The UMKO Adventure
Saturday, 17 August 2019 - Sunday, 18 August 2019
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- Distance
- 60 km
- Date
- 17 Aug 2019
Day 1 finds the riders leaving the Richmond Country Club and heading onto plantation roads, allowing the field to start spreading out before descending steeply into the upper reaches of the Nkobeni Valley, a tributary of the mighty Umkomaas. On the descent the scenery changes from one of eucalyptus plantations to single tracking through paperbark Acacia. The descent continues through sugar cane fields and alongside the Nkobeni River. The track will take riders under a bridge on the main R56 and then the hard work begins!
The climb, on jeep track through acacia woodland, is approximately 3kms. After the initial climb the track continues on an undulating contour as riders slowly make their way up the valley. Luck may have riders bumping into zebra, blue wildebeest, nyala or the ever elusive bushbuck, a few of the many species found in the Umkomaas Valley.
Upon exit of the valley, riders will continue on a jeep track through sugar cane and timber plantations back to the Country Club to end a +/- 60 km Day 1.
There will be 3 strategically placed water tables on route. -
- Distance
- 45 km
- Date
- 18 Aug 2019
Day 2 takes the riders on a small tour through the forests before entering into single track which will follow the banks of the Illovo River for approximately 10kms.
Jeep track will take the riders to the highest points in the district giving magnificent views of the surrounding farmlands and in the distance the Umkomaas Valley. After this climb the track takes the riders through areas of incredible beauty and in and out of timber plantations as it winds its way around the south eastern section of Richmond. En route there is a “bridge” to cross on one of the many dams in the area, making it a great spectator point. The route follows single track and jeep track and after 40kms riders will return back to the Richmond Country Club.
There will be 2 water tables on route.
Details
The UMKO Adventure is a 2 day MTB ride which takes cyclists on an adventurous journey through the beautiful Umkomaas Valley (KwaZulu-Natal) and surrounding farm lands. The event field is limited to 150 riders, allowing cyclists the space and freedom to cycle at their own pace and take in the breath-taking views along the route. The event aims to promote Richmond (KwaZulu-Natal’s most beautiful secret) as a tourist destination and uplift the local community, while raising funds for Hands for Hope and CHOC.
Dom031, Aug 09 2019 08:03
Looking forward to this