History
1997 - Meurant involved with Stellenbosch Grundig World Cup course:
The Downhill World Cup came to Botmaskop - kickstarting DH riding in SA
1998 - Meurant course manager Stellenbosch Grundig World Cup:
Dec: Du Toitskloof DH
Meurant and Arina's first venture into event organising
1999 - Citrusdal Provincial and National Events
Our first big events
2000- Festival#1
The Dirtopia legend begins
2001 -Festival #2
Company formed and second year of booming Festival
2002 - Festival #3 Nissan X-trail Dirtopia MTB Festival
1st Mtb Challenge - Spier - Meurant does route design
Dasklip Downmountain - remember that one...?!
Various Provincial downhill & XC races presented by Dirtopia
2003 - Festival #4 Nokia Dirtopia MTB Festival
Meurant designs & built the hiking trail to the top of Klapmutskoppie on Delvera
2nd Mtb Challenge - Boschendal
Our first Outride Weekend - Cederberg
24 Hours of Wiesenhof
2004 - Festival #5
Dirtopia puts the Tin Mine MTB Challenge on the calendar
Meurant designs first route for the Cape Epic from Knysna to Cape Town. (then decides to stick with our projects...)
3rd Mtb Challenge - Boschendal
24 Hours of Malmesbury
24 Hours of Wiesenhof
Klapmuts Cup (Freeride, Xcountry, Uphill & Downhill events)
Breedekloof MTB funride
Trail Centre opens October
Meurant and Arina's wedding :-)
Delheim downhill
2005 - Festival #6 - venue near Stellenbosch
Tin Mine #2
24Hours of Wiesenhof
MTB Challenge at Boschendal
Dirtopia Trail Lodge opens in March'05
Nine-to-Five 8 hour team relay
Lebanon Ladies MTB weekend
24Hours of Malmesbury
Breedekloof Outdoor Challenge
Bien Donne kiddies funride
Delheim Downhill
Full Moon hikes started
Dec'05 - Trail Lodge moves to new premises on Delvera
Arina completes the INWA instructor course to continue lessons at Delvera
2006 - 24Hours of Wiesenhof - third year and over 200 riders
Dirtopia Trail Centre #2 opens at Thandi in Grabouw
MTB Challenge # 4 @ Boschendal (over 1800 riders)
7th annual Dirtopia MTB Festival ...returns to Tarentaalkraal near Greyton!
2nd Nine to Five event @ Delvera
Meurant attends the IMBA Summit at Whistler, Vancouver, Canada. Only South African at World Mountain Bike Conference.
Stellenbosch MTB Challenge first event with STB Wine Festival.
3rd annual 24Hours of Malmesbury
2nd Lebanon Ladies MTB weekend
Dirtopia contracted for Lourensford registration
Bien Donne kiddies ride
Dirtopia helps with "Life is Good" event
Delheim MTB day - trail riding & 4x dual eliminator
Approximately 9 Full Moon hikes
2007 - 24Hours of Wiesenhof - number 4
Cape Argus Pick'n Pay MTB Challenge hits 3000 entries
Festival not held as Kaylee Botha is born...
Launch of African Mountain Bike Association www.amarider.co.za
Nine to Five event - another beautiful day at Delvera
STB MTB Challenge - Entries over 1700.
Lourensford MTB - Over 1500 entries this year!
Lebanon ladies weekend & Bien Donne Kiddies ride
Full Moon hikes growing in poplularity
2008 - 24Hours of Wiesenhof #5
Provincial # 2 (Delvera) Provincial #3 (Nelson's Creek)
Cape Argus Pick'n Pay MTB Challenge hits 3500 entries
Dirtopia MTB Festival # 8 at Tarentaalkraal (500 campers!)
