Things You need to Know for The Luxliner Route 66 MTB & Trail Experience
Congratulations on having entered the 2023 Luxliner Route 66 MTB Experience.
Kick-off is in just under a week’s time.
We are really looking forward to hosting you as this event is one of our highlights of the year.
There is quite a bit of information you need to consume in this mail, so we ask that you take time to read this mail carefully.
This mail covers all information regarding the various offerings and distances on offer, so please take note of the section that applies to you.
RACE NUMBER PICKUP & INDEMNITY FORMS
Race Number Pickup will take place at the Jozi Gin in Bryanston – it’s the old Baron on Main – on Tuesday the 28th of February from 13.00 to 17h00. You need to collect your race number and goodie bag.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you are not able to make it, don’t stress. You can pick up on the morning of the race.
We would suggest that if you are doing the 4-Day or the 3-Day race, you collect on race day. However. If you are collecting a bunch of entries, we do recommend you collect on Tuesday.
If you are doing any event starting on Saturday, such as the 2-Day, or 40km, or any Trail Run distance, we advise you come on Tuesday the 28th as Saturday will be busy as we have over 400 participants on Saturday.
PARKING
Please be aware that there are 400 participants on Saturday, so parking is going to be a challenge. Please ensure that you get there early in order to ensure a stress-free morning. We all know that there Is nothing worse than a long queue and trying to find parking.
THE ROUTE AND START TIMES
4-Day UCI Event
Prologue 30km – Thursday 2 March: Start 10am
Venue: Asidlale Bike Park, Leeuwkop Prison
Registration and race number pickup from 08.30am
Race Briefing: 09.30
For all other start times, please consult the website – https://route66mtb.co.za/start-times/
The most important thing to take note of is that Stage 1 for the 4-Day and the 3-Day (Friday the 3rd ) will start at the Valverde Eco Hotel in Muldersdrift. Click Here (https:// https://valverde.co.za/contact/ ) for directions.
Rider briefing will be at the start of each stage, so you need to be in the start chute at least 15 minutes before the start.
Friday – Valverde to Mount Grace
Saturday – Mount Grace to Mount Grace
Sunday – Mount Grace to Mount Grace
CUT OFF TIMES
Please note that we will be enforcing cut off times this year, but as you can see, they are quite generous.
Cut off times are as follows:
Friday: 81km – There will be a cut off/ enforced route short cut at the 63km table (Water Table 3) at 12h30.
Saturday: 82km – There will be a cut off / enforced route short cut at Water Table 4 (64km) at 12h30 for all riders. (24km mark for the 40km riders)
Sunday: 60km – There will be a cut off at Water Table 3 (48km) at 12.30.
Please note that Think Bike, the Medical Team and Metro officials reserve the right to cut you off after the cut off points should they feel that it is necessary.
START BATCHES
For the 4-Day riders, and 3-Day Experience riders, each day will be voluntary seeding.
Each day will see previous winners seeded at the front, and day 2 and 3 will see the previous stage winners and top three riders per category seeded in the front.
ROUTE MARKING
Each day will be marked with green arrows on a white A4 Perspex board. Plus we also make use of pink stickers to guide riders on the route.
GPX files will be available to download from the website during this week
WATER TABLES – https://route66mtb.co.za/route-information/
Thursday Prologue: Water table at finish
Friday: We will have 3 water tables
Saturday: we will have 4 water tables – for 82km riders – 1 at the 24km mark for 40km riders
Sunday: We will have 3 water tables
IN SUMMARY
RACE TIMING & SEEDING
Timing will be done by SS Timing. This will be a chip timing system.
Remember that number boards should not be affixed to your bike when you leave home, as these have in some instances blown off in the past.
And please note we will be collecting your race numbers once you have finished your ride.
BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE
Once you finish on Friday, there is a complimentary bus service, courtesy of Luxliner Coaches, that will take you back to the start on Friday.
The bus schedule is as follows:
Bus 1 – 12.00
Bus 2 – 13.00
Bus 3 – 14.00
Bus 4 – if required 15.00
You will also not be allowed to take your bike on the bus. There is a secure bike park for you to leave your bike overnight.
