Flow Through the Free State’s Finest
The Subaru Amohela MTB Challenge isn’t just another race. It’s two days of riding through terrain that defines what makes South Africa spectacular. These trails flow like water through sandstone cliffs and ancient valleys, taking you into private reserves that stay locked away from most riders. You’ll roll past Bushman paintings older than memory, carve beneath towering rock faces, and stop dead in your tracks when the views hit you.
Clarens anchors it all. This mountain village wraps the whole experience in Free State warmth. Real people, honest food, and a soul that makes everything click.
Four Routes. Two Days. Pure Adventure.
Chase your limits or let the landscape carry you. Amohela delivers either way.
22-24 May 2026
Early bird entries open late August 2025.
New for 2026: Friday’s sunset warm-up ride with Subaru. Trail time, good music, and golden hour light to set your weekend rolling.
Race Options
Thaba E Kholo
23 & 24 May 2026
2-Day MTB Challenge + Subaru Sunset Ride (22 May)
Day 1: 59km, 980m ascent
Day 2: 52km, 1,080m ascent
Thaba E Nyenyane
23 & 24 May 2026
2-Day MTB Challenge + Subaru Sunset Ride (22 May)
Day 1: 46km, 630m ascent
Day 2: 38km, 820m ascent
Single Day Options
23 or 24 May 2026
Choose Thaba e Kholo Day 1 or Thaba e Nyenyane Day 1
Thaba E Kholo
23 & 24 May 2026
Day 1: 59km, 980m ascent
Day 2: 52km, 1,080m ascent
This is mountain biking with teeth. Two days tracking the Lesotho border through Big Mountain Country, climbing to 2,150m where the air thins and views stretch forever. Long descents reward the climbs. Rolling district roads make your bike sing. Elevation that earns its keep.
Thaba E Nyenyane
23 & 24 May 2026
Day 1: 46km, 630m ascent
Day 2: 38km, 820m ascent
Stage racing without the suffering. Two days through private reserves and hidden farms, climbing to 1,850m with time to breathe. Less technical, shorter distances, more scenery. Perfect for first-timers or anyone who rides for joy over pain.
Single day option
23 or 24 May 2026
Choose Thaba e Kholo Day 1 or Thaba e Nyenyane Day 1
Saturday racing, Sunday recovering. Pick your poison: Kholo for those who earn their views through sweat, or Nyenyane for smoother lines through untouched country. Both routes cut toward Lesotho across private lands and sandstone rarely seen by outsiders.
Ride hard, then let Clarens handle the rest of your weekend.