Maluti Mountain Fest event

The ever popular Maluti Mountain Fest is back and even better with polished and refined trails.

Afriski has 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 definitely not for beginners but offers a rewarding challenge for the intermediate mountain biker and a chance for advanced bikers to hone their skills.

Day 1- boasts Dragon’s Back and riding through the scenic lowlands – real sandstone, single track and riding through the heartbeat of Lesotho village life – not smiling is literally impossible!

Distance: 50 km – similar in effort to a Day 1 Sani

Duration:
Intermediate: 6 hours
Advanced: 4.5 hours
Expert: 3.5 hours

Exertion Level: 9/10
Technical Difficulty: 7/10
Scenery: 8/10
Start/Finish – Mamohase B&B
Co-Ordinates: 28°44’13.7″S 28°27’14.7″E
Turn off at: 28°44’39.6″S 28°26’59.6″E

Day 2 – gives you a taste of the majesty of the Lesotho highlands, remote valleys with shepherds herding their flocks, a rare peek of the Lamergeier, the vulture with an 8 foot wingspan, all to the tune of “Single track, that’s my middle name”!!

Distance: 35 km
Duration:
Intermediate: 6 hours
Advanced: 4 hours
Expert: 3 hours
Exertion Level: 9/10
Technical Difficulty: 6/10
Scenery: 11/10
Start/Finish – Afriski Mountain Resort

Day 3 – Once again, the ride starts from Afriski and climbs up the old gravel road to the top of the ski slope. Awesome enduro sections make up 25% of the ride, with minimal climbing and the remainder is mostly technical singletrack. Intermediates will ride it, but advanced riders will own it!

Duration:
Intermediate: 2.5 hours
Advanced: 2 hours
Expert: 1.5 hours
Exertion Level: 6/10
Technical Difficulty: 8/10 riding rock gardens and switchbacks
Scenery: 9/10
Start – Afriski Mountain Resort

Programme
Friday, 19 March 2021

• Registration from 18:00-21:00 in Clarens
• Compulsory race briefing at 20:00

Saturday, 20 March 2021

• 06:00 – Leave Clarens /Fouriesburg
• 08:00 – Riders start
• 08:30 – Novice Guided Outride begins
• 12:00-15:00 – Boeries and beers at the finish line
• 13:30 – Cut-off point to return before nightfall
• 15:00 onwards – Depart from the lowlands and head to Afriski to check-in and enjoy sundowners at Sky Restaurant

Sunday, 21 March 2021

• 07:30 – Riders’ briefing
• 08:00 – Start
• 13:00-16:00 – Snacks, beers and music at the finish line
• 14:00 – cut-off at Club Maluti to ensure that everyone returns before nightfall
• 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 with a DJ and a live band]

Monday, 22 March 2021

08:00 – Riders’ briefing
08:30 – Start at Afriski
10:00-11:00 – Finish at Club Maluti with snacks, beer and music at the finish line
10:00-12:00 – Shuttles to the top