Mud Glorious Mud: Muddy Fun on Stage 2 of the 2022 Dr Evil Classic

A persistent drizzle led to a delayed start for Stage 2 of the 2022 CCPP Group Dr Evil Classic, at Cairnbrogie Mountain Bike Trail Park outside Plettenberg Bay; on Friday, 23 September. The route was hastily changed to avoid the most waterlogged sections of singletrack in the Harkerville forest and in the MTO plantations. Yet the 50 odd kilometre course still featured enough mud to ensure an adventurous day out on the bike.

As the initial 08:00 start time neared the murmurs in the Cainbrogie barn became louder and with the freshly built trails to consider the decision was made to delay the start to 09:00. It was still drizzling by the time the stage got underway but the worst of the weather had blown up the coast. The main concern would be the muddy dual tracks and trails.

Kevin Evans and Neill Clark flying through the mud on their way to stage honours. Photo by Oakpics.com.

“I quite liked it,” Team First Ascent Cyanosis adventure racer Clinton Mackintosh grinned. “The mud wasn’t the kind that clogs up your bike, getting stuck to the tyres and around your fork or rear triangle. It was slippery in places, sure. But the mud made it an adventure.”

How many riders shared Mackintosh’s view remains unclear. He does after all spend days at a time racing through the night with only a paper map and a compass to guide him. So, his idea of fun might not be widely shared.

Seattle Coffee Co got the day off to a bright start despite the persistent drizzle. Photo by Oakpics.com.

There were however more than enough reasons to smile. The routes though the pristine indigenous forests of SAN Parks’ Harkerville National Park are always a highlight. As was the ride along the clifftops overlooking the Indian Ocean. The new singletracks will have to wait for Stage 3; but by all accounts, they are more than worth the wait…

In the meantime, muddy riders returning to Cairnbrogie had to make do with the warm hospitality of the Garden Route. After the Seattle Coffee Co mobile station had got 300 riders plus their supporters caffeinated and rearing to go, the task of reheating the field fell to rest of the food and beverage stalls. Food Lovers Market kicked off proceedings with a hearty lunch while the Squirt Cycling Products bike wash team set to work on the muddy mountain bikes. The SAB bar even dug a bottle or two of Jägermeister which was used to warm the finishers from the inside as they crossed the line.

Who’s afraid of the rain? Photo by Oakpics.com.

Saturday marks the final stage of the 2022 CCPP Group Dr Evil Classic. To watch action as it unfolds follow @drevilclassic, on Instagram, and like the Dr Evil Classic Facebook page. The final stage once again starts and finishes at Cairnbrogie Mountain Bike Trail Park and includes 40 kilometres of singletrack packed riding in the MTO Plantations. For more visit www.drevilclassic.com.

There will be plenty of singletrack fun on Stage 3, after the mud of Stage 2. Photo by Oakpics.com.

2022 CCPP Group Dr Evil Classic Results:

Stage 2 | Men’s Teams:

The Bike Shop Plett: Kevin Evans & Neill Clark (2:17:11)
Sancert Greyhounds: Matt Tippett & Matthew Swart (2:22:37 | +5:26)
The Bike Shop 2: Paul Jordaan & Andrew Van Blommenstein (2:26:36 | +9:25)

Stage 2 | Women’s Teams:

Honey Custom Apparel: Cherise Willeit & Nicky Giliomee (2:42:46)
Invicta Ladies: Elizma Kock & Marisca Steyn (3:02:47 | +20:01)

The women’s teams may be down to two but the ladies still had fun in the MTO plantations and in the ingenious forests of Harkerville. Photo by Oakpics.com.

Stage 2 | Mixed Teams: