Around 400 cyclists are headed for Port Alfred this Sunday, when the second Pennypinchers-sponsored Grahamstown to Sea (G2C) mountain bike ride takes place over 58 kilometres from Grahamstown to the coastal town.
The date of the annual event was arranged to coincide with the final day of the 40th National Arts Festival.
Around 400 cyclists are headed for Port Alfred this Sunday, when the second Pennypinchers-sponsored Grahamstown to Sea (G2C) mountain bike ride takes place over 58 kilometres from Grahamstown to the coastal town.
The date of the annual event was arranged to coincide with the final day of the 40th National Arts Festival.
The event is again being sponsored by the Grahamstown and Port Alfred branches of Pennypinchers.
Organisers and sponsors are thrilled at the mammoth field which exceeds last year’s, and are hoping for a repeat of last year’s glorious weather for Sunday’s event.
Entries for the Pennypinchers G2C have been received from Port Elizabeth, East London, Grahamstown, Port Alfred and other towns in the area.
Leading riders in the various categories will be rewarded with cash prizes worth a total of R5 000.
But they will not be the only ones on the receiving end of rewards: medals and goody bags have been guaranteed for the first 500 entries, while each finisher will receive a boerewors roll. Several lucky entrants will also receive spot prizes.
Last year’s overall winner, Jason Meaton, has indicated he will be back this year to defend his title. He finished in a quick 1:43:33. The winner of the ladies’ division was Jacky Tunstead in 2:07:13.
The last rider over the finish line last year completed the 58 kilometres comfortably in a little under three hours, well-within the cut-off time.
From the start in the industrial area, riders will encounter two kilometres of tar, before tackling the tough and unrelenting Mountain Drive consisting of gravel road, single track and a tricky downhill section through bush.
On a clear day one can see the Indian Ocean from the top of Mountain Drive – not that riders will have much time for viewing the scenery, however. Their concentration will have to be on the road or track ahead of them.
Then it’s more tar as bikers pick up speed down Woesthill Pass, changing gear for the uphill section, before reaching the gravel road and a jaunt through farming districts.
This road takes riders along undulating territory, past farm lands and game farms, with a couple of tough passes and stiff hills thrown in for good measure to test stamina.
As the riders get a whiff of the ocean and begin to hear the R72 traffic, they veer off to the left and head for Rosehill Mall through a private farm.
The course may drop from 643m above sea level at the highest point of Mountain Drive to just 69m at the finish, but riders should not be lulled into complacency.
The finish outside Rosehill SuperSpar will take on something of a festive atmosphere, with AlgoaFM sports presenter, Neil Bisseker, welcoming riders, interviewing some of them, playing a selection of lively music and keeping up the banter.
While there will be those riders attempting to reach the coast in the quickest possible time, organisers and sponsors are hoping all riders have fun along the way.
Registration takes place at Pennypinchers’ warehouse in the industrial area from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday, July 12, and late entries at R200 a rider will be taken at the same place and time.
For more G2C info contact Cathy Gorham on 082 562 2388.
