The 10th staging of the M&G Investments PE Plett set off on the 23rd of February 2022 from Natures Valley, just 15 minutes outside of Plettenberg Bay.
This year sported a number of “ firsts” for the Eastern Cape’s premier four-day stage race. Not only were there several new trails added to the route, it was also the first time the race was held under the auspicious name of M&G Investments, following Prudential Investment Managers’ rebrand in November last year.
While the name and sponsorship colours may have changed, the race itself was still an unforgettable experience for all involved; offering riders the perfect mix of challenging climbs, flowing singletrack and unbelievable views. The race village was equally as impressive, providing a much-needed sanctuary and some downtime after a long hard day in the saddle. The free luxury tent accommodation, wholesome meals, free beer and wine, as well as the live entertainment, kept everyone in good spirits and ready to lead out into the new day.
Day one of the race saw riders make their way over the majestic Bloukrans bridge, and into the indigenous forests of Witteklip, which follows part of the elephant migration trail, before crossing over the old Storms River Pass. After a total of 1,200 meters of climbing, the sounds of waves crashing against the shoreline provided a welcomed distraction as riders traversed the ridgeline trails of Misty Mountain and into the overnight village, nestled beneath the foothills of the Tsitsikamma mountains.
Day two offered riders a chance to take in the scenery as the route meandered through a series of stunning singletrack and forest trails, summiting at the peak of the Suuranys mountains, where non-racers were able to take the opportunity to pose for a picture or two. All participants stood a chance of winning a two-night stay for two people in a luxury suite at the Simbavati Fynbos on Sea Lodge, by simply posting their best photos of the day on social media and tagging @mandgsouthafrica, @simbavaticoastal and @pe_plett. From the top of the Suuranys mountains, riders were then able to make their way towards the finish line towards the overnight village of Assegaibos for some well-deserved downtime and live entertainment.
Day three marked the Queen Stage, the longest stage of the race and what promised to be a “dig deep” day for all riders. With 1,250 meters of climbing over just 83 kilometres, it was unsurprising to see even the race-snakes walking their bikes up some of the steep climbs. But with the shadow of the Tsitsikamma mountains to the right and the massive expanse of the Churchill Dam to the left, it was an opportunity to take in the wonderous beauty that our country has to offer – making the climbs just a touch more bearable. The route ended with some of the best single track over the course of the four days, a just reward after a long and hard day in the saddle. And if that wasn’t enough, Day three has fast become known as “party night”, and for good reason, where everyone had a chance to let down their hair before taking on the final stage of the race the very next day.
The fourth day marked arguably the “least” technical stage of the race, which came as good news to some after three hard days of riding. Starting off the day with Jeffreys Bay in the background, followed by stunning free-flowing singletrack for much of the final stage, riders were treated to some of the best mountain biking trails this side of the country – courtesy of 3Rivers Trails. The four-day adventure finally came to a close at the Crossways Country Kitchen finish line, to the welcoming sound of Gerald de Kock cheering the riders on as they crossed the finish line.
As in previous years, the 2022 edition of the M&G Investments PE Plett was one to remember, filled with plenty of smiles, some tumbles and lots of laughter. The event has a fantastic atmosphere and we certainly cannot wait to do it all again next year… this time starting in PE and ending in Plettenberg Bay.
