Mountain Biking comes Home with the Pennypinchers Origin of Trails

A mountain bikers’ dream come true, the Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails will combine a vast network of world class trails with beauty and exclusivity. Riders can look forward to experiencing a spectacular combination of single-track that to date has been unknown to the mountain biking community of Stellenbosch.

 

According to Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sport & Entertainment, mountain biking enthusiasts can look forward to an unforgettable experience at the end of November. “Stellenbosch promotes riding and running trails that are stunningly beautiful and diverse. The Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails will combine routes that are accessible to riders with trails that are currently inaccessible. The goal behind the Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails is to offer participants an unbelievable cycling experience, while raising funds to further trail building in Stellenbosch. A large portion of every entry fee will go directly towards trail building and local organizations aligned around these trails,” says Meyer.

 

On the team that is building the trails he added: “We have put together a very exciting team to build a very special route for the riders. Hendrico Burger from the Stillwater team is responsible for some of South Africa’s most notable mountain bike routes and is one of the first mountain bikers to take up the sport locally in the mid 80’s, and Corrie Muller, a champion mountain biker and local dentist, are teaming up to ensure a very special experience”. Riders can expect the final route announcement on Thursday, 22 August.

 

One of the driving forces behind trail building in Stellenbosch, Bobby Behan (Director of Specialized Bicycles Africa) is extremely supportive of the event. “The goal of the Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails stems from a collective desire to develop seriously fun trails. At the end of the day this is what cycling is all about, having fun. Over time the goals have become more focused, for example, developing more challenging all-mountain trails, a cross-country circuit in Coetzenburg and of course the foundation of maintaining and developing the existing trail network. Long term we'd like people to associate Stellenbosch as one of the world's cycling destinations, which will attract world-class athletes who train here and develop all-round cycling tourism both local and international. We set the bar high with these goals, however, the impact of these trails will first benefit the local rider, who will be spoiled for choice and this is the primary goal. Specialized really believes that cycling can solve many of the worlds’ problems including health and well-being, therefore the development of Stellenbosch as a cycling friendly town bodes well for the long-term future,” says Behan.

 

The proud title sponsor of the Origin Of Trails, Pennypinchers is a leading supplier of building materials and home improvement products. The Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails is presented by Stillwater Sport & Entertainment, South Africa’s leading lifestyle sport organizing company. Well known events under the Stillwater Sport & Entertainment umbrella include: FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events, Totalsports XTERRA presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT and ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance to name just a few.

 

Event Information:

The Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails is an individual two day mountain bike stage race.

 

Stage one: Friday, 29 November 2013

Distance: +- 71km or +- 38km
Start: Church Street (Stellenbosch)
Finish: Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch)

 

Stage two: Saturday, 30 November 2013

Distance: +- 68km or +- 42km
Start: Church Street (Stellenbosch)
Finish: Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch)

 

Entries Open: Friday, 09 August 2013
Final Route Announcement: Thursday, 22 August 2013

 

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For more information on the Pennypinchers Origin Of Trails please contact Stillwater Sport & Entertainment on 086 138 3591, email or visit www.stillwatersports.com.