Entries for the Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, opened on Sunday, 1 November. The 2021 races – which include a 25-miler, 60-miler, 100-miler and ultra-endurance 200-miler – are set to take place on Saturday, 24 July. Riders who held entries to the Covid-19 affected 2020 event will be able to roll their entries over to the 2021 edition.

“After the general disruptions to racing and enforced postponement of the fourth edition of the Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, this year we’re really looking forward to the 2021 event” said Petrichor Adventures’ Rohan Germishuys. “The new pont is in the water at Malgas and we’re bullish that the race will be a great success. As Petrichor Adventures we’ve been amazed at the growth of the race year-on-year and as the entries have grown, we’ve worked to improve our offerings to the riders too.”

The hand-drawn Malgas Pont may have been replaced by a motorised pont, but it will undoubtedly remain one of the unique highlights of the 60-, 100- and 200-Miler races. Photo by Oakpics.com.

“We’re particularly excited for the inaugural 200-Miler” he enthused. “It’s the first of it’s kind in South Africa and we believe that the terrain of the Rûens and the Overberg has the topography to create a legendary 200-Miler race. The route, like the 100-Miler distance, is suitable for gravel bikes. If anything, with a greater percentage of district road, I’m sure gravel bikes will be the most efficient weapon on the day.”

“The 200-Miler route gives us the opportunity to showcase more of the region than ever before” Germishuys added. “It loops out towards Stormsvlei, passes through Protem and extends south towards Napier and Bredasdorp, before heading towards Malgas. The 100-, 60- and 25-Miler routes remain largely unchanged. With a few small refinements to the final few kilometres, to ensure a more pleasurable finish to the race.”

The racing side of the Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, has grown year-on-year; as the event attracts an increasingly competitive elite field. Photo by Oakpics.com.

“Riders who entered the 2020 event will be able to ride the 2021 event with their existing entries” Germishuys promised. “Petrichor Adventures would like to thank all our 2020 entrants for their patience and understanding. The corona virus pandemic has had a tremendous negative impact on Swellendam, as it’s a town driven in no small part by tourism. So, we hope that 2021 will bring lots of cyclists to our town; for the Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, as well as weekends of leisure riding and training.”

Beyond the race the Petrichor Adventures team has also been hard at work trail building. Though Swellendam has become known for gravel grinding, the region also boasts incredible singletrack mountain biking. Nearby Grootvadersbosch Conservancy has long been a mountain bikers’ playground, but increasingly Swellendam itself is providing reasons for riders to linger for trail explorations.

The Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, routes are all gravel bike friendly, with gravel roads providing the vast majority of the courses. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Though there are bed and breakfasts aplenty in Swellendam Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, entrants are encouraged to book their accommodation as soon as they have entered the race. “We hope we’ll attract record numbers in 2021 and fill as many bed nights as possible for Swellendam’s accommodation businesses” Germishuys added. “Riders will also be able to book to stay in luxury canvas tents, complete with stretchers, mattresses, a bedside table and chairs. These tents are pitched near the finish line, on the Swellendam Show Grounds, which make the weekend’s logistics very easy.”

To enter the 2021 Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA, visit www.aroundthepot.co.za.

Roosterbrood at the pont, complete with either mince and cheese or egg and bacon, have become iconic symbols of the event; especially if the weather is cold on race day. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Fast Facts: 2021 Chas Everitt Around the Pot, presented by SEESA

Date 24 July 2021
Venue Swellendam Showgrounds, Swellendam, Western Cape
Entries Open 1 November 2020
Entries Close Midnight, 21 July 2021
200-Miler R1 100 | 321km with 4 000m of climbing
100-Miler R800 | 160km with 2 350m of climbing
60-Miler R600 | 98km with 1 500m of climbing
25-MIler R325 | 42km with 500m of climbing
Website www.aroundthepot.co.za
Facebook Around the Pot
Instagram @around_the_pot