vision to create the Cape Winelands’ signature mountain bike stage race which attracts both local and international participation.
Rider nutrition, water, energy drinks and sumptuous snacks are available at the feed points to spoil and motivate riders during the event.
Full servicing is available at the start and halfway on each day and after each stage all bikes are washed and lubed after every day’s stage.
Bikes can be stored in a secure overnight storage facility between the stages at Spice Route Destination.
The Routes
“THE ROCK” MTB STAGE RACE encompasses some of the very best trails and features in the area and include the wonderful riding terrain of the Hero Adventure and Paarl Adventure Trail Network in Paarl . The Terrain is packed with Single-Track , Flow Trails and oodles of trail features . This is NOT a route with gravel roads and a few singles here and there it’s a custom built trail network that has every type of terrain ,making it the complete package.
Stage 1 :Diamant Prologue – 25 September 2020 : Spice Route Destination
The Prologue kicks of “THE ROCK” at Sunset on Friday 25 September . This is no Ordinary Prologue as cyclists will start as the sun is setting and in all likelihood finish in the dark . A day/night prologue will certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons and add that extra bit of excitement to what will be a weekend filled with adventure
The 10km Loop is packed with features that include flow trails , descents packed with berms and rollers , vineyards and a stretch through the now famous Diamant XCO Track . Competitors will not be left disappointed and racing against the clock with this much excitement is certainly going to make things interesting
Little Rock competitors will have to do 1 lap (10km )
Big Rock Competitors will need to do 2 laps (20km)
Stage 2: Renosterveld Stage – 26 September 2020
Big Rock : 60km Little Rock : 30km
Stage 2 is the Renosterveld Stage and after a great evening of racing and entertainment at the prologue , Paarl Mountain Awaits . From the start racing will be fast and furious . The 1st 25 km is mostly flat and fast , but don’t be fooled there are lots of twists and turns . After you head under the Calvert into the vineyards there are Dam wall rides , Single -Track pockets and forest sections that although allot of fun , will keep you busy . With not much serious elevation it’s a perfect leg warmer for what’s to come later in the day for the Big Rock Riders , and a perfect adventure for the Little Rock competitors . Fun is on offer in spades so enjoy the many features and flow sections on the route .
The 1st waterpoint at 15km will give you a chance to top up the energy levels and take a breather . For the Little Rock riders the last 5km is upward as you make your way back up the farm through forests and short little leg burners and to the finish
For the Big Rock riders once back into Fairview you head into the Diamant XCO trail that you get to experience in daylight and that makes it really interesting . Packed with features and flow it’s 4km of stoke . Once you take a pitstop at Waterpoint no 2 at 30km you start to head around the Lower slopes of Paarl Mountain through some amazing farms like Sandwyk , Zandwyk and Bovenland before hitting the famous Taal Monument Tar Road Climb and up the popular Bergpad to the booms . A 5km gravel road that will really test that cadence . Take a minute to enjoy the views over the Paarl Valley and all the way to Wellington , it is very special .
Once through the Boom Gates into the Paarl Mountain Reserve you might be mistaken for thinking you are in heaven , although the climbing continues the terrain and views are spectacular , the rolling hills , massive granite rock formations and fauna and flora are just dome of the feature that make this reserve in Drakenstein so amazing .
46km Is waterpoint no 3 and the highest point of the stage . From here the trajectory heads downward with a wide gravel road that could just set some speed records before a last kicker at 51km that will slow things down for a km or 2 .
At 55km you make the left turn off the gravel onto the home starch . Take a moment to enjoy the view from the top because the last 5km is all down . Its fast and furious , keep your wits about you as speeds will be right up there . There is nothing like a last bit of fun to finish the day and this comes in the form of the CBC descent , 40 berms , rollers and oodles of flow all the way back to the finish of the 2nd stage of “THE ROCK”
Stage 3: Fynbos Stage – 27 September 2020
Big Rock: 55km
Little Rock: 35km
Stage 3 , The last stage of “THE ROCK” and it’s all about the Fynbos Trail . We have saved the best for last and although it’s not an easy stage , it is jampacked with rewards . From the start you are faced with the biggest challenge of the day .”The Ladder” is a 2.5km climb that winds up the back of Paarl Mountain . the Rough Jeep Track snakes up to the top with a few challenges along the way . Cobbles , Cement , ruts and even a granite rock or 20 . The Key is to keep a easy pace and NOT BLOW !!! . It’s hard but conquering this challenge is something very special . We will have a special refreshment point at the top of “the Ladder “ to celebrate your achievement and take a pic or 2 before getting back on the bike . A Left turn onto the gravel and into the Paarl Mountain Reserve where you wind your way around the top of the mountain to the “tower” which will signal the highest point of the stage .
