We are the largest Safari Operator to specialise in Day Tours into the world renowned Kruger National Park.  We offer Full Day Game Drives and Half Day Game Drives (either a Morning or Afternoon Game Drive).  A Night Safari is also possible and will complete your experience.

Our all inclusive Kruger National Park Safari Packages will ensure that you thoroughly explore the diversity Kruger has to offer.  These can be tailor-made to suit your every need.

We offer transfers to & from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Eastgate Airport, OR Thambo International Airport to all lodges, hotels and other destinations in the area, including Maputo.

Seasons In Africa - one of our country’s premier Tourism marketing and management companies, comprising of world-class hotels, lodges and adventures throughout Southern Africa. At Seasons in Africa, we pride ourselves on our luxury getaways. We offer guests the priceless gift of exceeding their expectations, by combining our extensive knowledge, expertise and close partnerships with others in the trade. Each of our properties boasts a warm, friendly and personalised service and our passion for Africa and hospitality enhances our ability to provide intimate and exceptional service. Every guest will depart having experienced Africa’s diverse and spectacular surroundings with memories never to be forgotten.

Valencia Wholesalers have been part of the Nelspruit community for some twenty years and have grown to be one of the most popular shopping destinations in town. We have the resources to assist you to make your house your home!

Valencia stocks a diverse range of quality merchandise – at affordable prices.  Best prices guaranteed.

We have a wide range of departments including the following:

• Fabrics & Haberdashery
• Interior Decorating
• Hospitality & Homeware
• Furnishings
• Hobbies

Elite Men 19+ ONLY

[other riders CAN still do the Ultra, but for Champs it is only Elite Men]

HALF-MARATHON

Youth Women 15 – 16

Junior Women 17 – 18

Master Women 50 – 59

Grand Master Women 60+

Youth Men 15 – 16

Junior Men 17 – 18

Grand Master Men 60+

At this point, there are not any Marathon Championship categories under the age of 15 yrs

The new improved DAS Auto series for 2013 kicked off last Saturday with a new venue and a new route, Fountains farm with it’s wetlands and plantation has been replaced by Penryn College, grassy bush and mowed tracks.  Now despite it being a new course which I know from experience takes a huge amount of manpower to establish, it has to be said that some of the single track was by far the bumpiest, most momentum sapping and painful riding I have ever endured in a race, I do admit that this was my first race on a hard tail in some 10 years so added somewhat to my suffering, however I heard the same comments from guys on full suss 29er’s even!  A well known single track slayer was heard to say he felt like he’d spent a night in a Nigerian jail, and a Facebook comment went along the lines of ‘Eeeoooowwww!’, fair dues though, the rest of the course was pretty cool though I think a few of the 25km guys might have suffered the last 4kms as it basically climbed non stop from the back of Elawini to the finish line.  All in all a good start for the new look event and the course will get better as more guys use it and Goerge and Gap put in some more spade work, good news is that Hall’s have given permission for anybody to ride the trails anytime, just park at Penryn and head out, fantastic news, give it a go!  BTW the entries were slick, the vibe festive and apart from said genital bruising everyone had a smile on their faces.

My race consisted of setting a steady pace and maintaining, I rode with Martijn for 75% of the distance until I had to pass a Junior and my rear derra grabbed a stick and on stopping to pull it out my left leg went all crampy.  With no real competition in Masters – Jan D, sniffles, Tim J, taking pics, Mark W and Johan B – awol, I took my cat easily, I’m sure it won’t be so simple this weekend at Uplands!

Ride report -

A few decades ago Allan Livingstone, not unlike his namesake, had a dream, a vision, an epiphany, a beard (still has that) that he should organise a multi day ride from Nelspruit towards Mara, Barberton and back.  It became a reality over the Easter weekend and attached is his report!  It sounds like it was a fantastic  exploration and might be something any aspiring multi day rider might want to do, well done Allan and thanks for the report!

