Scottburgh – With a big field expected to converge on the South Coast for the long weekend, the course designers have resisted the urge to change the popular format for the Magma Security Scottburgh Mountain Bike race presented by Sappi on Saturday 15 June, and instead have make small alterations designed to enhance the current layout.
One of the three changes to the 45km and 28km race routes for the Magma Security Scottburgh MTB Race presented by Sappi has moved the water table to the edge of Crocworld, allowing riders to enjoy the sights of the popular South Coast tourist attraction.
Photo: Kyle Gilham/Gameplan Media
Course designer Flavio Scarpa, organising the event with the Scottburgh Cycling Club, has opted to make three tweaks to the 45km layout that starts and finishes at Scottburgh main beach.
The entry to the single track section through the picturesque Sappi Cannonbrae forest has been changed at the Little John bridge, principally to ensure that there is no two way traffic during the day. This leads into an expanded section of single track through the plantations that has proved to be one of the highlights of the ride for regular mountain bikers.
“The single track through the Sappi plantations at Cannonbrae is fantastic, so we have extended that to offer riders more flowing single track through the forest,” said Scarpa.
The watering table for both the 28km route that also serves as the second watering table for the 45km route has also been moved to the outskirts of the Crocworld property, before the riders do a 400 metre loop through the popular south coast tourist attraction skirting the pen where the massive crocodile Henry is kept.
Scarpa has also taken steps to ensure that all riders take the route through Crocworld, by blocking off the shortcut around the outside of the property. “It’s not quite going to be razor wire but it is not going to be worth trying to take the short cut!”
The final climb “Morning Glory” has also been modified with a new section of single track cutting out the last steep ascent through a new section of single track and canefield contour that leads into the descent to the finish on the beachfront.
The hosts will lay conveyer belt matting down on the beach to make the final leg across the sand more mountain bike friendly.
“We get really encouraged by the positive feedback we get from riders who come down to do this race, so we resist the urge to change for the sake of change,” said Scarpa. “The changes that we have made have all added value to a course that the riders have given the thumbs up.”
“Although fast it continues to be tough. Every year we have managed to tweak it here or there to make for an enjoyable ride,” he added.
The Magma Security Scottburgh MTB Race presented by Sappi festival will include the 10km beginners race that will ensure there is MTB action for whole family
Photo: Kyle Gilham/Gameplan Media
The Magma Security Scottburgh MTB Race presented by Sappi takes place on Saturday 15 June. The event starts and finishes at Scottburgh main beach and riders can take part in either the 45km Classic, 28km Intermediate or the 10km Fun Ride. More info can be found at www.roag.co.za and at www.c4m.co.za
