Organiser
Drake Events
Beast of the East
The feedback from 2023 was certainly that the Beast of the East lived up to its name, with a tough but rewarding course. In 2024 we can’t wait for you to experience another epic day out on the bike. The route changes slightly with a different start/finish venue… how will this change the route? Will you have enough legs for the back end? Can you tame The Beast?
Book now and don’t miss out on this exciting mountain bike outride. With safety priority and the day all about your experience, you will have the utmost support to take on the dirt roads in the East of Joburg and Pretoria. This is a day out not to be missed – meet new people and make memories!
REGISTRATION
Tweefontein Melkery
Cloudy Road
(Off R25)
Kempton Park NU
Venue*click for google maps linkRegistration and Collection:
Registration & Goodie Bag Collection starts at 05H15 on the morning of 01 June. All apparel that has been ordered will be available for collection at registration.Parking:
Tweefontein Melkery is a private property and will have safe parking throughout the day.Goodie Bag:
The amazing partners and sponsors have provided great samples and vouchers for a special goodie bag. Don’t forget to register and check in to ensure you receive your goodie bag.Small Bag Drop:
Your small bags will be available at the lunch stop.Armband:
Your armband must remain on at all times as it is used to redeem your bags.Number Board:
All riders will be issued a unique number board in the goodie bag. You MUST mount the number board on your seat post.SAFETY
Safety is one of our biggest concerns when we think cycling in South Africa, whether it be on tar or dirt roads.The amazing Think Bike Marshals will be on hand to assist with traffic control and rider safety along the route.
𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝟷𝟶𝟶% 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.
Our aim is to make this ride safe, enjoyable and to give you the opportunity to ride your bike for the day with the best support possible.
With the Think Bike Marshals we have consistently been in good hands on every outride and are confident we can achieve this at every ride ahead.
𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝟷𝟶𝟶% 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.
Our aim is to make this ride safe, enjoyable and to give you the opportunity to ride your bike for the day with the best support possible.
With the Think Bike Marshals we have consistently been in good hands on every outride and are confident we can achieve this at every ride ahead.
ROUTE
Routes below are provisional pending final route recons.
GPX files will be shared as soon as the routes are finalised.
- The route is gravel bike friendly, albeit with a few rougher sections along the route.
- A gpx file will be shared with all entrants closer to the date of the outride.
- You MUST load the file onto your gps
- The route is marked and marshals will assist with direction where possible
- As much as we lay down route markers, we see vandalism and many discarded markers during a ride. Having the gpx route on your gps will be beneficial to ensure correct navigation.
- If you do not have a gps device, do not worry. It is not mandatory to have one. Use the buddy system and ensure to ride with someone who knows the route.
- There are no road closures. Riders must adhere to the rules of the road and the marshals directions when given.
EVENT TIMING & BATCHES
Timing
Rule #1 states that this is not a race. BUT we know some of you love using our events as race prep. Our events have also become available events to earn Discovery Points. Therefore, Drake Events will provide timing for the Beast of the East. This is merely a manual system, with you being required to sign in at the feed zone and the finish.The feed zone WILL be a timed section so any time spent at the feeding zone will be a part of your race time. There are no neutral/untimed zones on route.
All results will be available on the Drake Events website a few days after the event. Any queries can be sent to [email protected].
Batches
Big Beast | 06h30Small Beast | 07H00
Please arrive at your starting batch at least 10 minutes before your batch starts. Please also make sure to keep traffic and parking time in mind towards the venue.
Cut-Off
Whether you are riding the Big Beast or the Small Beast, you will have until 17H15 to finish the rideCheck out the full list of cut-off times for the water points and finish below…
GROUP DYNAMICS
- This is not a race!
- We do not realistically envision everyone to stay together along the route.
- We do encourage you to ride together in a group, but some may want to ride ahead, or ride slightly slower.
- Always be aware of your average speed and if you’re a slower rider, don’t drop off pace too much. We want to see you finish!
- Ride smart.
- Regardless of your pace, there will be set times that your support vehicle will be at the lunch stop. Read the below Lunch info for these timings.
- Regardless of your pace, lunch will be served at specific times. Read the below Lunch info for these timings.
- There is a minimum speed enforced and cut off at the lunch stop, water point 3 and water point 4. If you do not make it in the cut-off time, you will be asked to load you into the support vehicle and you will be taken to the finish in the vehicle.
- We cannot allow leniency on cut-of times for the safety of all riders on route and logistically to ensure everyone receives the best event experience from the Drake Events team.
BAG DROP
Small Bags:
This service is for the Big Beast riders only. All small bags will be taken to the lunch stop for you to make use of. Please note the small bags will only be back at the start/finish venue after the last rider has gone through lunch.
Pack your small bag the day before so you can drop your small bag in the designated support vehicle, without any delay. The small bag can be packed with any spares, nutrition, chargers, etc. that you may need throughout the day. Don’t forget to collect your bag again at the finish.
WATER & CHECK POINTS
Fully Stocked Water Points:
Every water point will be fully stocked with 32GI, ice, water, coke, banana’s and sweets. Every water point will then be stocked with a few unique items by the sponsors of the water point. This will be items such as chelsea buns, marmite sandwiches, potatoes, cookies, etc.Water Points Distance:
169KM
Water Point 1 – 35km
Water Point 2 – 72km
Feeding Zone – 105km
Water Point 3 – 130km
Water Point 4 – 153km
104KM
Water Point 1 – 29km
Water Point 2 – 60km
Water Point 3 – 84km
LOCATIONS
Water Points will be at remote locations on the route with no ablution facilities. The Feeding Zone will be hosted at a venue (TBC) with full amenities.
