New venue and route for West Coast Express

Riders tackling the long (71km) route at lasy year's West Coast Express.

The Outriders Cycle Club is gearing up for a replacement event for the popular West Coast Express fun ride, set to take place on Sunday December 11.

This new event, comprising two distances of 78km and 52km, will use Killarney Race Track as the venue, culminating in what should be an exciting finish on the main race circuit.

The Pedal Power Association will be using the event as part of their summer league series and this will be the last competitive event before many cyclists take a well-earned festive break.

The Outriders originally booked Killarney for their fun-filled festival of cycling. The good news is, this event has simply been postponed to a later date, most likely to happen shortly after the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

The new route will be more challenging and there is certainly more climbing to be done.

Together with the fantastic opportunity for an exciting and safe finish, this is a must-do event to get some racing in the legs before taking time off to celebrate the festive season guilt-free.

The finish at Killarney will be the place to be with Johnny Koen, the MC for the day, giving away some great lucky draw prizes. The VIP Lounge will be open for food and drinks, with great viewing facilities of the finish.

Entries are already open, so enter now at www.theoutriders.co.za

Both routes leave the Killarney Race Track and head toward Durbanville over Tiekie Draai. The long route goes out the back of Durbanville and past Fisantekraal Airfield, before heading to the silos and then back on Philadelphia Road, turning left at Adderley.

The route then turns right onto Malanshoogte (note there is a 1.8km section of gravel), past Fair Cape Dairies and up the climb to return on Contermanskloof Road.

The route will return past Burgundy Estate, past the refinery and back to the race circuit. The finish will be on the track with a final half lap using the back straight and finishing on the main straight by the pit area.

The short route will go out the back of Durbanville on Adderley and then turn left onto Malanshoogte joining and returning along the same route.

For more information and to enter either the 78km or the 52km, visit www.theoutriders.co.za/

Entries will also be available at the start venue on race day.

Each year the Outriders Cycle Club hosts a Toy Run, where club members are encouraged to bring toys to a club ride, and all toys are donated to a chosen charity.

This year, the ride is taking place on Saturday December 10, and the club has invited the public to join in to support this worthy cause.

Riders are asked to take a soft toy but if people prefer to give clothes and food, any contributions will be welcome.

All donations this year will be donated to Table View Angels & Peacehome in Sunningdale.

The leisurely hour-long ride will depart from the Parklands Planet Fitness at 7.30am and riders are encouraged to dress themselves and their bikes in the Christmas spirit and adorn their bikes with their toys.

For more information, contact Kirsten Curtis at kirsten.curtis74@gmail.com or 0845141674 or Derwyn Oxley at derwyn@theoutriders.co.za or 083 309 7418.