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Bikers gear up for KZN race

Scottburgh - Some of KZN’s top emerging mountain bikers along with hundreds of MTB enthusiasts from throughout the province are gearing up for the eagerly anticipated Sappi Scottburgh MTB race which gets underway from Scottburgh’s main beach at 09:00 on Saturday.
 
Into its fourth year, this now well established the event gives riders the rare opportunity of enjoying the splendor of the sights and scenery of KZN’s south coast whilst being taken on a journey over a vast variety of surfaces and having to draw on a host of different mountain biking skills.

Fast dirt tracks, narrow winding single track, sea views and the fresh south coast air may be some of the reasons the event continues to draw large fields each year however the real reason the event’s popularity continues to grow is the unique experiences riders enjoy throughout the race.

Looking out for the magnificent fish eagle, riding alongside massive crocodiles, enjoying the sight of the of the Clansthal lighthouse and the spectacular beach finish back at Scottburgh’s main beach are just some of the signature features of this race.

Aimed at the novice to intermediate rider organisers emphasis their desire to create a challenging yet enjoyable race which shouldn’t ever require participants to push their bike through soft sand or up inconceivably steep hills.

There is however still more than enough in the route to attract the attention of top riders with this year’s field including former Natal and Springbok rugby player and top veteran rider Jeremy Thomson who will go head to head with Tyrone Stevenson, Willie Brink and Nick Porteous.

The ladies race is all set for a classic youth versus experience battle. Three exciting teenagers who are fast moving up in mountain biking circles, top ranked and race favourite Hayley Smith, talented Candice Parker-Dennison and Bianca Haw – daughter of organizer of the Sani2C Glen ‘Farmer Glen’ Haw, will take on the experience of Kristy Glass and top triathlete Sarah Gray.

With three distances, 10, 27 and 45km, available there is a race for everyone regardless of one’s experience or ability. Lucky draws of a magnificent new Score 29’er hard tail mountain bike, two major and two minor services, compliments of Vaughn Evan of Evans Cycles give even those at the back of the field the chance to walk away with a little something extra as well.

With the presence of Sappi as title sponsors of this year’s race, organisers have paid extra attention to the value for money each participant will enjoy whilst also offering slightly boosted prize money to those at the front end of the pack.

The Sappi Scottburgh MTB race is part of the two day Scottburgh Winter Solstice Festival which also includes a 10km trail run on Saturday morning and the Island Tribe Scottburgh Surf Classic on Sunday morning. The festival challenges all to see just how much one can fit into the shortest day of the year.
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