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Welcome to the third month of the year—or, if you were born before 150 B.C., the first! According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in December. It may sound crazy, but you can still see traces of this old system in our modern calendar: because
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December was the tenth month,
it was named for the number ten in Latin (decem), just like September was named for seven (septem). So, what about January and February? They were just two nameless months called “winter,” proving that winter is literally so awful it doesn’t even deserve a spot on the calendar.
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Fun Fact:
Beware The Ides Of March
We’ve all heard it uttered, but what does “beware the Ides of March” actually mean? On the Roman calendar, the midpoint of every month was known as the Ides. The Ides of March fell on March 15th. This day was supposed to correlate with the first full moon of the year (remember, winter didn’t count then) and marked by religious ceremonies, but thanks to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar we know it for another reason. Supposedly, in 44 BC, a seer told Julius Caesar that his downfall would come no later than the Ides of March. Caesar ignored him, and when the fated day rolled around he joked with the seer, “The Ides of March have come.” The seer replied, “aye, Caesar; but not gone.” Caesar continued on to a senate meeting at the Theatre of Pompey, and was summarily murdered by as many as 60 conspirators. Ironically, the spot where Caesar was assassinated is protected in today’s Rome as a no-kill cat sanctuary.
So, if someone tells you “beware the Ides of March,” they are probably just being a jerk, or letting you know they’ve read Shakespeare.
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23rd March 2019
The 40km Mountain Marathon
(Start time 6am on SAT 23 March)
(Entries limited to 150)
This is the flagship event. The course poses a serious challenge over a huge diversity of terrain and vegetation. The first half of the course traverses the KZN/Freestate Border in a westerly directions. With the sun on your back and a Drakensberg panorama as a view runners will wind their way along the ridge line, cris-crossing through mountain peaks and sandstone valleys. The race reaches its highest point after a very steep and sharp climb at 2341m. A trig beacon marks this peak known by the local Freestate people as Baba Omkhulu (the big one who looks over). After summiting the course goes into an offtrail section that links into some flowing trail that contours around Baba Omnthani (The small one who is watched over) to the top of Stoney Pass. Here is where runners will drop down into KZN and pick their way back via some of the best Northern Drakensberg Resorts that will serve as aid stations. The climb back up to the finish will test every mountain runner.
Aid stations will be provided approximately every 7km. Aid stations contain basic food and hydration. You are encouraged to carry your own race favourites.
Early Bird Entry: R780 (until 5 July 2018)
Entry fee: R840
The 20km Mountain Challenge
(Start time 7.30am on SAT 24 March)
(Entries limited to 150)
The 20km Mountain Run will not be a push over by any means, it will require a good effort to finish. The course traverses the edges of Sterkfontein and the Freestate sandstone cliffs to start. The second half transitions back into KZN type vegetation.
There will be two aid stations on this course serving only hydration. Please carry your own food should you require it.
Early Bird Entry: R375
Entry fee: R420
The 10km Trail Run
(Start time 8am on SAT 23 March)
The 10km Trail Run is where things start to get a bit easier, but 10km on trail is still quite a long way for some. This course has been made as easy as possible for this area, but it’s still a challenge and includes some off-trail setions.
There will be one aid station at the half way mark that only serves hydration.
Early Entry fee: R125
Entry Fee: R140
The 6km Trail Run
(Start time 8am on SAT 23 March)
The 6km Trail Run is for everyone. Gentle ups and downs staying close in proximity to the venue, runners and walkers will get to enjoy the views!
There will be one aid station at the half way mark that only serves hydration.
Early Entry Fee: R90
Entry Fee: R100
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Mountain Bike Weekends Every Month End at Afriski until 26 May 2019!
Afriski is Southern Africa’s only mountain biking destination that provides lift assisted riding and a newly added shuttle service for your enjoyment and mountain biking pleasure.
What’s on Offer?
Afriski Mountain Resort has focused on creating a mountain biking destination for all levels of mountain bikers out there. Whether you are young or old, an experienced or beginner rider, we have what you have been searching for. Our offering includes:
+- 40km of groomed trails
5 Enduro stages
5 Downhill tracks (which include the UCI African Continental Cup Track and South African Cup Series tracks)
A 6km XCO track (official UCI African Continental Cup)
Untouched bridal paths
Marathon routes
Slope Style course with multiple features and jump lines
GPS guided out rides to the Escarpment, which overlooks KZN and allows you a glimpse of the famous Amphitheatre. These views cannot be explained and you need to see them for yourself.
A kids pump track.
GoldiLocks, the newest addition to our trail network. With 10.3km’s of mountain biking bliss, running from the top of the resort all the way down to the Malbamatso river, Goldilocks will provide you with non-stop fun.
We are busy constructing a 5km flowtrail which will start from the top of the slope and wind its way down to finsih back at the ski lift for your next run. Enjoy the variety of having a trail where very little peddling is required, but the benefits of berms and turns are still there.
Why Afriski?
We are open all summer long but we have dedicated MTB weekends where the lift assist T-bar will run for the duration of the weekend. Afriski is the only resort in Southern Africa that offers the unique feature of the lift assist T-bar. Riders can enjoy all the joy of the Afriski offerings, without having to peddle uphill. In under seven minutes, the T-bar will have you at the top of the slope, where you can choose your next challenge on your bike.
Not only do we offer unique mountain biking opportunities, but we have fun for the whole family. Kids will be entertained with our kids programme, and we have many other activities for the whole family while you hit the trails. We offer a range of activities, including monster rollers, abseiling, treasure hunts, hiking, paintball, and many more. Sky restaurant is also a fantastic spot to cuddle up with a good book or watch the slope to see what the riders are getting up to.
