\u201cFat Tracks realised that organising mountain biking events was too big a job for a club and its volunteers to handle, so they approached us to do it and take the events to the next level,\u201d said Jackson.<\/p>\n
Their first big race was the national championships, which took place in Port Elizabeth\u2019s Baakens Valley in May.<\/p>\n
The success of this and other events, such as the Cyclo Pro Longmore Classic, prompted organisers of The Herald VW Cycle Tour to approach the pair.<\/p>\n
According to Jackson, the tour\u2019s mountain bike side, which started in 2006 and takes place in Addo on February 4 next year, has grown sufficiently to justify a dedicated coordinator.<\/p>\n
He will act as race director while Briggs oversees the race village activities at the Addo Polo Club in her capacity as operations manager. As daughter of tour co-founder Rob Rudman, she is set to continue the family legacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely the big race on the Eastern Cape calendar,\u201d said Jackson. \u201cOur focus is very much on delivering an event that the riders will enjoy and a course they\u2019re going to rave about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their own racing experience has stood the two in good stead as event organisers. Briggs, 29, has represented South Africa at three downhill world championships while Jackson, 33, took part in the cross-country worlds as a junior.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving raced on world-class circuits, we know what the riders look for and what makes a good mountain bike race. That\u2019s what we strive to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to rider feedback, the 80km Extreme and 60km Adventure routes have been shortened by five kilometres each and will no longer include a portion of the Addo Elephant National Park.<\/p>\n
Instead, the majority of the riding will take place along well-established mountain bike trails in the scenic Zuurberg area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve cut as direct a route as possible from the start to get the serious mountain bikers up into the mountains as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The best male and female climbers in the Extreme will be rewarded at the king of the mountains hotspot at the top of the Zuurberg Pass.<\/p>\n
Jackson said the new distance on the Adventure route also meant that competitive junior riders, who were previously excluded from racing further than 60 kilometres under Cycling SA guidelines, could now take part.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shorter 30km Powerade Leisure Challenge will still meander through the flat farmlands close to the start, making it ideally suited to families and casual riders.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 5km Powerade Kiddies\u2019 Challenge and 500m Powerade Toddlers\u2019 Dash will keep the younger members of the brood occupied.<\/p>\n
All sections of the routes are accessible by quad bike and GardMed Ambulance Services and the PE Amateur Radio Society will be on standby to assist with medical and communications support in case of emergency.<\/p>\n
According to Briggs, families can make a day of the event as food and refreshments will be on sale. Kids\u2019 entertainment will include jumping castles and an inflatable soccer field.<\/p>\n
Enter online at www.heraldcycletour.co.za or get an entry form from any cycle shop in Nelson Mandela Bay<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Brad](\"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/plugins\/rss-poster\/cache\/13884_Brad_Jackson.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n