event details
Experience the joy of pure trail riding: fewer riders, more relaxed. Solo entries are available.
GRINDROD BANK BERG & BUSH TOUR 2022
R6750 pp
Dates
14 - 16 June
Difficulty
Free Flowing Singletrack and Farm Roads
Duration
3 days
Distance
166km
About the Tour
- Ride a brand new Day 1 following sections used for the World Single Speed Championships
- Manageable race distances (62km, 54km, 50km)
- Stay in one race village (Em’seni camp) not having to move your luggage
- Shuttles from the airport available
- Solo entries available
TRAIL RUN: 15km on Day 1, 10km on Day 2, Champagne Breakfast and Yoga on Day 3
Route & GPS
Day 1: 62km
This day follows the same route as Descent Day 2, where you’ll enjoy plenty of bushveld riding and single track. The climb up “Ox Wagon Hill” awards you breath taking views of the Drakensberg mountains before you follow the tracks made by cattle and game farmers along dry river beds. Reserve some energy in the legs for “Mike’s Pass” and then enjoy the rush of the “Puff Adder Pass” descent back to the Tugela River. You’ll then follow more cattle tracks along the river before the final crossing over the Tugela River to the finish.
Day 2: 54km
This new route starts on the dairy farm belonging to the Green family and heads to the south side of Spioenkop mountain. A brand new “Zig-Zag” route takes you high up the mountain before a spectacular descent down into “Fanagalo” which was used for the World Single Speed Champs. The new track heads through the Middledale Flats, original farm of the Green family; farm roads eventually lead to the wagon trail to Bergville before you descend down the final tracks into Em’seni Race Village.
Day 3: 50km
Early morning will take the riders to the base of Spioenkop on the southern side of the mountain where we ascend the Zig Zigs. Here riders follow a mellow gradient up and around 13 corners to where the real fun begins. We traverse the side of the mountain for a while before descending down the Fanagalo single track, a section of route which was used in The World Single Speed Champs a few years ago. Riding along the banks of the Tugela River, we pass through Tugela River Lodge before the next climb of the day, which is up and over Brakfontein Hill. Boer fortifications can be seen where they waited for the British to cross the river in 1899. Riders then descend down into The Kloof, a fun flowing section through beautiful African bushveld. At the bottom of The Kloof we ride along the dry river bed, passing Blue Cliffs before climbing out the other side on a section built by well-known trail builder, Glen Harrison. A fast descent, and along sections following cattle tracks, we eventually arrive at Spioenkop mountain climb. This 1.5km climb tests everyone’s fitness before summiting. The 13km descent back to the race village remains a highlight for many mountain bikers.
NEW ROUTE FOR 2022!
Entries
*ENTRIES OPENING 15TH OCTOBER 2021
Formerly known as THE GREAT MID-WEEK
Your entry fee includes:
- 3 days of pure Berg & Bush trails. You will ride three days which start and end at our Race Village!
- (2 days of Trail Running – 15km and 10km and a Champagne Brunch & Yoga on day 3)
- A goodie bag per person
- 3 meals a day plus access to our famous chill zone
- 24-hour coffee, tea, juice and crunchie station
- Race facilities like hot showers, bike wash, chill zones, bar, and more.
- Medical support on the route.
- Charity-run water points along the route with the most incredible local treats and people manning them!
It does not include:
- Accommodation – We’ve removed the cost of accommodation from the entry fee to give you the freedom of choice! Tent options below which can be added to your entry form or BNBs in the accommodation tab.
- Please note you can stay in your tent the night before you start for the Mid-week event!
- You can add the below tent options on your entry:
- Standard Tent – R400
- Kudu Tent – R1800
- Weaver Tent – R2800
- Kingfisher Tent – R3500
- Self-camping option which is FREE
- Shuttles – you can book these separately.
- Massages, physio, car shuttles, bike transport and bike mechanic service – book these separately.
- Drinks from our race village pub
Refund Policy
Refunds processed up to 1 May 2022 will be refunded at 90% of entry fee.
No refunds after 1 May 2022.
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 EntryNinja and possibly LiveTime 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.
Accommodation
Find accommodation in the Race Village here.
Find accommodation near the Race Village here.
Find accommodation +20km from the Race Village here.
Fly-in Packages
Monday 13 June 2022:
- Shuttles from OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) to Race Village
- Meet & greet at Airport
- Departure: 12h00
- Freshly made snack packs on arrival
- Mechanic to assist with assembling your bike at registration
- Secure over-night bike park
*Kingfisher, Kudu, Weaver and Standard Tents are available on registration night and are included in the tent price, please add your tent to your cart on the entry form.
