The Karoo’s 2-Day Ride is Back and Entries are Open!


THE BICYCLING STAFF |

From the 14th to the 16th of December there will be a mountain biking Comotion in the Klein Karoo. Makadas Adventures are hosting a two-day stage ride in the spectacular Leeuwenboschfontein Guest Farm. It is the perfect end to the year, a chance to unwind in nature, a family and friends get-together, a December training camp for the competitive, and a festive weekend to kick off the festive season. In short it is a kuier in the Klein Karoo.

Based around two days of rugged and beautiful Klein Karoo mountain biking the Comotion in the Klein Karoo is a rejuvenation of an event which Makadas Adventures staged through the 2010s. The rebooted version builds on the same ethos of fun riding through an incredible landscape, which includes private game reserves – which all but guarantee wildlife sightings from the bike – and working farms, and a relaxed race village experience. Riders and their family members can choose to book their own accommodation on Leeuwenboschfontein, or the surrounding farms, or to stay in one of the race’s luxury tents. Entry options also include catered and self-catering choices, making it remarkably affordable.

“We want to provide a fun weekend for the whole family, with exceptional riding and a great atmosphere,” smiled race organiser Mitzi Knipe. “Leeuwenboschfontein is a stunning venue and it provides ample accommodation options, from camping to luxurious chalets. It has also become synonymous with mountain biking – first time visitors are in for a treat and I’m sure they’ll return repeatedly to Leeuwenboschfontein after their first visit.”

There is a Comotion in the Klein Karoo and it is a buzz around a weekend of mountain biking, relaxation, and good times spent with friends and family. In short it is a big kuier.
Photo by Oakpics.com.

What to Expect from the Routes

Stage 1, on Sunday 15 December, features a 55 kilometre route with 563 metres of climbing. It takes riders into the wild Klein Karoo and into the mountains on Ezelsjacth Farm, to the north west of Leeuwenboschfontein. Monday’s Stage 2 is longer and tougher, at 58 kilometres with 1 122 metres of climbing. “It’s the Queen Stage,” Knipe said. “It’s tougher, but its not designed to be really hard. We want riders to have fun. For the racer riding it fast will provide a challenge, while the social riders will enjoy the views on the climb to the Drie Kuilen look-out point.”

“Reaching the highest point in the race, at 1 405 metres above sea level, the Drie Kuilen look-out is worth the climb!” Knipe promised. “The views from the top are breathtaking. You can see 50 kilometres across a valley of a thousand smaller hills all the way to Montagu, in the south. At the summit Oakpics will be on hand to take your photo with the view and Drie Kuilen will be providing entertainment atop the mountain too. The game reserve will also be offering a game drive service, for non-riders, which will take family members to the summit of the Waboomsberg to meet the riders. On a similar game drive in October, we saw grys ribbok, gemsbok, bontebok, zebra, eland, black wildebeest, springbok, and klipspringer.”

The riding on both days varies from Klein Karoo gravel roads to 4×4 dual tracks and purpose-built mountain biking trails. “It is moderately technical in places,” Knipe noted. “We’ll be using Leeuwenboschfontein’s blue route and as riders who took part in the early years will remember there are enough trails to add a third stage again, which we’ll look at doing for 2025.”

The 2024 Comotion in the Klein Karoo is sponsored by information services company Comotion and data solutions firm Seed Analytics. “Tim Vieyra, the Cofounder and Managing Director of Comotion, has been instrumental in relaunching the Comotion in the Klein Karoo,” Knipe explained. “Comotion along with Seed Analytics, Leeuwenboschfontein Guest Farm, Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve and Ezelsjacth Farm are all working to ensure this edition takes the great elements of the originals and builds to create something special for every participant.”

“Originally the event was untimed, but I believe we can maintain the fun element while incorporating timing this year too,” Knipe added. “Timing will mean that the competitive riders can race both days and compare their efforts on a general classification leaderboard against those of their rivals. But for those who want to be social, there is no rush to finish the stages. If riders want to take in the views – from the water points which are located at beautiful spots, in particular – they will be actively encouraged to slow down and relax.”

For non-riding family members, the beauty of Leeuwenboschfontein is lure enough. “There will be a sunset walk on Saturday evening, there’s a kids’ play area, and swimming pools to cool off in at the race village,” Knipe said. “There’s WiFi in the race village too, but not cell phone reception beyond that, so it’s a great place to unplug and just be. To enjoy time with family and friends, offline. It will be one big kuier in the Klein Karoo.”

Accommodation options for the two-day stage ride vary from booking one’s own camp site to staying in a Leeuwenboschfontein Guest Farm chalet or booking a luxury tent along with the race entry.
Photo by Oakpics.com.

How to Enter

There are several entry package options, including self-catering; a ride and meals option; and glamping, ride, and meals. Supporter meal tickets as well as supporter glamping accommodation can also be booked through the race website. For entries and more information on the accommodation options visit www.makadasadventures.co.za/comotion.

2024 Comotion in the Klein Karoo
Event Dates: 14 – 16 December 2024
Race Village: Leeuwenboschfontein Guest Farm
Stage Stats: 15 December: 54km with 563m | 16 December: 58km with 1 122m
Basic Entry: R1 100 per rider (Ride Only Entry)
Bronze Entry: R2 190 per rider (Ride and Meals Entry)
Gold Entry: R3 070 per rider (Fully Catered)
Non-Rider Glamping: R1 920 per supporter (Shared Glamping Tent with Rider and All Meals)
Three Day Option: R3 875 per rider (Stay from Friday the 13th December to Monday 16th)
Event Website: www.makadasadventures.co.za/comotion
Facebook: Makadas Adventures
Instagram: @makadasadventures

 

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