Last hurrah for Dusi Mfula
Entries are pouring in for the final edition of The Unlimited Dusi Mfula. This two day stage race follows the route of The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban through the beautiful Valley of a Thousand Hills.
According to race organiser, Ray de Vries the route boasts more single track than most mountain biking events in South Africa. “Over the past five years we have concentrated on creating an unsurpassed and unforgettable MTB adventure. The combination of spectacular scenery with some of the most amazing single track trails in South Africa, gives you an intoxicating mix guaranteed to thrill any mountain bike enthusiast,” de Vries comments.
The Unlimited Dusi Mfula takes place on 25 and 26 June 2011. The 116km route will challenge and excite riders as they chase the great Msunduzi River from Pietermaritzburg into the Valley of a 1000 Hills following cattle and foot paths, crossing rivers, plunging down deep ravines, climbing strenuous hills and much more. Numerous parts of the route are only accessible once a year due to special arrangements with land owners, so the race really is a unique opportunity to experience the Valley.
“We are keeping to the popular new route introduced in 2010, with a couple of tweaks to keep it fresh. Our big news for 2011 is that through our new sponsor, The Unlimited, we have R30 000 prize money up for grabs which is attracting some big South African talent including Andrew Hill, the winner of last year’s event,” says de Vries.
Day 1 of the new route now sits at 74km with more single track per kilometre and less climbing than in previous years. The new start at Lynfield Road, just outside Pietermaritzburg, sets up an epic first day of racing. Riders get to explore cattle tracks descending into one of the most picturesque areas of the Valley of a 1000 Hills, the awesome Mamba Gorge and the new trails on the left hand bank of Inanda Dam provide some awesome riding around Mfula and Mbeje’s Store area. The day ends at the Inanda Msinsi Resort.
Day 2 has been completely revamped. The 42km route starts at the Inanda Msinsi Resort and climbs out the basin before bombing back down to the dam wall. Highlights include the Shembe Village plateau above the Tops Needle rapid, and the impressive 100m Umzinyathi Falls. One last climb leads up to the Inanda Dam Table Mountain for a breathtaking view of the entire Valley before a plummeting descent to the finish at the Inanda Msinsi Resort.
“The Unlimited Dusi Mfula has a great reputation for hospitality and 2011 will be no different. The race village at Inanda Dam will feature as many comforts as possible with masseurs, a medical crew and a bike wash and repair shop – not to mention the coldest beers in the Valley,” de Vries says. For those riders who opt to stay overnight at the race village, there will be comfortable tented accommodation and the race fee also includes a carbo-loaded dinner and breakfast. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the night for the insomniacs.
The race format for The Unlimited Dusi Mfula is two-rider teams in one of three different categories, men, women and mixed. The minimum age of participation is 16 on race day. Registration for the event will take place in Durban and Johannesburg prior to the race but for those who can’t make it, there will also be registration before the start on race day. Enter online at www.roag.co.za or visit www.dusimfula.co.za for more information.
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