Riders experienced the wilderness of the Eastern Cape coast line as they took part in the four day Umngazi Pondo Pedal.
A selection of scenic photographs from each stage can be viewed below.
Photos courtesy of Kevin Sawyer.
Day one – 33km
A two kilometre, 10 per cent gradient hill greeted riders as they started the four day event.
It was then downhill into the Silaka Nature Reserve before they made their way to Second Beach, the second big climb of the day.
The first day included 40kms and two of the toughest climbs of the three days.
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- A rider smiles as he makes his way along the 33km day one of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal as he is surrounded by lush, green grass. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- The rugged Wild Coast set the scenery at the Umngazi Pondo Pedal as rider makes their way to the finish at the Umngazi river mouth. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Spectacular scenery on the first day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A rider passes by some flowering aloes on the 33km day one of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Grinrod Bank banners line the path to the finish as a rider completes the first day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A rider takes a tight corner on some rocky single track on day one of the Umngazi Ponodo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A creative photo illustrates the good weather that riders encountered on day one of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A a rider tackles some of this climbing on day one of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal, which featured two of the three major climbs of the event. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
Day two – 35km
The shorter second stage took participants through single track and district roads before they finished at the beach at Unmgazi.
The newly created single track followed scenic rivers and passed through shady forest areas and valleys.
After conquering some short, sharp climbs and dusty trails riders could enjoy some speedy single tracks in the final kilometre.
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- Green hills set the scene for day two of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A team passes along an old fence line as they raced the short second day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Riders pass one of the rivers that made up part of the beautiful scenery on day two of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A cow grazes peacefully as a rider frantically races for the finish on day two of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A man rings a bell, offering his support along stage two of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A message of support for riders as they participate in the second day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Beautiful beaches awaited riders at the finish of the second stage of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A rider passes along a river as he makes his way to the finish of the second day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
Day three – 34km
The third and final day couldn’t have been better.
Riders woke up to a slight chill in the air with temperatures of about 12 degrees on the start line, but with the amazing views to take in and awesome beach riding, they soon forgot about their freezing fingers and face.
Riders finished on the the beach right in front of the lodge and enjoyed a well deserved ice cold beer while relaxing with the feet in the sand.
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- Riders got to experience the beauty of the Wild Coast during the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Riders enjoy the surf on the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- The third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal took riders along the unspoilt beaches of the Wild Coast. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- The rugged coastline meant that riders had to portage their bikes in places during the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Surf sand and mountain biking on the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- Riders took in the fresh air and beautiful views on the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- A unique way to start the day on the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
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- When the going gets tough, the riders get carrying on the third day of the Umngazi Pondo Pedal. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
