An annual journey that involves pedalling from Drakensberg to Hillcrest over 3 days, with compulsory grazing stops and overnight camping. This is a NON TIMED, NON PODIUM event!!
The event starts at the ATKV in Drakensville on Friday morning, and makes it way through the hills and dales of Kwazulu Natal to Wagendrift Dam in Estcourt on Day 1. Compulsory stops are at the Winterton Country Club for an assortment of breakfast nibbles – muffins/sandwiches/scones/crumpets/coffee/tea/juice… and then onto the Estcourt Bowling Club for some “beverages” before the final stretch to Wagendrift Dam where we set up camp for the evening. Cooked lunch and dinner… and some live entertainment for the evening. Breakfast is bright and breezy from 6am on Saturday. “Tent town” needs to be taken down, bags taken to the truck, and then you on your merry way…. “concrete road” is a wonderful start to the days pedal.. followed by Bacon Hill, Griffons before heading into Mooi River for “the 2nd breakfast”. Once refuelled, it is onwards and upwards to the Sherry Tasting, or Bierfassl… if you think you going to sneak past… beware… you will be spotted… and called to order at one of these venues… cycling is thirsty work after all! A meander from there down to Midmar dam is the remainder of the ride – yip, lunch will welcome you! Set up camp, bond with your new buddies, share a drink or ten, and then dinner will be ready! This is followed by a marvelous raffle (security system, weekends away at private game lodges, in the berg, leather back packs to name a few!!) and some more entertainment and partying.
Sunday cooked brekkie, is warmly welcomed, before / during the tent breakdown. Once again, load your kit onto the truck, and begin the decent to Pietermaritzburg…. once there…. you pass the city hall… and let your Amashova training begin….. Fox Hill or Polly Shorts awaits… and then it is “downhill to Hillcrest” for a final Lamb on The Spit at the Hillcrest Running Club.
GABRAN – it’s not a race, it’s an experience!