KAP SANI2C 2024 DAY 3

DAY 3 IN DETAIL

Day 3 is a great deal faster and less technical and should be the easiest of the three.

It starts on sugar cane farms where fast roads will surprise you with sharp turns. You’ll then experience the beauty of the coastal forest on long, quick descents through the father and son’s farms belonging to the Whiteley’s. The start is normally a frantically fast affair where the singletrack of Keyless brings the race to its senses and reminds the riders of what’s still to come. The field will split as Clint’s Climb exposes those who have been suffering thus far.

After the climb, more sweeping cane roads will move the tour along at a surprisingly brisk pace from farm to farm on its journey to the coast, with new surroundings experienced at every turn. The Sappi Tanhurst gum plantations pass by quickly as you back into the fast cane roads of Drumdarroch Farm. A short steep climb will bring you to the Dumisa Farmers Association water table at 23km.

Tired legs will remind you of the effort you have had to make thus far as you race through Kevard and html blade and enter Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve via the north gate. The steep, technical climb known as Work to be Done is always a challenge and special test where those veteran sani2c riders will tell you how much harder it was in the old days! Look out for the wildlife and appreciate the cheeky zebra that often escort cyclists through the age-old natural coastal vegetation. The terrain changes as you follow the tracks through the reserve, and climaxes with some spectacular singletrack through the Mtagati coastal bush. After leaving Vernon Crookes prepare for the fast, sweeping descent into the valley and through Esparanza Farm. Stay with the group and conserve here as you race along the valley floor and into the Lions Club water table at the 58km mark.

Leaving the table, you’ll be mistaken to think that the finish is close as there is still plenty of work to be done and it’s not wise to go too hard too soon. A specially constructed underpass at Esparanza takes you on to a spectacular section named Ricky’s Rail. This old railway route winds down the banks of the Kelso River and onto Dave’s Toil that will take you out of the valley. You are led onto an old golavaan track, now cleared, and it is here that you experience Lost and Found, another little gem of sani2c signature flowy trail. Then there’s a gentle gravel road climb up Dump Hill where you are well advised to eat and drink before you head into the mountain bike park of Rocky Bay Trails.

Andre’s Underpass leads you under the R612 and into Highway, a great initiative that offers a year-round off-road safe passage for mountain bikers holidaying in the Scottburgh area. Watch for the sharp left hander taking you onto Renishaw Trails before an exhilarating ride down into the sea breeze. A sprint will get you into Moodie Lane first and leads you onto the famously long Hansgrohe Floating Bridge that snakes across the lagoon at Scottburgh Beach. Leaving the bridge, it’s a short climb up onto Beach Road and then an easy 2km time trial through to the finish venue at Scottburgh Golf Club.