WILLOWMORE NEWS - Willowmore was abuzz with excitement on Saturday 10 August at the start of the 16th Trans Baviaans from the town to Jeffreys Bay.
The event is eagerly anticipated by local communities, as it brings 2 500 riders, plus their friends and family members, to the Eastern Cape.
According to AB Erasmus, Willowmore tourism information clerk, 16 guest houses and guest farms had already been fully booked by the beginning of this year.
"It's not yet known how much the town financially generated from the event, but the restaurants were chock a block. Visitors also flooded the shops and handcraft sellers," Erasmus said.
As most towns have their festivals - the KKNK in Oudsthoorn, the Knysna Oyster Festival, the Mossel Bay Diaz Festival - the Trans Baviaans is described as the 'Willowmore Festival', said Seamus Allardice on behalf of the race organisers.
A young cycling enthusiast participate in the festival of cycling.
"One of the restaurant owners say they pray for Trans Baviaans ahead of Christmas in Willowmore," race director Zane Schmahl laughed.
To get a hint of what South Africa’s most popular ultra-endurance mountain bike race is all about follow @EcoBoundEvents on Twitter or @transbaviaans on Instagram for insights into the beauty of the area.
Alternatively, visit the website.
Willowmore residents preparing food for the crowds. Photos: Jacques Marais
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