Boknes - Woody Cape Cycle Challenge - www.boknesratepayers.co.za

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION: 3RD ANNUAL BOKNES - WOODY CAPE CYCLE CHALLENGE (2024)

The Boknes–Woody Cape Cycle Race was first held in December 2022, attracting 150 entrants for its inaugural event. By December 2023, entries had grown to 220.

The summer holiday slot in December has proven very popular, and the 2024 race promises to be even more successful. The event will take place on Saturday, 28 December, with a start time of 06h00 for the 54 km route and 06h30 for the 10 km route.

Sponsors
The race is presented and organized by the Boknes Ratepayers Association. This year, we have gained a sponsoring partner in the local estate agent Pam Golding Properties, whose support will help us elevate the event to a new level of professionalism. We are also supported by The Alexandria/Kenton Round Table organization, which provides essential public liability insurance.

Routes
Our routes remain the same as in previous years, with a challenging 54 km circular gravel route from Boknes via Woody Cape and Alexandria, returning to Boknes. This year, the 54 km route will be cycled clockwise, starting along the coastal road to enjoy its scenic views, then passing through the Woody Cape Wilderness before returning via Alexandria. The 10 km route is designed as an easy, fun ride suitable for all members of the family, following a route through Boknes town, with a 3 km stretch along the gravel road toward Woody Cape and then looping back via a shortcut on Melkhout Street near the end of Cannon Rocks.

The 54 km route will run in the reverse direction from previous races. This route consists entirely of gravel roads with no single tracks or jeep tracks (apart from the occasional unavoidable pothole!). The net elevation gain is 800 m.

Venue
All start and finish locations will be on Main Road in front of the Boknes Community Hall. Main Road, between Daniel Scheepers Road and the Community Hall, will be closed from 05:00 to 11:00 to allow clear passage for departing and arriving riders. Parking is available along Main Road from the Community Hall toward the beach and behind the Boknes Community Hall. Access parking via detours through Daniel Scheepers Road and Diaz Street. Hi-Tech Security guards will monitor all parked vehicles. A map of the venue is provided elsewhere on this website.

Catering
Boerewors rolls, pancakes, soft drinks, and other treats will be on sale at the start/finish area in front of the hall from early morning until late. The MM Coffee Van will be available from 05:00 until after the race. This year, we have dedicated caterers taking care of our food and drink offerings. While the Community Hall does not have a liquor license, participants, families, and friends are welcome to bring along beverages of choice in cooler boxes, which can be kept in vehicles during the race. As a special treat for the young ones, a jumping castle will be available at the hall free of charge.

Awards and prizes
All finishers will receive a unique medal engraved on locally grown Red Eucalyptus Wood. The men’s and women’s 54 km race winners will each be honored with the Willem van Zyl floating trophy, awarded jointly to both winners each year. In addition, cash prizes, sponsored by Pam Golding Properties, will be given to the top three finishers in each category: men’s and women’s 54 km and men’s and women’s 10 km. There will also be a special award for the first male and first female Great Grand Master rider (over 60 years old).

We also have some lovely additional spot prizes kindly donated by several local businesses, adding to the fun and excitement of the event.

Bikes allowed
E-bikes are welcome to participate; however, no prizes or trophies will be awarded for e-bike riders. As such, e-bikes will be classified in the “fun ride” category for both the 10 km and 54 km routes.

Gravel bikes are also permitted and will compete on equal footing with mountain bikes.

Age rules
54 km race: Individuals 17 years and older can enter without restriction. Individuals 13 to 16 years must ride with adult supervision. No riders 12 years and younger will be permitted.

10 km race: Individuals 13 years and older can enter without restriction Riders 12 years and younger must ride with adult supervision.

Entry, Payment and Number Collection
All entries must be made online through this website. The entry fees are as follows:

54 km race: R280 per person, subject to the age rules.

10 km race: R100 per person for ages 13 and older; R50 per person for those 12 years and under.

Entries close strictly at 18:00 on Friday, 27th December.

Number collection will take place at the Boknes Community Hall on Friday, 27 December, from 09:00 to 18:00. NO NUMBERS WILL BE HANDED OVER WITHOUT CONFIRMATION OF PAYMENT INTO OUR BANK ACCOUNT. To speed up this process and make it easier for both you and the admin team, please ensure that you add the relevant email address as POP recipient in your bank's EFT interface.

Late entries
Our admin system is not flexible or fast enough to process late entries, ensure race numbers are allocated, and dues paid before the race begins.

As such, no new entries will be accepted on the morning of the race. An electronic card payment facility will be available on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th to process payments for entries made before the deadline of 18:00 on Friday the 27th.

ENTRIES ARE NOT YET OPEN. ENTRIES WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN DURING THE LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER. WE WILL NOTIFY ALL PREVIOUS ENTRANTS BY EMAIL WHEN ENTRIES OPEN.

Entry forms will be made available on this page

Find the preliminary maps below: