#HellOfTheSouth

South Africa’s toughest extreme
one-day mountain bike race

21 AUGUST 2021

Enter #SurviveAttakwas through the App
to qualify for your tier level discount.

DRYLAND REWARDS PROGRAM

Many of the Dryland loyal supporters take part in multiple Dryland events in a calendar year and often across different disciplines. Athletes stand the chance to qualify for between 5% and 60% value back on their event entries, with the higher tiers qualifying for even more benefits.

BEING LOYAL IS REWARDING

Visit www.drylandrewards.co.za

The level of value back offered is determined by the rider’s qualifying tier level. The opening tier levels are determined by the number of events the participant successfully completed during the last complete run of events.

The Race

For the very brave we have the Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge presented by Biogen, 121km with a 2900m
vertical ascent and for the not-so-faint hearted we have the Attakwas Half, 52km with a 1100m vertical ascent.

Race Info

#SurviveAttakwas

An adventure through the desert and mountains of the Klein Karoo
with a finish at the Garden Route Coast

South Africa’s premier one-day mountain bike race will stage its 15th edition in 2021 – fourteen  years since
that inaugural event in 2007, with a start list then, shorter than the current crew list. Dryland took this task
to hand with no idea where this would take them. South Africans and their appetite for tough endurance
events projected the Attakwas into legendary and cult-like status over the next couple of years. This is the
race to do if you want to test mind, body and machine!

Read More

THE HISTORY OF THE AREA

Then there’s the Attakwaskloof, this 300-year-old rugged pass over the Outeniqua Mountains is steeped in tradition and has over the last few hundred years reached legendary status among the early pioneers, 4×4 enthusiasts, trail runners and mountain bikers. The kloof offers arguably the best scenery of all the Outeniqua mountain range’s many splendid and breathtakingly beautiful viewpoints. This legendary race will provide you with exclusive access to this declared national monument and take you past amongst other; block- and toll houses and an old English fort to name a few. The rich history of this area is embedded within this remote and unforgiving landscape – only to be rediscovered on a mountain bike!

The Attakwaskloof Pass was used by elephants before the pass was built.

This became the main road to the north for 180 years from 1689–1869

The records showed that during the course of the toll house being in operation, that an astonishing 4250 ox-wagons paid their toll fees here in a single year.

The ruins you see today are not the original toll house

Outeniqua Mountains – the mountains were named by the Khoi San

Today a magnificent oak tree +- 200 years old and one of the largest and oldest surviving oak trees in the Cape today, marks the entrance to the original homestead.

See the Route

COVID-19 UPDATE:

The Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme and Half presented by Biogen 2021 have been postponed to August 2021 due to the January restrictions enforced by government.

Our primary objective is to ensure the safety of our athletes and staff, but at the same time guarantee that everyone taking part in our events is still treated to that authentic professionalism, hospitality and Unique Dryland Experience.

We are making decisions which is primarily based on restrictions implemented by the government along with information from authorities, risk assessments and forecasts.

Keeping relevant rules and regulations in mind, we have all measures in place to comply and successfully host an event if permitted by the government.

Any changes to the current event date will be communicated timeously to all entrants with various options at your disposal.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Reviews

 

  • positive review  Good vibes, good food, amazing views and terrible climbs. Back next year?

    Tertius Vivier Avatar Tertius Vivier
    4th February 2019

  • positive review  Look this is a very tough event and put lots of strain on you physically.You need to be prepared for this one.What stands out for me is the well stocked waterpoints and the clearly marked route.One thing is for sure:Dryland knows how to organize a spectacular MTB event!!

    Philip La Grange Avatar Philip La Grange
    22nd January 2019

  • positive review  Brilliant riding, very mixed terrain. well sign posted Well stocked water points Lots of paramedics, sweepers etc

    Craig Aron Avatar Craig Aron
    22nd January 2019

  • positive review  Wonderful race, very challenging, well organised, a real endurance test, has it all, technical, long routes, long climbs etc! Would definitely be back!!

    Michael Van Rooyen Avatar Michael Van Rooyen
    22nd January 2019

  • positive review  Best 1-day MTB Race in South Africa!! Challenging route and distance, Beautiful scenery, Friendly people everywhere, Amazing waterpoints... best feeling to reach that finish line!!!

    Jacques Tmsa Avatar Jacques Tmsa
    22nd January 2019

  • positive review  Die hele Attakwas span agter die skerms wat ook met die ryers “gewerk” het was amazing. Baie geluk en dankie vir n lieflike dag.

    Deidre Cloete Avatar Deidre Cloete
    22nd January 2019
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