Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic

Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic

2019 Highlights Video

2018 Highlights Video

2017 Highlights Video

2016 Highlights Video

VIEW THE 2023 RESULTS

This year marks the 22nd edition of the Magaliesberg’s most iconic one-day mountain bike race, the Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic.

Renowned for both its on and off route experience, the Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic routes provide all the hallmarks of a truly South African mountain bike race featuring the necessary ingredients that a quality mountain bike race should have, namely a great setting, spectacular scenery, technically challenging sections with unique single track and a fantastic atmosphere as you ride through an area that was formed 2 billion years ago.

EVENT FAST FACTS

 Event Fast Facts
 Date Saturday, 03 June 2023
 Venue ATKV Buffelspoort
 Distances and Start Times
 Full Marathon  +/- 65km | 08h00
 Half Marathon  +/- 33km | 08h30
 Fun Ride  +/- 16km | 09h00
 Kids Ride  +/- 2,5km | 09h30
 Entry Fees: 01 December 2022 – 29 May 2023
 Full Marathon  R495.00
 Half Marathon  R395.00
 Fun Ride  R275.00
 Kids Ride  R100.00
 Entry Fees: 29 May 2023 – 02 June 2023
 Full Marathon  R525.00
 Half Marathon  R425.00
 Fun Ride  R295.00
 Kids Ride  R100.00
 Entries Close  Thursday, 01 June 2023

REFUND POLICY

Should the 2023 Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic taking place on the 3rd of June 2023 be cancelled or postponed as a result of any events beyond the event organizer’s control (i.e. due to force majeure, COVID-19 restrictions, or legislation introduced by the South African government, etc.), then the following refund policy will apply to entrants:

  • Riders will be refunded 80% of their paid for entry, should the event be cancelled or postponed by Monday 29 May 2023. Alternatively, riders will be able to roll their event entry to the Fedhealth Magalies Monster MTB Classic event in 2024.
  • Should the event be cancelled within four (4) days of the event (i.e. from Tuesday, 30 May 2023 to Friday, 02 June 2023), or on the day of the event, riders will not be refunded any of their paid entry fees (0%).

It must also be noted that the riders who pay and enter automatically qualify for their event t-shirt and drawstring bag, and will receive their garment should any of the above scenarios apply. 

For any queries please contact entries@stillwatersports.com

RIDE FOR A CAUSE

The Kindness Collaboration is a joint initiative between Fedhealth and Operation Healing Hands (OHH). All medical professionals associated with OHH provide their time and skills for free; the funds raised will therefore go towards expenses such as consumables and random medical expenses.

Participant can donate any amount, but any donations over R 400 will receive a complimentary cycling jersey.

About Operation Healing Hands
Operation Healing Hands (OHH) was established in 2016 with the objective to provide life-changing surgeries to patients in need, while fulfilling the ethical responsibility of the private healthcare sector in closing the socioeconomic gap of patients in need of surgery. Together with many wonderful sponsors and service providers, the OHH team is responsible for changing the lives of many patients who would never have been able to afford the medical care they required.

Go to https://operationhealinghands.co.za/ to learn more.

Accommodation in the Area

Kloofwaters Farmhouse

The perfect place to relax before and after the Fedhealth Magalies Monster.
Enjoy the beautiful river you’ll pass on your route, or have an awesome
campfire in our boma. The Kloofwaters Farmhouse sleeps eight sharing or 4 in
separate rooms.
We also have 3 two-bed cabins and dormitory accommodation for up to 30
youngsters. Please like our Facebook Page: “Kloofwaters Camps and Events,”
or find us at www.kloofwaters.co.za or contact Lesley on 083 3803037

Magalies Meander

Fantastic accommodation, exciting adventure activities and great restaurants/breweries to visit!
There’s stacks to do and see – Events, arts, birding, ballooning, game farms, horse riding, cable car, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, historical sites, picnics, trail runs, restaurants, steam train trips, country shopping or just chilling out!
On your doorstep, just an hour away from Johannesburg & Pretoria.

Read more here: https://magaliesmeander.co.za/

2023 ROUTES

MARATHON / +- 65km
Total Climb/Ascent: 1433 m

The setting is in the Buffelspoort Valley, North-West Province of the country and must be one of the most beautiful Mountain Bike Routes in and around Gauteng / North – West provinces! The route offers an exciting variety between farming jeep tracks, untouched Magaliesberg Mountain trails and indigenous bushveld. The terrain includes gravel roads, jeep track, rocky single track & jeep track, soft sand sections and technical climbs and descents. About 20 km of the total route will be farming jeep tracks in and around Citrus, Blue Berry and Cherry Orchards, these sections are fast and non-technical.

The infamous Monster Climb is on the Maanhaarrand Pass road going all the way up to the highest point on Breedts Nek at 1765 m above sea level. The Monster ascent will test every cyclist going as the terrain on this section is loose gravel on a hard surface. The climb in itself is not super steep, but with various different lines (due to the amount of erosion) and step up sections it is a technical and challenging section of the race. The descent down the Monster is a bit of the old route until going down a brand new section into Kloofwaters Camp. This descent is technical with a lot of loose over hard surfaces and negative cambers to negotiate. Riders should go down well within their own technical limits and make sure they have plenty of grip on their front tyres!

The terrain after the Monster section is mostly gravel roads and jeep track until the 55 km mark, from here riders will negotiate a rocky and difficult climb to the top of a beautiful indigenous bushveld plateau. This part of the race might be the most challenging due to the technical ascent and most rider’s legs already feeling fatigued. Once on top there is one more technical descent going down from the plateau. This descent will be fast for those who are technically astute, but again it is not easy and will take a lot of concentration and picking of safe lines all the way to the bottom. Once on the valley floor, it is mostly jeep track all the way to the finish at ATKV.

