Once a year around the end of April, Klein-Aus Vista organizes a Mountain Bike Challenge, where participants can compete in a 2-day stage race. Riders can enter for a 130 km full-marathon or a 65 km half-marathon. There are separate categories for men and women as well as for juniors. This tough event is a challenging, but rewarding experience!
The landscape on the trails is characterized by granite gneiss outcrops, rugged valleys, meandering dry river courses and vegetation of the Succulent Karoo. The altitude varies from 1300 m to 1600m.a.s.l. Cyclists will be able to spot klipspringers or the occasional kudu en-route, but the expansive vistas over- looking the Namib are by far the highlight.
The Jeep tracks used to be historic transport routes and were built by the Schutztruppe during World War I. With the help of mules and oxen provisions and water were supplied to the entrenchments at the western foothills. The fortifications (ramparts and trenches) can still be seen today.
This year the 3rd Klein-Aus Vista MTB event will take place on 2 &3rd of May with 120 riders that have entered in this demanding race. The race was closed when the first 100 entrees were received. The reason why we limit the riders to 100 persons were to make sure all riders and fans find accommodation firstly and secondly we have to see this year how the tract as well as the infrastructure will handles the 100 + riders and the over 150 supporters.
Accommodation or camping was available at Klein-Aus Vista and Namib Garage Guest house and Bahnhof Hotel offered accommodation. We were pleasantly surprise with the interest that we received and still received request from people to be placed on waitlist. The race is unfortunately full and we advise the riders that did not make it this year to enter early on 1 November 2013 for the 2014 Challenge that will take place again on the 2nd & 3rd of May.
The first year when the race took place in 2011 there were only 30 riders that took part and in 2012 there were 71 riders and this year there are 120 riders that will take part in the 2013 race.
This year we also have all the big names in the Namibian Mountain biking in Aus to compete in this 2 day event. Martin Freyer, Tristan de Lange, Michael Pretorius and Heinrich Kohne that represent Namibia in the Africa Cross Country champs will be contesting for the first price.
Mannie Heymans will also take part to defend his title. Klein-Aus Vista has invited a rider from Belgium to give the race a bit of international flavour. Jan Dams was last year competing in the Trans Andes Marathon in Chile and was 3rd over- all and beat Stefan Sam, the well know rider of the Bulls team in 2 stages during the race. There are also a few riders from South-Africa that will come to take part.
There are 30 ladies riders and 90 men riders. The majority of the riders, 82 in total, will be taking part in the full marathon. The full marathon take place over a distance of 66 km per day and the riders will be competing in 5 categories. The half marathon take place over a distance of 33 km per day and the riders will be competing in 6 categories.
The race registration will take place from 4pm till-9 pm the 1st of May at the race official stand at the Castle Beer tent at Klein-Aus vista. Each morning the race will start at 7.30 am in the parking area of Klein-Aus Vista at Desert Horse Inn. The full and half marathon riders will start at the same time. The full and half marathon riders will ride the same track but the full marathon riders will just do a 2nd round each day. The fast riders for the full marathon will take an estimate 3h15 minutes to finish the race and the slower riders have to be ready to be in the saddle for 6-7 hours a day.
There will be 4 water and marshal point on the way to monitor the progress of the riders and to supply them with refreshments along the way. The finish line will also be at Desert Horse Inn and riders or fans can buy snacks and soft drinks at the hotdog stand and drinks at the Castle Beer Tent to quench their thirst. Both the Desert Horse Inn and Bahnhof Hotel restaurants will be open from early morning to serve meals during the day and evening. Please note that bookings in advance for dinner are essential.
The daily prize award ceremonies will be at 4 pm in the afternoon at the Castle beer tent at Desert Horse Inn. There will be a prizes handed out for the podium positions of the different categories on day one. On day two the podium positions will receive the prizes for stage 2 and thereafter the prizes the overall podium positions of the different categories will be awarded.
There will be cash prices and gift prices. Kia Motors Namibia is the main sponsor for the event. Gondwana collection has sponsored the prize monies for the overall winner for the male, Victor ludorum and Female victrix ludorum. The first overall male winner will received N$10 000 and the first overall female winner will received N$7 500.
The other sponsors are Castle Beer Namibia, USN, Standard Bank Namibia, Beyers Kloof Wines, Rust & Vrede Wines, Mannies Bike Mekka, Namib Garage, Bahnhof Hotel and Camelthorn Beer.
There are several attractions to visit while you are in the area. Visit the Wild Horses of Garub, just 20 km away direction Luderitz on the B4 or travel to coastal town Luderitz for the day only 120 km from Aus and also visit Kolmanskop Ghost town. For those that want to be active can buy an activity booklet from Klein-Aus Vista reception and hike in the mountains on the clear indicated trails to meet up with the riders en-route Klein-Aus Vista welcomes you all to spend a pleasant time in Aus during the 2 days event.
Visit the website link to update yourself on the race program and route maps
For further information:
Republikein: Klein-Aus vista prepares for MTB Challenge
Klein-Aus Vista: Mountain Biking
Klein-Aus Vista: Mountainbike Challenge 2013
