DR Evil shows its nicer side
The annual Dr Evil Classic is welcoming two brand new categories to its event this year, as e-bike and gravel bike riders will be able to compete against riders on bikes similar to their own.
Previously, the e-bike riders had to compete in the race mixed together within the mountain bike entrants, which is the majority of entries, while gravel bikes were not allowed to participate at all.
E-bikes competing against mountain bikes would make things slightly unfair as e-bikes are easier to use due to them being battery-powered and requiring less energy from the rider.
Organisers of the three-day stage race, which takes place from 17 to 19 September in and around Plettenberg Bay, are encouraging entries for the e-bike category which will have its own prize awarded for the first time. “There are many e-bikes being sold these days, and we feel it’s important to cater for this group of people who also want to experience stage racing,” said race co-founder Leon Evans. “We permit any type of bike at the Dr Evil Classic, gravel bikes included.”
Ferdi Bravenboer was one of a small group of e-riders at the 2019 Dr Evil Classic and said: “I bought my e-bike in 2018 because I just didn’t have enough time to train to keep up with my friends. I can’t think of any other race where an e-bike is more perfect than at the Dr Evil Classic. You are just so much more relaxed and it gives you time to actually appreciate your surroundings.”
With a different start venue for each stage of the Dr Evil Classic (but all within 20km of each other), riders experience a very different type of landscape each day. The first stage leaves from the Plettenberg Game Reserve where wildlife can be a view from the bike then head out for a scenic 70km mountainous ride.
The second day starts at the Kurland Hotel and Polo Estate and is mostly made up of indigenous and plantation forest covering a distance of about 45km. The estate continues to expand its network of single track and in 2020, riders will reap the benefits. Day 3 is 50km, starting at the Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm with its renowned network of single track along a coastline which forms part of the Robberg Coastal Corridor.
Interested persons can sign up for the Dr Evil Classic on the race website www.drevilclassic.co.za or email zandile@drevilclassic.co.za for manual entry.
The 100km Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge from Uniondale to Knysna takes place the day after the Dr Evil Classic, on 20 September. The event is now 22 years old and one of the most popular one-day events in the country, according to its organisers.
Lions Karoo to Coast riders with a Dr Evil entry receive an automatic second batch seeding among seven batches, and the race is also a seeding event for the 2021 Cape Town Cycle Tour.
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News