The Berg & Bush Descent is where dust flies and mountain bikes push themselves to the limit of fun! Three days of whizz, bang and wow! Featuring the one-of-a-kind Descent off the escarpment and into the bushveld for three epic days of riding.
Price per team of 2
R16000
or Solo
R8000
6, 7 & 8 June 2025
Exhilarating & Freeflowing
3 days
214km
Thursday
Registration for the Descent will take place at Em’seni – The Race Village – on Thursday, 5 June 2025.
For the race start on Friday, 6 June you have TWO options:
If you select the “Bus to Start” option, your bike will be transported to the start on Thursday.
You will get breakfast at Em’seni.
Shuttle bookings can be done on your entry (Add to cart)
What a great way to start this day high up in the Drakensberg mountains. The sun would have risen as we cycle along the top of the escarpment with sweeping views over KwaZulu Natal. The purpose-built single track built by Sollie Prinsloo traverses through legendry places like Sollie’s Folly, Kirstenbosch wild proteas and yellow wood forests. The Descent into KwaZulu Natal begins at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level and drops to 900 metres. We begin the descent down an old 4×4 pass called Bezuidenhout’s pass used by local farmers to move their cattle up into the Free State for the summer months and then back down again in the winter. We then veer off on tracks down Qwaggshoek Game farm a beautiful game farm covering both mountains and forest valleys before we end up at the farm entrance. Some fast farm roads then bring us to maize and soya bean fields before arriving at our final big climb of the day passing the historic Easby house. Flowing single tracks under beautiful Acacia trees and the final drop down to The Tugela River ends one of the great days of riding your mountain bike.
After crossing the Tugela River via the vehicle bridge we climb up the old wagon route passing one of the tallest aloes is South Africa before reaching Spionkop Lodge . Well known throughout the world for its famous Spionkop battlefield tours we leave the lodge riding via Little Red. Reaching the top gives us beautiful views of the Drakensberg mountains before we start descending down via cattle tracks and maize fields . A steady climb up Wesleys way takes on an exhilarating descent down 4×4 tracks and into St Antons which is a purpose built bicycle track through a river ravine and out onto a quite district road . The first water point is the gateway to Mike pass a short steep climb which often creates a challenge amongst friends. 17km of the most insane downhill and single track riding then follows as we descend down Puffadder pass and Mazambanes to water point 2 . Recrossing the Tugela river we ride along Garden of Eden following the river back to the race village
To start the day we cross the big Tugela river over the bridge following quiet farm roads before climbing up Brakfontein hill which was used as a lookout during the Anglo Boer war. We then sweep down into the Kloof which is a beautiful African valley filled with Acacia trees and Aloes. We climb out of the other side on a well-built and challenging climb constructed by well known trail builder Glen Harrison. Some fast riding through dairy and cattle farms brings us into Tugela Morden game farm where regular sightings of giraffe occur. Dropping into Grand Canyon we follow the river bed before arriving at the base of Spioenkop mountain to tackle the climb. The Boer route as it is now called is this infamous gradual ascent created last year by the trail team and involves a 4km 180m climb with 50 switch backs taking riders to the summit of Spioenkop mountain. The 15km descent back down to the race village is probably some of the most exhilarating and enjoyable riding you will ever have before we welcome you home back to the race village.
Refunds processed up to 30 April 2025 will be refunded at 90% of entry fee.
However you can also sell your entry to another rider and do an online substitution.
The same refund policy applies to the cost of a tent, if it cannot be sold to another rider.
No refunds will be made on partial payments. You need to be fully paid up to qualify for refund policy above.
I undertake to participate entirely at my own risk. I agree that I shall have no claims whatsoever against the organizing body, any individuals, organiser or official, marshal, assistant, helper or agent, the sponsors, any local authority or land owners, in respect of any loss or damage whatsoever I may suffer arising from any injury to my person or loss or damage to property as a result of, or arising out of, whether directly or indirectly, my participation in this event, including my arrival and departure there from and attendance of any ceremony and function thereof, however such loss or damage may arise and regardless of whether or not same shall have been caused directly or indirectly by negligence, of one or more or all of the aforementioned parties. In the event of my approval of this form as a guardian of a minor, I hereby consent to such minor being bound by the foregoing and further I indemnify the aforementioned parties to the extent, if any, to which such minor is not capable of waiving his rights as stipulated within. I agree to participate subject to rules including any drug tests and penalties provided for therein. By entering, I agree to email and SMS communications from Howler and possibly the timing company depending on the timing provider, regarding event details. I have read the above indemnity and the rules understand them and shall abide by them.
