THE COUNTDOWN has begun to a brand new 3-day mountain bike stage race on the MTB calendar – The Great Kei Trek.
Taking place from April 28 to 30, the new event will start in Komani and finish at Kei Mouth.
According to race organisers, The Leverage Corporation, the 260km ride will hold definite appeal for those cyclists who traditionally use the months of April or May for their “away-game”. Rob Jackson, MD of The Leverage Corporation and Event organizer, said, “We are really proud to bring something new to the MTB calendar, particularly in one of the most beautiful areas of our country. Many of the areas will never have been seen before and that is the real beauty and appeal of this event.”
The course has been mapped out by well-known local cyclist Dean Sheard who can be found on The Bikehub.co.za’s Great Kei Trek thread.
The Great Kei Trek is a two-rider team race, fully catered for, with different tented accommodation options with exciting tracks and Eastern Cape Hospitality.
Day 1, which is approximately 90km, will see riders travel from Komani to the quaint historical village of the Old Thomas River situated between Cathcart and Stutterheim.
Day 2 will see riders leave The Old Thomas River, destination Komga. Once having left Old Thomas River, they will ride on through the beautiful forests of Stutterheim before the final push of the day to Komga. Day 2 will be in the region of 92km.
Day 3 will be from Komga, through the Great Kei River Valley then on to the beautiful and stunning and peaceful seaside holiday village of Kei Mouth. Day 3 will be in the region of 72km.
“We are excited to announce that Liberty has shown their confidence in The Great Kei Trek by becoming our next Tier 1 Level sponsor. They join Luxliner, a division of Phola Coaches, as our two Tier 1 sponsors,” says Rob Jackson.
“Liberty is delighted to be associated with this signature multi stage bike race. In the same way that preparation, endurance, dedication and team work is required to remain competitive in this sport, Liberty’s purpose of enabling financial freedom is enshrined on the very same beliefs. The journey to enabling financial freedom is a long-term one, and as a business that has been operating for 60 years, our partnerships with our clients remain at the heart of what we do. As a proudly South African company with a rich heritage, we are excited to be partnering in the Great Kei Trek which promises to be a thrilling experience,” Says Killy Bacela, Liberty Divisional Director of Group Brand & Marketing.
The Great Kei Trek also welcome Food Lovers Market on board as its official Food sponsor and Kulula, as the official Airline sponsor.
“Quality sponsors add so much value and to celebrate this, we are offering a lucky entrant a chance to win two return tickets to East London, ” says Jackson.
Entries close on April 11. Visit www.greatkeitrek.co.za. for more info.