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<\/a><\/p>\nThe 2014 event took place from 18-20 September and offered solo and team categories. Every day\u2019s racing was done on an out-and-back route a cloverleaf from the race village in Wittedrift (just outside Plettenberg Bay), which, believes solo winner Kevin Evans, is a big part of the race\u2019s allure. \u201cRiders can base themselves in Plett if they want. Although, with sponsors like Saronsberg Wines and Mitchells Brewery, the race village is the place to be,\u201d Kevin said.<\/p>\n
While the vibes in the race village were relaxed and friendly; and the routes not necessarily aimed at racing snakes, the sharp-end still saw some hot action.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to say I was able to take it easy for the three days, but reality was that the young guns wouldn’t take it lightly,\u201d said Kevin. \u201cNor the older ones for matter of fact, and I had to lay down the law on day one and piece myself back together from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Day one was 70 kilometres, (with 1320m ascent), with the track through the indigenous forest at Petrus se Brand as highlight. Day two was the longest of the event, with 80 kilometres of mountain and sea views through the Krantzbosch and Buffels Nek Forest reserves with some climbing in the Paardekop area, for good measure. \u201cThe whole stage was a highlight,\u201d claims Evans. \u201cThe views were all spectacular – too many to name them all!\u201d<\/p>\n
Day three was 50 kilometres only, to allow for an early finish for those travelling to Uniondale for the Pennypinchers Lions Karoo to Coast. \u201cThose who didn\u2019t come with their climbing legs suffered a bit,\u201d Kevin said. \u201cYou start off at an altitude of 0m above sea level. You can guess where my father takes you from there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scenery however compensated and just when you felt like you\u2019d had enough, there were the magical forest singletracks of Knysna and Harkerville,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The 2015 event promises to be no different, and, while there will be tweaks and improvements the route will not differ dramatically from this year\u2019s event, which translates to \u2018something for everybody\u2019 \u2013 a combination of singletrack, scenic district roads and forest trails. \u201cNowhere in the country can you ride indigenous forests as you can here,\u201d Evans concluded.<\/p>\n