Nine to Five 8 hour team relay
STB MTB Challenge - Over 2300 entries
Nelson's Creek MTB Festival & 3 day Stage race
Lourensford Classic
Lebanon Ladies weekend
Dirtopia Summer Funride Series
Anna Foundation MTB day @ Delheim
Dirtopia runner up in Nedbank/567 Cape Talk Small business awards (from 3549 nominations)
Full Moon hikes - 12 done in 2008
2009 - 24Hours of Wiesenhof #6
Cape Argus Pick'n Pay MTB Challenge 4200 entries!
RMB Morgan Stanley MTB day
Muldersvlei MTB or Run Vineyard Challenge
Dirtopia MTB Festival #9
Amarider 100 Miler
Nine to Five team relay #5
Die Burger MTB Challenge Stellenbosch - 2893 entries
Nelsons Creek MTB Festival - entries up 50%
Spur Steak Ranches Lourensford MTB Classic - over 1500 entries
Greyton Outride weekend, Medsheme Tour de Vino MTB, Delheim MTB day'09
Die Burger Fietstoer MTB route
Lebanon MTB Funride
New year's Eve Hi-Tec Full Moon hike - a great evening with more than 100 hikers
Full Moon hikes in total 2009 = 19
2010
24Hours of Wiesenhof - 460 campers & 360 riders.
Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge - 6 & 7 March. Nearly 4000 entries and a extremely hot day on Sunday!
Spur kiddies ride @ Lourensford
RMB Corporate MTB day
Table View Triple @ Contermanskloof (Easter weekend)
Dirtopia MTB Festival - 10 year celebration
Amarider 100 Miler - beautiful day in the Swartland
Nine to Five team relay @ Delvera #6
Spur High School MTB series - WC Contermanskloof
Die Burger MTB Challenge #5 - over 3300 entries!
Spur High School MTB regional finals - Delvera
Staalwater MTB Challenge - 1st event in Caledon with 400 riders
Spur Lourensford Classic - 1500 riders
Delheim MTB day
Lebanon MTB weekend, Grabouw
Full Moon hikes in 2010: 14
2011
24Hours of Oak Valley - new venue!
Columbia Grape Escape - new event concept by Meurant
Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge - 2 days of new routes & new finish venue
Delvera hosts SA XC Champs
Spur Kiddies MTB event @ Lourensford - 200 kids
Dirtopia MTB Festival @ Delvera
Amarider 100Miler & 50 Miler
Die Burger MTB Challenge - 3600 entries @ Eikestad Primary School
Spur High School League
Nine to Five team relay
Staalwater MTB Challenge - 550 entries
Spur Lourensford MTB Classic - 1400 entries
Dirtopia Trail Run
Delheim MTB day and Trail Run: in aid of the Anna Foundation - more than 400 entries!
Lebanon Family Funride and Run - 250 entries
Full Moon Hikes - 14 events in 2011
2012 events
24Hours of Oak Valley (and 3Hours Challenge) - more than 350 riders, 500 campers in Grabouw
Columbia Grape Escape
Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge
Cycle Tour Expo
Getaway show outride
Spur Kiddies Funride @ Lourensford
Bien donne kids Funride
Nightride @ Delvera
Dirtopia Trail Runs - 5 events
RE:CM 100 Miler & 50Miler - over 520 entries with new title sponsor
Spur Schools League WP - 4 events
WP Provincial
Die Burger MTB Challenge - more than 3700 riders
Staalwater MTB Challenge @ Caledon
Spur Lourensford MTB Classic - 1500 entries
Triple Trail Run Series
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hikes - 12 events for 2012
Delheim Outdoor weekend (trail run, nightride & MTB funride)
Dirtopia MTB Festival #12 @ Tarentaalkraal including All Mountain Enduro
2013 events
24 Hours of Oak Valley: MTB Team Relay (and 3Hours Challenge)
Dirtopia Summer Trail Run
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hikes - 12 events for 2013
Valentines Sunset Hike
Love Run
Nashua Grape Escape & Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge (routes & crew management)
Delvera Autumn Trail Run
Spur Kids Funride @ Lourensford - over 300 kids!
