Cyclists trek from pass to sea
A dozen riders embarked on the Sani2C last weekend, tackling the tough 263 kilometres between the Sani Pass and Scottburgh.
Once again, local cyclists have proven themselves a gear above the rest.
A dozen riders embarked on the Sani2C last weekend, tackling the tough 263 kilometres between the Sani Pass and Scottburgh.
The race began calmly enough, at the Glencairn Farm in Himeville.
With a total ascent of over 1 200 metres and 82km to cross, cyclists made for the MacKenzie Country Club in Ixopo in temperatures reaching about 29 degrees.
This course included district roads, fast descents and a massive haul up the View Climb.
“A very short rocky section on loan from the Western Cape follows before you enter the short but hard-packed Mbiba single-track, some of KZN’s fastest smooth and flowing single track,” explained race experts.
Day two, considered the most arduous in 30 degree weather, took cyclists 99km from Ixopo to Jolivet, about 10km south of Highflats.
However, cyclists also got to witness the beauty of the Umkomaas Valley in person.
“You are led into Murray’s Meander, which has to be some of the most dramatically-positioned single-track imaginable. At first glance, the route above the towering cliffs seems to drop directly into the valley.”
With the hardest out of the way, day three was a faster and more technical course, and is considered the easiest of the three days.
Cyclists set off early en route to the finish line, with the weather cooling significantly.
With tracks designed to expose any who overdid it on the earlier sections, and later portions took cyclists into the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve.
Then, after a few more kilometres, they reached the finish line at Scottburgh Beach.
“You feel justifiably proud and thankful to have achieved this feat, which many would never consider. Perhaps you are on the way to becoming a legend.”
Of the local tandems to contest the Sani2C, the team of Manie du Preez and Wimpie Rouwenhorst completed the 263km in 12:38:11.
Conray Ras and Pieter du Toit ended in a time of 13:20:05.
The teams of Danie Scholtz and Gavin Holder (13:50:09), Bennie Pretorius and Juan de Heer (14:16:51), Chester Walters and Kobus Fourie (15:50:17) and the Lubbe pair, Chris and Johan (18:00:57) also crossed the finish line.
Congratulations to these cyclists on yet another tough race in the bag!
