Pick N Pay Knysna Cycle Tour 2012 - July

[Meezo]

Route alternates every year for the road events doesn't it?

 

Yes, or i was under the impression it does

[Let's Ride]

So far it hasn't.

 

Last year we went to PE instead of turning left and then out towards PE.

Edited March 15, 2012 by PA HIRE

[mikkelz]

As per their website: http://www.knysnacycle.co.za/roadevent/

 

The Road Race returns to the popular westward course, a scenic and challenging route from Knysna and up to the infamous Serpentine Pass in Wilderness.

 

All riders leave Knysna and travel towards Sedgefield. The 100km riders pass through Sedgefield on their way to the “Hoekville Hill” where they can enjoy the breathtaking farmland views. The 50km riders turn back in Sedgefield and return to Knysna by the same route.

 

[Backpacker]

The mtb ride was on our race calendar for the year. Last year cost us R2,200 / person for flights, accommodation and car rental. This year flights alone are around R3,600 pp add to that a couple of hundred for your bikes. Prices literally double for that weekend, so unfortunately will have to give it a miss. We are in Knysna now so making the most of all the rides, Homtini yesterday and Harkerville tomorrow, the best of the best ...

[T-Bob]

Spent Easter at the families place in Plett'. Did a recon of the route and there are some decent rollers on the way. The first drag out after the Knysna lagoon is a pretty solid climb and that's at the beginning.

 

Backpacker: Even driving from CT to Plett is going to cost R1500 + accommodation & the rest. Seems like just getting out of town means you have to jack up the mortgage nowadays.

[DJR]

It is a nice weekend getaway from Cape Town. We normally make it a family cycling weekend and enter both the mtb and road races. Shorter rides for the kids, longer for the adults. The vibe has always been good, the people friendly and Knysna very beautiful with lots to do and see for those that don't ride. Sometimes we stayed in Knysna, sometimes in Sedgefield or Buffelsbay. I like being part of the hustle and bustle of Knysna. The Mtb routes are very beautiful, but the longer ones are extremely tough, so be prepared. The road race towards Sedgefield is more scenic than the one towards Plett, both are fast with a few tough climbs, not to be underestimated. I liked doing a road race in midwinter, just to give the bike a bit of exercise, but if I have to choose, I think the mtb races in Knysna are more fun.

Edited April 9, 2012 by DJR

[MTB_Roadie]

Last year we cycled past Plett, this year it is towards Wilderness as 2010 was towards Wilderness as well. The route towards Plett is a lot harder than the one towards Wilderness (thats my opinion)

Edited April 9, 2012 by MTB_Roadie

[Tankman]

Last year we cycled past Plett, this year it is towards Wilderness as 2010 was towards Wilderness as well. The route towards Plett is a lot harder than the one towards Wilderness (thats my opinion)

 

I havent done the route towards Wilderness but it certainly looks tougher towards Plett

(dont forget the little climb towards the nature reserve before the turnaround)

 

 

 

Towards Wilderness:

[Zac.A]

The ride to Wilderness isn't that tough, the hills are quite mediocre.

 

Hoekwil is a bit harder though.

[Shebeen]

Route alternates every year for the road events doesn't it?

not really, but may look that way if you only consider last few events. This event will always have a crap route as they just can't avoid the N2. Reckon they should take a flyer and put in some good gravel roads on the route. Otherwise knysna remains mtb only for me.

[walkerr]

not really, but may look that way if you only consider last few events. This event will always have a crap route as they just can't avoid the N2. Reckon they should take a flyer and put in some good gravel roads on the route. Otherwise knysna remains mtb only for me.

 

Agree it's not the most interesting of routes in terms of variety - but I reckon "cr*p" is a bit strong. I really enjoyed the Plett ride - some nice woodlands and scenery, and the hills were more than tough enough for me to make it a decent challenge. I guess that's the beauty of riding though, we all look for and enjoy different things.

[Red Zone]

The route originally went out to Wilderness and Back, when they started the (many years of) road works between Wilderness & Knysna the route was changed to go out in the opposite direction, but will now head back to the original. IMO not a great road ride, I normally do the long MTB and the Road ride the day after but I dont think I will do the road ride again, not when there is so much great MTB around there to take advantage of

[Li Mu Bai]

Just wondering if anyone is doing / had done the race before and what the vibe is like for the road event.

 

Route profile doesn't look very intimidating so I'm guessing it's a bit of a roller and pretty fast. Driven that road a lot but can't remember what it's like for riding.

 

Both road and mtb races are great. Town comes alive for the oyster festival. great riding if the rain stays away. Road route to Hoekwill (Wilderness) and back is well worth the trip, trees, fresh air. N2 is quite rough tar. amount of climbing whether its to Plett or to Wilderness is approx the same.

Edited April 10, 2012 by Li Mu Bai

[GLuvsMtb]

While I am usually not that price concious, it irks me to have rates tripled for the 10 days. Like many of the festivals, it seems to price itself out of the market very quickly. It is a nice money spinner for the hospitality industry in the area and the success hereof means that accommodation is oversubscribed.

I'm skipping this year, but will do the big 5 in 2013 or 2014.

[Kranswurm]

While I am usually not that price concious, it irks me to have rates tripled for the 10 days. Like many of the festivals, it seems to price itself out of the market very quickly. It is a nice money spinner for the hospitality industry in the area and the success hereof means that accommodation is oversubscribed.

I'm skipping this year, but will do the big 5 in 2013 or 2014.

 

We have always been able to find reasonaby priced self catering accommodation in the area between the start and finish close to the lagoon.(behind Spar)

The later you leave it the pricier it becomes.

Fantastic weekend and well worth it.....who cares if it is not a seeding event.

[nickc]

We have always been able to find reasonaby priced self catering accommodation in the area between the start and finish close to the lagoon.(behind Spar)

The later you leave it the pricier it becomes.

Fantastic weekend and well worth it.....who cares if it is not a seeding event.

 

Agree, fantastic event and vibe - for accommadation one can look at Wilderness, not to far and some reasonable opions.