The doctor\u2019s orders for a mountain bike stage race stipulate the controllables \u2013 like smooth logistics, great food, and a thrilling route \u2013 but even Dr Evil cannot control the weather. Despite Leon Evans\u2019 anti-rain dances (done in private of course), the 2024 Dr Evil Experience endured two rain affected days. Mountain bikers are not made of sugar however and the weather conditions did not dampen the riders\u2019 spirits. Thursday\u2019s opening day was ridden in pouring rain, on Friday\u2019s stage the occasional squall added to the muddy conditions under tyre, but on Saturday, 21 September, the sun came out and started to dry up all the rain.<\/p>\n
Before the riding got underway, a new registration venue welcomed this year\u2019s participants to Plettenberg Bay. Perched high above the Keurbooms River estuary and the bay itself Sky Villa Boutique Hotel provided spectacular views, an optional Prologue, and the opportunity to see the brooding storm clouds roll in from the west. By the next morning the heavens had opened and the inclement weather had well and truly set in.<\/p>\n
It rained for much of the first stage, making conditions tough for fast times and detracting somewhat from the beauty of the route. \u201cI think Day 1 is the best riding in the region,\u201d Plettenberg Bay local and The Bike Shop owner, Kevin Evans noted. \u201cMy dad [Leon Evans], Erik [Klootwyk], and his route team have done an incredible job stringing those sections together. So, it\u2019s a pity we rode it in the rain. But that\u2019s cycling\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Day 2 was a less soaking wet affair, though intermittent showers meant the trails remained wet. Sections of SANParks\u2019 magnificent Harkerville indigenous forest provided cover from the rain and the superbly built MTO Forestry trails drained well. This meant that while the forestry roads were sodden and muddy, the singletracks themselves were still great fun to ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mud was pretty hectic and you had to watch it on the descents,\u201d Evan\u2019s racing partner, Neill Clark confessed. \u201cOnce you were going you hardly noticed the rain though. It wasn\u2019t too cold and it was all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Friday afternoon the sun had finally emerged from the clouds and the ground began to dry. This set the event up for a perfect Day 3. \u201cDay 1 and 2 were tough and, what you might call, challenging with mud in my eyes,\u201d Bruce Campbell smiled, reflecting on the race from the Barrington\u2019s final finish line. \u201cBut today was a reward. Just surfing trails and pure bliss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was one of the most fantastic days I\u2019ve ever had on a bike,\u201d cycling industry stalwart, Robbie Powell grinned. \u201cThe trails were absolutely pristine, there was so much traction, it was amazing! I wish I could go ride it again actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new finishing venue helped the race end on a high. Having started with the final stage at Cairnbrogie the event concluded at Barrington\u2019s in Plettenberg Bay. The restaurant and its lawns hosted lunch and prize giving after every rider had been cheered across the finish line. There Tom Byron was crowned the overall champion, having posted the fastest time across the three days, besting the Knysna Toyota Bike Shop Plett combination of Kevin Evans and Clark by 8 minutes and 32 seconds to claim the solo men\u2019s title as well as the Dr Evil Experience floating trophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlettenberg Bay is a beautiful place and has incredible trails,\u201d Trail Angels founder Nikki Haywood endorsed, concluding the celebrations. \u201cThe women love coming here, to hang out together, and to ride their bikes. Bringing them to stage races and helping the newer riders through their first few events is part of what we do to build the community of women\u2019s cyclists. Being able to come and ride a three-day stage race is a big achievement for some of our Trail Angels, but the Dr Evil Experience is the perfect event to do that at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having finished in sunshine its easy to see why the Trail Angels and many others return year-on-year to the race. Even if the weather does not always play along. It certainly delivers smiles come rain or shine. The biggest grin was reserved for Wayne Badenhorst, who won a SCOTT SPARK in the post-race lucky draw. Smiling ear-to-ear he took ownership of the R110 000 machine on stage, as the last action of the prize giving, from SCOTT Sports Africa\u2019s Joggie Prinsloo.<\/p>\n
Image: The superbly built MTO Forestry trails withstood the rain well and were still exceptionally fun to ride. Photo by Oakpics.com<\/em><\/p>\n 2024 Dr Evil Experience Results<\/strong><\/p>\n Solo Men\u2019s General Classification after Stage 3<\/p>\n Tom Byron (7:03:12) Solo Women\u2019s General Classification after Stage 3<\/p>\n Robyn Hewlett (9:06:27) Men\u2019s Teams:<\/p>\n Knysna Toyota Bike Shop Plett: Kevin Evans & Neill Clark (7:11:44) Mixed Teams<\/p>\n The Bike Shop: Adrea & Andrew van Blommenstein (9:01:58)
\nStefan van den Heever (7:19:54 | + 14:41)
\nBen Fisher (7:23:00 | +19:47)<\/p>\n
\nHelen van Niekerk (9:19:21 | +12:53)
\nCaren Maytham-Mills (10:14:07 | +1:07:49)<\/p>\n
\nPure Sausage: Jaco & Cecil Bosman (7:53:28 | +41:43)
\nReady Fresh: Warren Dickson & Warren Barber (7:58:28 | +4:43)<\/p>\n
\nSlick Sliders: Simon Jacobs & Nick Reed (9:54:43 | +52:44)
\nCharlie and Lola: Sally & Nick Ferguson (10:36:09 | 1:34:10)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"