Mountain-bike race finishes at Diemersfontein
2009-05-28
THE first cyclists in the 2009 Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa, the annual non-stop mountain-bike race, which starts in Pietermaritzburg on 13 June, are anticipated to arrive at Diemersfontein estate in Wellington on 28 June for the official finish. After travelling more than 2300 kilometres along South Africa’s Freedom Trail, crossing six major mountain ranges and enduring the testing weather of a South African winter, riders (in what is increasingly being regarded as one of the most demanding multi-day endurance races in the world), will be able to enjoy a 500 metre descent as they leave the top of the Du Toit’s Kloof Pass and ride the last six kilometres in to the finish. Diemersfontein’s wine-maker and mountain-biking enthusiast Brett Rightford, says, “Diemersfontein has for some time been developing the estate as an adventure centre with a particular focus on mountainbiking. “We have developed an extensive mountain-bike trail network running into the mountains behind the estate and also host Wellington’s Gravel Travel mountain-bike race. “We believe that the adventurous spirit of the riders in the Freedom Challenge is reflected in the wines that we make,” he said. Riders must arrive at Diemersfontein within 26 days in order to receive the Basutho blanket traditionally presented to those who complete this gruelling race. On the weekend of 4 and 5 July the cyclists will participate in the “One Stop Berg” – a paddle from Paarl to Velddrif with one overnight stop along the way.
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