Alberante cyclist rides in fundraising MTB ride
Gravel bikes, single-speed mountain bikes, and e-bikes to participate in the Tru-Cape supported 2023 Karoo to Coast.
Heritage Day 2023, or Braai Day as it is more commonly known, coincides with the 23 Lions Karoo to Coast mountain bike race on September 24.
It is among the most iconic events in the country and provides 4 500 riders a reason to stay on their bikes through the cold winter months.
Thanks to its association with the Dr Evil Classic, it provides a springboard from one-day events into stage races.
It is also the major fundraising event for Lions Club Knysna.
“There are over 300km of dirt roads and mountain bike trails in the area, complete with stunning mountains vistas and wide-open spaces, meaning you are spoiled for choice in mountain and gravel biking from Uniondale,” says Joan Shaw, CEO of George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism.
She said its route covers 100km, from Uniondale to Knysna, including the scenic Prince Alfred Pass and the beautiful indigenous forest roads through Kom se Pad.
Tru-Cape, South Africa’s largest exporter of apples and pears and sponsor of this event has long-standing relationships with grower suppliers in the Langkloof area in which the race takes place.
Tru-Cape national sales manager, Johan Brink, also competed last year and hopes to do so again this year.
Cycling for a good cause
Brink, from Alberante, said the event is well-organised, with nine water points over the 100km.
“The water points were well-stocked with food and friendly service from the community. Some Tru-Cape growers were managing the water points and I am sure the same will be true this year. The last 30km of the race is quite tough but also very scenic as one ride through the Knysna forest,” he explained.
Brink said as a cyclist trying to stay safe, staying off the main and busy roads is key.
“We are a group of friends that meet at 5am, four to five times a week for a cycling workout. During the week, we keep the rides to 90 minutes with good elevation. A route we like to do and is well-known in the cycling community of Alberton, is the ‘silverball’ route,” he explained.
He said this is a short workout of about 40km with about 700m elevation. This route, according to Brink, is welcomed with the most beautiful sunrise over Johannesburg.
On weekends, they like to make their way to the Thaba Trails.
“It is within the 450ha Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, so the views are spectacular. The more than 80km trails are well-marked, with colour-coded loops for different skill levels.
“On the blue and green route, the gradient is a bit steeper and the surface a little rougher, which is training you need before riding the Karoo to Coast,” he says.
He said Crema Coffee is their local coffee shop and caters well for cycling groups.
