Bicycling

Over 350 excited mountain bikers gathered at the Oude Molen Brandy Distillery in Grabouw on Sunday, 29 August 2010 to participate in the inaugural Oude Molen Distillery MTB Challenge. Geddan Ruddock and Elzaan Visser were the men’s and women’s 60km riders to beat on the day.

According to Ruddock, it was an awesome experience winning on the day as his mountain biking career started in Grabouw just over twenty years ago. “The start of the route was tough with a lot of climbing. Although the last 20km was flatter, we rode against the wind which also made it tough. Dominic Calitz and I rode together for most of the race. I managed to break away at the 40km mark, but had to keep looking over my shoulder as the gap wasn’t that substantial. The event was well organised with perfectly marked routes. The 60km route can be enjoyed by average riders as well. I will definitely be back in 2011,” says Ruddock, who completed the race in an impressive time of 02hours39minutes58seconds. Dominic Calitz came in second, while Jarryd Haley finished third.

Local mountain biker Elzaan Visser raced to victory completing the 60km Oude Molen Distillery MTB Challenge in a deserving time of 03hours37minutes31seconds. According to Visser winning on home ground was a superb experience. “The route was fantastic with really tough climbs and technical sections. Grabouw is an awesome area and it is great that the Oude Molen routes will become a permanent fixture for riders to enjoy,” says Visser. Theresa Horn came in second, while Belinda Marais finished third.

Paddy Murphy took gold in the 35km race crossing the finish line in 01hour57minutes09seconds. Giniel de Villiers came in second, while Colin Dix-Peek finished third. Phelia Burger was the first lady home in the 35km race with a time of 02hours15minutes44seconds. Aylex Cross came second, while Debbie Skinner finished third.

Participants of the Oude Molen Distillery MTB Challenge could choose between a 60km, 35km and 10km route. Mountain bikers wishing to ride the Oude Molen Distillery routes will need to purchase a MTO permit before they’ll be allowed access to the routes. A permanently marked 20km and 40km route will also be open for riders to enjoy. Local mountain biker, Gerhard Huiskens has been assigned the task to conduct weekly route inspections and together with the assistance of Hendrico Burger and Spook Groenewald will be responsible for regular route maintenance.

For more information on the Oude Molen Distillery Mountain Bike Challenge contact 0861 383 591, email entries [at] stillwatersports [dot] com or visit www.oudemolenmtbchallenge.co.za.