For almost 20 years, the Standard Bank Berg & Bush mountain bike event in KwaZulu-Natal has been consistently pushing the envelope when it comes to ride experience.

Organiser Gary Green, himself an outdoor enthusiast who regularly participates in events across South Africa, strives to create unique and thrilling trails for all levels of mountain biker. Green calls his trails, “fast, fun and free-flowing.”

Ever restless, if he’s not keeping an eye on his beloved cattle, he’s in the mountains with his crack squad of trail-builders tweaking the twists and turns of his trails.

As with every year at the Berg & Bush, slight variations to the route await all 2024 riders across the three-day Descent and the original 2-Day – as well as the return of Boer Route, a singletrack climb with 50 switchbacks that debuted to much fanfare in 2023. A highlight of the ride continues to be the 12km downhill, singletrack finish of the Descent and 2-Day from the top of Spioenkop.

“We are certain that you will leave our event grinning from ear to ear.”

“Our main aim at the Berg & Bush is to create an event where our participants are having fun,” says Green. “We have access to an incredible part of the country, and I want to show my love for this region through the trails of the Berg & Bush. We take riders through farms, through bushveld, past the world’s tallest aloe and on trails that we have been perfecting for almost 20 years. We are certain that you will leave our event grinning from ear to ear.”

Over the years, Berg & Bush has become synonymous with post-ride fun too. The Race Village, situated on the soothingly scenic banks of the Tugela River, serves up craft beer and ciders, a wide array of specialty coffees and meals that would make most wedding planners envious. A 24-hour snack station keeps the hunger pangs at bay, while the world-famous Handle Bar, offering the finest wines and MCCs, has been known to scupper a personal best or two.

This year, the event dates have also been moved into early autumn, the best time of year for outdoor activities in the Central Drakensberg region! The weather is mild, the days are warm and the clear, blue skies make mountain biking an absolute pleasure.

Plus, 2024 is Berg & Bush’s Year of the E-Bike, with e-bike riders welcome to enter the 2-Day or the Descent. E-bike teams (two e-bikes in a team) and solo e-bike riders can enter the brand new, separate e-bike race in the 2-Day, while hybrid teams of a traditional mountain bike and an e-bike can participate in the 2-Day or the Descent. For all the e-FAQ, visit the Berg & Bush site HERE.

Entries are open! 

 What makes Berg & Bush Unique?

1. One Race Village – park, unpack, ride your bike 

2. Trails lovingly hand-crafted by a team that lives for trail riding

3. New trails are scouted and developed almost every year – you’ll always ride something new and intriguing at Berg & Bush

4. Convenient location for Joburg, Bloem and Durban riders, but also easy to reach from the coast with a flight and our event shuttle service! 

5. Relaxed race & ride environment where the emphasis is on your ride enjoyment

6. It’s fun! Enter and see for yourself. 

2024 Dates

> Standard Bank Berg & Bush Descent: 30 May – 2 June 2024

> Standard Bank Berg & Bush 2-Day: 7-9 June 2024