Two female participants in the Attakwaskloof Extreme cycle race, that took place on Saturday, narrowly escaped what they presume was an attempt to rob them of their bicycles in George in the Western Cape.

The women went for a ride in the Montagu Pass yesterday morning to spin their legs.

They were cycling back at a leisurely pace. When they got to the bottom of the pass, between the Toll House and low water bridge, they passed two men walking in the road.

“They thought nothing of it, but suddenly one of the men came from the back and started spraying them with pepper spray.

“Fortunately, they are quite strong riders and both managed to sprint away fast enough to escape,” said the mother of one of the cyclists, who wants to remain anonymous.

She said they had overnighted in accommodation in Blanco near Fancourt.

“They were able to get there fast. My daughter got most of the spray in her face and it was quite a struggle to get it cleaned. Pepper spray is quite debilitating.

“We are just grateful that they escaped unharmed and would like to warn the public to be vigilant in that area.”

The two riders are from Kwazulu-Natal and Johannesburg respectively.