Bien Donne Trail Run & MTB funride
Delvera ENDURO
Dirtopia May Trail Run - over 450 runners
Amarider 100Miler & 50Miler
Spur Schools League WC x4
STB Square Kids Cycling event
Nine-to-Five team relay
All Mountain Enduro #2 Welvanpas - 2 days
Two Winter Trail Runs - June & Aug
Die Burger MTB Challenge - more than 4300 entries
Stellenbosch Farm Run - 1st event
Staalwater Trail Run - NEW!
Staalwater MTB Challenge @ Caledon #4
Spur MTB Classic @ Lourensford
Appleblossom MTB Classic - Registration & timing
Double Dirt Run #1 - Schapenberg Conservancy
Trail Centre #2 opens at Welgevonden
Double Dirt Run #2 - Quoin Rock, Simonsberg Conservancy
Halloween Trail Run and Halloween Forest Night Run
Delheim Trail Run
Delheim MTB day & Nightride
Simonsberg Enduro - largest one in SA yet!
Summer Trail Run
2014 events!
Resolution Trail Run - record amount of entries
24Hours of Oak Valley - 500 riders
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hikes 7
Love Run
Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum MTB Challenge (routes)
Harvest Run
Spur Kids Funride @ Lourensford
Bien Donne Kids ride & Trail Run
Falke Autumn Trail Run
Delvera Decade Derby:
Funride
Nightride
Terrain Park Debacle
All Mountain Enduro
Amarider 100Miler & 50Miler - more than 800 riders!
Winter Trail Run #1 - 480 runners
Spur Schools MTB League WC#1 & #2
Falke Winter Trail Run #2 @ Muratie
Full Moon nightrides May, June, July
Enduro @ Welvanpas
Die Burger MTB Challenge '14 - ninth year
Spur Schools League #3 Somerset WEst
Winter Trail Run #3 Delheim
Staalwater MTB Challenge & Trail Run
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hikes - Sept & Oct & Nov & Dec
Delvera Spring Trail Run
Spur MTB Classic Helderberg
Spur Schools League final.
Appleblossom (timing & registration)
Corporate MTB day
Falke Spring Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Halloween Forest Night Run
Halloween Day Run - Sportsmans Warehouse series #1
Delheim Outdoor Weekend (Trail Run, Nightride, Enduro & MTB Funrides)
FALKE Summer Trail Run - 400 runners
Trilogy Trail Run @ Warwick
New year's Even Sunset Hike
2015
Resolution Trail Run presented by Sportsmans Warehouse - more than 500 runners
French Flair Trail Run
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon Hikes (2 x Jan & Feb, March & Two Easter April, May)
24Hours of Oak Valley
Momentum Grape MTB Ride
Love run 3rd in Sportsmans Warehouse series
Valentine's sunset hike
Cape Town Cycle Tour MTB Challenge (route management)
Perdeberg MTB Funride
Full Suss Harvest Run @Delvera
Liqui Fruit Kids ride @ Meerendal
Easter Trail Run @ Warwick
Enduro @ Wellington - two days Easter weekend
Trail Run Challenge @ Uitkyk
Falke Autumn Trail Run @Delvera
Dirtopia Enduro #2 Delvera
Amarider 100Miler & 50Miler
Change of Season Trail Run #1 (Autumn/Winter) presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Youth Day Trail Run @ Delvera
Mid Year Trail Run @ Muratie
Wine Adventure Trail Run @ Warwick
Spur Schools League WC#1 Meerendal & WC#2 @ Southey's
Gluhwein Trail Run @ Delheim
Die Burger MTB Challenge #10 - new finish venue.
Enduro @ Helderberg
Falke Winter Trail Run @ Uitkyk
Spur Schools League #3 WC @ Montana
Change of Season Trail Run presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Staalwater MTB Challenge & Trail Run
Spur Schools League #4 WC @ Paul Roos Gymnasium
Full Stride Spring Trail Run @ Muratie
Spur Mountain Bike Classic @ Nooitgedacht Estate - new venue!