From there it’s a right into the Kirsten Vineyards and then into Rhebokskloof Wine Estate . At 12km is the Split of the Big Rock and Little Rock Distance . The Little Rock distance will fly down Google Road in reverse , this will put hairs on any chest ,but fun is a understatement . For the Big Rock Distance this is where the big boys come out to play and the section of trail that dreams are made of . After s short stop at 13.5km to take in the jaw dropping view at the Rhebokskloof Viewpoint , what follows is a 10km trail that is not known as the SUPERBOWL for nothing . This descent down to the Rhebokskloof Restaurant is nothing short of spectacular and will create many campfire stories to last a lifetime ,so enjoy it .
After a stop at the Rhebokskloof Waterpoint to calm the nerves is back onto the trail through the vineyards and onto the mountain. From here you head onto a very special trail designed and built with the help of many of the landowners around the mountain , it is a showcase of the amazing farms in Paarl . From the JDK and Hoekstra Table grape farms through the Salem bible Garden and into the eloquent Ridgeback Wine Farm where you get another great refreshment stop . From there its more single-track through Olyvenbosh olive farm and down to the Bistro44 Farm stall at 23 and 41km respectively .
Once off the short tar section you head up and through the Paarl Diamant Equestrian Farm that is home to some of the best studs in S.A and through the Granite quarry into the Renosterveld Reserve where you can enjoy the abundance of Renosterveld and Fynbos . Next up its Black Perl and Godfrey Farms where Wine , Cattle and Sheep all add to the picture perfect views .
The Last waterpoint on Ruitersvlei Estate at 50 and 30km signals the home stretch . the last 5km is flat and fast but packed with great views of Alpacas and the famous Landskroon Vineyards before heading into the finish back at Spice Route Destination to top of 3 stages and a great weekend of mountain biking at “THE ROCK” .
Entry Fees
Since the main stream popularity of mountain-biking started 18 years ago, many mountain-bikers have taken part in most of the major stage races and single day events more than once and just don’t want to fork out thousands of rands for the same experience anymore.
“THE ROCK” is organised and presented with all participants as the main focal point of the events and ticks all the boxes which are vitally important for mountain-bikers, but cuts out the rest to ensure affordability.
We have created 2 packages for each distance ,ensuring we offer a package that caters for particular needs.
Full Package
The Full Monty Package includes all the bells and whistles at a unbelievably great price . Package Includes :
·Entry
·4 Great meals with drinks
·Full Passport to do Wine , Gin ,Beer , Chocolate and cautery showcases
·Hot Showers
Solo Entries
Big Rock : R1700.00 each
Little Rock: R1350.00 each
Team Entry ( 2 Person Teams)
Big Rock. : R3400.00 per team
Little Rock. : R2700.00 per team
No Frills Package
The No Frills Package is just as stated , no meals , no goodie bag . Just Great Trails and allot of fun for 3 days at an affordable price . Race entry , Board and Medal included
Solo Entries
Big Rock. : R1250.00 each
Little Rock : R 980.00 each
Team Entry ( 2 person teams)
Big Rock. : R2500.00
Little Rock. : R1960.00
Event Schedule
FRIDAY – 25 September
12h00 – 18h00: Registration and number collection
17h00 - 17h30: Little Rock Prologue Start
17h00 - 18h30: Big Rock Prologue Start
20h30. : Cut off / Finish
20h00 – 22h00: Dinner ( Full Package entrants )
21h00 : Prologue Prize Giving
SATURDAY – 26 September
06h00 – 09h00: Breakfast ( Full Package)
06h30 – 07h30: Registration for day competitors
08h00 : Start Big Rock Day 1 – Spice Route Destination : 60km
09h30 : Start Little Rock Day 1 – Spice Route Destination : 30km
12h00 – 14h30: Lunch (Full Package)
14h00 : Prize Giving Day 1 – Spice Route Destination
SUNDAY – 27 September
06h00 – 09h00: Breakfast ( Full Package)
06h30 – 07h30: Registration for day competitors
08h00 : Start Big Rock Day 2 – Spice Route Destination : 50km
09h30 : Start Little Rock Day 1 – Spice Route Destination : 30km
14h00 : Prize Giving – Spice Route Destination
Rider Hospitality
“THE ROCK” is not only legendary for its trails , but the waterpoints and a big annual talking point . Filled with delectable eats and drinks from locals who provide the true “farm Style Hospitality “that Paarl is so famous for .
