What is Dirtopia
Dirtopia is a mountain bike event and trail construction company, focusing its activities in the Western Cape region of South Africa. It all started out as a mountain bike festival in 2000 (Greyton). The company was registered in 2001 and since then have branched out to incorporate the organization of several annual mountain bike events, the construction of mountain bike trails as well as extensive trail maintenance projects on hiking and mountain bike trails in the Western Cape. Partners: Meurant and Arina Botha.
During 2004 the expansion of Dirtopia activities incorporated a Trail Centre (then based on Dlevera farm) from where active travelers can buy trail permits for 3 mountain bike trails as well as 3 hiking trails. Giant mountain bikes are for hire as well. In September 2007 a 'Pump Track' was opened on Delvera - a cross between BMX, dual and MTB dirt jump track. In Feb '09 a Terrain Park & kiddies track were opened. The Trail Centre expanded at the end of 2011 to a bigger building on the farm.
The Dirtopia Trail Centre also stocks maps, clothing, snacks and basic mountain bike accessories and acts as our events office. A second Trail Centre opened near Stellenbosch at Welgevonden Oct 2013, but moved to Delvera in 2016. A fully operational bike workshop with Giant bike sales, equipment and accessories.
In February 2006 Dirtopia opened another two new marked trails in Grabouw. In association with the Greenmountain Ecoroute, Groenlandberg Conservancy and Thandi Farm Kitchen.
From 2014 Dirtopia manages the trails of the Knorhoek Valley in The Greater Simonsberg Conservancy and in June 2015 opened the L'Avenir / Nooitgedacht trail near Stellenbosch.
From 2016 to early 2019 the Trail Centre moved next to the restaurant & lodge.
In June 2019 another Trail Centre was opened on Muratie Wine Farm where riders & runners van access singletrack from the trail head.
Now, since lockdown 2020, Dirtopia ONLY operates from MURATIE - right on the singletrack!
Events in the Dirtopia stable include Dirtopia MTB Festival (since 2000), Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay MTB Challenge, Grape Escape (route), Amarider 100Miler, Die Burger Stellenbosch MTB Challenge, Nelsons Creek MTB Festival & stage race, Spur MTB Classic, 24 Hour MTB Team relay, Staalwater MTB Challenge and various other mountain bike events like Provincial races, funrides, skills clinics, nightrides, downhills, trial shows and of course our Full Moon & Sunset hikes, MTB outrides, 8hour MTB relay (9-5) etc. Dirtopia Trail Run Series offered 26 Trail Runs in 2015 and by 2018 have been the biggest series of Trail Run events in the country.
The events team are now focusing more on the Schools MTB League with Amarider from 2020 and were scaling down other operations for this purpose.
Meurant Botha is a well-known trailbuilder and also the founder of the African Mountain bike Association www.amarider.co.za that runs the Spur Schools MTB League and the Trail Tag system. Meurant has served on several non-profit committees such as CSA, PPA (8 years), Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, WPMBA, Simonsberg Conservancy, WP Cycling, WPMBA etc.
The trail construction and maintenance component of the company has undertaken various projects including contracts for Sanparks, Safcol, CapeNature, MTO, Mountain Club of SA, Pedal Power Association and private landowners. Projects have ranged from mountain bike trail construction all over the Western Cape to major maintenance projects on the Tsitsikamma Hiking trail.
You are welcome to contact us for consultation on trails and event consultation of mountain biking, trailrunning, hiking and teambuilding events. Dirtopia is the oldest mountain bike event company in the country with extensive experience, a strong database and lots of equipment!
In November 2008 Dirtopia was runner-up in Nedbank/567 Capetalk Small Business competition out of 3549 nominations.
Dirtopia is leading the way by creating sustainable ecotourism product in conservation areas. Dirtopia is a member of the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy.
Dirtopia's mission is to offer outdoor enthusiasts of all ages & abilities the opportunity to take part in events and therefor promote and develop off-road trails & activities such as mountain biking, trail running and hiking.
