Mountain Bike Magazine MTB Autumn 2019 | Page 136

DIARY | RACE CALENDAR saddle up NEW YEAR, NEW CALENDAR OF RAD RACES TO FILL UP YOUR DIARY. HERE’S THE PICK OF THE CROP FROM MARCH TO JUNE. MARCH 1-3 MARCH Darling Hills MTB Stage Race (Western Cape) Day 1: 20km, Day 2: 75km, Day 3: 55km  darlinghillsmtb.co.za 2-3 MARCH Trans Xhariep (Free State) 315km/147km  transxhariep.co.za 3 MARCH Sappi Howick Classic (KZN) 20km/40km  howickmountain biking.co.za 8-9 MARCH Giant Pumpkin Festival MTB Race (Western Cape) 25km/60km/100km  pumpkinfestival.co.za 21-24 MARCH 3 Mountains Challenge (Free State) 250km/150km  3mountains.co.za 29 MARCH Cullinan 2 Tonteldoos 24hr MTB Ultra (Cullinan) 260km  c2tmtb.co.za 30 MARCH Kolsvlei SuperSpar 100km MTB Challenge (Western Cape) 25km/100km  kolsvleimtb.co.za 29-31 MARCH Land Rover Sabie Xperience (Mpumalanga) Day 1: 65km/50km Day 2: 80km/50km Day 3: 40km  sabiexperience.co.za 17-24 MARCH Absa Cape Epic (Western Cape) In its 16th year, the Absa Cape Epic promises to yet again be a spectacular race for all riders, both local and international, pro and amateur. Eight days, 624km, 16 650m of climbing and plenty of untamed adventure.  cape-epic.com APRIL 5-7 APRIL Glacier by Sanlam Cradle Traverse (Muldersdrift) Riders will take in a mix of the Cradle of Humankind’s best loved singletrack and some unique trails usually inaccessible to the public. The lure of the Cradle Traverse is the combination of fantastic riding with a social, relaxed atmosphere. Choose between the two- or three-day experience. Stage 1 tackles 36km, Stage 2 sees 46km and the final Stage offers up 41km.  cradletraverse.co.za 136 | MTB | get your race game on