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STBB HOSTS FIRST EVER 2KEEPABREAST MTB CHALLENGE IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Posted By: Hanlie Walker on 06 December 2011

On Saturday, 19th November 2011 STBB proudly hosted their first ever STBB 2KEEPABREAST MTB CHALLENGE in the picturesque hills around Hazendal Wine Estate.  Despite it being our first event of this kind, the feedback we have received from riders and spectators alike is so overwhelmingly positive and encouraging that we’ve decided to make it an annual event on the STBB social calendar!

Breast cancer – a disease close to our hearts

All entry fees were donated to CANSA and the challenge was in support of the dual goal of breast cancer awareness as well as the fight against breast cancer – hence the event’s title - STBB 2KEEPABREAST MTB CHALLENGE.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women today.  (But did you know that men can get it too?) A woman can develop breast cancer at any time during her adult life, even as early as her late twenties.  One in ten women will develop the disease – high odds indeed; but with increased awareness and education on the topic, and more women having mammograms, rates of detection are increasing.  While breast cancer treatments are improving and becoming more successful all the time, our best weapons are still early detection and education, which is why the STBB 2KEEPABREAST MTB CHALLENGE aims to encourage people to educate themselves and their loved ones about breast cancer and to spread a message of hope and encouragement in a positive, fun and healthy way.

About the Bottelary Hills MTB Trails

All of our selected three courses formed part of the Bottelary Hills MTB Trails, which were opened by the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy (BHRC) in April 2011. The trails facilitate organised riding in the area and serve as a much needed source of funds for BHRC to further its conservation efforts.  BHRC encloses the Bottelary Hills situated near Stellenbosch, approximately 40km East of Cape Town. The hills are home to several endangered fauna and flora species.  Concerned land owners, together with Cape Nature looked at various options to protect the remaining vegetation, rehabilitate sensitive areas and reintroduce species lost to the area, which lead to the eventual formation of the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy.  The unique terroir of the area lends itself to growing grapes of the highest quality and it’s no coincidence that BHRC is home to many well known wine estates, famous for producing world class wines.  All the trails are on private land with permission from the landowners, and our three STBB routes crossed 21 individual farms.  The hallmark of the trails is the scenic beauty and incredible views of the Winelands, Table Mountain, False Bay and other surrounding areas and many of our riders commented on the unique beauty of the area. 

Fun for a good cause!

A fine total of 207 motivated riders (and an untold numbers of supporters, family and friends) reported for duty at 06h00 on the misty morning of 19 November, ready to donate their blood, sweat and tears to a good cause, and have loads of fun while they’re at it!  With many willing STBB volunteers and helpers on hand, the last-minute registrations were soon completed, sun block applied and water bottles filled and by the time the mist made way for a 31-degree scorcher, our riders were on their way. 

Each route was littered with STBB volunteers in pink T-shirts and sunglasses shouting encouragement, and more than one rider enthusiastically described the water tables as “the best catered event of the year!” with sustenance ranging from something energising to munch or cold to swig, to warm hugs and friendly smiles. 

After the race, riders and their friends and family relaxed in the cool shelter provided by a large Bedouin tent with comfy ottomans, where they enjoyed their choice from a selection of food and drinks stalls. A DJ provided background beats, a jumping castle kept the little ones occupied, and our exhausted but satisfied riders enjoyed a wonderful day of fun in the sun – all in aid of a very good cause!

Our winners

Riders had their pick of three courses, ranging in distance and intensity: 42 km (hardcore but rewarding), 32 km (medium to challenging) and 15 km (easy and fun), and there was even a kiddies run for our aspiring mountain bikers.  This was not a timed event, but our first three ladies and men over the finish line in each distance were as follows:

Men 15 km
1 Gareth Dragt
2 Paul Symons
3 Castelyn de Wet

Men 32 km
1 Johnny Neutli
2 Douwe Ganzevoor
3 Marius Bronkhurst

Men 42 km
1 Mark Moir
2 Christopher Kingsley
3 Philip Grutter & Carl van During

Ladies 15 km
1 Michelle Lewis
2 Ilse Langhout
3 Debbi van Schalkwyk

Ladies 32 km
1 Norma Salmon
2 Theresa van Niekerk
3 Caroline Schuermans

Ladies 42 km
1 Jane Seggie
2 Thandi Kitching
3 Cornell Slabbert

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