Chainsuck- Unsuck

Well after the news about our Mr Nature last week I can happily report that they sliced him open, threw in some tubeless conversion, 100ml of Stans liquid and he’s good to go!  Geoff is responding well as I type and every time Sarah reports his progress it’s good news, Phweeeyoo!  All I can say is be thankful for your health, we are only made of a bucket of water or two and some squishy cellulose held together by splintery bones and mother natures Glad Wrap, don’t take it for granted, don’t poison yourself with nicotine, KFC or J&B and ride yer bike more!  Geoff really appreciated the visitors and there were so many that at one point I hear he had an audience for his enema, I’ve looked on YouTube but can’t find footage so it may be a rumour.

Upcoming stuff:

UPLANDS FESTIVAL! Yay!  THIS Sat is Cross Country Lap Racing!!!!with the 3rd in the MPU Prov series and Sunday is the regular marathon race, by all accounts the presentation will be spectacular and the whisper is that Valencia will have an awesome display with some ‘ride before you buy’ demo bikes so don’t miss out!  Lots of info on the Uplands Facebook link.

The NEXT weekend is then the Big Induna marathon!  Loads of Jaco’s twisty quad trails, mountains and valley’s and for the first time this event is the South African Marathon Championships, do not miss this!  It’s gonna be bigger than a Gupta wedding reception!

Swag!

If you are looking for some killer lights then Valencia has just taken stock of more of those fantastic lightweight and sun scorchingly bright light sets that we had last year, despite the Rand being the value of a full nappy the prices are still cheaper than anything else and can have you out on yer bike 24/7! Go see Ash and get illuminated!

World Championships 2013 PMB!

Although the entry fee for the World Masters the week prior to the Elite is a bit steep at R850 it’s also a once in a lifetime chance to race in an international race against guys your own age from all over the world.  The course is NOT the hectic Elite course but a 9 to 10km XCO course with less technical sections and more gradual climbs, you’ll probably do 4 or so laps.  Get entered and be part of the party!

http://www.mtbworldchamps.co.za

WEBSITE NEWS!!!!!!! 

Marcus Birch has a bike for sale – go to the website to check it out!

Valencia has been busy upgrading it’s website so if you into armchair shopping at 2am then go check out the bargains on offer over the inter web – www.vbike.co.za

Anyone got anything for our website?  Keep checking it out I’m uploading pics all the time and will soon have some special offers up there!  Go to www.lowveldchaingang.co.za and check it out!  This website is for YOU!  It’s a work in progress and I’m inviting anyone to contribute – your personal race report, Chainsucks, stuff for sale, pictures, whadeva!  E mail it to me and if its bad enough, funny, poorly written or controversial I’ll definitely post it! Embarrassing pictures or those of wound’s sustained will also be gratefully received!

BTW, for all the latest MTB news and general skinny follow me on Twitter – @brettmtb, Im also using it to announce rides now as well as sms.

See ya on the dirt!

Cheers Brett.

Rudamans are committed to being a leading provider of quality products and services,

delivering through teamwork and value added services for the benefit of our clients.

First Ascent – South Africa’s leading specialist outdoor gear manufacturer

Does anyone have an idea how important it is for sponsors to come on board our beloved sport of mountain biking? Will you believe me when I say that our sport might die a slow death if not for sponsors? They put the bite back in the barking dogs. Please allow me then to introduce the main sponsor of the Big Induna Mountain Bike Race 2013.

These people are FOR mountain biking! They are not just sticking their head out there… they have got the best and sexiest gear in the industry.

With First Ascent’s help we are going to give our best effort to push this year’s Big Induna off the charts. We’ll choose better routes, erect a better venue, do better marketing, while loving every moment of it.

The road to the First Ascent Big Induna Mountain Bike Race has started…

Come 1 June 2013, we will be ready!

Induna MTB Shirt Sponsor 2013

http://www.sabievalleycoffee.com/

Want 100% Pure Arabica Coffee?

www.sabievalleycoffee.com

Are you looking for Growers, Processors and Suppliers of real, pure 100% Arabica coffee that is grown processed, roasted and pacakeged all on our own farm?

Mountain Bike Shirt Sponsors

A big thank you to Kruger Park Lodge!!!

http://indunaadventures.com/mountainbikerace/sponsors

Mountain Bike Shirt Sponsors

A big thank you to Total Numbi gate!!!

http://indunaadventures.com/mountainbikerace/sponsors