Riders beat fading light for rhinos

THE third uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge (previously known as the Hillcrest 2 Hilltop Challenge) started at 2am in Hillcrest and 3am at the Umvoti Toll Plaza on Saturday finished 16 hours later at the Hilltop Resort in Hluhluwe Game Reserve.

The riders showed a mix of emotions including jubilation, relief and a tremendous sense of achievement.

The 340km Long Horn and 240km Short Horn options raised vital funding for Project Rhino KZN’s province-wide anti-rhino poaching efforts.

‘It was long and it was hard, but it was a great day!’ said former Springbok captain and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, John Smit after completing the Short Horn.

All about camaraderie
‘It was also great to be thrown into a group of people of whom I probably knew three or four beforehand and, after the 14th hour together, you feel like you’re family,’ he said.

Not ridden as a race but rather a ride, the event concludes with a memorable 35km final stretch through the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s bushveld, albeit a segment that includes some lung-busting hills at the end of an already brutal day.

‘The camaraderie out there among everyone was brilliant!’ said international cycling commentator Phil Liggett who, together with his wife Trish, joined Long and Short Horn participants for the last leg to the finish line.

‘It was a wonderful occasion and one that I felt very privileged to be a part of,’said the ‘Voice of Cycling’.

Global mountaineer and adventurer Sibusiso Vilane, like Smit, tackled the Short Horn event as he pushed himself well beyond his previous best of 100km in one sitting.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer