Words & Photo: Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA)
Resolution Health and Zurreal bring you the fifth annual Ride the Rhino mountain bike challenge. Riding, Rhinos, Renosterveld – Triple Rated Combo to Embrace Life. With 1 004 rhino poached in South Africa last year and 233 poached in 2014 alone, Resolution Health and Zurreal are hosting the fifth annual ‘Ride the Rhino’ mountain bike challenge that aims to encourage anti-rhino poaching initiatives and raise funds for the protection of the highly endangered Renosterveld region in the Western Cape of which only a mere 4% remains.
The 2014 race will take place from 26 to 28 September in memory of all the rhinos poached last year, as well as many other endangered species whose habitat is under threat in the fast receding Renosterveld. The new and improved 2014 route is a 3 day stage race that will start at the Langebaan Country Estate, taking riders on a journey through the scenic West Coast National Park, along the rugged terrain of the Renosterveld in full spring bloom and ending at a beautiful wine estate in Durbanville.
In addition to the new route, the 2014 ‘Ride the Rhino’ offers mountain bikers a variety of things to look forward to such as local hospitality with delicious homemade meals, entertainment and as well as fully catered water holes with energy drinks and supplements along the way. There are also exciting goody bags, lucky draws and daily prizes for winners. Unlike any other stage mountain bike event in South Africa, an alternative route is also available for school children who wish to participate in the event.
A second ‘Race the Rhino’ mountain bike challenge will take place 6 days before on World Rhino Day on 20 September in the Magaliesburg/Hartbeespoort area, giving Gauteng-based riders the opportunity to also take part. This one-day race offers 50km, 35km and 8km distances that cater for the whole family.
Spurred by the growing success of previous events, Heidi Eloff, spokesperson for the Renosterveld Trust promises that this year will be even more exciting and challenging. “We encourage all members of the cycling community and environmental enthusiasts, young and old, experienced and novice to take part in what is fast becoming one of the most popular mountain biking challenges in South Africa,” she says.
“Since we launched the event in 2010, a number of well-known celebrities have come on board to show their support for this worthy cause,” says Eloff. This year will see the likes of Joel Stransky and Owen Hannie doing the event as a team as well Liezel van der Westhuizen, Braam Malherbe, Tiaan Joubert and Ferdi Rabie along with many other well-known personalities donning their helmets, mounting their bikes and taking to the track in support of the Renosterveld Trust and the anti-rhino poaching movement.
Resolution Health and Zurreal have contributed substantially to several corporate social investment initiatives over the years. “The Ride and Race Rhino events personify the Scheme and Zurreal’s Embrace Life policy because it serves to preserve the environment, promote education and encourage healthy living, all of which are issues that are very close to my heart as a proud South African,” says Jean De Villiers, captain of the national rugby team and brand representative of Resolution Health and Zurreal who has pledged his support to the event.
To enter or find out more information visit http://www.renosterveldmtb.co.za/default.aspx
