Cyclists put the pedal to the metal in preparation for Amashova race
Some consider this road race to be the most gruelling race in South Africa which takes place on Sunday, 20 October
There was another great turnout for the pre-Amashova training ride this past weekend.
Starting at Mugg & Bean in Hillcrest, the roadies endured the undulating terrain to Pietermaritzburg and tackled the Fox Hill and Drummond Bowl on the way back. The real fit riders still managed to see the beauty of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Some consider this road race to be the most gruelling race in South Africa which takes place on Sunday, 20 October. Visit eThekwini Facebook page for the road closure timetable.
The three day descent is Berg and Bush’s main flagship event, followed by the three day Great Trek event and this past weekend saw the original two day event. Some members of Amanzimtoti Cycling Club enjoyed riding the three day Great Trek event, with the club’s longest standing members, Carl Freyer, managing to keep up with his daughter, Shelley Higgo, by riding an e-bike. They finished overall fourth in the mixed team category but because of the e-bike, their results weren’t taken into account. Shaun Heinze and Clinton Evangelides decided to enjoy the scenery and enjoy each day.
Day one of the Great Trek event was a day of bushveld and single track covering a distance of 65km. The climbing was going up Mike’s pass and the descent was going down the mind-blowing Puff Adder pass. To finish day one, they had to cross the big Tugela River via a suspended bridge.
Day two’s distance of 56km had a brand new zig-zag route which took them high up the mountain before the spectacular descent down into ‘Fanagalo’ which is used for the world single speed champs.
Day three started by crossing the Tugela River twice and followed the riverbed before the steep climb up Lantana Hill. Another climb they had to endure was the famous 14 bumps to the top of Spioenkop Mountain which was followed by a 13km adrenaline filled single track descent to the finish. With only 47km in distance, 814m of climbing and descent, the ride seemed to be over all too quickly.
It’s riding events like these that one get to witness the beauty of Natal – it truly doesn’t get much better than this.
Both road and mountain bike members ride during the week and weekends, in and around Toti. It is so much safer to ride in a group.
On Thursdays, from 4.30pm to 6pm and Sundays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, mambas have booked the track at the Sports Centre for the cyclists to ride it, and now that the club has its own club house, refreshments are served afterwards.
Anyone is welcome to ride the track to improve their skills.
For more information about the cycling club, visit their website www.amanzimtoticycle.co.za or contact the club’s chairman, Barry Walker, on 083-459-8253.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
