Moon to Noon takes place soon- 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00
The newly-announced Moon to Noon endurance race around Knysna is set to take place on Friday, 26th October, keeping adventurous mountain bikers quite literally in the dark when they ride out at midnight.
In contrast to other long-distance events, which start in the day and finishes at night, the inaugural 170km race will set out under the stars and roll on into the early hours of Saturday morning.
‘It’s all about seeing that there’s a different way to ride these events,’ said race organiser Patric Mosterd of Garden Route Events, who is also the mastermind behind the Rocky Mountain Garden Route 300 and RE-CM Knysna 200 three-day stage races.
‘It really levels the playing fields for pros and backmarkers alike, because from 12 to five o’clock they’ve all got to deal with the darkness.’
He said night racing offered some special challenges for riders. ‘You are essentially riding in a bubble and have to learn to trust yourself and your partner.’
Because of safety concerns, the field is limited to 300 and Mosterd said no solo riders would be allowed.
According to Mosterd, the event also presented a range of logistical challenges for organisers.
‘The race is divided between dark and light, with a compulsory halfway stop at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.’
‘We go over at first light and no vehicles or lead bikes can follow. So our whole safety and support infrastructure is split in two on either side.’
At 1,100 metres above sea level, riders would summit on a section of a hiking trail belonging to Garden Route National Park.
‘On the other side, there’s a 10km downhill, so we want everyone to be fresh and make sure that their brakes are working.’
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