Dawn of the Dirt II

Garden Route Trail Park played host to the Dawn of the Dirt II MTB and BMX event. Riders were met by the perfectly crafted Dirt Jumps (thanks to The Trails Crew) with the picturesque backdrop of the Garden Route’s lush rolling hills and mountains. A weekend filled with riding, jam sessions, night sessions and a bit of partying was the order of the day.

It was a jam-packed weekend with various comps/ disciplines taking place, allowing something for everyone to compete in – BMX Dirt, MTB Dirt, Whip Off and Raduro. Saturday kicked off with the BMX and MTB Dirt contest. Riders had a choice of two lines, one being the straight line consisting of 4 jumps and the other the more technical consisting of a drop off, shark fin and hip jump before joining into the straight line.

The BMX riders threw down all competition long but it was Murray Loubser who walked away with the win. Murray impressed with his Truckdriver off the drop off (only rider to trick this feature) as well as a host of big stylish dirt tricks through the rest of the line to take victory.

Murray Loubser winning the BMX Dirt contest at Dawn of the Dirt 2016 — Murray Loubser

Malcolm Peters, know for his big technical tricks, didn’t hold back landing a Triple Tailwhip off the first kicker, 360 Double Whips and Double Trucks, to name a few and claimed 2nd position.

Malcolm Peters finished 2nd in the BMX Dirt contest at Dawn of the Dirt 2016 — Malcolm Peters

Nathi Steeze was a standout rider. Normally a park and street rider, Nathi went to town throwing big tricks off all his hits to score 3rd place.

Nathi Steeze finished 3rd in the Dawn of the Dirt BMX contest — Nathi Steeze

In the MTB division, Canadian Nick Clarke pulled out all the stops to land Flip Whips, Whip Flips, Tailswhips off the hip, steezy Busdrivers and more to score above the rest of the field in 1st place.

Nick Clarke winning the MTB Dirt contest at Dawn of the Dirt 2016 — Nick Clarke

Malcolm Peters was just as technical on the big bike as he was in the BMX contest and finished in 2nd place.
Cornel Swanepoel put everything on the line and it paid off, landing Indian Airs, 360’s and attempted Tailwhip to put him into 3rd overall.
Reece Hayward won the Groms division.

Unfortunately windy conditions put a stop to the Whip Off contest but from the practice runs it was Theo Erlangsen who was throwing down the biggest style.

Theo Erlangsen winning the MTB Whip Off contest at Dawn of the Dirt — Theo Erlangsen

Sunday morning saw a gathering of riders of all ages and from various disciplines ready to take on the cSixx Raduro. Riders were treated to 4 stages of pristine, fast and fun trails. In the ends it was Theo Erlangsen who took the lead followed by James Coetzer and Karl Prins.

Theo Erlangsen winning the cSIxx Enduro MTB at Dawn of the Dirt — Theo Erlangsen

Dawn of the Dirt is a weekend that results in the most fun you can have on bike with friends, topped off by being held at one of the country’s best bike parks. We cannot wait for 2017.