KNYSNA, South Africa, 10 August 2021 – Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the 2021 CCPP Group Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Challenge has been postponed until September 2022.
This event has become one of the largest point to point events of its type in Africa and has been running since 1999. It has sold out at 4500 riders for a decade until Covid-19 resulted in the event being postponed for the first time in 2019. It was scheduled for Sunday 26th September 2021 and entries had sold out at reduced number of 2500 tickets.
“It was after a great deal of consideration and with sadness that we had to make this decision,” said Zandile Meneses, on behalf of the event owners, the Uniondale and Knysna Lions. “It was our intention to run the event in September this year, and we had put plans in place to do so, but it has become apparent in our ongoing discussions with role players and consultants, that we could not guarantee 100 percent safety from the current Covid-19 wave for our crew, riders and locals of the hosting towns.
The event starts in Uniondale and finishes in Knysna and although the finish venue could be realistically managed using the events comprehensive Covid-19 Compliance Plan, the logistics around travel and accommodation in Uniondale are more complicated. This is due to the large number of cyclists and support crew and the small size of the town. Ultimately the risk of infection due to factors outside of the race management control, were too high to compromise the safety of all involved in the current Covid-19 climate.
“The health of our employees, sponsor staff, competitors and their support crew, suppliers and the Knysna and Uniondale residents is the most important issue to consider at this time. The decision was an extremely difficult one to make as we know that our riders are so enthusiastic to participate and that the economies of both towns receive a huge boost from the event.”
The event owners believe in the longevity of the event and want the K2C to be a highlight on the race calendar for many years to come. The event is also about the unique rider experience of Karoo and Knysna hospitality and the current restrictions would mean that this experience would have had to be compromised and would still not be 100 percent Covid-19 safe.
The Lions added that the loyal K2C riders are of utmost importance to them and they appreciate the frustration for many – at the way the pandemic has effected this and other events.
For this reason the charity has offered the following options to all riders who have entered:
1. Full migration
Full migration of entry and any merchandise or other orders to the 2022 event at no extra charge.
Please email info@racetec.co.za asking to migrate your entry to 2022.
2. Refund
The refund for riders of entry and any merchandise or other orders.
Please email info@racetec.co.za with your request. Note that the refund will be processed back onto the Card that was used to pay for your online entry. If you paid via EFT and would like a refund, please reply with banking details. All requests for refunds must be received by 31 August 2021 for processing.
3. Donation
Riders may donate their entry fee, etc to the charity that owns the event – the Lions of Uniondale and Knysna – who support various charities in the Southern Cape, including Sightfirst and the South African Guide Dog Association.
Please email info@racetec.co.za, with your full name and ID number by 31 August 2021 for processing.