A 100km cycle tour on the edge of the KNP

Some riders took on the challenge for the first time on Saturday and others came back for their fourth and fifth Kruger2Canyon Tour. “This year the field comprised of 30% women, which is a record,” says Hoedspruit Rotarian, Lovelle Henderson. “The tired but excited riders wallowing in their remarkable achievement spoke of sightings of treacherous buffalo and beautiful plains of the game and even a big herd of elephants was sighted and held up peloton five in their tracks,” says Henderson.

The 100 km ride starts in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and goes through beautiful riverine bush and the open grasslands of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The cyclists traversed through the rugged Thornybush, crossed the lovely Blue Canyon, and were challenged by some sandy patches in Kapama, making for a very diverse and exciting event.

The main roads were easily crossed with the help of senior Rotarians and with the invaluable assistance of both Farm and Town Watch members ably assisted by the Hoedspruit traffic police.

‘‘This is a community effort from the now famous Rotary Haenertsburg breakfast to the delicious boerewors homemade by local farmers’ wives and the juicy orange slices and water along the way. “At last, the beautiful striped zebra cycle shirts designed for our 2019 tour came into their own and could be made and worn for the July 2022 tour.

Also read: HOEDSPRUIT: Kruger2Canyon Trail Run a huge success

“The sight of 120 striped jerseys showing the yellow Rotary wheel coming over the horizon created a shock of realisation that we were back on the road again after two years of Covid-19 inactivity,” Henderson said. At the end of the tour, each rider received a certificate confirming that they completed the 100km route in this very exciting and prestigious limited rider event.

“A small token of Rotary Hoedspruit’s appreciation in the form of a wooden key ring will remind the riders in years to come of their momentous achievement and perhaps inspire them to join us again in July 2023,” Henderson said.

The end of the ride was generously supported by the Buco team and the unexpected coolers of iced beers and cooldrinks were most welcome.

‘‘During the lazy afternoon at Swadini, waiting for the first peloton to arrive children played and rode through the Buco blow-up gateway pretending they too were taking part in the Rotary K2C Cycle Tour. “Our next tour will be advised shortly so why not start planning now for 2023 and get together your own peloton,” she concluded.