Drak Descent gets ACC cyclists’ hearts racing

AMANZIMTOTI Cycling Club knows that when the festive season is finished, cycling races begin.

Last weekend saw the Drak Challenge (canoe), Drak Descent (mountain bike) and GWK Run (running) all take place in the breathtakingly beautiful Underberg.

The original concept of the Drak Descent was for riders and runners to see and follow the paddlers for short sections of the Umzimkulu River as they did their annual Drak Challenge canoe race.

It quickly changed to see if they could ride and/or run faster than the canoeists. Little did they think it would depend on how much rain had fallen. Riders had some exploring to do from a position of altitude despite the race being called ‘Descent’. They need to find the right river, see where the paddlers are, cross tributaries that are not too deep or wide and portage around rocky river cliffs and gorges. While the distances of the days are not huge – day one is 40km, day two is 44km – one is guaranteed to feel a real sense of accomplishment when one reaches the finish as the route is tough, technical and challenging.

Feedback from ACC member Clinton Evangelides was that it was “absolutely mind-blowing single track, some extremely scary and definitely not for the faint-hearted”. He added that: “(There were) some really steep climbs and very, very fast downhills. I feel lucky I got to experience such beauty. The Southern Drakensberg has to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth and in particular, Underberg.”

Other members who joined Clinton were Graham Yates, Les Reeves, Gareth Keets, Shaun Heinz, Andrew Jones, Michael Lake and Dylan Chapman. Toti cyclist Penny Chapman had her personal best, improving on her two previous times.

With the KZN champs happening this weekend, the club wishes its members and all cyclists who have entered all the best. You have done the training, now do the pedaling.