There will be a few river crossings with one or two portage sections, the top athletes will be able to ride through these river crossings.

Some advice for riders: You need to be an experienced and fit mountain biker to take on full marathon! Do not underestimate the route compared to other events of a similar distance. Ride within your own technical ability and rather get off your bike if you do not feel comfortable going down or up technical sections – remember to give way to passing riders.

Half Marathon / +- 33km
Total Climb/Ascent: 711 m

The setting is in the Buffelspoort Valley, North-West Province of the country and must be one of the most beautiful Mountain Bike Routes in and around Gauteng / North – West provinces!
The route offers an exciting variety between farming jeep tracks, untouched Magaliesberg Mountain trails and indigenous bushveld. The terrain includes gravel roads, jeep track, rocky single track & jeep track, soft sand sections and technical climbs and descents. About 20 km of the total route will be farming jeep tracks in and around Citrus, Blue Berry and Cherry Orchards, these sections are fast and non-technical.

The terrain includes gravel roads, jeep track, rocky single track & jeep track, soft sand sections and technical climbs and descents. About 13km of the total route will be farming jeep tracks in and around Citrus, Blue Berry and Cherry Orchards, these sections are fast and non-technical.

This year we will bring in an exciting new section for the riders doing the 33 km route – the MINI Monster Climb! The ascent is shorter but steeper than the Monster climb that the riders in the 65km will experience. Most riders will not be able to ride the entire Mini Monster section as it gets too steep. Some of the racing snakes in the 33km will be able to open up a healthy lead if they can ride up all the way to the top! The climb will test every cyclist going up the Mini Monster as it is steep and rocky.

Once on top, the riders will find themselves on a beautiful indigenous bushveld plateau. This section will be fast and fun with no rocks to negotiate, until the descent down to the Valley floor. This descent will be fast for those who are technically astute, but again it is not easy and will take a lot of concentration and picking of safe lines all the way to the bottom. Once on the valley floor, it is mostly jeep track all the way to the finish at ATKV.
There will be a few river crossings with one or two portage sections, the top athletes will be able to ride through these river crossings.

Some advice for riders: It might not be the big Monster Route, but it is still tough and fun to do and is a nice stepping stone to the big one for the next year. This distance is unique, as it is perfect for younger athletes to race each other in a highly competitive environment. But it is also the perfect route for athletes new to the sport of Mountain Bike racing, as 70% of the route is very ridable and non-technical. It is a great opportunity to use as a stepping stone for the longer more challenging 65 km route. It is ideal to kick start your training regime if you have stayed in bed with the colder months creeping in going into winter!

Have fun and enjoy the race, the route goes up an exceptionally beautiful section of the Buffelspoort Valley and there are loads of opportunities to take selfies or great pictures!

Fun Ride/ +- 16km
Total Climb/Ascent: 271 m

The setting is in the Buffelspoort Valley, North-West Province of the country and must be one of the most beautiful Mountain Bike Routes in and around Gauteng / North – West provinces!
The route offers an exciting variety between farming jeep tracks, untouched Magaliesberg Mountain trails and indigenous bushveld. The terrain includes gravel roads, jeep tracks, and a beautiful bushveld single track that is non – technical. About half of the total route will be farming jeep tracks in and around Citrus, Blue Berry and Cherry Orchards, these sections are fast and non-technical.

Riders will enjoy cycling in a beautiful indigenous bushveld forest that is easy to negotiate and perfect for new riders entering the sport of Mountain Biking or for the whole family to take part together. There is one steep concrete climb that younger athletes will probably not be able to cycle up. But it is non – technical and easy to walk up! For the rest, the route is fun and fast!

There will be a 2 river crossing with one or two portage sections.

Some advice for riders: Pace yourself until you have crossed the tar road, thereafter it is downhill all the way!

DIRECTIONS TO RACE VENUE

GPS coordinates: 25º45’46.2″ S / 27º29’26.8″ E
Click here for more info on Buffelspoort ATKV

From Pretoria
Take either the R104, N4, R513 or R566(Through Rosslyn) in a western direction to reach either the N4 or the R104 (R514 over the dam wall) towards Rustenburg. On the N4 you will find the turnoff to Buffelspoort to the left opposite the turnoff to Marikana (about 7-10 km west of the first Mooinooi/Marikana off-ramp). The connecting road between the N4 and the R104 makes a T-junction with the R104 at a Caltex filling station. Turn right at the stop sign. The main entrance to the resort is on the left hand side of the R104 about 200m from the T-junction.

From the West through Rustenburg
Follow any roads towards Rustenburg. In Rustenburg, drive in a eastern direction towards Pretoria on the N4. You will pass through the town of Kroondal 10km east of Rustenburg. About 20km from Kroondal you will find the off-ramp to Buffelspoort and Marikana to the left. Turn right on top of the bridge toward Buffelspoort from the N4. The connecting road between the N4 and the R104 makes a T-junction with the R104 at the Caltex filling station. Turn right at the stop sign. The main entrance to the resort is on the left hand side of the R104 about 200m from the T-junction.

From the North through Brits
Drive though Brits in a southern direction towards Schoemansville/Meerhof. At the 4way crossing with the R513, turn right towards Rustenburg and the N4. Follow this road to the next4way crossing and turn left following the Rustenburg /N4 signs. You will turn off right onto the N4 about 500m from the 4way stop. On the N4 you will find the turnoff to Buffelspoort to the left opposite the turnoff to Marikana (about 7-10 km west of the first Mooinooi/Marikana off-ramp). The connecting road between the N4 and the R104 makes a T-junction with the R104 at a Caltex filling station. Turn right at the stop sign. The main entrance to the resort is on the left hand side of the R104 about 200m from the T-junction.