There are all inclusive packages that fit all budgets and needs to make your experience an unforgettable one. Afriski is not just mountain biking heaven, but also a fantastic all-year-round adventure destination and perfect for company getaways and team buildings.
Taking your training to the next level
Afriski is the perfect venue for high altitude training if you want that extra advantage in your next race or if you just wish to take on your friends in a friendly competition on some of our downhill or enduro tracks. By training at high altitudes, athletes aim to allow their bodies to produce extra red blood cells before heading down to compete at lower elevations and take advantage of their changed physiology, which should last for 10 days. At 3222m you can certainly make the most of this advantage.
Booking Information:
0861 AFRISKI
bookings@afriski.net
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Clarens Mountain Estate is so excited to be a part of the Amohela Classic MTB Race, providing access to parts of our bike trail within the Estate on day one! Amohela is a first in Clarens and hopefully an annual event for our beautiful town!
Clarens and it’s surrounds offers fantastic MTB terrain; scenic district roads, exhilarating single track, a rare opportunity to ride on sandstone, working farms, game farms and access to private roads through some of the most scenic life style farms in the country.
The race is all about showcasing and experiencing the beauty of the village and what lies in the foot hills of the mighty Maluti and the village of Clarens. It is two days of racing with two different categories, in clover leaf style starting & finishing in the heart of Clarens on the village square.
- Thaba E Kholo (Big Mountain), 70km day 1 & 55km day 2
- Thaba E Nyenyane (Little Mountain), 50km day 1 & 35km day 2
- 1 Day Options are also available
The event will be on the 6-7th April 2019, we will be starting and finishing the race at our race village, which is something a little a different, it is literally the size of the entire village. We use the Clarens square as a hosting point for riders and supporters and essentially turn the square into a sports festival of sorts. We will feature massage stations, bike mechanics, refresh station with a cold brew or G & T, food stalls and live entertainment in the afternoons.
ROUTE OPTIONS
The Amohela which translates from the Sesotho word WELCOME is exactly what we are doing for the riders in April. The race takes you along the well-established beautiful trails across private land and game farms surrounding the little village of Clarens.
With 2 different race distances the event caters for all levels of riders to that everyone can come out and experience something special.
thabo e kholo *big mountain
Unrivalled beauty around every corner and over every hill is what awaits riders entering into the big mountain challenge. Don't be scared off by the name, the only thing more beautiful than our trails is the mountains and views they open up to.
day 1 - 64km, 1600m ascent
day 2 - 50km, 850m ascent
thaba e nyenyane *little mountain
2 days of incredible riding through the beautiful hills of the Eastern Free State . this event is geared towards those looking to introduce themselves to stage racing in South Africa. The trails are made up of single trail and district road, none of which are overly technical.
day 1 - 50km, 700m ascent
day 2 - 35 km 650m ascent
Log onto the website to learn more and enter!
https://www.amohelaclassic.com/
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WIN WIN WIN!!
Amohela Rider Prize up for grabs!!!
Win a three night stay at Claren's Mountain Estate's beautiful Show House! All riders will have an opportunity to enter our lucky draw! Entry forms will be in your goodie bags!
T's and C's apply.
Click here to enter the Amohela!
http://www.amohelaclassic.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Oh6x-p64aSmzY6J_CiO4qjSSTHYcjywIXvsvrvgJKq6Kq6yfoAw8vwhk
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4th April First Thursday
Join in for some tasty brewing at Clarens Brewery
326 Main Street, Clarens
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The Maluti Double90 is a team time trial over 180 km. The event takes place on Saturday 13 April 2019 and is limited to 120 teams. Teams can enter up to 12 riders per team, with the time of the 6thrider across the finish line being taken as the official team time.
Teams can enter one of three categories:
- Female
- Mixed (minimum of 3 riders of the opposite sex in the first 6 finishers)
- Open (any combination of gender)
Entries are open and will close as soon as 120 teams have entered or at close of business on 28 Feb 2019, whichever comes first. Entries will only be taken online, at R9 300 per team.
Click here to enter https://online.entries.co.za/entries/findperson.aspx?eid=4403&act=setgroup
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Upcoming.....don't forget to enter! This is for such a good cause. Cluny Animal Trust are amazing and do so much for the needs of the animals!
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!!! CLARENS WATER CRISIS !!!
Please be aware of the current water crisis Clarens is experiencing. Water is precious and we need to save every bit and every drop where possible.
- Shower Bucket - use a bucket to catch water while waiting for the water to heat up. Also use the bucket to catch grey water while showering. This water can be used in the garden and or to flush toilets.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth...no need to keep water running while busy with brushing.
- Turn off the tap while washing your hands. Soap. Lather. Rinse quickly.
- If it's yellow, let it mellow. Urine is sterile so no health risks.
- Fix your leaks.
- Re-use your pasta / veggies etc cooking liquid. Use in the garden; wash your car with (if you have to wash your car); flush toilets etc
- Shower rather than bath. Turn off water while lathering in shower. Rinse quickly.
- No need for car washing
- Use paper plates - no need to wash up.
!!! Please do your bit because every drop is precious.!!!
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Can you Quizz?
Q : The islands of Zanzibar and Madagascar are in which ocean?
A - Pacific
B - Atlantic
C - Indian
D - Arctic
Answer to last months Quizz: Q - What word refers to a note whose pitch is not a member of the scale indicated by the key signature? A - Accidental
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