Lisa Greyling may be new to the mountain biking fraternity but what she witnessed at the RECM Knysna 200 has got her hooked.
This year’s RECM Knysna 200 MTB race is in the bag, and honestly, I feel quite inspired by the whole event. I’ve decided to hit some local MTB trails. After spending three days in the field photographing the competitors taking part in this now hugely popular three-day 200km stage race, I’ve decided that I want to be like them. And not only so I too can glow with such fitness and vitality, but also because I also want to look so happy.
At the start of the races they all huddle around, smiling and chatting. Then, at the finish line, after several gruelling ascents and challenging singletracks across mud-splattered terrain over many kilometres, they are still smiling. Some say riding your bike around these parts takes one to a new level of cycling Nirvana? I think they may be on to something.
So all those smiley faces must be attributable to the fact that participants get the chance to traverse trails which boast seriously pretty scenery – mountains, forests and farmlands – They are without doubt some of the finest trails in the country and this region is firmly on the map for MTB enthusiasts, drawing riders from far and wide. The limited number of only 350 riders in this race and the “beauty and fluidity of the routes” bring riders back every year.
The RECM Knysna 200 race is organised by Garden Route Events, a local MTB event company which certainly personifies passion. This race and others organised by this legendary events company has had far reaching benefits for the town of Knysna. The organisers enjoy a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship with two well-known non-profit organisations in town, namely the Knysna Education Trust (KET) and the Knysna Sports School (KSS). Through these Garden Route Events races, awareness is created and very necessary funds generated for both the KET and the KSS. In turn, these organisations provide the organisers with the critical logistical assistance required behind the scenes.
This year one lucky mountain biker had the chance to enrich themselves and the lives of underprivileged local children when organisers raffled off a R50 000 unit trust prize, courtesy of the title sponsor RECM. The lucky participant was Guillamme Liebenberg who won R50 000 worth of unit trusts, R20 000 of which was then donated to the Knysna Sport School. This echoed the essence of this event, one of genuine community spirit.
The race itself is a toughie, offering some exciting racing. While riders enjoyed unseasonably warm weather throughout, with only a light drizzle on the third day, heavy rains from the week before had left many of the trails still sodden and muddy and it’s here where the strongest technical riders in the field exhibited dominance. The general sentiment was that the newer routes proved much tougher and far more technical than the previous years’ and tested the mettle of some of the country’s toughest cyclists.
The routes are linked to a web of awesome singletracks through old indigenous forests and the riders also had several steep climbs and technical descents to contend with. The second day’s 68km route saw riders ascend over 800m in the first 20km. It was here where the Ultimate King and Queen of the hill challenge took place; a 2,5km climb up to Krisjan se Nek. RECM’s African cross-country champion James Reid scooped the Ultimate King title and Yolande de Villiers (Sasol Racing) claimed the title of Ultimate Queen.
Former masters’ world cross-country champion, Nico Pfitzenmaier (Dorma), who won the team event last year alongside Renay Groustra, rode solo this year to an overall victory in the men’s solo category. He had some healthy competition from young and seriously talented local, Dylan Rebello (Jeep), who won the second stage of the race, and came in second overall. I got that warm fuzzy feeling when Pfitzenmaier showed amazing sportsmanship after Rebello slipped in the finishing straight of the 58km final stage. He then waited for his local rival to right himself before the two crossed the finish line together. Jan Hanekom (Privateer) enjoyed third place overall.
In the woman’s solo category, National Marathon Champion Robyn De Groot (Ascendis Health) kicked some proverbial butt and dominated each day of the race ahead of much of the pack, and took the overall first place in the woman’s solo category.
In the team category, the Altech Autopage duo Hanco Kachelhoffer and Colin Noel reigned supreme in each consecutive stage for a dominant overall victory in the men’s team category. Nicola Giliomee and Marleen Lourens from team Merrell came out tops in the woman’s team category, while their mixed teammates Andrea and Steven Shirley, who after two stage wins, lost their edge in the third day, conceding victory to Sasol Racing team Yolande and Henties de Villiers.
Many of the riders that took part in the race have said that this race is definitely one to add to the calendar every year, not only because of the top-notch trails but also the fantastic atmosphere residing over the entire event.
Where Are We?
The RECM Knysna 200 is the more social and seriously fun sibling of the iconic Garden Route 300. The routes take in some of the best singletracks in the country as they criss-cross the Knysna Forests. Sus it out at www.recmknysna200.co.za.
[author image=”https://fullsus.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lisa-Greyling.jpg” ]Lisa Greyling is a freelance photographer and writer from the Garden Route and an ardent lover of nature, good food and wine… not necessarily in that order. When she isn’t photographing and waxing lyrical about the show stopping scenery in her neck of the woods, she hangs out with the little people that she made who live in her house, runs, cycles and dons boxing gloves for hard core kickboxing sessions! [/author]
