The Garden Route’s premier four-day mountain biking celebration is back again in 2024, promising a challenging, yet rewarding Heritage Day Long Weekend when some of the most scenic routes in the country will be conquered. The Dr Evil Classic three-day mountain bike stage race and the Lions Karoo to Coast 100km Challenge, from 19-22 September, are open for entries!
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The late decision by the George Municipality Disaster Management to cancel the 2023 Lions Karoo to Coast Challenge due to the potential weather threat proved to be a contentious one. It was the event organisers who copped the most flack from a somewhat mixed reaction. The overwhelming disappointment was shared by all, but the level of rider understanding was also ultimately refreshingly high.
The entire Lions Karoo to Coast profits go to charitable causes, which were still able to partially benefit in 2023, despite the setback of the racing not going ahead. Last year’s entrants are also eligible for a discounted entry to this year’s race, which has once again been limited to 4500 riders and which will be held on Sunday 22 September. Tuesday, 24 September is Heritage Day, a national public holiday.
For many, their appetite is now even greater for the 2024 edition of the iconic K2C race, a point-to-point challenge that’s worth adding to any mountain-biking bucket list. Even the most seasoned mountain bikers describe the thrill of finishing the Lions Karoo to Coast race, which starts in Uniondale and ends 100km later in Knysna. The route is largely made up of riding the Prince Alfred’s Pass, a spectacular 88km pass that traverses the Outeniqua Mountains and the Keurbooms River Valley.
The area is a conservancy, which means that the fauna and flora is protected and unspoiled. It’s hard to describe the feeling of riding a bicycle through there, which is why it’s best to experience it for yourself. The road has a good quality gravel surface that’s been further improved in recent months and includes 1560m of climbing and 1815m of descending.
New for 2024, the Lions Karoo to Coast welcomes Mountain Bikes, Gravel Bikes and eBikes, with prize-winning categories for all this year. With eBike entries tripling in 2023, the event now offers a free battery-swap service at Buffelsnek. Gravel bikes will start in the usual seeded bunches – but there will be a separate, generous prize purse and podium call-ups for the top Gravel Bikes.
While there’s some risks to be taken and fun to be had swooping down the pass, there are some rolling climbs in the latter part of the race that will test your stamina and resolve and make crossing the finish line in Knysna all that more rewarding!
To enter or for more information, visit the Lions Karoo to Coast website here.
The Lions Karoo to Coast is the grand finale to the four-day mountain biking festival, preceded by the three-day Dr Evil Classic in nearby Plettenberg Bay. Many combine the two events to ensure they experience the full range of mountain biking that the region offers.
The Dr Evil Classic is a boutique event that explores trails around Plett over three stimulating stages. This year, registration will take place, for the first time ever, at the beautiful Sky Villa Boutique Hotel that overlooks the Bay. Stage 1 will be a 58km haul from Wittedrift to Cairnbrogie; Stage 2, over 45km, will start and finish at Cairnbrogie and incorporate the legendary Harkerville Forest; and Stage 3 will be a 38km flow-fest on the highly rated MTO Garden Route trails network – also starting and finishing at Cairnbrogie.
It’s hard to find a more scenic stage race – not only in South Africa, but anywhere. The mountains, forests and coastline in the Plett region deliver a truly post card-worthy place to ride a mountain bike.
Unlike most stage races, the Dr Evil Classic doesn’t have a tented race village. This allows you to choose your own accommodation to suit your budget or your interests or needs. Got family with you? Stay near the beach. Love wine and good food? Stay at a local wine farm. Just want to go with the flow? Stay at the Official Event Accommodation Partner – Sky Villa www.skyvilla.co.za , which is near the beach, has magnificent views and has world class wine and dine options…
To enter or for more information, visit the Dr Evil Classic website here.
