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GARDEN ROUTE CYCLING NEWS - The annual 7 Passes MTB Race came and went last weekend, with the sixth edition of the race taking the old Seven Passes Route between Wilderness and Knysna by storm on Saturday 28 November.
Dates for the race have varied on the annual calendar over the past six years, and this year marked the third event in November. It has offered different routes over the years too, with organisers changing start and end points a few times.
The event is divided in two distances, 38km and 76km, spanning various categories. In the 38km race, riders (separate men’s and women’s categories) are placed into the Lighty (12-15 years), Junior (16-18 years), Open (19-54), and Ebike (electric bikes) categories. In the 76km, the Open and Ebike categories were retained, with the addition of the Bullet (55+) category.
Riders were treated to a crossing of the Red Bridge as part of the route.
Both races set off in staggered starts to decrease the size of the starting bunches, with the 38km distance beginning in Karatara and the 76km opposite the Wilderness Hotel. According to race organiser Patric Mosterd, owner of Garden Route Events, conditions were perfect.
“The rains in the last few months have left the forests lush and green, and they were absolutely breathtaking on race day,” he said.
Both distances followed their own routes along the Seven Passes Road, winding its way through the Outeniqua Mountains before coming out on the Phantom Pass Road from which riders crossed Knysna’s famous Red Bridge.
Thereafter they crossed onto the N2, and made their way to the finish at the The Farm on Old Cape Road.
Photo gallery: 7 Passes MTB Race end November 2020
Photos: Blake Linder
Mosterd was chuffed with how the race went down.
“Everyone who worked with us, from those at the starting points to finish, were amazing, and the riders had loads of fun too,” he said. “We are proud that our race is accessible to riders of all skill levels, and cannot wait to hold next year’s event.”
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