Time is running out to enter the Expedition

Everything is in place for the second edition of the big OUTsurance KZN Expedition, which takes place on 22 November 2009. But remember that entries close on Monday, 16 November, so make sure you don’t miss out! 

Backed up by Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World and Giba Gorge as world-class host venues, the routes for the two distances – 70km and 40km - are simply stunning and offer riders the chance to tackle some of the best mountain-bike terrain between the Valley of a Thousand Hills and Durban. 

The first 1 000 online entrants receive a branded Fox T-shirt and the first 3 000 entrants get a complete bike tool kit. 

The Expedition provides mountain-bikers with an easy-as-you’d-like experience off the bike, but in the same breath representing the essence of the sport when they’re out there testing themselves against the beautifully sculpted routes and nature’s elements. 

Legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett will again act as master of ceremonies with former professional and SABC commentator Johnny Koen for the event. 

The 70km event represents a challenging ride from Giba Gorge to Durban and riders in this event will take off at 6:00. Last year the 70km started at 7:00, but it proved to be too late and back markers in the 70km overlapped with the start of the 40km at Inanda. 

This time around the entire 70km field should be past Inanda before the 40km start, which means the 70km riders will have a free ride all the way to Suncoast. 

There are three waterpoints on the 70km route and two on the 40km event. 

The one change to the 70km route this year is that riders won’t drop down to Inanda on the tar road. Instead route designer Andrew “GI” King has devised a masterpiece down to the dam. “From the top of Hillcrest dropping down to Inanda dam is real epic, African riding,” says King. 

“It’s very inaccessible and will be controlled by my motorbike marshals. It’s unbelievable riding, especially compared to heading down the tar road last year! 

"It's definitely a new (and improved) route down from Botha's Hill to Inanda Dam. It includes 8 kilometres of new remote fun single track riding along a river course. 

"After the first 15 kilometres from the start, the route drops 520m of altitude over the next 6 kilometres so make sure your brakes are working well," warned King. 

There are massive logistics involved on the route with various river crossings with the most spectacular undoubtedly the 600 metre Silver Pipe bridge, which presents itself around 20km from the finish. 

It’s a truly exhilarating experience being suspended 300 metres in the air on a bridge while you cross the river. The bridge is well marshaled and the marshals will help slower riders get across – especially riders who suffer from a fear of heights. 

Marshals and logistical back-up will again be provided by the experienced crew from Enforce Security Services. 

The 40km event (and the final 40km of the 70km ride) takes place on the second stage of the famous Unlimited Dusi Mfula route with the exception of Burma. In the Expedition riders will go around Burma and NOT over. The 40km event gives less accomplished riders who don’t fancy a two-stage event the opportunity of experiencing this special part of our country. 

The bottleneck that formed last year at the N2 bridge within the last 10km has been dealt with this year and riders shouldn’t be held up there. “When you deal with such a lot of cyclists –early indications are that we’ll have around 2000 entrants – bottlenecks become inevitable,” said race organizer Wynand de Villiers. “The goal is to make them manageable and for riders not to be held up for too long – a few minutes at most. 

“Andrew is an experienced route planner and now that we know this is becoming a true mass participation event, he is has laid out the course accordingly.” 

The route drops down into Durban coming out at the Umgeni River mouth and then routes to Suncoast via a 3km tar section on the beachfront. 

The value riders receive when they enter the race deserves a mention. Entry fee for the 70km is only R120 and for the 40km R80. The first 1000 entrants each receive a free Fox T-shirt valued at R180 and the first 3000 entrants get a bike tool kit valued at R150. 

To enter and for more information go to the OUTsurance Expedition Website or email Cyclingnews.