Berge & Dale returns to the road for an iconic 22nd edition
After having had to cancel the 2021 edition due to Covid-19 uncertainties, organisers look forward to welcoming riders back to the Berge & Dale event in neighbouring Krugersdorp in February.
The popular Krugersdorp-based cycling event Berge & Dale will return when the 22nd edition takes place at Protearif Primary on February 26 and 27, 2022.
After having had to cancel the 2021 edition due to Covid-19 uncertainties, organisers Slipstream Events look forward to welcoming riders back to this event, which is renowned for its challenging and hilly route – in particular the sting in the tail climb to the finish.
Following the 109km – which is an official seeding event for Ride Joburg – and 60km road races on Saturday, the event will also introduce a mountain bike event with distances of 45km and 20km at Kings Kloof.
The 45km MTB race, with 1 000m of ascent, is challenging and technical, and should only be attempted by fit and experienced mountain bikers. There will be new sections cut for the 20km race.
Race director Erick Oosthuizen said the Berge & Dale has become such an iconic event on the West Rand since it started 22 years ago.
As a cyclist, you always know that when you ride here, you’re not necessarily in for a flat and easy outing. This year is no different with the long-distance finishing with two of the West Rand’s best-known climbs, Hekpoort and Sterkfontein.”
He added that in keeping with the hilly theme there will be a not-so-flat mountain bike race on Sunday.
“There’s an easy 20km option for all and sundry, with the 45km distance for the hardened riders.”
The last time Berge & Dale winners were crowned, was in 2020 with Travis Barrett and Joanna van de Winkel taking the respective titles.
We’re pleased to see cycling back after a period of uncertainty and limited events, so it was an easy decision for us to partner with Berge & Dale to bring the community the event that will kick-start our 2022 cycling calendar,” said Werner Slabbert, Executive Head: First Equity PSG Division.
He added that with most of us having to live socially distanced and largely sedentary lives, he felt cycling is the one sport that can ensure a healthy and active lifestyle.
“With the partnership between Everything.Insure and Berge & Dale, we hope to bring back a degree of normal life to the cycling community.”
Werner said Everything.Insure is a digital insurance marketplace for everyone wanting to insure anything.
The Berge & Dale is a race for the experienced riders and novices, and we have added an MTB event; so the 2022 E.I Berge & Dale will be for everyone too.”
Erick said he is extremely happy to have Everything.Insure on board and trust that this is only the beginning of a long partnership.
“Cycling had gone through such a trying time in the last 24 months, and with a little bit of help from people like them (E.I) we can try and steady the ship, and move on from there.”
Entries:
Entries close February 18, or as soon as the entry limits have been reached: Road – 2 000 entrants; MTB – 500 entrants.
Enter on www.bergeendale.co.za.
