MALUTI MOUNTAIN GOAT ADVENTURE
21 – 23 MARCH 2025
AFRISKI MOUNTAIN RESORT
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About the Event!
The ever-popular Maluti Mountain GOAT Adventure is back and better with polished and refined trails. Deep in Lesotho’s beautiful Maluti Mountains, We have created a three-day mountain biking adventure that promises the best of the mountains to you and your iron (or carbon) horse!
This is no mean feat as every trail has been cut, some with the help of our extremely accommodating Maluti goats.
This three-day event is not for beginners but promises a rewarding challenge for intermediate mountain bikers and a chance for advanced bikers to hone their skills. Lesotho is a favourite riding destination for a reason, and this is the ideal way to explore more of this magnificent riding terrain. So, this one really is… for the love of riding.
All-inclusive Rider’s Package – Silver
R4 900
This includes a rider’s pass for all meals, the event, and accommodation. This includes 1-night accommodation at Mamohase Rural Stay and 2 nights at Andorra Afriski Mountain Resort.
All-inclusive Rider’s Package – Gold
R6 350
This includes a rider’s pass for all meals, the event, and accommodation. This includes 1-night accommodation at Mamohase Rural Stay and 2 nights at Park City Chalet at Afriski Mountain Resort.
Essential Info and Quick Facts
WHAT IS IT
A 3-day mountain biking event (THIS IS NOT a cross country event as it has some technical sections – although these can be walked). Event features a lowland ride, an altitude ride and a 12km flow trail ride on day 3.
WHO'S IT FOR?
Intermediate and Advanced Mountain bikers. In case you do not know:
- NOVICE – You have been riding a little while, ridden some mild trails and maybe a few 40km races. NOT FOR YOU!
- INTERMEDIATE – You have been riding for a few years, enjoy single track and have done some 60km plus races and maybe even a stage race like Sani2C. You like slightly more challenging ups and downs but you are not a fan of rocks or air.
- ADVANCED – Single tracks with steep ups and downs with tight corners and the odd rock garden are your thing! You’ve probably ridden the major races and trails around South Africa and you know your way around a bicycle.
- EXPERT: You’re a legend and there is nothing you can’t handle on a bicycle! Big air, big rocks or big distance, bring it on!
WHERE'S IT AT?
Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho (and surrounding areas). Afriski is approximately 5½ hours by road from Johannesburg, a 4-hour drive from Bloemfontein, 6 hours from Durban, or a 14-hour drive from Cape Town.
PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL
Entrants meet at Mamohase B&B on Thursday afternoon 21st March. Registration is open from 4 pm and a short compulsory race briefing starts at 5 pm.
Accommodation
Mamohase has Traditional huts and dorm rooms for early birds, late entries will be tented.
Afriski Accommodation includes an option of luxury Chalets and Backpackers Lodge (Andora).
FOOD:
Mamohase will serve a braai on Friday night.
Breakfast Saturday morning and a boerie roll after the race.
There is a full restaurant at Afriski serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Your all-inclusive package includes all meals from Dinner on Friday to Sunday Breakfast.
EVENT COMMUNICATION: Via email and Riders’ WhatsApp Group. Please make sure to enter your phone number when entering. WI-FI / 3G DATA: Vodacom Lesotho is the provider (but beware of roaming charges). Alternatively, Lesotho SIM cards and data are on sale at reception. Wi-Fi connection is available at Afriski!
paysage-mamohase
Park-City
andorra
ORDER OF EVENTS
Thursday
21 March 2024
17.00pm – 18:00pm
Registration @ Mamohase
Google Maps attached on the right
18:00pm
Compulsory Race Briefing
Friday
22 March 2024
DAY 1:DIRT-BREATH EXPRESS (DBE)
Distance: 50 km – similar in effort to a Day 1 Sani
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Duration: – Intermediate: 6 hours
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Advanced: 4.5 hours
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Expert: 3.5 hours
Exertion Level: 9/10
Technical Difficulty: 7/10
Scenery: 8/10
Start/Finish: Mamohase B&B (Butha Buthe,
20km from the Caledonspoort border post.
Look out for event signage.
CO-ORDS: 28°44’13.7”S 28°27’14.7”E (Turn off at : 28°44’39.6”S 28°26’59.6”E)
Riders start at 08:00am
Boeries and beers at the finish line 15:00-later: Depart from the lowlands and head to Afriski. Check-in at Afriski and enjoy sundowners at Sky.
There is a 13:30 cut off before Dragons Back
(There is a 13h30 cut off before Dragons Back to ensure that everyone returns before nightfall).
DBE contains lots of what makes riding in Lesotho amazing, this is quintessential rural Lesotho at its best: flowing single track, rewarding rocky sections and adrenaline-soaked downhills.
The day begins with riders zipping across massive sandstone faces before hitting Dirt Breath 1 – a single track down to Muela dam to get you grinning followed by tough climbing to Muela power station.
Dirt Breath 2 starts at the Muela power station in the form of a proper downhill single track down to the Khukune River. Approx 10km of district road through villages and mielie plantations with great views leads you to Dragons Back! This is Lesothos’ version of Moab!
The day ends with a 10km ride up the river back to Mamohase B&B.
Marshals will be in place for all the route changes so you’ll always know that you’re on the right track.
There will be a sweep vehicle stationed at Dragon Back should you need a lift.