Appleblossom Funride (timing & registration)
Extreme Lights Night Run #1 @ Warwick
Falke Blooming Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Travelers Trail Run @ Le Bonheur
Corporate MTB event @ Muratie
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hikes Oct, Nov, Dec
Halloween Forest Night Run @Muratie
Scorpio Trail Run @Delvera presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Delheim Outdoor Weekend (Trail Run, Nightride, Enduro & MTB Funrides)
Extreme Lights Night Run @L'Avenir
Full Stride Summer Trail Run
Cape Agulhas MTB Classic
FALKE TRilogy Trail Run
2016
Extreme Lights Nightrun @ Uitkyk
FALKE Resolution Trail Run @ Delvera
24Hours of Oak valley
Delvera Hi-Tec Full Moon hike January
French Flair Trail Run
Fairtree Simonsberg Contour two-day stage race
Momentum Grape Ride
Love Run - 600 runners at Warwick
Full Moon hikes: Febr. & March plus Valentine's Sunset Hike
Harvest Trail Run
Enduro @ Delvera
Simonsberg Trail Run Challenge @ Uitkyk
Autumn Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Enduro @Uitkyk
Amarider 100Miler & 50MIler
Falke Change of season Trail Run @ Peter Falke wines
Enduro @ Welvanpas (two days)
Youth Day Trail Run @ Delvera
Mid Year Trail Run @ Muratie
Wine Adventure Trail Run @Warwick
Gluhwein Trail Run @Delheim
Die Burger MTB Challenge @Stellenbosch
Winter Trail Run @Uitkyk. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Change Of Season Trail Run @Delvera
Travelers Trail Run @Le Bonheur
Staalwater Spring Trail Run @Caledon
Staalwater MTB Challenge @Caledon. Presented by Bike Hub
Spring Trail Run @Knorhoek. Presented by Falke
Spur MTB Classic @Nooitgedacht
Dirtopia Launch Enduro @Delvera
Dirtopia Launch Trail Run @Delvera
Blooming Trail Run @L'Avenir. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Halloween Forest Night Trail Run @Muratie
Delheim Trail Run
Delheim MTB Day & Enduro
Delvera Falke Full Moon Hike
Delvera Falke Full Moon Hike
Klapmuts Cup Trail Run @Delvera - Presented by Falke @Delvera
Trilogy Trail Run @Warwick
Cape Agulhas Holiday Run @Struisbaai
Cape Agulhas MTB Classic @Struisbaai
2017
Resolution Trail Run @Delvera
24 Hours of Oak Valley MTB team relay
Fairtree Capital Simonsberg Contour Stage Race (MTB) @Delvera
Fairtree Capital Simonsberg Contour Trail Run @Delvera
Love Night Run @Warwick
French Flair Trail Run @L’Avenir – Presented by SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE
Harvest Trail Run @Le Bonheur - PRESENTED BY FALKE
Dirtopia Enduro @Uitkyk
Simonsberg Trail Run Challenge @Uitkyk
Wine Walk to Warwick
Falke Trail Run @Peter Falke Wines - PRESENTED BY FALKE
Amarider 100 & 50 Miler @Malmesbury
Change Of Season Trail Run @L'Avenir
Youth Day Trail Run @Delvera – Presented by SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE
Mid Year Trail Run @Muratie
Wine Walk To Warwick #3
Dirtopia Enduro @Val Du Charron, Wellington
Wine Adventure Trail Run @Warwick - PRESENTED BY FALKE
Gluhwein Trail Run @ Delheim
Stellenbosch MTB Challenge
Winter Trail Run @Delvera
Dirtopia Enduro @Helderberg
Staalwater Trail Run @Caledon
