GARDEN ROUTE NEWS – Due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge has yet again been postponed, this time until September 2022.
This event has become one of the largest point-to-point events of its type in Africa and has been running since 1999. For the past decade it has sold out at 4 500 - that is until Covid-19 resulted in the event being postponed for the first time in 2020.
It was then rescheduled for Sunday 26 September this year, with limited entries, that had sold out at the reduced number of 2 500 tickets.
"It was after a great deal of consideration and with sadness that we had to make this decision," said Zandile Meneses, on behalf of the event owners, the Uniondale and Knysna Lions.
"It was our intention to run the event in September this year, and we had put plans in place to do so, but it has become apparent in our ongoing discussions with role players and consultants, that we could not guarantee 100% safety from the current Covid-19 wave for our crew, riders and locals of the hosting towns."
The event typically starts in Uniondale and finishes in Knysna and although the finish venue could be realistically managed using a compliance plan drawn up by organisers, the logistics around travel and accommodation in Uniondale are more complicated.
"This is due to the large number of cyclists and support crew and the small size of the town. Ultimately the risk of infection due to factors outside of the race management control, were too high to compromise the safety of all involved in the current Covid-19 climate," Meneses explained.
"The health of our employees, sponsor staff, competitors and their support crew, suppliers and the Knysna and Uniondale residents is the most important issue to consider at this time. The decision was an extremely difficult one to make as we know that our riders are so enthusiastic to participate and that the economies of both towns receive a huge boost from the event."
The event owners believe in the longevity of the event and want the K2C to be a highlight on the race calendar for many years to come. Despite the cancellation of the K2C, the planned Dr Evil Classic from 22 to 25 September will still be going ahead.
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