Cut-off Times:
Drake Events Management and Think Bike Marshals have the right to ask anyone to get into the support vehicles along the route, should they feel that the rider is not keeping up with the minimum pace and misses a time cut. If you are asked to load into a sweep vehicle, you may not disregard instruction and stay on your bike. No riders may stay out on the route behind the sweep vehicle due to liability and indemnity you agree to when entering the Beast of the East.These times below are provisional and pending the final route.
169KM
Feeding Zone – 12H55
Water Point 3 – 14H35
Water Point 4 – 16H20
Finish – 17H15
104KM
Water Point 1 – 14H35
Water Point 2 – 16H20
Water Point 3 – 17H15
LUNCH
* At 105km, you have a great light lunch stop to look forward to. The venue is still TBC pending the final route.
* The recommended stopping time for lunch is 30 minutes.
* Box Bar by Drake Events will be serving refreshments at the lunch stop, along with a tasty meal to keep you going for the last 70km.
* Charge your gps units at the Rapid Charge Solutions mobile charging station.
* Lunch will be served from 09H30-12H45 for the various paced riders.
* If you arrive after 12H45, you’re slightly behind the average pace required and you may be asked to get into the support vehicle.
* The proposed cut-off time for riders at the lunch-stop is 12H55. All riders need to have departed from the lunch stop by 13H25, to ride to water point 3.
* Drake Events want you to finish and will use discretion at all cut-off points to try keep you on the route, where possible.
MTB and Gravel Bike CSA Sanctioned Race
VEHICLE SUPPORT
* Squirt Chain Lube will be available in the support vehicles and at the water points so your chain stays clean, lasts longer and extends drive train life. The very best is chain lube keeping you going all day!
* Every vehicle will have a first aid kit.
* Your small bag will be stored safely inside one support vehicle, taken to the lunch stop for you to access, then available for you at the finish.
* There will not be one dedicated support vehicle behind a group, but rather various vehicles along the route. If at any point you have an emergency, please contact the Drake Events Management team.
*The vehicles around the route are busy with operational duties for the event. If you have an issue, there may be a long waiting time until one of the vehicles is able to pick you up.
* Every vehicle will have a first aid kit.
* Your small bag will be stored safely inside one support vehicle, taken to the lunch stop for you to access, then available for you at the finish.
* There will not be one dedicated support vehicle behind a group, but rather various vehicles along the route. If at any point you have an emergency, please contact the Drake Events Management team.
*The vehicles around the route are busy with operational duties for the event. If you have an issue, there may be a long waiting time until one of the vehicles is able to pick you up.
FINISH VENUE & ACCOMMODATION
Tweefontein Melkery is a Function & Events venue conveniently situated just 25km from OR Tambo International, in between Kempton Park & Bapsfontein, on the R25.
A magical farm-style venue, with a large indoor main venue boasting unique one-of-a-kind décor, a stage for live music, bar and kitchen – and plenty of outside space for camping, picnics and bonfires.
They also have guestroom accommodation to add to any event, for those who want to make a little getaway of their time there.
Expect top live music events & festivals, picnic parties, adventure & trail races as well as the perfect venue for your private party, function, bachelor/bachelorette or wedding.
Don’t risk the drive home after a long day out at the coolest venue in Gauteng – rather be safe and comfy in one of their convenient little guestrooms! They currently have guestrooms to sleep up to a total of 26 people. Each room comes equipped with a power point, basic bedding and a kettle with instant coffee for the morning. The only room with the ensuite option is Room 5, all other rooms use the Melkery Toilets & Showers.
A magical farm-style venue, with a large indoor main venue boasting unique one-of-a-kind décor, a stage for live music, bar and kitchen – and plenty of outside space for camping, picnics and bonfires.
They also have guestroom accommodation to add to any event, for those who want to make a little getaway of their time there.
Expect top live music events & festivals, picnic parties, adventure & trail races as well as the perfect venue for your private party, function, bachelor/bachelorette or wedding.
Don’t risk the drive home after a long day out at the coolest venue in Gauteng – rather be safe and comfy in one of their convenient little guestrooms! They currently have guestrooms to sleep up to a total of 26 people. Each room comes equipped with a power point, basic bedding and a kettle with instant coffee for the morning. The only room with the ensuite option is Room 5, all other rooms use the Melkery Toilets & Showers.
APPAREL
Want to join the “BLUE TRAIN”? Order your Drake Events Cycling Kit.
SOX – R100
Jersey by Van H – R1500
All orders for jerseys must be in by no later than 10 May.
Don’t forget to include your order on the registration form.
PHOTOS
Keep that smile on your face as you never know where Nicolette and her team might be hiding for that perfect pic!
Photo’s will be made available post event with a mailer sent out to all participants as to where you can purchase & download those special shots from the day out.
Event location
Tweefontein Melkery, Kempton Park
| Coordinates | -26.0323436, 28.3475001 |
| Address | Cloudy Road, Kempton Park NU, Kempton Park, 1501, South Africa |
| City | Kempton Park |
| Province | Gauteng |
© 2015 - 2024 Entry Ninja
Registration Number: 2015/141112/07
Registration Number: 2015/141112/07