Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme

It takes a special group of cyclists to sign up for South Africa’s “toughest extreme one-day mountain bike race”, especially after the festive season. Yet year after year thousands line up for the Momentum Health Attakwas Extreme presented by Biogen, which takes place in January.

With 12 editions to look back on, race directors have identified a common thread that holds this riding community together – the undeniable ‘Attakwas spirit’. Each rider arrives with a different set of ambitions, but the same goal of simply ‘surviving’ the challenge.

The event has built a strong reputation for its tough and unforgiving nature, and for the 121km’s of relentless pounding that it presents to both man and machine.

Beyond this, however, the Attakwas is renowned for its truly unique sense of camaraderie. It is a race where every rider knows that in the deepest, darkest hours on their bike, there will always be a helping hand from a fellow rider or friendly crew member.

“At its core, the Attakwas Extreme was designed for seemingly ordinary people who undertake an extraordinary challenge,” said Dryland Director Henco Rademayer.

No one epitomized the spirit of this event more than Attakwas finisher and fellow mountain biker, Douw Steyn. Late in 2014, an accident claimed the life of this extraordinary man who left behind a legacy of all the traits that this event stands for – friendship, loyalty and perseverance.

Dryland Event Management dedicated the “Spirit of the Attakwas” to Douw’s memory – a trophy created by his closest friends that is presented annually to the rider who reveals the same qualities.

RACE INFO:

Distance: 121km
Race Entry: R995 (Standard fee valid until 31 October 2018)
Late Entry fee: R1250 (R1260 valid from 1 November 2018)
No line entries will be available for this distance, but the late entr