Full Dynamix team Timothy Cooper and Jacques Roussow, both from Paarl, won the 200km three-stage race which took place in the wilderness surrounding Knysna.
The women's event was won by the Attix 5/GT-Mr Price team Hannele Steyn-Kotze and Heletje van Staden of Cape Town. The masters crown belonged to the Cadence team of Shan Wilson (Cape Town) and Shaun Ellis (Johannesburg) while the laurels in the mixed category went to Merrel team Carel Bezuidenhout (Cape Town) and Heidi Koen (Port Elizabeth).
Similar in format to, but following a completely different route from, the highly acclaimed Cannondale Garden Route 300 which was presented by the same crew here in February, each stage of the race explored a different section of the Knysna landscape finishing at the lagoon-side race village on Thesen Harbour Town.
Day one started with a lap inside the Knysna Elephant Park, passing through a private wine estate into Avontuur and Wittedrift alongside the Buffalo Hills game park. Returning to Knysna via indigenous trails, the route totalled 67km.
The second stage started in Rheenendal and explored the newly cleared tracks of the Garden Route National Park's latest Elephant Trail Cycle Route.
The 67km-stretch climbed three times to a spectacular view point, passing the old gold mines at Millwood and Mother Holly's Tea Room on the way.
Cyclists returned to town via the historic Phantom Pass and alongside the Knysna lagoon-side walkway. Stage three was a 59km course featuring parts of an old mountain bike favourite, the 'red route' at Kranshoek.
The single track through the Harkerville indigenous forest area led back to town via the Bracken Falls valley and the edge of the Pezula Private Estate nature reserve.
"As competitors crossed the finish line, they were treated to a complimentary glass of champagne, oysters and Seriously Strong Seriously Good Cheese to celebrate their accomplishment," said Co-organiser Patric Wilson.
"Every stage ended at the Race Village on Thesen Island Harbour Town where a wonderful vibe ruled throughout the weekend.
We went all-out to spoil competitors with excellent food and entertainment: every evening a slide show of the day's race and a prize-giving preceded a delicious supper and live entertainment."
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Riders manoeuvre the slippery roots of trees in the forests outside Knysna during the Knysna Seriously Strong 200 Mountain Bike Experience. (Photo: Elle Photography)