Staalwater MTB 2 day stage race @Caledon
Change Of Season Trail Run @Uitkyk – Presented by SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE
Dirtopia Ride and Run Challenge @Delvera
Dirtopia Enduro @Delvera
Wine Walk To Warwick
Stellenbosch Farm Run @Nooitgedacht – Presented by SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE
Spring Trail Run @Knorhoek
Spur MTB Classic @Nooitgedacht
Delvera Falke Full Moon Hike
Wine Walk To Warwick
Winelands Yogathlon
Klapmuts Cup Trail Run @Delvera - PRESENTED BY FALKE
Fantail Trail Run @Morgenhof
Halloween Forest Night Trail Run @Muratie
Delheim Trail Run
Delheim MTB Day & Enduro
Blooming Trail Run @L'Avenir - PRESENTED BY FALKE
Trilogy Trail Run @Warwick
2018
Resolution Trail Run @Delvera
Wine Walk To Warwick #1
Fairtree Simonsberg Contour MTB 2 Day Stage Race @Delvera
Fairtree Simonsberg Contour Trail Run 2 Day Stage Race
Dirtopia All Mountain Enduro @Delvera
Wine Walk To Warwick #2
French Flair Trail Run @L’Avenir. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Dirtopia Trail Run Challenge @Uitkyk. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Dirtopia Enduro @Uitkyk
Wine Walk To Warwick
Kari Benefit Sunset Concert @Delvera
Winelands Yogathlon @Delvera
Dirtopia Ride and Run @Delvera
Amarider 100 & 50 Miler @Malmesbury (10th 100Miler)
Change Of Season Trail Run @L'Avenir. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Dirtopia Enduro @Wellington
Youth Day Trail Run
9-5 Relay
Mid Year Trail Run @Muratie. Presented by CAPESTORM
Winelands Yogathlon @Delvera
Wine Adventure Trail Run @Warwick. Presented By FALKE
Wine Walk To Warwick
Stellenbosch Farm Run @Spier Wine Estate
Stellenbosch MTB Challenge @Spier Wine Estate
Winter Trail Run @Morgenhof. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Staalwater MTB Challenge & Trail Run @Caledon
Change of Season Trail Run @Uitkyk. Presented By FALKE
Medihelp Ride and Run @Delvera
Spring Trail Run @Knorhoek. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Coffee & Craft Market Run @Delvera
Klapmuts Cup Trail Run @Delvera. Presented By FALKE
Halloween Forest Night Trail Run @Muratie. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Sunset Concert @Delvera
Blooming Trail Run @L'Avenir. Presented By FALKE
Trilogy Trail Run @Warwick. Presented by CAPESTORM
2019
Resolution Trail Run @Delvera
Dirtopia Ride and Run @Delvera
Fairtree Simonsberg Contour MTB @Delvera
Fairtree Simonsberg Contour Trail Run @Delvera
Mixtape Valentines Day Sunset Concert @Delvera
All Mountain Enduro @Delvera
Harvest Trail Run @Simonsvlei. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Swallows Trail Run @Warwick. Presented by FALKE
Amarider 50 & 100Miler @Malmesbury (11th edition)
Dirtopia Trail Run Challenge @Uitkyk. Presented by Sportsmans Warehous
All Mountain Enduro @Uitkyk
Change of Season Trail Run @L'Avenir. Presented by Sportsmans Warehouse
Cape Storm Youth Day Trail Run @ Delvera
Mid Year Trail Run @Muratie
Wine Adventure Trail Run @Warwick. Presented by Capestorm
Stellenbosch Farm Run @Spier
Stellenbosch MTB Challenge @Spier
Winter Trail Run @Muratie.
