The Daily Crank has entered both the 85km MTB ride and 105km Road ride on consecutive days on the first weekend in July. This fills The Daily Crank with trepidation.
The Lowdown:
Online entries close 30 June 2011. Late entry fees will be effective from 24 June, and participants will not be seeded.
2nd July 2011, Saturday: Mountain Bike Events
3rd July 2011, Sunday: Road Bike Events
Why Should You Do It
It’s a real challenge and it’s a fantastic festive winter weekend away.
Road Ride (100km)
The Road Race is a scenic and challenging route in the direction of Plettenberg Bay. The Festival venue has moved back to Loerie and the 100km road race will return to the route that runs in an easterly direction and has been enjoyed by riders in the past. Riders will climb out of Knysna and then pass Plettenberg Bay as they take in the breathtaking sea views before they prepare for the Keurbooms Hill climb. The Wittedrift loop will NOT be included in the route. Riders will turn around after the 50km mark and return to Knysna. The 50km route turns around just after Harkerville. Age category prizes have been reintroduced and there will be a cycle and lifestyle expo and entertainment at the venue. This event will start and finish at Loerie Park on George Rex Drive.
All road race routes (46km and 100km) will be closed by 15h00. If you have not reached Thyme and Again Restaurant in the vicinity of Keurbooms (on the outward journey) by 12h30 you MUST stop riding and to hand over your race number.
MTB Ride (85km)
Dr Evil (Leon Evans), who manages the mountain bike routes for the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour is adding new challenging and beautiful sections to the 75km and 50km routes. There is also a BRAND NEW 30km ROUTE aimed at riders who want a slightly more challenging route than the 15km fun ride. This route will include easy riding as well as a slightly more demanding technical section. All routes start on Waterfront Drive, Knysna, and take the riders into the beautiful farmland and forest areas surrounding the town
• 15km,30km,50km & 75km Routes.
• Mountain bike events start at Waterfront Drive on Saturday 2nd July 2011 from 08:00.
• The 75km and 50km routes will include sections of private property that cyclists will not usually have access to.
• More details about the mountain bike route will be available shortly.
The 15km and the 30km routes will be closed at 14h30. The cut off for cyclists participating in the 75km and 50km events is at Springfield at 14h30 where cyclists cross the National Road. Cyclists arriving at Springfield after 14h30 will be directed to the finish down the N2 or escorted home by a sweep vehicle. If you are still on the routes at these times you proceed at your own risk. This is the cut off time for all participants.
The Big 5 – The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival’s biggest challenge
In 2010, sport at the Oyster Festival was taken to a new level when the festival introduced the Big 5 Challenge for the brave and daring… to participate in the Big 5 Challenge, athletes have to take part in the following four compulsory events:
• 80km Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna MTB race
• 15km Coelacanth Salomon Featherbed Trail Run presented by Petzl
• Full Duesouth XTERRA presented by REHIDRAT® Sport
• 21km Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Half Marathon
Plus an option of either:
• The 100km Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Road Race
• The FHM Knysna Lagoon Challenge
Image via mikkelz (flickr)
If you see these guys, you're lost. Just keep looking straight ahead.
