Rough riders head for the coast

Instantly recognisable local tour guide and raconteur Basil Mills will fire the massive, mean-looking starting gun to signal the start of the 2016 Pennypinchers Grahamstown to Sea (G2C) mountain bike race from here to Port Alfred in a little over a week’s time.

From the start of the race at the Pennypinchers warehouse in the industrial area, the field will ride up and over Mountain Drive and take the undulating Southwell road to the finish at Port Alfred’s Rosehill Mall shopping centre on the outskirts of the town, 58km later.

The fourth G2C takes place from 8.30am on Sunday 10 July, the final day of the National Arts Festival, and riders have until 1pm to reach the finish.

Three times G2C winner, Jason Meaton, will not be racing this year as he is a member of the organising committee.

The organisers are the Albany Saints & Sinners MultiSport Club, while the sponsors are the Grahamstown and Port Alfred branches of Pennypinchers.

Entry fee is R190 per rider if received by Monday 4 July, and R250 for late entries.

Registration at the Pennypinchers warehouse in the industrial area is from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 9 July, and from 6.30am to 7.30am on the morning of the race, where late entries will also be accepted.

Once Basil Mills has sent the riders on their way, they will enjoy a kilometre or so of tar before making a left turn and climbing all the way to the top of Mountain Drive via a gravel road.

Once cyclists reach the Toposcope they will start a downhill rush on a tricky single track to Woest Hill pass where they will meet more tar for about 7km.

Then there’s more gravel road, this time undulating, until they reach the coast, with a few mean uphill sections thrown in to test their stamina.

Upon inhaling their first breath of crisp sea air as they approach the finish, bikers will make a sharp left turn on to a farm road and ride the last couple of kilometres with renewed energy, ap- proaching Rosehill Mall from the rear.

They will be met at the finish by a carnival-type atmosphere with banners, flags and stalls, plus music and live commentary provided by Neil Bisseker of AlgoaFM.

For more race information and entry details, visit website www.grahamstown2sea. co.za

Somewhere along the route in the Southwell farming district, riders will be met by the Grocott’s Mail team at the side of the dusty road, offering them ice-cold energy drinks and water, plus plenty of encouragement.

Riders wanting to stop and have a chat with the team and have their photo taken are welcome to do so.