Just a week after winning the 1 070km The Munga race Jeannie Dreyer is set to take on the 340km uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
The race, from Hillcrest in Durban to Hluhluwe Game Reserve, is one of the toughest one-day mountain bike rides in South Africa and aimed at boosting rhino conservation in the province.
Jeannie Dreyer will take on her second endurance race in a week when she sets out for the uBhejane Xtreme MTB Challenge on Saturday. Photo: Supplied
Dreyer will join her husband, Martin, who is an ambassador for the event. She admitted this week that she was heading into the ride “blindly”.
“I don’t know anything about the route or the trail that’s been set out. I’m doing it for a good cause,” she said. “But Martin has confidence in my ability.
“I’ve been easing into training again and my legs feel good. It’s just my backside that feels a bit tender after last week,” said Dreyer, who won the Wines2Whales mixed category with her husband earlier this year.
The Pietermaritzburg resident felt she would be able to keep up with the pace.
“It’s just a matter of how long I can sit, but I’ll deal with that along the route. The race will definitely test my abilities.”
The ride starts at midnight on Friday (Saturday morning) with the cut-off after 16 hours.
“There are no rest stations along the route but every rider will have a designated driver following him or her,” explained Dreyer.
“The vehicles will be there to assist with supplies and rest. Anyone who decides to give up can do so anywhere along the route.
“I want to complete it. It’s always good to take on different challenges,” said Dreyer.
“I have heard so many good things about the event.
“Last year I had to skip it because I was away. I didn’t want to miss out this year and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Phil Liggett, who is known worldwide as “the voice of cycling”, is expected to participate in the event for the second consecutive year.