Cancellation due to Force Majeure and Severe Weather. If Berg and Bush is forced to cancel a stage (or stages) due to severe weather conditions or fires that puts riders’ safety at risk, the riders will not have any claim against the organisers or any of their sponsors of whatsoever nature in these circumstances. Berg and Bush reserves the right to change the route for inter alia, safety and security reasons without notice. If Berg and Bush is cancelled in total as a last resort due to events beyond our control (force majeure) – relating to, inter alia, political turmoil, natural disasters, strikes, protest action or any other major disturbance beyond our control, riders will have no claim whatsoever including but not limited to a refund against the organisers or any of their sponsors. This will include entry fees and or flights and other expenses. Berg and Bush will do everything in our power to reroute and to run the event in a safe and secure manner should any event of force majeure arise.
For bookings email: jani@bergandbush.co.za
Take the N3 South towards Durban. Go straight through the Tugela Toll Plaza. After 10kms you will find the Bergville offramp. Go up the left ramp and then LEFT towards LADYSMITH on the N11. After 4.6kms turn right onto the R600 towards Spioenkop Dam. After about 15km Em’seni is on your left hand below Spionkop dam wall.
Take the N3 North. After Estcourt, pass Ultra City, then take the first offramp Left to BERGVILLE/CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG (R74). Proceed left towards Winterton. Go STRAIGHT through Winterton. After 1km take the R600 right to Spioenkop Dam. Proceed straight for 18km. Em’seni is on the right.
Drive your own vehicle with your bike(s) from Emseni Race Village / your Bed & Breakfast to the Start (Windmill Farm) on Friday morning 6 June 2025. The drive takes around an hour from Emseni. Instructions will be sent to you regarding parking and keys at Windmill Farm. Your car will be driven down to Emseni before 3pm on Friday afternoon. Key collection at the Registration tent. Do not keep your bags/valuables in your vehicle as it will arrive later in the day.
By choosing the bus option, your bike will be transported to the Start (Windmill Farm) on Thursday afternoon – be sure to load your bike at Registration. Safe and secure overnight bikepark at the start. You will then hop on a bus at Emseni Race Village after breakfast on Friday morning. Departure times dependant on your batch Starting time.
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Friday, 6 June 2025
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Sunday, 8 June 2025
To book Sports Massage, Chiro or Physio, please contact Gill for the booking form: bergandbushmassage@gmail.com
Sports Massage can help maintain the body in better condition, prevent injuries and loss of mobility, restore mobility to inured muscles and tissues, boost performance and extend the overall life of your sporting career.
Recovery Zone – Foam Rollers, stretching mats, calf & foot stretchers, resistance bands and Ice Bath Bins.
SPORTS EVENT THERAPISTS are a team of qualified and experienced Sports Massage Therapists, Chiropractors & Physiotherapists who have a passion and love for what we do.
Whilst maintaining a professional approach to our work we like to get to know our clients and share a few jokes inside the Massage Tent to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Prize Money is allocated as below in Solo Elite Category
Solo Men: 1st – R20 000
2nd – R15 000
3rd – R10 000
Solo Women: 1st – R20 000
2nd – R15 000
3rd – R10 000
The balance of our prize money is being allocated to disadvantaged riders to be able to partake in our events.
PODIUM PRIZES:
TEAMS:
VETS (40 – 49) TEAMS:
MASTERS (50 – 59) TEAMS:
GRANDMASTERS (60+) TEAMS:
BIG BUGGERS (teams over 200kg) TEAMS: 1st, 2nd and 3rd
A 3-month training programme will be available in March 2025 to all entered riders. Proudly created by Gavin Horton.
Train smart, not hard, and enjoy your best Berg & Bush yet!
TAKE NOTE:
USING AN ILLEGITIMATE ID NUMBER WILL RESULT IN YOU LOSING YOUR ENTRY AND FORFEITING YOUR PAYMENT. FURTHERMORE, AN EMAIL ADDRESS CANNOT BE USED MORE THAN ONCE – ONE EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE USED COMBINED WITH ONE ID NUMBER
E-bikes are welcome at The Standard Bank Berg & Bush events, please note – there are some rules.
Delicious meals from Thursday Evening to Lunch on Sunday at Em’seni Race Village.
Well-stocked watertables along the Route
24-hour Snack Station
We have vegetarian and gluten-free options available – please choose your option on the entry form.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know or you’re unsure of, reach out to us and we’ll be sure to fill you in.
Two or three-day options or sweeping, fast flowing singletrack
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