The gate code between Hillcrest and Nitida will be changing on the 1st February 2012. All Paid Up 2012 Members will be emailed the new code. Keep it to yourselves, this is a privilege you pay for as a member!!

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Date:	18 February 2012
Venue:	Saronsberg wine estate, Tulbagh, WP 33°14'46.48"S | 19° 7'1.65"E
Terrain:	Fyn Bos | Rocky | Wynyard's
Elevation:	341m  |  Ascent: 2200m
Participants:	1000+
Features:	Single tracks | Dams | Cape-Epic Routes
Registration:	Fri 17/02 14:00-21:00 & Sat 18/02 06h30 - 09h00
Entries:	ONLINE ENTRIES OPEN ! - CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Saturday:

06h30-09h00:	Registration & Line Entries
18/02 06h45:	Riders Briefing /  Leaders Jersey Handover
18/02 07h00:	Start MTN ULTRA UCI PRO/Elite 105km Race
18/02 07h10:	Start MTN Marathon 75km Ladies
18/02 07h20:	Start MTN Marathon 75km "A" Batch +5min intervals
18/02 08h05:	Start NISSAN 1/2 Marathon 45km "A" Batch +5min intervals
18/02 08h45:	Start 20km Fun Race
18/02 09h45:	Winner of 20km Fun Race Expected
18/02 10h15:	Winner Nissan 45km Expected
18/02 11h30:	Winner of MTN Marathon 75km Expected
18/02 12h00:	Winner of MTN Ultra 105km expected
18/02 13h00:	Prize Giving

2011 RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE PHOTOS FROM 2011 AVAILABLE HERE Only an hour and a half from Cape Town, lies the Saronsberg wine estate, nestled in the magnificent scenic beauty of the Saronsberg Valley. Tulbagh is charismatic town, renowned for its rich history, fine wines and Cape Dutch Architecture. Tulbagh offers visitors a wide variety of activities and outstanding accommodation, not to mention the largest concentration of National Monuments in one street in South Africa.Be sure to take in the Cape beauty while visiting one of the many wine estates in the area or take the time to appreciate the wealth of local artistic talent that the small town has to offer. Tulbagh is also the host for the first two stages of the 2011 Absa Cape Epic, so needless to say, there are an abundance of breathtaking mountain bike trails that are sure to challenge even the most adventurous. The National ULTRA Marathon #2 – Tulbagh is a circular loop race; it will start in the Saronsberg wine estate 5km outside Tulbagh, Western Cape and finish at the same venue. Included in the entry fee, is access for the rider and supporters that can enter the Saronsberg wine estate grounds free of charge. Secure parking for teams is available on the Venue. The public will park outside the designated areas. Entries:

• Early Bird Fees

• Normal Entry Fees

• Closing date for online entries is 14/02/2011 Midnight

Registration: Friday 17th Feb                 14h00 - 21h00 Saturday 18th Feb           06h30 - 09h00 Registration will take place at the Saronsberg Wine Estate, Tulbagh. Route Descriptions: Ultra Marathon Marathon Ultra XCM -105km (others to follow shortly, will be similar in nature but shorter in distance) The route makes the best of the Saronsberg valley by completing a full anti clock-wise loop around the town of Tulbagh. But don’t be fooled by the route map, although the trail does not venture out of the valley, there are some challenging climbs and technical single tracks to test riders skills as well as stamina. As the riders hug the base of the magnificent Saronsberg Mountains, they may be tempted to stop and admire the scenery. The route winds its way around cool farm dams, between luscious green vineyards and along rocky mountain tracks edged with indigenous fynbos and proteas. Specifics:

• Total Distance: 105 km (GPS)
• Total Ascent: 2200m (GPS)

All marshals will be cleared from the course after 16h00 and all direction markers removed. The cut off at the finish line for the 105km route is 15h45. Prize Money*:

• Prize money & Points will be calculated for the UCI PRO/Elite Men in this distance only.
• PRO/Elite ladies will earn points & prize money in the usual 75km marathon distance only.
• All other categories will only be eligible for points and prize money in the usual distance.

Approximate riding times:

• 105km:  5h00min – 8 hours
• 75km:   3 – 6 hours
• 40km:  2 – 4 hours
• Cut-off Waterpoint (TBA)
• 105km has a cut-off at the finish of 9hours.

