Organiser
Darling Brew
DARLING BREW EXTREME 2023
DBX is one of the most anticipated single-day MTB races in the Western Cape, featuring a variety of epic routes beginning and ending at Darling Brew. Each year, we offer Mountain Bike enthusiasts the opportunity to cycle beautiful and otherwise inaccessible routes around the West Coast hamlet of Darling at their own time and pace.
DBX truly has something for everyone, from experienced MTB riders to novices and youngsters. Additionally, the event hosts and sponsors band together to bring riders and spectators alike a day to remember, with music, good eats, and treats available in family-friendly surroundings at the Darling Brew Tasteroom, as well as the opportunity to taste the wide range of Darling Brew craft beers and beverages.
LOCATION:
The race starts and finishes at Darling Brew, 48 Caledon Street, Darling, Western Cape, South Africa.
DATE:
Darling Brew Extreme will take place on the 27th of May 2023 starting at 05:30. Cape Town sunrise is set at 07:39 on this date in May.
DECADE OF DBX:
It is our 10-year anniversary of DBX and this year's momentous event is not one you want to miss out on! We will once again be joined by MC Shaun Peters on the mic who has been a staple at almost every single MTB event hosted at Darling Brew! Please also note that if you have participated in all 10 DBX events we urge you to contact [email protected] to confirm this as we have something very special planned for our lifetime achievers. We cannot wait to celebrate a #DecadeofDBX with you!
REGISTRATION:
DBX 2023 Registration will take place at the DB Tasteroom in Darling on:
Friday, 26 May 2023: (15:00 - 19:00)
Saturday, 27 May 2023: (05:30 - 07:30)
Please check your race BATCH DEPARTURE time – registration for your category ends 30 minutes before your departure time!
Every rider will receive a race pack. Please note that if you are registering early (i.e., Friday 26th of May), rider packs can also be collected by a single person for groups of riders - with sufficient proof of permission.
BATCH DEPARTURE TIMES:
RACE CATEGORIES WILL START IN BATCHES AS FOLLOWS
Riders wishing to change batches on Friday can also meet the CSA commissaire on Saturday morning at registration to discuss. Please make a note with time-keepers if you are registering Friday.
07:30 A BATCH 80km Warlord | 07:35 A BATCH 60km Bone Crusher (E-bike) 07:40 A BATCH 60km Bone Crusher 07:45 B BATCH 60km Bone Crusher | 07:50 A BATCH 40km Light Lager (E-bike) 07:55 A BATCH 40km Light Lager 08:00 B BATCH 40km Light Lager 08:05 C BATCH 40km Light Lager | 08:10 A BATCH 20km Slow Beer 08:15 B BATCH 20km Slow Beer |
CSA DAY LICENCE:
DBX2023 is a CSA (Cycle South Africa) sanctioned mountain-biking event. If you are not a member of CSA and DO NOT have a membership licence, please purchase a day license at R50 per person directly on the Entry Ninja platform when you purchase your entry.
Find out more on the CSA website: www.cyclingsa.com
RULES & REGULATIONS:
Every participant has to provide an indemnity form. You can:
Fill out the digital version of indemnity form HERE and email it to [email protected]
Print an indemnity form HERE, fill it out & bring it along, OR
- Make use of limited printed indemnity forms on the day (last resort)
Other important things to note:
We have had severe rain in the lead-up to DBX2023. If your route has water damage, please cycle carefully, and dismount and push if you feel unsafe at any stage.
This is a self-sufficient ride. Helmets need to be worn, and although there will be ample water points, it is suggested for the longer routes that hydration and extra supplies to be taken with.
Keep to the left of the route at all times and note that in some areas you may need to pass cyclists on the same road.
Please don't litter during the race, these are private farms that we work extremely hard to access on your behalf.
Be courteous to fellow riders and any farmers or farm workers you meet en route.
The weather is unpredictable in May in the Western Cape. Come prepared as though it will rain.
There will be sufficient water points marked en-route. However, it is also recommended that riders pack their own bottles, energy bars, etc (especially for the 60km and 80km routes).
NB! Please make sure to get your MTB board clipped after you finish. Hand it in to receive your free DB drink!
EMERGENCY NUMBER:
Danzel Andries: 072 262 0665
NB! Please stick the emergency contact sticker on your raceboard. These will be available at registration.
IMPORTANT ROUTE INFORMATION:
General route markers + directional arrows will be red on white boards.
Split points will have colour arrows that indicate your race category. Marshals will be on hand to point out route markings.
Please note that certain parts of the route will not have been bush-cut due to wildflower restrictions!
Certain routes travel through private estates with some game (e.g. springbok, eland - no big cats!), so please stay alert and aware. The farms and estates will not be held liable in case of any collisions or injuries.
