Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush – Have You Entered Yet?
The Grindrod Bank Berg and Bush offers exceptional riding, topped only by its hospitality and relaxed atmosphere. And lots of medicinal beer.
The annual Grindrod Berg & Bush has become the seminal three-day mountain bike stage event – yes, you can race if you want, but you can equally jol with your mates and enjoy a bevy or three from the comfort of the Em’seni race village. Set in the stunning location of the Drakensberg mountain range, there is a choice of events that is sure to spark your sense of adventure. This is life in the slow lane. Take your time. Take photos. Take it easy. Racing snakes are obviously welcome, the Descent is all yours, but if you’re the kind of rider who prefers pints to positions, then the Tour is the ride for you.
THE TOUR
14-16 June 2022
Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush Tour
The Berg & Bush Tour is our three-day clover leaf event. Each day starts and finishes at the Em’seni race village. No packing and repacking, no fuss. The Tour is an ideal option for riders looking for a laid-back tour environment with all the frills of a full-service stage race, and for groups of friends looking for a stress-free riding weekend away.
Day 1: 62km
This day follows the same route as Descent Day 2, where you’ll enjoy plenty of bushveld riding and single track. The climb up “Ox Wagon Hill” awards you breath taking views of the Drakensberg mountains before you follow the tracks made by cattle and game farmers along dry river beds. Reserve some energy in the legs for “Mike’s Pass” and then enjoy the rush of the “Puff Adder Pass” descent back to the Tugela River. You’ll then follow more cattle tracks along the river before the final crossing over the Tugela River to the finish.
Day 2: 54km
This new route starts on the dairy farm belonging to the Green family and heads to the south side of Spioenkop mountain. A brand new “Zig-Zag” route takes you high up the mountain before a spectacular descent down into “Fanagalo” which was used for the World Single Speed Champs. The new track heads through the Middledale Flats, original farm of the Green family; farm roads eventually lead to the wagon trail to Bergville before you descend down the final tracks into Em’seni Race Village.
Day 3: 50km
Today you’ll tackle the iconic Spioenkop mountain climb. First you’ll cross the Tugela River, passing through Tugela River Lodge where you’ll be greeted with the first steep climb of the day – “Lantana Hill”. The reward post-climb is the super fun new single track through the ravines of Grootehoek Farm taking you to the base of Spioenkop mountain. Prepare to suffer as you tackle the infamous 14 bumps to the top of Spioenkop, which is worth every second. This iconic climb is followed by an exhilarating 13km single track descent which takes you down the mountain over the “Bell Run” and home to Em’seni Race Village.
THE 2 DAY
18-19 June
Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush 2-Day
Our original and beloved Berg & Bush event, the 2-Day is popular amongst family groups, beginner mountain bikers and riders looking for two mellow days on the saddle. Both days start and finish at the Em’seni race village, with riders enjoying maximum fun and excitement on the trails. Riders from ages 15 and above are welcome to enter.
Day 1: 59km
You’ll be following the Descent and Great Mid-Week Day 2 route. Think plenty of bushveld and single track to keep you happy. The day starts with a good wake-up call, climbing the “Ox Wagon Hill” which offers spectacular views of the Drakensberg mountains from the top. You’ll then ride along dry river bed tracks, carved out by cattle and game farmers, before the next challenge – climbing “Mike’s Pass”. What goes up, must come down, and the “Puff Adder Pass” will have you grinning from ear to ear as you fly back down to the Tugela River. The route then follows more cattle tracks along the river until the final crossing to the finish.
Day 2: 49km
The historic and iconic Spioenkop mountain climb awaits you. You’ll start the day by crossing the Tugela River, passing through Tugela River Lodge and hitting “Lantana Hill”, your first lung-busting climb. What follows is a fun-filled winding single track through the ravines of Grootehoek Farm, taking you to the base of Spioenkop mountain. Your last steep climb awaits – the infamous Spioenkop with its 14 bumps to the top will make you work for those extra doughnuts you couldn’t resist. But the reward is sweet as you descend the thrilling 13km single track descent which takes you all the way down the mountain, over the “Bell Run” and home to Em’seni Race Village.
THE DESCENT
24-26 June
Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush Descent
The whizz, bang, wow of our three Berg & Bush events, the Descent is where dust flies and mountain bikers push themselves to the limit. Featuring the one-of-a-kind Sollie’s Folly descent off the escarpment and into the bushveld, the Descent is where the men and women of mountain biking who like to ride hard can test themselves against the best.
Day 1: 94km
Starting high up in the Drakensberg mountains at 1 800m above sea level, you’ll ride along the scenic paths of the Eastern Free State mountains following a disused canal and eventually arriving at the base of Tsamenskomst Farm. From here the route climbs even higher up an old cattle and game path before crossing the border from the Free State into KwaZulu-Natal. Sweeping views greet riders as you move along the cliffs of “Great Wall my China”, looking down across KZN below. Hugging the escarpment you ride through wild proteas and old yellowwood trees before arriving at the start of “Sollie’s Folly” descent. Dropping 500m down purpose-built tracks, built by the farmer himself Sollie Prinsloo, you eventually bottom out 30km later at Waterpoint 1. The route then takes you through huge irrigation and cropping farms before arriving at the final descent down to Em’seni Camp just outside Winterton. Keep something in the tank for the last 5km along “Garden of Eden” following the banks of the Tugela River.
Day 2: 70km
This is a day of bushveld riding and single track. It starts with an early morning climb up “Ox Wagon Hill” to enjoy the views of the majestic Drakensberg mountains. You’ll then follow tracks made by cattle and game farmers in the area and along dry river beds. The challenge awaits going up “Mike’s Pass” with the mind-blowing descent down “Puff Adder Pass” back towards the Tugela River. From here the route follows cattle tracks along the river before the final crossing over the Tugela River to the finish.
Day 3: 50km
This is the day of the historic climb up Spioenkop mountain. The route starts by crossing the Tugela River and passing through Tugela River Lodge where we start the first steep climb up “Lantana Hill”; followed by great single track riding through the ravines of Grootehoek Farm. Winding new single track takes you to the base of the Spioenkop mountain before the final steep climb up Spioenkop beginning with the infamous 14 bumps to the top. Thankfully this is followed by a 13km adrenaline-filled single track descent which takes you down the mountain over the “Bell Run” and home to Em’seni Race Village.
All the details you will ever need for the Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush – accommodation options, shuttle details, detailed routes and more are RIGHT HERE.
READ MORE ON: berg & bush events kzn events multi-day events STAGE RACES