Burra500

The 2022 race will feature a slightly shorter route of 400km, there is still plenty of climbing though, around 8000m so you will still be tested. We have had to shorten the route because of tree harvesting in the Karkloof which will close most of the backroads we had used in the 2021 race.

Starting and finishing at the newly established Flamme Rouge cafe in Hilton, the route will take you over more than 8 000m of climbing through the lower Drakensberg, Natal Midlands, and the infamous Karkloof area. The route is an absolute gem and the views will help distract you from all the climbing you will need to do.

Entries are limited to keep the event as 'uncommercial' as possible, so entries are done via an application process. Riders wanting to compete in the race need to fill out the application form (see link below), once we have reviewed your cycling history we will invite successful applicants to enter the race. Successful applicants will have a limited time to pay and secure their entry.

As this is an unsupported race, you as the rider must be certain that you can cover the distance, there will be no vehicles on route to pull you off if you cannot complete the distance. This is a test of perseverance and character, anyone found to have a support vehicle on the route will be immediately disqualified. If you need to bail and someone comes to collect you, you will need to let the Race Director know.

Riders who aren't tackling the route non-stop are free to stay in any hotel or B & B on the route and can resupply at any established shop that is available to the public. Once you have secured your entry and you have received the route, you begin the fun part of planning your ride according to your goals, whether it be non-stop, over two days, or over the full 60-hour time limit.

It is compulsory to ride with your own Spot tracking device or a similar type of tracking unit. 

We will have units available for rental should you not have your own one, this will be at an extra cost, over and above the entry fee.

The Spot units will be for safety purposes as well as to have a website with live tracking so your friends and family can see where you are, dot watching was it has affectionately come to be named.

Our goal is to provide cyclists with the purest form of adventuring, with as little creature comforts as possible. That is why we have no aid stations or support on route. It is a test of character and grit.  

Race Info:

Start: 06h00 Friday 10 June 2022
Venue: Flamme Rouge cafe, Hilton, KZN (Plenty safe parking at The Quarry Centre, Hilton)
Cut-off: 16h00 Sunday 12 June 2022
Entry fee: R2250.00
Race Format: Solo (no teams – riders can however ride together if they wish. Drafting is allowed)

Registration: Flamme ROuge Cafe, Hilton. 18h00 Thursday 9 June 2022.

Route Info:

Distance: 405km

Elevation Gain: 8000m

Terrain: 40% on tar and 60% on gravel

What's different to the 2021 route?

1. The route starts and finishes in Hilton, so no more climbing up from Maritzburg at the start.

2. The route will skip out the Glengarry section, instead of turning onto the Mpofana Road the route now stays on the Lower Lutheni road all the way into Nottingham Road. 

3. In the 2021 race the longest section between shops or water was 120km in the Karkloof section. This year the longest section will be 100km between Himeville and Nottingham road, so be sure to carry enough food and water to last you the 100km.

4. Non-stop riders will more than likely reach Nottingham Road between 21h00 - 00h00. As there aren't any 24 hour shops in the area we will organise to have a basic meal of soup and bread available, more info on this soon. Your next main stop is the Karkloof Country Club so a meal in Notties will be essential.

5. The Karkloof section is much shorter but still covers some of the best bits. The route doesn't go all the way out to Farfield Mill anymore but you still have the two major climbs in the Karkloof.

Route File:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38992476?privacy_code=Hk7ZZhkUMqlrmaHu

Route Breakdown:

Plan for your first resupply point to be around the 80km mark in Impendle, there are multiple Spaza shops on the route with the basics. If you are brave you will also many a roadside braai selling chicken etc as well. These areas are fairly safe in the daytime but obviosuly don'tleave your bike and gear unattended.

Ntozoko Store at 145km is a must stop, here you will be greeted with the warmest smile you have ever seen from owner, Ntozoko. He is a gem and you can find basic refreshments here, as well as ice cold beer.

From here it is a 30km push to Himeville which is also a great slep over spot for those who aren't riding non-stop. Himeville also has established restuarants on the route where you can get a proper meal.

From Himeville it is a 100km push to Nottingham Road on the Lower Lutheni road. Some of it is gravel and some is tar, which will be a welcome relief. This section also has the single biggest climb and reaches the highest point of the race so stock up well in Himeville. There are guesthouses along the Lower Lutheni road so you are never far from some water.

If you are opting for a three day ride i.e. to use the full 60 hours, then Himeville sleep over on Friday night, and Nottingham Road sleep over on Saturday night will give you a nice split of 175km, 100km, 130km riding days.

Two day riders could make a solid push to Nottingham Road and ride the final 130km on Saturday. Make sure to book accommodation in advance and let them know if you expect to only arrive around midnight.

From Nottingham Road you cross over the N3 and head into the Karkloof via Curry's Post. Bushwillow Caravan park (315km) might have water for you if you are desperate but plan to have enough to get you to the Karkloof Country Club (a distance of 100km from Nottingham Road). Mpolweni at 350km will also have Spaza shops available not too far off route. The Karkloof section has two major climbs, the first up to Hylton (roughly 14km long) and then the short but steep climb up towards the Karkloof Country Club (roughly 7km long). So save some energy in the tank for the final 100km.

After the Karkloof Country Club your next major resupply point is Howick at 385km, leaving you a final 20km from Howick to push hard for the finish at Flamme Rouge in Hilton.

Registration:

Registration will take place on Thursday 9 June 2022 at 18h00. The venue will be at the newly launched Flamme Rouge cafe in Hilton. 

Compulsory Gear

• Spot Gen3, Gen4 or similar SOS tracking device (Garmin Track Me will not suffice)
• Coghlans Disposable Hand Warmers
• Coghlans Disposable Feet Warmers
• Emergency Survival Foil Bag

The rest of your gear is up to you. Please bear in mind the average temperature for the 60 hours will more than likely be around 8 degrees. It is isn't full winter in June but it can still get very cold with snow already falling in Lesotho, and possible snow in the Midlands.

Ladies Race Free Policy

As with our other events we are 100% commited to decreasing the barriers women might have in getting into the sport of Ultra Distance cycling. One of the ways we thought would help make the biggest impact is allowing women to race free. This has helped many riders tackle this kind of race but it has also proved to be a bit of an admin nightmare with riders signing up and then pulling out at the last minute, this has also prevented some on the waiting list from having a fair shot at racing. 

We think part of the reason is since there is no buy-in, it is way to easy to bail, so we have chatted with some top lady racers and come up with a solution that we think will benefit everyone. 

So, ladies, we will now be requiring you to pay half the race fee, and if you finish the race we will refund you your race entry of R1125. 

Should you choose, you can also donate the entry fee to Khaltsha Cycles and their program to get more women on bicycles in Khayelitsha. 

Accommodation

It is the responsibility of the rider to book their own accommodation once they have have decided where and when they would like to sleep. If you decide to wild camp, please make sure to not litter. Leave the area as you found it.

Refunds Policy

No refunds will be entertained but we will defer your entry to one of our other races should you not be able to make the race.

It is the responsibility of each participant to arrange their own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. When entering you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk.