Sondela Classic set to be a family festival
Some 1 400 participants expected to take part.
The Bestmed Sondela Mountain Bike Classic will offer a festival of riding and family entertainment just outside Bela-Bela in the last weekend of June.
Some 1 400 participants are expected to take part in the two-day line-up of races, making it the largest event of its kind in the Bushveld.
According to route director and group operations manager Melgard Meyer, the event offers a premium mountain biking experience in the heart of the 4 700-hectare Sondela Nature Reserve.
“We have long stretches of open single-track and our animals are very tame, so you’ll really see a lot of game as you ride through the bush.
“We’re only 80km from Pretoria and 125km from Johannesburg. The reserve is right off the highway and very easily accessible for Gauteng-based riders.”
The fifth edition of the event starts with the 20km and 40km distances, followed by the kiddies’ rides on Saturday, 28 June.
“On the Saturday evening, we’ll also have a 10km night ride for anyone over the age of 12. It starts at seven o’clock and riders might even see some nocturnal animals.”
On the Sunday, the 60km feature race rounds out the family-oriented festivities.
“We introduced the two shorter distances for the first time last year, which proved to be very successful.”
The weekend festival is the newest addition to Bestmed’s stable of 11 cycling events nationwide.
