Mountain bikers gather in aid of Camdeboo Hospice

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Fifty mountain biking enthusiasts across South Africa participated in the Camdeboo Challenge on the weekend of 9 to 11 October, in aid of Camdeboo Hospice in Graaff-Reinet.

Cyclists gathered from as far as Kloof in KwaZulu-Natal, Plettenberg Bay and George for the highly-anticipated event, initiated by leading farmers Annette and Edgar Kingwill and supported by members of the Camdeboo Conservancy.

Visitors also came from Knysna, Wilderness, Mossel Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Cape Town, with locals joining from Somerset East, Beaufort West and Aberdeen.

According to Edgar, the Challenge Skyline route of 62 km on Saturday developed into an extreme adventure for most, as cold frontal weather moved in from the south-east during the mid-morning hours.

"However, this did not deter the enthusiasm of the mountain bikers or the organisers," he said. The wonderful day was rounded off that evening with a spitbraai and local raconteur Johan Minnaar's Tales of the Camdeboo.

And away we go!

"The weather certainly impacted the route, but made for some epic riding and storytelling afterwards," said participant Andrew Cherrington.

An alternative 32 km route was plotted and prepared for Sunday morning, following significant rainfall measured the day before. Bikers enjoyed the route on Sunday morning, and the event was closed with a scrumptious brunch and prize draw.

"It was the kind of race we like to do: home-made, warmth and hospitality," said Sandy Bosman. "And the Karoo is magnificently beautiful, making it worth the climb."

We're ready for anything!