Durban – The seventh edition of the famous uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge will have a new look in 2020 as riders taking on an extended 350km ride from Hillcrest to the new finish at Bonamanzi Game Reserve on Saturday, 12 December.
For the past six years the race has finished at Hilltop Camp in the Hluhluwe/Mfolozi Game Reserve, however this year organisers have chosen to take riders 40km through the World Heritage Site that is the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast before they head to the finish in Bonamanzi Game Reserve.
The event has raised well over R2 million for rhino conservation and anti-rhino poaching efforts in northern KwaZulu-Natal since its inception.
“We have seen the uBhejane Xtreme grow hugely over the years and it’s become a popular choice for riders looking to make a difference in a small way,” race organiser Cliff Will said.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming riders again for the event this year and hopefully we can make another significant contribution to the efforts against rhino poaching.”
Riders have the option of five different rides with the three day option starting on Thursday, 3 December. This has proven to be popular as the organisers aim to grow the appeal of the event by making the distance more manageable.
The Long Horn flagship ride of the event is roughly thirty kilometres longer this year, totalling 350km starting at Hillcrest just after midnight and taking riders from the start in the Upper Highway area, through Wyebank onto the M5 and then via Verulam to Salt Rock and then through the cane fields of the North Coast on their way to the finish at Bonamanzi.
There is also a 270km Short Horn ride that has over the years become the most popular event of the uBhejane Xtreme and usually sells out the fastest. The ride starts at the Umvoti Toll Plaza and will also finish at Bonamanzi.
There is also a 130km Baby Horn ride and then a shorter 60km ride that will attract riders who are keen to take part but might not have done the training to take on the longer distances. Those interested in taking part may apply to enter, donations can be submitted and more information can be found via the event’s website, www.ubhejanex.org.
Source: Gameplan Media
