Organisers of the BSi Steel dusi2c are well aware of the roles it’s many background organisations and individuals play in the unique event’s success and the mountain bikers are once again set to reap the rewards of this on-going, mutually beneficial relationship when the fourth edition of the race gets underway on Saturday, 11 June.
The popular event sees mountain bikers, bound for Blue Lagoon in Durban, head from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg down the winding trails to the overnight stop at Mfula Store which is situated right in the heart of the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
The Natal Canoe Club play a large role in making the BSi Steel dusi2c happen through their important relationships in the Valley of a Thousand Hills and their clubhouse at Camps Drift provides the start venue for the race which will begin on 11 June 2016. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
While BSi Steel have given great support to the event throughout their three year title sponsorship, a number of other key role players have also made the event possible with their provision of a quality service the reason for Farmer Glen Haw’s continued backing of them.
The race sets up registration at the Natal Canoe Club’s clubhouse at Camps Drift with the paddling institution playing an important role in making the event possible through its relationship with the local communities developed during the years of its FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.
“I extend my appreciation and gratitude to the Natal Canoe Club who are committed to the communities along the route through which we will be riding,” Farmer Glen Haw mentioned.
“Without NCC and their years of continued work with these communities, preparations for this event would be extremely difficult!”
The race takes riders through a number of privately owned farms as well as, quite literally, past the doorsteps of a number of the residents of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, making a strong relationship between the event and the local landowners imperative to the success of the race.
“Thank you too to all the landowners and rural households concerned for their generous co-operation and assistance where, in many cases, we will be riding through their back yards this weekend.
“With their support, we will be able to continually upgrade the event and the route while also making a meaningful contribution to the communities through which we pass,” an appreciative Haw commented.
The work that is done by the teams at the Dusi uMngeni Conservation Trust and the Durban Green Corridor is also paramount to the success and sustainability of the race.
“Durban Green Corridor together with DUCT are our official route partners and without their support and assistance the relationships that we have in the valley would not be what they are,” Haw added.
Uplifting the local community has always been at the forefront of Farmer Glen Haw’s events and the dusi2c gives the local people the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects surrounding the race.
These projects play a key role in developing skills that the local community members can use after the event to better themselves.
“We continue to enjoy the close relationship with Farmer Glen and his team; the benefits are self-evident from our association, to both cycling and local communities,” BSi Steel’s Chief Executive Officer, Craig Parry said.
“The race epitomises the values of BSi Steel and the camaraderie that has evolved since our involvement.
“We are looking forward another eventful BSi Steel dusi2c race this weekend,” Parry mentioned.
BSi Steel took on the role as the first title sponsors of the event in 2014 with Farmer Glen appreciative of the title sponsor’s contributions and grateful they have the same interests at heart to his own when it comes to giving back to the community.
“We are honoured to be associated with a local Pietermaritzburg company who shares our passion for helping those in the valley.
“To all our other great partners, we appreciate the great relationship we have built up over the years.
“We look forward to working with all these particular groups again this year and continuing to build this event together in the future,” Haw noted.
The 2016 BSi Steel dusi2c mountain bike race takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Durban’s Blue Lagoon on 11 and 12 June. For more information visit www.dusi2c.co.za.
