The race will start at Amalienstein, 25 km from Ladismith, on Route 62 in the direction of Oudtshoorn. (East) From the start in front of the Lutheran Church, participants in the 80 km Challenge will first traverse the Orchards of Amalienstein Farm, before joining the gravel road through the Seweweekspoort. This part of the road traverses the Swartberg Nature Reserve and Water Catchments Area. At the Northern exit of the Poort in the Great Karoo, riders will do a 11 km loop and then join the gravel road for the return through the Seweweekspoort. Riders should exercise caution here as there will be light motor vehicle traffic on the road and the leaders should note that there will still be participants riding northwards to the turning loop. A refreshment station and Control point will be situated at the Northern exit of the Poort. Riders will proceed back to the start via the gravel road through the Poort to Amalienstein where another refreshment station will be situated. From here participants in the 80 km Challenge will follow the same route as the 25 km Mini Challenge.

From Amalienstein riders in both races will follow a footpath to Zoar and then cross the R62 main road. From here single track, jeep track and gravel roads will take participants through fruit farms in the magnificent Hoeko valley and across the farm Spera to join the Hoeko road via Knuyswagendrift to Ladismith. Refreshment stations will be situated just after the farm Spera and in Knuyswagendrift.

Both the 80 km Challenge en the 25 km Mini-Challenge will finish at the Ladismith High School Sports grounds.

The first part of the route through Seweweekspoort is 22 km long. Riders will climb approximately 600m in the ride up the Poort. The second part, back through Seweweekspoort is downhill and a really exhilarating section!

The third section, which is the same route as the 25 km Mini-Challenge, is no fun ride! A few streams will be crossed (water level depends on the rainfall) and there is some single track. Blacktop has been limited to a single 2km stretch in the Hoeko valley. The most strenuous up-hills are encountered in the last 10 km before the finish line.

There are no technical sections, and all dangerous areas will be clearly marked and flagged!

To accommodate the expected number of participants this year, parking has been moved to the fruit drying grounds (Vrugte droogbane) of Amalienstein. This is a secure area, and parking attendants will be in evidence to help you find a parking spot, and to look after your vehicle. Late entry, late registration and Information will be handled at the Fruit Packing Shed next door, where ablution facilities will be available. Late entry and registration will be accepted from until 07h15 on the race morning. Please come early, you will be able to register and enter from 05h30 at the Start on 18 October 2008. Please note, no participant vehicles will be allowed to enter the Amalienstein settlement or the grounds of the Fruit Packing shed. Please follow the directions to the Parking Area, or ask an official for help. Spectators are requested to use the same route as the participants.

Program

• 17 October 2008 (Friday evening) 15h00 – 21h30: Registration at the Ladismith High School Sports grounds. There will be food stalls Friday evening at the registration point on the school grounds. 19h00: Pasta meal at school hostel dining room. (Please book pasta meals directly with the hostel. Henriette: (028) 551-1225)
  
  
• 18 October 2008 (Saturday – Race day)
  05h30 – 07h15: Late entry and registration at the Fruit Packing Shed - Amalienstein (At start venue). No Entries will be accepted after 07h15 - come early.
  
  07h15: Route information, opening
  
  07h30: Start of 80 km Challenge
  
  07h45: Start of 25 km Mini-Challenge
  
  11h00: Courtesy transport to Amalienstein to pick up vehicles. Regular transport will be provided during the day – please enquire at the Information table.
  
  12h30: Race Cutoff at SPERA farm 15 km from Finish at second last waterpoint.
  
  13h30: Short prize giving
  
  

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third male and female riders to cross the finish line.

	25 km	80 km
First	R250	R3500
Second	R150	R1250
Third	R50	R750

Age categories: Male and Female

• Sub Junior Under 15
• Youth 15 to 16
• Junior 17 to 18
• Senior 19 to 29
• Sub Veteran 30 to 39
• Veteran 40 to 49
• Master 50 to 59
• Gr Master 60 +
  

A personalized race certificate provided to all finishers, will honour overall and catagory placements. 

A race medal will be handed out to all finishers in the 25 km Mini-Challenge and the 80 km Challenge.

All entries before Monday 13/10/2008 gets personalized race number, after that only generic race numbers.

Lucky Draw prizes will also be handed out to give everyone a chance to take something home.

Entry Fees:

Entry fees are as follows:
• Pre Entry* – 80 km Challenge: R130
• Late entry – 80 km Challenge: R130
• Pre Entry* – 25km Mini-Challenge: R50
• Late entry - 25km Mini-Challenge: R50
• T-Shirts (each): R60 order online before 30 September 2008

Klein Karoo in a Bag:
Last year a hamper with samples of local produce including wine, cheese, preserves, etc were handed out to the first 150 entries. This highly sought after hamper will once again be on offer for the first 150 entries in the 80 km Challenge.

BANKING DETAILS:
SEWEWEEKSPOORT MTB
First National Bank – Ladismith
Current Account
Branch code: 200-213
Account #: 62050698590
Please use surname as reference