Staalwater Trail Run @Caledon
Spring Trail Run @Knorhoek
Full Moon RUN @ Dornier
Klapmuts Cup Trail Run @ Warwick by Falke
Halloween Forest Night Run
Scorpio Trail Run at L'Avenir by Falke
Pop-Up Enduro
Fantail Trail Run @ Morgenhof
Trilogy Trail Run @ Warwick
FALKE Full Moon Hikes Oct, Dec and NYE sunset
2020
Resolution Trail Run @ Delvera
FALKE Full Moon hikes January & Febr
24Hours of Oak Valley
Harvest Trail Run
30 Oct NEW Sunset-Full Moon hike at Muratie
31 Oct Halloween Forest Night Run at Muratie with live music from MixTape
Nov' 20 Blooming Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Nov'20 Sunset-FullMoon hike at Muratie
Dec'20
Trilogy Trail Run @ Warwick
Timing for Red Bull Dune Dusters
Sunset to Full Moon hike at Muratie (also NYE sunset hike)
Jan, Febr, March & April Sunset to Full Moon Hikes at Muratie
March 2021
Harvest Trail Run @ L'Avenir
April '21
Fantail Trail Run @ Morgenhof
May '21
French Flair Trail Run @ L'Avenir
June'21
Change of Season Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Winter Trail Run @ Knorhoek
MidYear Trail Runs @ Muratie
COS Trail running weekend @ Knorhoek (Spring)
Blooming Trail Run @ L'Avenir Oct
Wine Adventure Trail Run @ Dornier
Trilogy Trail Run @ Warwick
New Years Eve Sunset Hike @ Muratie
2022 (plus 9 x Sunset hikes @ Muratie)
Resolution Trail Run @ Muratie
Love Run @ L'avenir
Harvest Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Moordenaarskloof Trail Run @ Dornier
Autumn Trail Run @ Morgenhof
Mid Year Trail Run @ Muratie
Winter Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Muratie Mountain Series MTB 48km
WC Schools League WP Primary & High School events (4 of each)
Change of Season Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Wine Adventure Trail Run @ Warwick
Halloween Forest Night Run
Spring to Summer Trail Run @ Morgenhof
Blooming Trail Run @Dornier
2023
Resolution Trail Run @ Muratie
Love Run @ L'Avenir
Harvest Trail Run @ Morgenhof
Buffalo Rides Febr & march
Sunset hikes Jan Febr April
Easter Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Change of Season Trail Run @ Warwick
Mid-Year Trail run @ Muratie
Muratie Mountain Series 52km mountain biking
Change of Season Trail Run @ Le Bonheur
Spring trail Run @ Dornier
Sunset to Full Moon hikes Sept & Oct & Noc & Dec
10th Halloween Forest Night run @ Muratie
Scorpio Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Blitz Victory Trail Run @ L'Avenir (public holiday for Bokke!)
New Years Eve Sunset Hike - biggest one yet @ NEW look-out point @ Muratie
2024
Resolution Trail Run @ Muratie
Valentine's Day Sunset Hike @ Muratie
Sunset to Full Moon Hikes Jan & Febr & March & April
Leap Year Trail Run @ Morgenhof
Leap Day Dusk run @ Muratie (fun trails with Stellies Shakeout)
Harvest Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Easter Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Autumn Trail Run @ Dornier
Pre-Election Night Run @ Muratie
SMW Knorhoek Trail Run @ Knorhoek
MidYear Trail Run @ Muratie
Wine Adventure Trail Run @ Warwick
Retro Rouge Wine Walk @ Muratie
Change of Season Trail Run @ Le Bonheur
Spring Trail Run @ Knorhoek
Sunset to Full Moon Hikes @ Muratie Oct'24 & Nov
Wine Walk @ Muratie Oct'24
Halloween Forest Nigth Run @ Muratie
Blooming Trail Run @ L'Avenir
Apart from the above listed events, Dirtopia has organised numerous MTB Provincial Championships, funrides, Nightrides, Downhills, skills clinics - simply too many to list! Over 300 in total.
Also other smaller events at Delvera like Full Moon / Sunset hikes (more than 100), teambuildings, triathlons etc.
Meurant has also been contracted for designing & building courses for many other events (Appleblossom, Bottlewarehouse etc.) as well as working on singletrack projects. Since his 1996 MTB trials tour with adidas in Europe, many trial shows entertained the crowds at schools, festivals, shows and events in South Africa.
Dirtopia has also supported many other organisers with equipment & administration. Other bigger projects included the Red Bull Dirt Jumping competition at La Med, Red Bull DH Speedtrap, indoors Dual course for the Outdoor show, Red Bull Cape Town Man etc.
