Pedal power gives South Coast a boost

THIS month, Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT) will be celebrating Tourism and Heritage Month with a programme of exciting events to promote the region’s unique tourist destinations including the South Coast Fever Mountain Bike (MTB) and Trail Run Series.

The uniquely contested race, a fourpart cycling race which will conclude on September 22 at Lake Eland Game Reserve in Port Shepstone, is a major tourism drawcard for the South Coast.

This year’s event started on July 7 with the Sardine MTB Race at Port Edward Holiday Resort, which took riders across the world’s smallest desert, the Red Desert.

USCT chief executive Phelisa Mangcu said the series, now in its fourth year, has grown to become one of the country’s most popular cycle challenges.

“The incredibly diverse terrain of the South Coast makes it one of the most exciting cycling and trail running destinations. It has been the final stop on both the JoBerg2c and sani2c mountain bike races, and now we are cementing this outdoor adventure position with the fantastic South Coast Fever MTB and Trail Run Series,” said Mangcu.

The event attracts some of the country’s biggest names in cycling, and this year has been no different.

In the men’s division, former champion Andrew Hill, from Kloof, is competing alongside Brennan Anderson from Amanzimtoti, Darryn Purtell from South Coast, Lindani Shusha from Durban and Tyronne White from Ballito.

Event organiser Michael Bester explained that the series was a way to unify the four individual races for a bigger impact.

“The race also provides larger exposure to the KZN South Coast destination, while keeping alive the Burry Stander legacy of developing cycling in the region.”

See www.tourismsouthcoast.co.za or visit the Facebook Page: South Coast Tourism. |