Former Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling will swop water for dirt when he competes in the inaugural Kia Val de Vie Estate Mountain Bike Challenge, presented by ASG, on September 16. As the marketing director of the polo, wine and lifestyle estate in the heart of the Paarl-Franschhoek valley just outside Cape Town, Neethling said sport played an important role in promoting its offering and he was keen to get his hands dirty alongside the other competitors. “Val de Vie is surrounded by beautiful mountains and we have been exploring opportunities to do such an event for a couple of years now.” According to him, one of their key objectives was to ensure that the event was open to all. “With this race we aim to attract everybody from experts to novices, residents and young families ready for a great day out in the winelands.” Neethling said the estate envisaged a long-term partnership with the title sponsor Kia Motors and organisers ASG Events. Val de Vie is the second in a series of four Kia-sponsored races that marks the car manufacturer’s first foray into the sport. David Sieff, marketing manager at Kia Motors South Africa, said the motoring brand was essentially young-at-heart and that the sport of cycling spoke to this key element. “That, coupled with a fantastic venue, will ensure everyone has a memorable weekend experience.” Race director Darren Herbst said the organisers had been working steadily on the project since they were first approached four months ago. “The area is so beautiful and expanding into mountain biking is obviously a natural fit.” He believed the sport was a fantastic vehicle for showcasing the more accessible side of the exclusive estate. “Val de Vie has this prestigious aura about it; it’s an awesome aspirational brand but actually very inviting.” Herbst said mountain biking in South Africa was at a crossroads, with people becoming more selective of the events in which they participated. “The trails we’ve got . . .
LONGRIDGE TO SHOWCASE THEIR TOP 100 SA WINES
Acclaimed winemaker Jasper Raats of Longridge will be showcasing the estate’s Top 100 SA Wines during a dinner at Rodwell House in St James on Friday, 24 August 2012. The award-winning wines have been paired perfectly with canapés on arrival to be followed by a three-course dinner. Guests will be welcomed with a glass of 2008 Longridge Cap Classique Brut paired with chicken liver crostini, smoked salmon tartlets and an avocado soup shot. For starters, the vibrant scents of the 2009 Longridge Chardonnay will complement the tempura prawns and spicy dipping sauce. The main course features a perfect pairing of 2008 Longridge Merlot with crispy duck or alternatively the Longridge Cabernet Franc with linguine arrabiata. The sensational Longridge Edelgoud will bring the evening to its grand finale when served with toasted walnuts, blue cheese and apple slices. For reservations, please contact 021 787 9880 or email info@rodwellhouse.co.za. Tickets are R295 per person, including wines. Special accommodation offers are also available. The elegantly appointed 5-star Rodwell House offers luxury accommodation with unsurpassed views of False Bay. For more information on Longridge Estate and Restaurant, please visit www.longridge.com. More Info: http://www.longridge.co.za Author: Ronelda Visser from Peridot Communications. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. No of Images Uploaded: Two To gain access to Two image/s please Like, Tweet or +1 this article: [l2g] Images: Acclaimed winemaker Jasper Raats Photographer: Peridot The awe-inspiring view from Longridge Wine Estate Photographer: Peridot [/l2g] . . .
Enter new Moon to Noon soon
The newly-announced Moon to Noon endurance race around Knysna will keep adventurous mountain bikers quite literally in the dark when they ride out at midnight on Friday, October 26. In contrast to other long-distance events, which start in the day and finishes at night, the inaugural 170km race will set out under the stars and roll on into the early hours of Saturday morning. “It’s all about seeing that there’s a different way to ride these events,” said race organiser Patric Mosterd of Garden Route Events, who is also the mastermind behind the Rocky Mountain Garden Route 300 and RE-CM Knysna 200 three-day stage races. “It really levels the playing fields for pros and backmarkers alike, because from 12 to five o’clock they’ve all got to deal with the darkness.” He said night racing offered some special challenges for riders. “You are essentially riding in a bubble and have to learn to trust yourself and your partner.” Because of safety concerns, the field is limited to 300 and Mosterd said no solo riders would be allowed. According to him, the event also presented a range of logistical challenges for organisers. “The race is divided between dark and light, with a compulsory halfway stop at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. “We go over at first light and no vehicles or lead bikes can follow. So our whole safety and support infrastructure is split in two on either side.” At 1 100 metres above sea level, riders would summit on a section of a hiking trail belonging to Garden Route National Park, said Mosterd. “On the other side, there’s a 10km downhill, so we want everyone to be fresh and make sure that their brakes are working.” Mosterd said the route started in Rheenendal just outside Knysna. “It goes through indigenous forest and then there’s a nice open road for about 10km so everybody will have a chance to find their positions.” He expected the racing to start in earnest on the descent into the well-known Hydro, which is part . . .
JAZZ AND POP FESTIVAL
Date Friday June 29 - Emo Adams – Jazz & pop festival Saturday June 30 – aKING - Band slam Festival Time 20h00 Venue Golden Valley Casino, Worcester Cost R120 per person per show Tickets Computicket 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com The beautiful Breede River valley will play host to two marquee shows in June showcasing the hottest local talents in one weekend of music. On Friday, June 29, enjoy a superb triple bill of marquee entertainment starring the always popular singer, actor, entertainer, producer, Emo Adams; Donovan Dyers’ exciting top SA live band Public Opinion; and the jazz music and songs of the talented foursome The N2 Jazz Band. Multitalented crooner and comedian Emo Adams, known for his roles in District 6: The Musical will have the audience in stitches, while the experienced Public Opinion entertains with a vast range of musical styles such as funk, reggae, pop and jazz. The following night’s entertainment will see indie-pop-rockers the Graeme Watkins Project playing hits such as London Bridge and Music Affair, the operatic vocals, huge guitars and rolling drums of 3rd World Spectator; Cape Town based rock band Jesse Jordan; and top alternate rock band aKING. With so much to offer there is sure to be something to suit everyone’s musical tastes and is guaranteed to heat up a mid-winter weekend. More Info: http://www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Casinos/GoldenValley/Pages/EventsEntertainment.aspx Author: Jeni Fletcher from Corporate Image. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. No of Images Uploaded: Two To gain access to Two image/s please Like, Tweet or +1 this article: [l2g] Images: [/l2g] . . .
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