Saturday
22 March 2024
DAY2: BLACK MOUNTAIN PASS
Distance: 35 km
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Duration:
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Intermediate: 6 hours
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Advanced: 4 hours
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Expert: 3 hours
Exertion Level: 9/10
Technical Difficulty: 6/10
Scenery: 11/10
Start/Finish: Afriski Mountain Resort
07:30am
Riders Briefing
08:00am
Start
13:00pm – 16:00pm
Finish – Snacks, beers and music at the finish line.
(There is a 14:00 cut off at Club Maluti to ensure that everyone returns before nightfall).
20:00pm – late
Prize-Giving and After Party at Sky Restaurant!
There will be an informal prize-giving with a few
fun prizes and a chance to share your war stories before we kick it up a gear and get the party
started.
There is a 13:00 cut-off at Club Maluti and sweep vehicle should you be daunted by the very daunting last climb. 20:00-late: Prize-Giving and After Party at Sky Restaurant! There will be an informal prize-giving with a few fun prizes and a chance to share your war stories before we kick it up a gear and get the party started.
The ride starts from Afriski and climbs up the old gravel road to the top of the ski slope, over the national road and to the highest point in South Africa at 3222m. From there, you follow a flowing 16km long single track (90% downhill) known as Black Mountain Pass winding its way down to the Malibamatso River at 2525m. The first technical downhill in this section is the REAL “Black Mountain Pass”, a rocky single track which Advanced riders will find very challenging (most will walk the rocky first 100m, it is (JUST) rideable if you pick the correct line. Expect great mountain vistas. From the Mali bridge you ride 3km to Club Maluti where the second water point is located and the shuttle pick up for those not up for the challenge and long climb back to Afriski. This is an essential stop to prepare you for the brutal climb – 2830m to 3200m, riding Sundays Avalanche section backwards. You will definitely walk on 3 x 50m sections and stop often to breath – the air is properly thin at 3000 odd metres above sea level. Another waterpoint 1km from the top of the ski lift awaits to nudge you to the top. From here it’s free wheeling adrenaline all the way to the finish. A cold one or two await at the river finish (weather permitting).
Sunday
23 March 2024
DAY 3: GOLDILOCKS
Duration:
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Intermediate: 2.5 hours
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Advanced: 2 hours
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Expert: 1.5 hours
Exertion Level: 6/10
Technical Difficulty: 8/10 riding rock gardens and switchbacks
Scenery: 9/10
Start: Afriski Mountain Resort Finish: Club Maluti
The ride starts from Afriski and climbs up the old gravel road to the top of the ski slope, a 1,5km ride on the ridge takes you to the start of Goldilocks (3200m to 2525m). This challenging single track takes you down the Fanana River valley with a few stream crossings and a beautiful mountain feel.
It’s an avalanche trail similar to European MTB experiences.
Awesome enduro sections make up 25% of the ride, with minimal climbing and the remainder is mostly technical single track.
Intermediates will ride it, but advanced riders will own it! The finish is 3km from the end of Goldilocks where a bike shuttle will bring you back to the top of the resort.
FAQ’s
Is the event timed?
The GOAT it is not a race but rather a fun weekend out with your mates
Will there be rain?
Riding with a Helly Hanson and a waterproof, wind proof jacket is essential just in case and another for the evenings which can get very fresh, even in summer.
Will there be medical assistance?
No, but we will hav esweeps on radio contact should evacuations be required.and marshals will be connected by radio etc.
Do I require papers for my car?
New regulations require all drivers to carry registration documentation for their vehicle, a bank letter and proof of insurance if financed.
Do I need a GPS?
No. Routes will be mailed before the event or can be uploaded at the start.
Will there be spectator points?
Yes, there will be spectator points along DBE, Black Mountain Pass and Goldilocks routes. Details and GPS coordinates will be supplied at the start/finish.
Other activities?
Kids’ indoor and outdoor play areas, hiking, monster rollers, quad biking, mountain bike trails, gorge jumping and river swimming, abseiling, 4×4 off-road routes, day trips to Katse Dam, fly-fishing and Lesotho cultural visits. Ask at reception for more info and to book
Accommodation options?
We have a range of options at Afriski, from the Backpacker Lodge to Ski Chalets. For details, visit www.afriski.net.
Packing List
On the bike
- Bike
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Cycling jersey
- Baselayer
- Gilet
- Warm cycling jacket
- Bibshorts & baggies
- Gloves
- Socks
- Cycling shoes
- Sunscreen
- Bum cream
- Energy bars/gels
- Energy drinks
- Cable ties
- GPS unit
- Rain jacket
- Hydration pack
- Water bottles
- Pump
- Multi-tool
- Chainbreak & links
- Bombs
- Lube
- Spare dropper
Off the bike
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Inflatable mattrass
- Towel
- Slops
- Cash & credit card
- Cellphone & chargers
- Headlamp
- Swimming costume
- Shorts & shirts
- Deoderant
- Shower gel
- Sleeping pills
- Ear plugs
- Arnica/Iceman
- Very warm jacket
- Tracksuit pants
- Underwear
- Camping chair
- Washing powder
- Pegs
- Plastic bag
- Recovery drink
- Hydration drink
- Pills & vitamins
- Hairbrush
- Lip balm
- Lock for tent
- Tent if you are a late entrant
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Sponsors
“This is my favourite single track in the whole world!
It’s amazing, it’s natural terrain, and sometimes it feels like you’re in the Himalayas, on some GOAT tracks, sometimes it feels like you’re on an Enduro race course, sometimes you feel lost, the scenery mataches Utah in the states. “
Conrad “The Caveman” Stoltz, 4 x XTERRA Triathlon World Champion, 3 x ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion.