Certain routes feature a dismount sign. There will be signage to warn riders beforehand.
Due to E-bike regulations stipulated by CSA no spare batteries allowed
DURING THE RACE:
Please be considerate to the event organisers and your fellow riders at all times. Stay vigilant on the tracks, and look out for any animals that might cross your way. Let’s leave these spaces as beautiful as we found them. Be lekker.
AFTER THE RACE:
Once you cross the finish line, make your way over to receive your finisher's glass and a medal. Get your MTB board clipped after you finish, and hand it in to receive your free DB finisher's drink. Post-race treatments and bike washes will be available at the finish. The DB Tasteroom in Darling will not be taking bookings for DBX Race Day and will seat tables on a first-come-first-serve basis. There will also be food stalls and a self-service bar outside for riders to enjoy some lunch and a beer after an intense race!
ROUTES:
? Slow Beer MTB - 20km | R 250
This is one for the whole family and is also suitable for juniors. From Darling Brew, you will follow the railway road to Waylands Farm reserve, crossing over into Waylands Farm and flowing along sheep tracks into Oranjefontein. Here you will cross over the road to take a small cattle path along the base of the Oranjefontein Vineyards and Kapokberg. Next, you’ll make a short climb into Oudepost Farm to wind around a small hill below Kapokberg, and then head back downhill all the way home.
VIEW KMZ: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42793297
? Light Lager MTB + E-bike - 40 km | R 300
If you are not up for too much distance but still like a challenge, this one's for you. From Darling Brew, you will follow the railway road to Waylands Farm reserve crossing, over into Waylands Farm flowing along sheep tracks into Oranjefontein, before making a small climb to Contreberg Farm. Here you will enjoy the same single-track loop as the 60 km and 80 km routes before exiting Contreberg again into Neil Ellis and Groote Post Vineyards. Following the same mountain roads and jeep tracks through Darling Steel Valley and Towers you will wind down a single-track to head back to Oudepost Farm along a contour single-track and cattle footpath and looping back to Darling Brew.
VIEW KMZ: https://ridewithgps.com/
☠️ BoneCrusher MTB + E-bike - 60 km | R 360
Still challenging, the 60 km will follow the 80 km route but cut in before Burgherspost Wine Estate to take on the hills and loops through Cloof, Nuwepost and Papkuilsfontein farms before also heading down via Waterkloof Farm, and into Contreberg to enjoy the single-track loop. Following the same route as the 80km to take on the hills through Neil Ellis Vineyards and the mountain roads of Groote Post Vineyards, the views from here are incredible. Passing over to Darling Steel Valley and Towers Farm, enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean before winding down a single track to head back to Oudepost Farm along a contour single-track and cattle footpath and looping back to Darling Brew.
VIEW KMZ: https://ridewithgps.com/
? Warlord MTB - 80km | R 400
This one is for the real Warlords! From Darling Brew, a gradual start along the railway track takes you past Darling Cellars to Burgherspost Wine Estate, where you will climb to take a single track along the base of the mountain all the way to Cloof Wine Estate. Here you will pass through the hills of Cloof, Nuwepost and Papkuilsfontein farms with various climbs, making your way down past Waterkloof farm into Contreberg Wine to enjoy a single-track loop. From Contreberg you will climb through Neil Ellis Vineyards, winding through the scenic mountain roads of Groote Post Vineyards to pass over to Darling Steel Valley and Towers Farm to take in incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy some downhill single track before you head into Doornfontein Wildlife Estate for the final climb, before heading back to Oudepost Farm along a contour single-track and cattle footpath, and looping back to Darling Brew.
VIEW KMZ: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42826328
IT'S ALMOST RACE DAY!
Time to dust off the bike but remember to stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you at DBX2023!
To stay up to date with this year's event, join our Facebook Group and follow our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep us posted on your journey to race day using the hashtag #DBX2023 on social media. For further details or assistance, please contact [email protected]
More information: www.darlingbrew.co.za/pages/dbx
Classes and pricing
Available classes for the event
| Class | Distance | Start Time | Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| War Lord | 80 km MTB | 07:30 | R 400.00 |
| Bone Crusher (E-bike) | 60 km E-BIKE | 07:35 | R 360.00 |
| Bone Crusher | 60 km MTB | 07:40 | R 360.00 |
| Light Lager (E-bike) | 40 km E-BIKE | 07:50 | R 300.00 |
| Light Lager | 40 km MTB | 07:55 | R 300.00 |
| Slow Beer | 20 km MTB | 08:10 | R 250.00 |
Event location
Darling Brew Tasteroom, Darling
| Coordinates | -33.3723602, 18.3903427 |
| Address | 48 Caledon Street, Darling, 7345 South Africa |
| City | Darling |
| Province | Western Cape |
Registration Number: 2015/141112/07