RECM Knysna 200
Back in the good old days when the Cape Epic was still affordable, it started out in Knysna, traversed the South-western Cape to finish in Lourensford, Somerset West. Then it was decided that the Cape Epic entrants prefer to ride in circles and Knysna was dropped from the itinerary (the Epic now starts in Cape Town). Left out in the cold the people of Knysna decided to host their own stage races and thus the slightly easier Knysna 200 and the tougher Knysna 300 were born. The Knysna 200's marketing philosophy is "want to enjoy all the benefits offered by stage racing, but don't want to die en route doing so?" and this fitted very well with my my idea of an easy finish to the autumn before a long winter break from cycling. Day 1 - Knysna Elephant Park to Knysna. 75km 1,500m ascent - "Mud, oh glorious mud!" The morning of the race I had my first look at the distance & route profile and suddenly realised that this is slightly tougher than marketi