Being lured by three days in the Garden Route and SA’s most popular single day race Neil Bradford set off for four days of riding in the Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic and the Pennypinchers Lions Karoo to Coast.
The Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic, a three day mountain bike stage race, took place for the fourth consecutive year from 17 to 19 September 2015. And for those who are brave enough, taking on the optional fourth day of racing, the renowned Pennypinchers Lions Karoo to Coast race on 20 September.
It is entirely up to you whether you would like to only do the three days of Dr Evil Classic, or whether you would like to supersize your riding and take on the Karoo to Coast as well. The two events are entirely separate, but run in such a way that doing both is made really easy for those wanting the extra mileage. Pennypinchers have really taken a big step in “owning” both these events, and form a formidable mountain biking partnership throughout the Plett and Knysna area.
Once again Dr Evil (aka Leon Evans) and Zandile Meneses put on a fantastic event. The only thing which was not an improvement from last year was the weather! It was still based at the Wittedrift School, but this year a marquee tent placed on the sports fields was host to breakfast, lunch, prize giving and general relaxing. The breakfast and lunches were divine and exactly what was needed before and after the days’ riding. The bike wash, coffee stand, tuckshop area and beer tent were most definitely very well supported too. Prize giving was held daily, just after lunch, with some amazing prizes given away.
Although we had very little rain while we were on the bike, an extreme amount of rain in the two weeks preceding the event and then more rain during the first two nights made the forest really wet. We had a lot to be thankful for though, as conditions were not too cold and there was hardly any wind to speak of. Even when the forest is wet, it still doesn’t produce the sticky and sludgy mud which can make for terrible riding. If you had a good pair of glasses to keep your eyes clean, the wet conditions simply added to the fun! On day three the sun rose to herald in blue skies and warm conditions making for a stunning day on the bike. Dr Evil had even adjusted the route where possible to skip out the very wet areas so we enjoyed a predominantly dry ride for the final day of the Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic.
Leon Evans’ route design is quite clear to see as everyone experienced a testing but thoroughly enjoyable route for racing snakes and social riders alike. Routes were also well marked with an awesome variety of dirt roads, forest jeep tracks and exciting singletrack. There is always something so special about riding in the Knysna Forest and surrounds. With Wittedrift situated at sea level each day was always going to start with some climbing, but this means that the last 10 to 15km of each day were mostly downhill, which was a welcome relief.
Day One covered approximately 68km with 1 400m of climbing, starting and finishing at Wittedrift School. Day Two was also around 68km with a little less climbing, at around 1 200m. What Dr Evil did this year to add more variety, was to move the start to Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm. The route circled the farm and then headed off along the cliff edges of Harkerville before heading inland, under the N2 and snaking a stunning route back to Wittedrift. Day Three started and finished at Wittedrift, with a short 48km route and around 800m of climbing. With the sun out and the shortened route, everyone put the wet first two days behind them and there were big smiles all round.
The event is capped at 350 riders and this seems to help create the exact type of “close-knit” event that it is set out to be. The social and relaxed atmosphere is really evident in the way that everyone mingles and chats while watching fellow riders finish their day’s ride. Whether you are an avid stage race mountain biker, or wanting to do your first ever stage race, the Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic comes highly recommended.
Where are we?
The Pennypinchers Dr Evil Classic takes place around the Southern Cape town of Plettenberg Bay. The unofficial fourth day is the Pennypinchers Lions Karoo to Coast which runs from Uniondale in the Karoo to Knysna on the Garden Route. Find out more at www.drevilclassic.com.
Bio:
Despite doing triathlons, canoeing, trail running and adventure racing, Neil Bradford’s first love remains mountain biking. He’s very competitive, holding numerous SA sub-vet and vet XC titles and was placed 3rd in the masters and 18th overall in the 2013 ABSA Cape Epic. He is also a business owner, husband and father of two.