The Event offers everything that makes a mountain biker tick – Super Trails , Brilliant Racing conditions , awesome fun riding atmosphere for the fun-bikers , well stocked waterpoints , great marking and the best vibe at the race village you could ask for .
Off the bike ,a world filled with great food , amazing drinks , entertainment and activities await all competitors. Whether you are coming out for the weekend with mates or bringing the entire family along for a weekend of adventure – Paarl and hour host venue Spice Route is the best place to relax or experience the best of the Winelands.
Spice Route Destination and Fairview are one of the biggest attractions in the Cape and it is arguably the best place to host our race village . There are endless activities for the entire family that include
·3 Kids Play areas and Pump Track
·4 of the best restaurants in the winelands
·A Host of Artisans that include Beer , Gin , Chocolate , Cheese ,Wine and lots more
Paarl is the third oldest town in South Africa and its brimming with tradition and history as well as a hive of activity for everyone . A perfect time to head out and explore after your ride
The Riding terrain on and Around Paarl Mountain is truly something special and will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
“THE ROCK” takes place in beautiful surroundings and at and applicable time of the year with very little chance of rain and mild temperatures with the trails in perfect condition after the winter rains.
Accommodation
Paarl has a host of great Guest Houses and accommodation to suit all tastes visit www.paarlonline.com for a listof great accommodation options .
All For a Great Cause
The Paarl and Hero Adventure Trail Project has developed one of the most extensive Trail networks in Paarl that focuses on the true enjoyment of the outdoors and community development . With tourism , sport development and job creation the main focus of this project , through the development of over 150km of Trails for Cycling , Running and Hiking in Paarl . This Project not only provides a great escape and adventure for locals and visitors on a daily basis ,but supports no less than 3 sport development programs , running a skills development program that is creating jobs for the local community and providing a marketing platform for local venues and attractions .
Although attracting visitors to the network on a daily basis is the main focus , Events are not only a passion but a way to assist with the funding of these great projects . ALL the profits of this event will go directly to the Hero and Paarl Adventure Trail Project to assist with the development , growth and maintenance of these projects . What better reason to enter a event than knowing your support has directly benefitted the very project and community that makes the event possible to enjoy .
So Join us on the 25 September for THE ROCK and come and see how we can “ROCK YOU”
More information: www.paarladventuretrils.co.za
This event supports team entries for certain classes, but teams must consist of 2 participants per team.
Classes and pricing
Available classes for the event
| Class | Distance | 0 person team (pp) | Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Rock - No Frills Package
Little Rock No frills , a great way to do a stage race at really affordable price |
75 km Prologue -10km , Stage 1 -30km , Stage 2 - 35km | R 980.00 | |
| Little Rock Full Package | 75 km | R 1,350.00 | - |
| Big Rock Full Package | 135 km | R 1,700.00 | - |
|
Big Rock - No Frills Package
The no Frills Package is a great way to enjoy a stage race at an awesome price . Entry Includes : Entry , and Medal |
130 km Prologue - 20km , Stage 1 -60km , Stage 2 -50km | R 1,250.00 |
Event location
Spice Route Destination, Drakenstein Municipality
| Coordinates | -33.763544098649, 18.918085237122 |
| Address | suid agter paarl road |
| City | Drakenstein Municipality |
| Province | Western Cape |
Registration Number: 2015/141112/07