Mankele Mountain Bike Park

Situated in the heart of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Mankele Mountain Biking is beautifully located in an indigenous forest near the Sudwala Caves and alongside the Houtbosloop River.

The property consists of sub tropical forest, open grasslands, mountains, valleys and river frontage. It is home to a wealth of bird and animal life, as well as the mountain biking enthusiast. The mixed terrain offers the perfect location for its wide variety of trails.

Come and indulge your mind, body and soul as you experience the excitement of mountain biking, the comfort of the lodge, as well as the breath taking views.

You will find every experience truly uplifting and memorable.

TRAILS

Mankele is a great place to be a mountain biker! With the awesome scenery of the luscious mountains, rivers and springs. The trails are complimented with endless wooden boardwalks & bridges that have been carefully constructed over the terrain. The adrenaline pumping trails have an excellent balance: from lung bursting climbs, disc burning descents, nail biting north shore, big drops, river crossings and fast, smooth single track.

• X-Country (Orange Route):

8.8km, 160m Accent, Technical. Used for Nationals Cross Country. Boardwalks, bush tunnels, bridges and some hairy descents are on the menu once you have climbed the unforgiving Sting. Duration 25 - 50 minutes.

• 2.4km Easy Beginner Route:

Fast flowing single track, bridges and jeep track. This course will help you improve your single track skills. Fun track to chase each other through the tight corners.

• Blue Route:

4.5km Easy - Beginner. Fast flowing single track, bridges and jeep track. This route was designed for beginners to practice there technical skills. Duration 30 minutes.

• Pink Route:

4.5km, 120m Accent, Moderate. This is a shorter version of the X-Country route. Test yourself on the single track, boardwalks, river crossings and technical climb. Duration 30 - 45 minutes.

• Green Route:

20km, 480m Accent, Moderate. Don’t let the distance fool you; this is 20km of single track, bush tunnels, bridges, boardwalks and lung bursting climbs. It’s a good work out while having the best time ever on two wheels. Duration 2 - 3 hours.

• Red Route:

30km, 728 Accent, Intermediate. This route is an extension of the Green Route. A bit more climbing with awesome views. This is a good long ride with a bit of everything in it. You have a choice of a technical (bush tunnel) or a fun twisty single track back. Escape point is at the green route turn off. Duration 5 hours.

• Purple Route:

55km, 1200m Accent, Difficult. The first 15km is a non stop battle with granny gear. The view and single track is well worth the climb. Two escape routes have been marked out. Take lots of water, food and a cell phone. Duration 5 - 8 hours.

• Down Hill:

1.8km, Madness. It’s a double black. Caution - adrenaline is addictive. This is not for your average hard tail or got the gear no idea type rider. Switch backs, drop offs and rock gardens will try rip you off your bike.

• Black Dot Route:

Most routes have a black dot section - Very Technical. If you take the black dot route then don’t look back or complain if you loose your teeth. They are fun, but very technical and have all past the bone breaking test.

STAGE RACE

Are you up for three days of big mountains and legendary climbs?

If yes, then the “Three Towers Stage Race” is yours to conquer!

Proudly hosted by the acclaimed Mankele Mountain Biking, situated near to Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga, 30km from Nelspruit and only 270km from Pretoria. The race takes place over a period of three days starting on the 24th of September 2009, teams of two riders will cover a total distance of 205km with 3880m of ascent.

Mankele Mountain Biking is renowned for its sometimes technical, but always flowing, single track and big mountain trail riding, three days will leave you in MTB heaven! All stages start and finish

at Mankele and climb to the three highest 'Towers' in the area.

• RACE VILLAGE:

Each team will be allocated a tent with two mattresses. Neat ablutions with hot water showers will be provided. A marquee will be erected where three meals per day will be served. A short prize giving and entertainment (e.g. live band) will be held every evening. On site facilities: swimming pools, river tubing, tuck shop and entertainment area.

• SECURITY AND BIKE MAINTENANCE:

24 hour security will be provided by Mankele. Xtreme Sports Nelspruit will provide a bike shop to do any necessary repairs and maintenance.

• CROSS COUNTRY:

Boarkwalks, bush tunnels, bridges, river crossings, lung bursting climbs and the smoothest single track jam packed into 8,8km laps of Mountain biking Heaven.

• DOWNHILL:

1.8km of absolute adrenaline madness. Rock gardens, berms, jumps, bridges and some of the tightest switch backs you will ever see.

• FOUR CROSS:

Big Jumps, Big Air, Big Berms, Big Drop Offs all under night lights.

MARATHONS

• 60KM MARATHON:

14km of single track, as well as boardwalks, bush tunnels, river crossings and as always big climbs are some of the things to look forward to. The Marathon is 60km of absolute adrenaline pumping trails and if you get the chance to look around, the views are breathtaking.

• 35KM MARATHON:

It’s going to be fast! One killer of a climb and then all the fun starts... Forest single track, bush tunnels, bridges, river crossings and some disc burning descents. After 9km of single track you will feel like the single track king!

• 12KM FUN RIDE:

This is where you will learn what MTBiking is all about. Endless single track, board walks & some fun twisty stuff. You will want to do another lap when you are done.

• RULES:

NO HELMET - NO RIDE! Helmets are compulsory for all events. The event will be done in accordance with CSA-MTB rules and regulations. Cyclists must obey all traffic rules and traffic regulations, marshals, officials and route signs otherwise they will be disqualified. Cyclists to keep left of the road or pathway to allow free flow of traffic, and to allow faster cyclists to pass. Cyclists may not deviate from the route, or ride against the race course or the race direction. No littering allowed. Anyone found littering will be disqualified. To prevent forest fires no smoking or fires on the route will be allowed. No children under the age of 14 will be allowed to participate in the 35km or 60km bike races. All children under the age of 10 years must be accompanied by an adult fun ride participant. The organisers reserve the right to amend, delete, or add to these rules.

WHERE: Nelspruit