Directions from Cape Town

• From Cape Town take the N1 North to Paarl.
• Take R44 Klapmuts/ Wellington turnoff - turn left towards Wellington.
• Follow the R44; on the outskirts of Wellington, turn left at the traffic lights towards Hermon/ Ceres/ Porterville.
• Follow the R44 for approximately 50kms, past the Hermon turn-off and through the Nuwe Kloof pass.
• Turn left at sign: Tulbagh
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right
• From Cape Town take the N7 to Malmesbury.
• At Malmesbury, get on the R46 towards Riebeek-Kasteel.
• Remain on the R46 to Hermon.
• At T-junction after Hermon, turn left, and continue to Tulbagh on the R46.
• Go through the Nuwekloof pass
• Turn left to Tulbagh
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right

Directions from Cape Town Airport

• Leave airport towards Somerset West
• Take R300 and travel north towards N1
• Take N1 north to Paarl.
• Take R44 Klapmuts/ Wellington turnoff - turn left towards Wellington.
• Follow the R44; on the outskirts of Wellington, turn left at the traffic lights towards Hermon/ Ceres/ Porterville.
• Follow the R44 for approximately 50kms, past the Hermon turn-off and through the Nuwe Kloof pass.
• Turn left at sign: Tulbagh
• At stop, turn left on to Van der Stel Street
• Pass Spar on the right; at 4-way stop turn left
• After approximately 4 kms, Saronsberg on the right

Online: http://maps.google.co.za/maps?capetowntotulbagh Shuttle / Transport: There are no official shuttle services on offer, public transport is available from CPT International airport, and this is the quickest way of getting to the venue. Saronsberg is situated about 1.5 hours drive from CPT International. Accommodation: Accommodation information on all available accommodation can be obtained from Tourist Information Web Site or from Tourist Reservations.

• Saronsberg website: http://www.saronsberg.com
• Tulbagh Website: http://www.tulbaghtourism.co.za
• Tourism Info: tulbaghtourism@lando.co.za or +27 (0)23 230 1375
• Tulbagh info centre - http://www.tulbagh.net/accommodation.htm
• Tulbagh Hotel - http://www.tulbaghhotel.co.za +27 (0)23 230 0071
• Booking.com - http://www.booking.com +27 (0)23 230 1177
• Sleeping out - http://www.sleeping-out.co.za
• Fine dining, Paddagang restuarant - http://www.paddagangrestaurant.com/
• Waterval accomodation - http://www.waterval.co.za/ or info@waterval.co.za

Important Pointers

• As this event is held in the summer, the cyclist may experience hot or rainy to cool weather and should be prepared to cope with these conditions.
• First Aid Services will be provided to the cyclists on the routes and at the finish.
• The organisers may, at their discretion, shorten, lengthen or change the course if the weather, or safety of the cyclist, deem this necessary.
• Bike wash facilities will be available at the finish area

Location of Amenities Teams / Riders / Public Parking Location Teams have access to the Event Venue, and setup in the teams designated area next to the finish area. Riders will park just adjacent to the race venue next to the venue, and the public at the designated public parking zones, outside the riders parking zone, just off the start finish venue.

• Wash only                                     R20
• Wash, Polish and Lube             R40

Nearest Hospital and Medical Information A wide range of professional medical services are available, including:

• Dr Botha General Medical Practitioner +27 23 2300792
• Dr George General Medical Practitioner +27 23 2301004
• Dr Whitaker General Medical Practitioner +27 (0)21 762 4779
• Ambulance                                                            +27 10177
• Hospital                                                                +27 (0)23 312 1117
• Police                                                                     +27 (0)23 230 8100
• Fire Department                                                   +27 (0)23 316 1997

Local Bellville resident (*Tygerberg MTB Club Member), Ernst Viljoen, is currently undergoing strict training and preparation to ride the 2012 Absa Cape Epic in celebration of his recent successful recovery from prostate cancer. This will be his fourth entry in the annual race in the Western Cape and he will devote his participation to those suffering from cancer and raise awareness and funding for Cansa. As a Team Absa rider, Absa will generously donate R1300 to the organisation for every stage of the race Viljoen completes - a potential total of R9100 for his efforts. "Thankfully the disease was diagnosed at an early stage and I was able to beat the cancer," says Viljoen. "I am extremely thankful that I can get back on my bike and ride again, enjoy the sport which I have been doing for most of my life. It is not something I take for granted." Viljoen has been active in the sport of cycling for the past 44 years and made a serious conversion to mountain biking in 2006, when Absa his then employer - became the title sponsor of the ABSA Cape Epic. He has since retired from his banking career of 28 years and is currently a lecturer in financial management at a private college in Cape Town. Viljoen has also completed the "Bike TransAlp" in 2007 and has 20 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour rides to his name so far.

An Epic battle for survivor

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2010, Viljoen opted for brachytherapy - the implanting of radioactive seeds into the prostrate - instead of surgically removing the gland. The procedure was scheduled for April 2011 allowing him to attend his son's wedding and complete the 2011 Absa Cape Epic in March 2011. Viljoen is now fully recovered from the disease and looking ahead to the 2012 instalment of the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race. This year Viljoen will be paired with Team Absa partner and Olympic Silver medallist, Elana Meyer, and their training is already well under way. Viljoen will also serve as manager for Team Absa. The team includes rugby legend Joel Stransky and model Vanessa Haywood. The Absa Cape Epic will take place from 25 March to April 1st. * The prologue will be held on Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club trails with the start finish venue being Meerendal wine Estate. Taken from the Tyger Burger 11January 2012 * = added by JTF

We are pleased to inform all Tygerberg MTB Club members that the annual membership fee, R525 (main member), R350 (spouse), R150 (child), R1000 (family), R250 (pensioners and students), INCLUDES an annual permit to the Contermanskloof trails.

