Hop on for Boknes Woody Cape ride
Forests, farmland and sweeping views of the sea are in store for participants in the Boknes Woody Cape Cycle Challenge on Saturday December 30.
Fitter and more experienced cyclists will likely tackle the 54km gravel route, while the 10km is intended to be a fun ride for the whole family.
This will be the second edition of the event, organised by the Boknes Ratepayers’ Association, with the support of the Alexandria/Kenton Round Table.
“While we received requests for additional routes and distances, we have decided to stick to the present format to provide the organisers with enough time to better prepare and address some of the shortcomings from 2022,” they said.
The first Boknes Woody Cape Cycle Challenge had 150 entrants.
This year’s start times are 6am for the 54km and 7am for the 10km, with both routes starting and finishing at the Boknes Community Hall.
Vehicles can be parked behind the Boknes Community Hall, with Hi-Tec Security guards there to keep a watchful eye.
Boerewors rolls, soft drinks and other snacks will be available for purchase at the finish line.
While the Community Hall does not have a liquor licence, participants, families, and friends are free to bring their alcoholic beverages of choice in cooler boxes. These can be left in your vehicles during the event.
The 54km ride takes a scenic gravel route to Alexandria, sweeping through indigenous forests past the Woody Cape SANParks Office.
The route then turns east and follows the “Golden Mile” coastal road with magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and Bird Island on the right, eventually reaching the finish at the Boknes Community Hall. There are no single or jeep tracks on the gravel roads, with the net elevation 800m.
The 10km takes a tour through Boknes and surrounding farmlands, then along parts of Cannon Rocks, back to the finish line in Boknes.
All finishers will be awarded a unique medal, hand-carved out of wood. The men’s and women’s 54km race winners will each receive a trophy.
The entry fee is R280 per person for the 54km ride and R100 for the 10km. Watering points are placed along the route, along with marshals at strategic locations.
E-bike and gravel bike riders are welcome and will receive medals but will not be eligible for the trophies.
“Since our entry system is not yet streamlined enough to handle entries on the morning of race day, entries will officially close at 4pm on December 29,” the organisers said. “No late entries will be accepted.”
Race number collection will take place at the Boknes Community Hall on December 29, from 10am to 6pm. Latecomers may collect their race numbers on race day from 5-5.30am, at a R50 cash fee.