Excitement is mounting for the annual exciting Mountain Bike race in St Francis Bay, next month – one of the biggest events of this kind held annually in the Eastern Province.
Already many ardent cycling fans and lovers of this race, St Francis Bay MTB Challenge, have searched this website and others looking for news ahead of this popular race.
St Francis Chronicle’s ‘Daily News Online’ is bringing you an early foretaste of what’s in store for this year’s race that attracts more than 400 participants each year.
The race is held annually at St Francis Links and the date this year is 27 November 2011. The race will start at 8 am.
The event raises money for the Sea Vista Disney Creche. Last year R5000 raised enabled the crèche to be upgraded. More than R20 000 has been spent on building maintenance.
This year the route has much less sand and a great new 70 km route. The 35 km and 70 km routes go around the lighthouse and all races have a spectator-friendly finish at the Links.
There is the popular 5 km route for under 12s and much younger, within the safety of the Links plus the flat 15 km route through pristine bush behind the Links for the not-so-fit cyclist.
And for spectators there is entertainment provided at the Links for the whole family, plus food and refreshments on sale. For children there is safe, free entertainment: jumping castle, face painting and Dvd’s.
There will be a Pre-Race Party and Registration at the Cape St Francis Resort on the Saturday evening (26 November from 6.30 pm.). Special race T-shirts will be on sale.
St Francis MTB Challenge 2011 is hosted again by St Francis Sport, Pam Golding Properties and Fat Tracks.
Sponsors are Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants, St Francis Brick & Plant Hire, Midas Earthcote, Jean Hugo Construction, Scribbels Interiors, as well as Farol Bistro, USN, African Overalls, Custom Bikes, Commencal, Focal Point and Cape St Francis Resort.
Online entries are open on www.stfrancissport.co.za till 23 November. Late entrants pay a R30 late entry fee (not applicable to the 5 km ride). All online entries received before 15 November will receive T-shirts. (See below)
The entry fees are R30 (5 km), R40 (15 km), R80 (35 km) and R120 (70 km) plus R35 for day licences for the 30 km and 70 km races, for non-CSA (Cycling SA) members.
A bike worth R5 000 is one of the great lucky draw prizes.
CSA MTB rules apply for this race, one of only four Eastern Cape MTB races on the national MTB calendar. For each cyclist doing the 35 km and 70 km races, R6 goes to Cycling SA.
Numbers are limited owing to the sensitivity of the area. A total of 500 cyclists will be accepted for the two long races.
Prize-giving for the 5 km and 20 km races will be at approximately 11am, while the 35 km and 70 km races prize giving will be around 1 pm. Medals will be awarded for the first three men and first three women for each race.
Other Important Info:
Age Groups: there are eight age groups from under 12 to over 50.
Bike Display/Repairs: Tyrone Kindness, ex-‘Team MTN mechanic’, who owns Custom Bikes in St Francis, will be there along with Commencal Bikes helping those with emergency problems before the start. Tyrone: 079 084 3824.
Water and USN points will be provided.
Medics and an ambulance, plus a local doctor Jean Malan will be on standby in case of an emergency.
Physio-massage will be available for tired muscles.
No helmet, no ride for all races.
Beneficiary: Disney Creche, in Sea Vista township, St Francis Bay. 80 kids, between 2 and 5 years old are fed and looked after every morning. This year R10 per cyclist will go towards further much needed building maintenance. Organisers are hoping to raise at least R6000 this year.
Timing and Registration: by Mountain Events, PortElizabeth. Results will be displayed virtually in real time, provisional results after the last rider finishes, and final results the day following the event
St Francis Bay MTB Challenge Organising Committee: Richard Arderne (St Francis Sport/Pam Golding), Eric Stewart (St Francis Sport), Wynand Botha (Fat Tracks) plus Jeff Clause and Ryan Dodds (St Francis Links)
For more info: Call: Richard Arderne on 083 284 0168. Online entries are open at www.stfrancissport.co.za until 23 November.
All articles written, all photos taken, plus all adverts designed, by the Editor and printed in the St Francis Chronicle are protected by Copyright. Reproduction or copying or changing of any part of the contents of this newspaper, its articles or concept and design can only be done with the Editor’s written permission.
