Mountain bike race delivers smiles come rain or shine

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The doctor's orders for a mountain bike stage race stipulate the controllables - like smooth logistics, great food, and a thrilling route - but even Dr Evil cannot control the weather.

Despite Leon Evans' anti-rain dances (done in private of course), the 2024 Dr Evil Experience endured two rainy days. Mountain bikers are not made of sugar however, and the weather conditions did not dampen their spirits.

The opening day on Thursday 19 September was ridden in pouring rain, on Friday's stage the occasional squall added to the muddy conditions under the tyre, but on Saturday, the sun came out and started to dry up all the rain.

Brooding storm

Before the riding started, a new registration venue welcomed this year's participants to Plettenberg Bay.

Perched high above the Keurbooms River estuary and the bay itself Sky Villa Boutique Hotel provided spectacular views, an optional Prologue, and the opportunity to see the brooding storm clouds roll in from the west.

By the next morning, the heavens had opened and the inclement weather had well and truly set in.

It rained for much of the first stage, making conditions tough for fast times and detracting somewhat from the beauty of the route.

"I think Day 1 is the best riding in the region," Plettenberg Bay local and The Bike Shop owner, Kevin Evans said. "My dad [Leon Evans], Erik [Klootwyk], and his route team have done an incredible job stringing those sections together. So, it's a pity we rode it in the rain. But that's cycling…"

André Phillip barreling down the superbly built MTO Forestry trails that withstood the rain well and were exceptionally fun to ride. Photos: Oakpics.com

Forest provides cover

Day 2 was a less soaking-wet affair. Sections of the magnificent Harkerville indigenous forest provided cover from the rain and the superbly built MTO Forestry trails drained well.

This meant that while the forestry roads were sodden and muddy, the singletracks themselves were still great fun to ride.

"The mud was pretty hectic and you had to watch it on the descents," Evan's racing partner, Neill Clark confessed. "Once you were going you hardly noticed the rain though. It wasn't too cold and it was all good."

By Friday afternoon the sun had finally emerged from the clouds and the ground began to dry. This set the event up for a perfect Day 3.

Tom Byron was crowned the overall champion, having posted the fastest time across the three days, besting the Knysna Toyota Bike Shop Plett combination of Kevin Evans and Clark by 8 minutes and 32 seconds to claim the solo men's title as well as the Dr Evil Experience floating trophy.

The biggest grin was reserved for Wayne Badenhorst, who won a Scott Spark in the post-race lucky draw.

Charl Kemp was all smiles, despite two days of wet weather and mud, at the 2024 Dr Evil Experience. Photo: Oakpics.com

Wayne Badenhorst was the lucky draw winner who rode away with a brand-new Scott Spark worth R110 000, courtesy of Scott Sports Africa. Photo: Oakpics.com