According to Darryn Stow, a well-known face in the South African freeriding circles, the Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival is most certainly a highlight on the MTB calendar - especially for adrenaline seeking freeriders. Stow started BMX racing at the age of three and will be competing in the BMX World Championships to be hosted in Pietermaritzburg in July. He was introduced to freeriding at the 2006 Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival and has been competing ever since.
“I've always enjoyed freeriding, but unfortunately there aren't that many competitions in South Africa, which is why I don't miss a Dirtopia event. I just love the adrenaline and the challenge. Each year the jumps get bigger and the drops get higher, which means there is always a challenge and something to be scared of.
Freeriding requires a lot of bike skill and you definitely need to be brave and confident of your own abilities. Although it is an amazing sport, it can also be dangerous and advice to beginners is to start small and build your way up to bigger jumps and drops. No other event comes close to Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival. There is such a great vibe as everyone is there to have fun and ride their bikes. Meurant, Arina and the rest of the crew do such an amazing job every year, people can't wait to go back,” Stow said.
The Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival is a family event and offers an array of activities, such as a skills clinic, dirt jumping, fun rides, downhill, hill climb, a spectacular night ride, night dual and the much anticipated bicycle polo tournament. Children can look forward to loads of fun in the Spur activities area.
Don't miss Hannele Steyn Kotze's mountain bike workshop on Friday, 30 April at 2pm. The cost is R250 per person and is open to male and female riders. Topics that will be focused on include dealing with basic technical skills, bicycle maintenance, nutrition and more. Feel free to ask this South African mountain bike legend as many questions as possible; just remember to bring your gear ie bike, helmet, gloves, water bottle etc and a notebook.
Runners are also invited to join in the fun by taking on the Tsiba Education Trail Run presented by New Balance on Sunday, 2 May. The race will start at 10.30am and the entry fee is R50 per entrant. Proceeds will go to the Tsiba Education Fund.
Entries for the 2010 Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival are now open.
Cost will be from R50 per event or R475 for a DirtPass (AMArider members pay only R425,
while children under 16 pay R375). A DirtPass is for pre-entries only and includes a T-shirt,
camping and events for the entire three-day weekend. For more information and pre-entries, go to www.dirtopia.co.za, email theteam@dirtopia.co.za or call the Dirtopia Trail Centre on
+27 (0)21 884 4752.