One last request – we would appreciate it if you would tip the drivers.
BIKE SERVICE PACKAGES
Feathertec Cycle Repairs and Maintenance will be there to offer you the Technical support at the event.
To book your Route 66 Bike Maintenance Package please email info.feathertec@gmail.com
TOG BAG TRANSPORT
Luxliner has kindly provided a tog bag service where you can drop off your tog bag at the start on Friday at Valverde and collect it from the finish at Mount Grace.
You will be able to hand in your bag at the start and they will take them through to the finish for you.
Be sure to pack a change of clothes and a towel so you can enjoy a refreshing shower at the finish.
SHOWER FACILITIES
Shower facilities are available at the Cog & Sprocket, the finish venue on each day.
CATERING
Mount Grace will be selling breakfast rolls plus burgers, boerie rolls etc at the Cog & Sprocket, plus a variety of your favourite cold beverages.
SUNDAY LUNCH
If you are riding on Sunday, kick back and enjoy a fun lunch (bookings essential), while you relax and soak up the sun in the relaxing company of family and friends at the Cog & Sprocket at the Mount Grace Hotel & Spa.
Meal Voucher – Wrist band – Very Important for those who have booked Sunday lunch!!!
If you have booked lunch for Sunday, Pease look out for your lunch voucher in the envelope containing your race number.
You will also be able to purchase a lunch voucher at Race Number pickup and registration on Tuesday the 28thof February. Cost is 200 bucks for an adult and 120 for children under 12.
Please note that we will not be selling lunch vouchers after rider registration, and definitely not during the race or at Mount Grace. Feel free to mail info@leveragecorporation.co.za to book your tickets.
No wrist band, no Sunday lunch. This is extremely important.
Black Horse Brewery will be in town, and other drinks and food will be on sale.
GENERAL
THE ROUTE
In many instances, we are riding on private land. We travel over a number of privately owned farms and the trails have been opened to us exclusively. Kindly treat these trails with respect.
As you can imagine, the weather has played havoc with our trails, and all without exception have been completely overgrown. A big shout out has to go tour Trail team for working tirelessly for over a month to make sure the trails are ready for you.
SPECIAL NOTE on Road Crossings:
On all days, there are a few road crossings, so please be vigilant here as we do not have road closure. Please obey the marshals at all times
You will note that there are some sections where we will have to ride on tar so please be vigilant at all times and obey the rules of the road and stay on the left hand side of the road
LITTERING
We are riding through private land and some sections of The Cradle of Humankind, which is a World Heritage Site. There are some sensitive areas – bear this in mind at all times.
This means that we have a strict no littering policy and if you are caught littering, you will be asked to leave the course and immediately be disqualified. If you are reported for littering, you will also be disqualified.
MARSHALS
There will be a number of Think Bike marshals on the route as well as Mogale Metro, Hekpoort Farm Patrol and Magalies CPF and our Medical team in attendance. Please obey their instructions at all times. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification.
RULES OF THE ROAD
Please obey all instructions and please remember that if you are riding on a dirt or tar road, you need to obey the rules of the road. We do not have road closure, you DO NOT have right of way.
BIKE WASH FACILITIES
After the ride, have your bike washed courtesy of some of the youngsters from Girls & Boys Town.
PRIZE GIVING
Trail Run & 40km
This will take place on Saturday for the Trail Runners and the 40km riders at 11.00 at the Cog & Sprocket.
4-Day, 3-Day, 2-Day and 60km Prize Giving
This will take place at approximately 12.30 on Sunday the 5th.
In closing. I hope you have been training for this one. Friday and Saturday are tough and technical for the 4-Day and 3-Day MTB Experience riders, but they promise to be a rewarding experience. You do not get much better riding in Gauteng.
Our advice is to have as much fun as possible.
Please respect the MTB Code. You aren’t the only one out there riding. Have a look at our TLC Code of Conduct.
The riding is superb, and we hope you will have as much fun participating as we did in putting our 13thLuxliner Route 66 MTB Experience together.
For information please visit our website, www.route66mtb.co.za or contact us on info@leveragecorporation.co.za.
Regards
Rob Jackson
and The Leverage Corporation Team
