PRETORIA: Sani2C is a cycle race whose name is derived from the Sani Pass (the highest pass in Southern Africa, on the border of Lesotho), and the Indina Ocean. The race is from the Sani Pass to the sea, hence the play on words “Sani2C”. This year it took place from 15–17 May.

The three-day mountain bike stage race was first hosted in 2004, with only 264 teams of riders taking part, with two riders per team. Due to the popularity of the event, two more races were introduced a couple of years ago, each following the same route. The “Trail” is the first race, followed by the “Adventure” and finally the “Race”. Covering some 265 km, the races take three days to complete. Typically it takes four hours to complete Day 1, seven hours to complete Day 2 and another four hours to complete Day 3. This year there were about 750 teams (1,500 riders) in each of the three events.

It is a very tough event and the most popular mountain bike stage race in South Africa. There is a very long waiting list to enter and it is quite difficult to enter due to its popularity.

“I have done all 11 of these races and plan to do it again next year,” said cyclist and friend of Tibet, Klasie Wessels. “We stay over in tented villages each night and the race organisers supply food and water along the way. It is very well organised and there are many foreigners also doing it. The race organisers make a big effort to involve the local community and lots of money is given back to the communities along the way.” You can read more on the website www.sani2c.co.za.

Sixteen members of the cycling group that Klasie belongs to rode in support of Tibet this year. “Our decision to ride in Free Tibet shirts this year was a popular one for our group and each of the 16 riders did so with great enthusiasm. Many people asked about the Tibetan situation along the way and it was a great awareness effort,” reported members of the team.

Supporting a Free Tibet in the race was the independent initiative of the various individuals involved, who all individually sponsored for themselves. The individual participants were: Klasie Wessels, Storm Ackerman, Vaughn Phillips, Stef Contardo, Wimpie Le Roux, Mitchele Hicks, Johan Maartens, Andy, Peter Lindstrom, Larry Harmer, Johan Snyman, Craig Wallis, Richard Lord, Jedd Cokayne, Andrew Ridge, and Andrew Dean.

On Saturday 16 May, the cyclists rode through the finishing line in Scottburgh, Natal South Coast, and were received at 1.05pm by Ms Tenzin Kunsang, Secretary of the Office of Tibet in South Africa, Ms. Elizabeth Gaywood, President of Tibet society South Africa, together with some 20 members and supporters of the Tibet Society, to warm applause and presentation of the traditional white silk Tibetan Khatak to each of the supporting cyclists.

– Filed by Office of Tibet, South Africa –

​