.JPG)
A long time in coming, but lots has happened in this, the land of adventure. Ngulube has been doing a fair amount of off road running in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, there really is no better place to run. For one, the roads are perfect so the terrain gets as challenging as you make it. Secondly, if you do not encounter any animals, remove your blindfold. Thirdly, with the Imvelo approaching you'll find funky bridges spanning gulleys and erosion ditches or dongas. If you need more reasons, there is the fully licensed bar at the main rest camp. One word of advice though, grab a Wild Card - you get free entry which quickly pays off the card fee.
The MTB trails in particular have been under maintenance and their grooming has produced hard pack single track in many places - a favourite would have to be on the should of Nyonyane, through the aloe garden, just before the hair raising descent!
Nonetheless, all this training culminated in the Swazi Xtreme where Ngulube's team recorded a finish. The highlight of this race was surely the remoteness and the genuine article as far as real rural people are concerned. Ngulube is quick to mention the gigantic mountains the locals inhabit and remembers one encounter where the team had to scale a huge gorge en-route to a school transition point at the top of the ridge. Back breaking work, sweat pouring and a wonderful achievement for the team...but little 5 and 6 year olds do that EVERY day, both up and then down again. Truly a different world.
A week prior to that, Ngulube experience an overnight horse trail, from Mlilwane Rest Camp right to and over Nyonyane mountain, incredible what the beautiful horses can do. The overnight was in a cave, completely catered for, wonderfully comfortable and an incredible experience to boot - on the list to do again.
Ngulube also the latest press release from the Imvelo organisers;
Closing in on 400 Entries! 2 weeks to go before Early Bird entries close! South Africa vs Wales Big Screen TV!
With just under a month to go to this year’s Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic, entries are at a record level which means the capacity of 400 (an increase from last year) will be achieved before race day. This means you need to get your entries in as soon as possible rather than risk leaving it to the last minute. Enter online at www.Imvelo.co.sz or Contact Reservations for options on +268 528 3943
Festivities of the day include a world-class mountain bike route and first class support from Nedbank Swaziland and our associated sponsors. Your heroic moments will be captured by Keith Fuller Photography and will also be displayed on the www.Imvelo.co.sz website after the race. For those with additional energy to expend, we have ordered in a Jumping Castle, we just ask that you give the kids a turn as well. As part of the community drive, four high school pupils have been selected to man the bike wash area – proceeds will go directly to these guys as they work to get themselves through school
The start/finish area will be abuzz with cyclists, hogs on the spit, beers flowing and general organized chaos, no doubt all characterized by silly grinning folk. As far as race souvenirs are concerned, in addition to your T-shirts, we have very unique medals we will be proudly presenting finishers of the 3 distances, and for those racers in the hunt for podium finishes, Ngwenya Glass has added their special brand of art to our race in the form of quality hand-crafted glass trophies, customized to record the day’s fun. For those who start with a bang and end perhaps with a whimper, Ngwenya Glass trophies will be up for grabs for the King of the Mountain as well as Queen of the Mountain, in addition, six more Ngwenya Glass Trophies will be up for grabs for the 1st 3 ladies home in the Classic distance as well as the first 3 positions in the Classic distance.
Due to popular demand, team entries are being accepted – this is for teams of 4 and the prize is awarded to the team with the lowest cumulative positions. The first team home scores R1000 cash prize! This category will be recognized with a minimum of 5 entered teams
An additional 50 T-Shirts have been ordered for sale and will be available at registration which is Friday the 6th of June (closing at 11pm) and on race day – please remember no entries will be accepted on the day, however, registration will be open where entered cyclists can pick up their race numbers and goodie bags.
For the die-hard rugby fans – a big screen TV will have center stage to present the Springboks vs Wales rugby test match, this auspicious occasion has been bolstered by rumours of a happy hour. Be there to find out.
A few things to remember:
Ø No Helmet No Ride (no exceptions)
Ø No Entries on the day (do not arrive on Saturday 7 June and expect to enter, no one will be available to process)
Ø Strictly 400 entries only, excess will be turned away and once capacity has been achieved, notification will be sent out.
Ø Late entries (after 26 May 2008 attract a penalty fee of R30)
Ø Come prepared for a fun day!
