St Francis Cycling Club This is Your Treasurer Speaking

By Richard Arderne

Our cycling club has enjoyed a busy time over the last five years, both in terms of growth in membership and in the vast improvement to our local 25km MTB route, which includes cycling around the lighthouse.

Members have generously donated about R700,000 over this period, and Greg West and Tyrone Kindness, with our two employees, have worked hard to upgrade and extend the track.

MTB Track alongside the Humansdorp Road

The highlight of this year has been the construction of a new 10km MTB track adjacent to the road to Humansdorp, providing cyclists with much-needed better safety. The first part of the route, from the Links Circle to the Kromme Bridge, is still being finalised, but the rest, up to the Grassmere turnoff is virtually complete.

Coastal Damage

This year, like last, has given our track maintenance team lots of storm damage to repair at our Bruces and Otters sections, but hopefully, the weather plays along for the peak season.

High Tide in the Thatch Farm

The recent heavy rain is also (like last year) giving us headaches in this area, between the sewerage works and St Francis Drive. Ideally, this section needs to be raised in due course to above the level of the outlet built a few years ago by the municipality after the flood down Tom Brown Boulevard.

Foot and Mouth Cancels MTB Race

Our first club MTB race in many years, hosted by St Francis College last November, which was a great success, was unfortunately cancelled this year due to the necessary control of this disease, which affected dairy farmers.

Club Rides

Thursday evening MTB rides are popular; enjoying our 25km route, starting and finishing at our cycling shop. It’s social, and all are welcome. Saturday rides are also often held within the Kouga area, plus many locals also travel far and wide for a wide range of competitive and social trips, including our wonderful nearby wilderness area, the Baviaans. We hate to admit it, but Plett has some great routes, as does Crossways, on the way to PE.

Cycling Shop

We are fortunate to have the excellent Coimbra Shop, run by Arno, with Tyrone and Matt providing first-rate maintenance and repairs.

EBikes

To ebike … or not to ebike? Ebiking has rejuvenated cycling for many over 60’s … and under 60’s! And St Francis is no exception. Especially in the wind and on the sand! But nonebikers are definitely very welcome on our Thursday evening rides.

Membership

Please renew your membership or join our club. It’s R400 for 2025: Standard Bank, Ac No 186519508. Once you’ve paid and want to join our WhatsApp group, please send me a WhatsApp at 0832840168.