1. GENERAL RACE INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the second Golovane X-plore MTB race at Holla Trails. The route is a true mountain biker’s course, designed and structured for the mountain bike purists. It is tough but we are confident you will enjoy it. It is not a “fancy’ race and is being put on for the love of the sport. No real sponsors, no frills – just great mountain biking through spectacular terrain.
It has been very hard to improve on last years race route but Nic from Holla Trails has made a number of small changes to the route which will definitely add to the enjoyment of the race.

• The event is a two-man team race, with teams starting, riding and finishing together. Teams more than one minute apart will be disqualified.
  
• A GPS unit is not required as the course is marked with lime, however GPS units can be used and would be an advantage.
  
• DO NOT follow any other markings other than the lime. This means you must ignore all other arrows that are part of the regular Holla Trails network as the X-plore course does not follow any one Holla Trail route. There may be some dayglow arrows to indicate the odd blind corner. It is imperative that riders familiar with the trails pay careful attention to the lime markings so that they do not follow the normal trails in error and miss out on the correct route.
  
• A feature unique to the X-plore race is that the riders are responsible for paying close attention to the markings. It is one of the challenges of the race.
  
• There are no danger warnings so riders need to be aware of their surroundings and ride with the necessary caution.
  
• Two very basic water points (water only to drink with some fruit) will be provided in keeping with the purist style of the race. There is a Holla-supported store at the 40 km mark so pack some cash for cokes and energades.
  
• Temperatures can reach in excess of 40 degrees (early weather reports predict rain in the early morning and then very hot 32 degrees) so please come prepared ie: hydration packs, sunscreen. Its worth taking the time to cool off in the rivers if the heat is getting to you.
  
• Please be aware and look out for snakes and read the emergency instructions supplied below.
  
• Slow down at all road crossings and all farm vehicles have right of way.
  
• Usual Holla Trails etiquette applies: Give a friendly greeting to any farmers, their staff and the locals - it is their lands we are riding through.
  
• A medical service and sweep vehicle will be available – “cut off’s” will be enforced (see below)
  
• All meals must be booked before Wednesday as orders are handed to caterers at 8am on Thursday. There will be a limited number of other meals available strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis and light snacks (toasted sandwiches etc) available for purchase.
  
• Bring blankets and picnic chairs to sit and relax on the Holla Lawns after the race.

CSA LICENSES: According to Cycling South Africa rules, all entrants for a race longer than 20km MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A CSA LICENCE. As race organisers we will be charged R35 day license fee per rider who does not have a valid 2010 license. At registration licenses will be checked and riders without a license will be have to buy a day license before the start. To avoid this delay and avoid paying R35 per day at every other race this season, we suggest you buy a cyclosport license (R75) from www.myrace.co.za before Friday.

Spectator points:

• The dam at the first water point, 26 km into the race S29 24.418 E31 02.854
  
• The crocodile farm at the bottom of Howard’s Bush S29 24.342 E31 08.775
  

Equipment check list:

• Mobile phone must be programmed with In Case of Emergency Number (ICE), riding partners number and race emergency phone number (071 563 4455)
  
• Money for shop
  
• Helmet, gloves & sunglasses
  
• Hydration to last at least 30kms in the heat – hydration pack or bottles, spare sports drink powder
  
• Sunscreen & lip ice
  
• Tools, puncture repair kits/tubes, pump & bombs
  
• Energy bars, GU’s and food– the average rider will take around 6h30 to finish the course
  
• Change of clothes, soap & towel
  

Registration & start:

• Registration is from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday at Holla Trails at Collisheen Estate, or from 5am to 6.30am on Sunday at Holla Trails.
  
• Only one rider from each team needs to register, but TIMING CHIPS FOR BOTH RIDERS MUST BE BROUGHT TO REGISTRATION.
  
• The normal ROAG number boards will be used with the red ROAG timing chips.
  
• Riders who have not yet been given a timing chips/board can get them at registration.
  
• Coffee, muffins and bacon & egg rolls will be on sale
  
• There is an open start gate – opening at 6:00am and closing at 7:00am. Any teams starting after 7am will be given a start time of 7am. Riders must cross the start mat to have their start time recorded. Each team’s race time will be calculated from each team’s start time. For those riders racing for prizes this means the person next to you may have a faster or slower time than you depending on their start time.
  

Route:

• The route is 85 km and has over 2 000m of climbing.
  
• The first half is the most difficult with the bulk of the climbing in the first 35km – but reserve some energy to enjoy the second half which contains a few steep climbs.
  
• If it gets hot, use the numerous stream and river crossings to cool your body down.
  
• There are limited marshals on the route so treat every road crossing with respect and be aware of traffic on the roads.
  
• Look out for the lime markings. If you lose the route, go back to the last lime marking you saw.
  
• Highlights or memorable points:
  
  • The view before from the top of the escarpment approx 30km into the race.
    
  • The Quad trail, natural vegetation and stream crossings after the Trading Store – approx 38km.
    
  • The nasty climb up to the Mast – at approx 60km.
  • Howard’s Bush.
    
• Refreshment points:
  
  • “The Dam” - water will be supplied (26km)
    
  • “Trading Store” – Coke, Bar Ones and other basic supplies can be bought (35km)
    
  • “The mast” – water and bananas will be supplied (60km)
    
• Cut offs:
  • 11:00am (30km mark) – riders will be sent on an alternate route to join the main route
  • 12:30pm (50km mark) - riders will be sent on an alternate route to join the main route
    

• Contacts:
  • Andrew Taylor – 083 447 0697
    
  • Tim Whitfield – 072 125 2382
    
  • Wayne Denissen – 083 629 0577