Mountain bike action kicks up a gear on Saturday when the annual Twizza Henderson Valley MTB race is battled out in Ferndale, Cathcart.
Some of the Eastern Cape’s best mountain bikers will be out in force as they take on the popular annual event.
The main race will be the 57km Spectacular, which requires a fairly high level of fitness as it has more hills and technical sections – it also boasts some magnificent scenery.
The other really competitive distance is the 45km Fantastic, which requires a medium level of fitness and has a few hills and some more technical sections.
The more fun and family orientated rides are over three distances, with the 19km fun ride featuring a flat easy ride which is usually ridden by cyclists who doubt their fitness levels.
The 12km family fun ride is for beginners and people who are unfit as well as parents who want to ride with their kids.
The junior fun ride is for any kid big enough to ride a bike, with it marked out in the same way as a senior ride and gives the kids a taste of things to come.
Also included is a scooter dash for pre-school kids on their little plastic scooters and is once around the campsite, which keeps the kids happy for hours and they go home with certificates and medals which they cherish.
“The main two rides (57km and 45km) are sanctioned by Cycling South Africa and they are all run to the same high standard demanded in terms of road marking, safety and support,” said race organiser Rob Snelling.
“All riders get medals, a free meal, a Twizza goody bag and plenty of lucky draw prizes.”
Also added to the day are three trail runs over distances of 5km, 10km and 20km so that the runners are not left out of the enjoyable day of action.
While the long run includes a tough hill , the shorter runs are much flatter and easier.
Online entries for the race closed last night and late entries can still be made up until tomorrow afternoon at 4pm along with a late entry fee, while final late entries can be made on the morning of the race but will not be timed.
“We are hugely indebted to Ken Clark of Twizza, our main sponsor, as well as all our other sponsors and local farmers who give their time freely for this event,” added Snelling.
The races get under way from 9am at 10-minute intervals, as well as the runs, with the last riders expected in by 1.30pm and the prize giving set for 2pm.
For more information check the Henderson Valley MTB website at com/ as well as their Facebook page.