Simon during one of the many water crossings at Imana Wildride
Earlier this year, many of the professional riders took notice as Simon and Gavin cruised to a top 12 finish at the 3-day Sani2c Race in Kwazulu-Natal. Considering a field of 1,400 teams and many top-level pros this was no mean feat. This result was quickly followed up by top of field finishes for both of them in the Knysna Oyster Festival 80km mountainbike and 100km road bike race. They also grabbed comfortable top 10 positions at the recent Lourensford Race.
Our team was fortunate enough to take part in an event that must be the ultimate showcase of our Pure Planet, the 4-day Imana Wildride, which traverses the beaches and mountains along the Wild Coast. Following some mechanical difficulties on day one, the team ended up riding the remainder of the event with the race founder and legend Sani2c man Farmer Glen and his partner Steve Stamp. This made the event a very special experience for our team and enabled them to appreciate the incredible setting in which they were riding, albeit still at quite a pace as Farmer Glen is no slouch on a bike! Simon’s view on the race… “being able to ride a bike through some of South Africa’s most beautiful and unspoilt coastlines is an unbelievable privilege. With the route unmarked and unsupported (making sure the sea is to your right at all times…), and having to navigate mountains, cliffs, rivers, beaches and villages – not to mention cattle – this took mountainbiking to another level. The organisation of the race is absolutely top-notch, and the vibe and atmosphere is incredible. It’s impossible not to make plenty new friends along the way. To top it all, it’s for a good cause, and the humanitarian element of the race is what eventually leaves the most lasting impression.”
Gavin showing characteristic focus on Day 2 of Imana Wildride
Last weekend we took our first ever double-individual podium at the very popular Apple Blossom Mountainbike event in Grabouw where Simon and Gavin took 1st and 3rd places respectively.
The major focus now for Simon and Gavin is the upcoming Wines2Whales 3-day stage race in Grabouw in early November. They will be looking to defend their incredible podium finish last year in this year’s race, which will entail some heavy racing given the depth of the field predicted for the 2011 event. We are sure they will be right up there again! Good luck and well done on a great season so far.