Thursday 16 June 2022:
- Boxing of your bike after you finish on Day 2
- Return shuttle to OR Tambo Airport from Race Village
- Packed lunches available to all riders
- Departure: 12h30 (ETA at airport approximately 17:30)
Total = R1800 per person return
For bookings email: jani@bergandbush.co.za
Push it
uphill
sleep tight
in a tent
keep it
clean
stay
hydrated
grab some
Chow
Directions
Directions from Gauteng
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.
Directions from Durban
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.
Bike & Car Shuttles
NO CAR SHUTTLES NEEDED FOR THE GREAT MIDWEEK. START AND FINISH IN THE SAME RACE VILLAGE.
BIKE SHUTTLES
All In Events
- Transporting from Tokai, Constantia, Claremont, Somerset West, Cape Town and Paarl.
- Johannesburg and Pretoria Areas
- Simply drop your bike off race ready, no boxing, no disassembling required.
- It’s not just transportation. Our customers enjoy service at a personal level, because it’s not our job – it’s our passion!
- Dean – 082 729 7955 | bookings@allinevents.co.za
- Book online at www.allinevents.co.za
Itinerary
Physio & Massage
To book Sports Massage, Chiro or Physio, please contact Gill for the booking form: bergandbushmassage@gmail.com
- Sports Massage @ R350.00 per 30 minute session
- Chiro @ R450 per 30 minute session
- Physio @ R450 per 30 minute session
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.
Please note that strict Covid-19 Hygiene Protocols will be in place for the Massage Team and riders.
- Masks will be worn by my team and riders along with hand sanitizing
Each massage bed/station will be provided with their own disposable equipment towels, wipes, oil bottles and sanitizers etc…so no sharing of anything
Disposable face hole covers will be used and changed after each session.
Beds cleaned and sanitized
A separate entry & exit into the massage tent to stop congestion at change over
Prizes, Batching and Results
I am
Speed
keep it
Cool
eat
lekker
stay in
fashion
keep
your head
Training Programme
Our world-class Berg & Bush training programmes, developed by Dr. Mike Posthumus of Science to Sport are up and running. Mike is a passionate mountain biker who has taken part in our events a number of times. He loves nothing more than helping riders achieve their fitness goals, so we can’t wait to see all of you flying up the Berg & Bush trails in June.
Rules
- All CSA rules apply.
- All our local farm rules apply too. Be nice. Be gracious and remember how privileged we are to be able to ride mountain bikes.
- Those convicted of doping may not enter!
- If you want your prize money, you have to attend prize giving.
- Anybody overheard swearing at staff, other riders or race organisers will be blacklisted from all future Berg and Bush events. If you couldn’t get in this year, now you know why.
- Anybody starting ahead of their allocated batch will also be blacklisted from any future event. The same rule applies to littering.
- One hour time penalties will be incurred with:
Riders not being within 2 minutes of each other at any time.
Riders who give sweets, biscuits or chocolates to the kids on the route. - Begging children are becoming a problem at races. Please don’t encourage them. They are given soccer balls and other incentives to entertain them if they don’t ask for sweets.
- The decision of the race director is final. And his wife’s decisions are even more final.
- And the most important rule: make sure you smell the cow dung and look at the views. Before you know it, it will be all over. Enjoy your event.
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
Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush e-bike rules
- There will be no e-bike racing categories or prizes at the event.
- Due to the remote nature of our refreshment stations, Berg & Bush is a one battery event and no extra battery will be allowed.
- For the Descent and 2 Day, any rider wishing to ride an e-bike must partner with someone riding a normal mountain bike.
- E-bikes will be batched from D batch or lower each day.
- Teams of e-bikers and solo e-bike riders are welcome to ride the Tour.
What to Bring
Download your packing list here
Meals
Delicious meals from Friday 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.
Mechanics
- My Bicycle Mechanic will be at all three events. Contact Conrad at 0738910375 or info@mybicyclemechanic.co.za
- Sprocket & Jack will be at all three events. Contact Grant via phone at 087 150 8495 / 083 658 7437 or via email at sprocketandjack@outlook.com
Sponsors
Have any questions?
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.
Jani Maritz
Galleries Of Our Past Races
Not convinced to enter just yet? Take a look at some of our favourite memories from past events to whett your appetite!
Videos
2021
2019