Please read the description of each product in your basket carefully. Membership fees for 2012 voted in at the AGM. Valid from 7 December 2011 till 31st December 2012. Main Member = R525 Spouse = R350 Child dependents R150 each Family Membership R1000 (Main member + spouse+ 3 children) Pensioners or Students =R250 (must have a valid student card) ABSA Cape Epic permits R275 (Click here for more info) CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR 2012

Welcome to the new Committee for 2012:

Matthew Zoutendyck Prudence Adams Theresa Styles Gary Blakey Mienke Koen Tandy Kitching Louis Loubser Justin Basson Kobus Pool Rob Griffin (Chairman) Janine Brown

Please give them a few weeks to settle into their respective roles. We wish them every success for the year ahead and look forward to the club and trail network growing from strength to strength.

Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the website as soon as Jackie our trusted minute keeper has crossed all the t's and dotted the i's

The chairman promised a timeline of the "DRAFT" constitution at the 2011 AGM, here it is.

Adrian emailed "his draft" on the 26/10/2011

Click here for copy of Adrian's email

Click here for copy of Adrian's "Draft" constitution attached to the above email.

Chairman replied the next day

Click here for copy of chairman's email 27/10/2011

Click here for copy of chairman's "Draft" constitution sent to constitution committee attached to the above email

To date no reply to the chairman's email has been received from Adrian or any other member of the constitution committee

Click here to view the Amended "Draft" constitution presented at 2011 AGM and made available for download on the website and via the Newsletter Vol4 no42 sent 2/12/2011

These permits are for entrants of the 2012 ABSA Cape Epic who would like to "practice" on the trails for the prologue. The permits are valid from now until 25 March 2012, cover the complete Contermanskloof and Tygerberg Mtb Club trails of Contermanskloof, Meerendal, Hillcrest, Nitida and Kliprug. The price is R275 each permit.

Hi Junior Riders
The 4th term of our first year of junior club has arrived and we are hoping to end this year off with a bang! I will be posting you a calendar soon so that you can plan a few rides with us, especially since a lot of you will be writing exams. In the meantime, you are welcome to join us for the following junior rides, club social and final interschools event this week.

Monday 10 October: Majik Forest Ride, 5.30 – 6.30pm
Wednesday 12 October: Majik Forest Ride, 5.30 – 6.30pm
Wednesday 12 October: Club Social at Nitida, 6pm (we will be a bit late, but definitely there)
FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER: TYGERBERG INTERSCHOOLS MTB CHALLENGE, MEERENDAL. Registration 3pm, Race start 4pm for 45min.
Saturday 15 October: Meerendal Ride, 8 – 9.30am

If any of the junior riders have taken part in events this past weekend, please let me know. I would love to share with the rest of the group.

Race Results and Reports
Well done to the juniors that have been riding in races the past couple of weeks. Not everyone gets a podium position, but remember you are ‘winners’ because they took part!

WP half marathon @ slanghoek. - Manie Lubba 1st Sub Junior, 7th Overall.

Lourendsford 27km – Wian Botma finished 3rd in 1h21.

Ride the Rhino – Daniel Van Der Walt (10) and Calla de Vos (11) were allowed entry into the Scholar section of Ride the Rhino based on their previous riding experiences and insistence on their part. Their team was called “Kenridge Turbos”. They were the only junior team entered. The other 17 scholar teams entered were all high school children up to the age of 18.

Both are self motivated individuals who share a love for the sport.

The scholar section follows the Black Rhino route usually up to the last water point of the day.

The first day the scholars followed the route from Langebaan to Darling and covered about 60km. There was 620m of climbing involved but the real challenge of the day was soft sand which made climbing truly energy sapping.

The second day included climbing of 1150m over 38km. The infamous Dasburg was included which meant a daunting vertical climb of 400m and surely one of the scariest, adrenalin inducing declines of 500m I have ever experienced. The route saw a departure from Darling and a destination in Mamlesbury.

The third day stretched from Malmesbury to Durbanville over 58km. Here the wind proved a major challenge. Over 900m of climbing was encountered which included the mighty Paardeberg with a climb of 400m.

In total they completed 156 km with almost 2800m of climbing over the three days. Wim de Vos (Calla’s dad) and I followed the White Rhino routing in order to ride with the team. Although we knew they would make it, we were astounded at their quiet determination and mostly, their uncompromising speed. Never a complaint it was an absolute pleasure to have done this with them.

The boys ended in 13th overall with a highest daily placing of 12th. This effectively means having ended before a number of the high school teams. Their total time was 09:32:33. Daily times were 03:25:20 , 02:33:57 and 03:33:16. The race itself is passionately organized, very challenging and has fantastic scenery. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We are obviously very proud of both Daniel and Calla. The Ride the Rhino shirts are now worn with pride.

(Race Report – Stephen Van Der Walt)

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me.

Regards
Theresa
083 271 2563

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