Nedbank Swaziland's Imvelo MTB Classic

Due to the overwhelming support this race receives and the delicate nature of the environment, race numbers will be limited to 400 this year

Classic 64km
Begins at 08h00
This is the BIG GUY - not for those weak at the knee!
The first 22 Km is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads, allowing the field to open out and the body to warm up nicely for the mountains to come. A quick detour through the "Donga Route" providing a Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest onto the "Hippo Trail" - a bit of excitement and adventure before beginning the first climb up Mantenga View Point, a short rocky road / trail with stunning views and technical riding. Travel the newly cleared 4x4 Track, down a little game path and bounce over and along the railway line for a short distance before dropping down the valley past Njunju then following the Usushwana River. Now for the first big one .... cross the river and tackle The King of the Mountain climb 2 Km of slippery clay road through the shaded Gum Forest (Mantenga Nature Reserve). The Reward? - catch a glimpse of the beautiful Mlilwane North opening up in front and to the north, while narrowing onto technical single track - a serious down hill which takes many wary prisoners. The well-deserved gentle forest 2 Km track back along the river provides a breather before taking on . "The Grim Reaper" - the most mindless 7Km of the entire course! This is an undulating climb up the back of Nyonyane Mountain through the Usuthu Forest. Prepare for an Adrenalin Rush, a quick 4km descent of Nyonyane on dirt road - beware the uneven erosion spots and the large drainage humps. We weren't finished with you yet.. Back out the Sanctuary, along a tranquil river single track, through the fence and into - yes, the Usuthu Forest! Yebo!.. another climb - the "Scorpion" - a series of short sharp climbs and descents traveling up the Mhlambanyatsi River, crossing a rough drift and finally heading home up and over the last obstacle, back through the fence onto Mlilwane - and home through the plains once again.

Challenge and Team Challenge 33 km Starts at 09h15
Challenging ride for people with average fitness, but who aren't up for the classic. The first 22 Km is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads, allowing the field to open out and the body to warm up nicely for the mountain to come. A quick detour through the "Donga Route" providing a Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest onto the "Hippo Trail" - a bit of excitement and adventure before meeting the real challenge head-on . leave Mlilwane via a neat forest single track, over the Mhlambanyatsi River and begin the one and only real climb of this race - a little ± 3 Km taste of the Classic craze! Catch your breath, hold on to those handlebars and enjoy the downhill, coasting back into Mlilwane, through the plains and to the finish.

Family Fun 22km
Starts at 09h45 The entire Family course is relatively flat, riding through plains alternating between interesting and fun single track and dirt roads. An escape route is provided at 12.3 km making the "Chicken Run" roughly 14 km. Those who are not quite done yet will continue onto Mphumalanga Plains, including a slightly challenging 2 km detour through the "Donga Route" - an Historical tour of the old McCreedy Tin Mines, where the side of the mountain is blasted out by water cannons in search for tin, past hippo calving dams and back onto the plains. Nip through the forest for a little shade, cross over the dam wall and head home to the finish.