The challenging climbs in the Woody Cape section of the route worked in the favour of 17-year-old Erik van Zyl who broke away from the pack 10km from the finish to clinch a decisive win in the Boknes Woody Cape Cycle Challenge 54km event. First woman in was Tracey Campbell.
A sunny day in the high 20s gets hot for bystanders, but with little wind, the conditions were near perfect for the field of 177 who took off at 6am for the 54km event. Half an hour later, 82 cyclists set off on the 10km event.
Erik, who is in Grade 11 at Paarl Gymnasium, was full of praise for the event and the organisers.
The unusually early start (most cycling races start at 7am or later) – a smart move by the organisers to beat the heat and the holiday traffic – worked well for him.
“It started early and on time – the organisation was really good. I had ridden the route before, and it was really well marked. On all the turns where we could have gone wrong, there were marshalls.”
The leaders in a bike race generally don’t stop at waterpoints, and Erik didn’t – “but they looked well organised”, he said.
The route has quite a few climbs and he used those to his advantage.
“The gravel riders [gravel bikes are a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike] were really fast on the flats,” Erik said.
“I was on a mountain bike and I broke away 10km from the finish.”
Erik did some serious riding, but he also really enjoyed the atmosphere and the supportive Boknes crowd.
“It was a really fun race and I recommend it,” he said.
Cyclists traded their race numbers for a boerewors roll and a soft drink With spot prizes throughout the morning, MM Coffee in attendance, DJ Dave Engelbrecht in action, comfortable safe seating for spectators and live commentary from Boknes Ratepayers Association chair Jan Smit, the atmosphere was festive. The Amarider crew set up a bike washbay for gratefrul cyclists.
Prizegiving was held in the recently refurbished Daniel Scheepers community hall. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third in the 54km. 10km riders and e-bike participants were eligible for spot prizes.
For the Boknes Ratepayers Association, the event is a highlight of the year.
“It’s a big event for the residents as well as visitors, along with all the events and activities we have planned for that time,” said BRA chair Jan Smit. “It’s a community talking point and everyone wants bragging rights over the braai!
“It’s a huge team-building event for the whole town. We have buy-in from the whole community,” Smit said.
Residents assist as marshalls, marking routes, making roadsigns, raising prizes and sponsorship – and of course the beautiful handcrafted medals.
The event is worth doing just for the medal. Handcrafted from wood donated by Nico Koortzen of Strolp Farm, they’re a combined effort: cut by Owen Smith, Engraved by Gert Immelman, sanded, varnished and the loops attached by Johan Lombard.
“Every cent of the funds raised from entries or selling boerie rolls is ploughed back into the community. It’s allowed us to assist in a number of projects around town to improve the environment for everyone,” Smit said.
Last year funds were used to renovate the Daniel Scheepers community hall. This year, fundraising efforts are directed towards refurbishing the tennis courts.
“It’s a mammoth task and a costly affair. We need to erect new fences, and skim and repaint the surface. Most of our funds will go into this,” Smit said.
The event also brings Boknes into the Sunshine Coast tourism node, linking Boknes and the Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park, as well as Diaz Cross, and the Cannon Rocks Trail.
“The event is also intended to build bridges with the management of Addo, to better this whole area,” Smit said.
“We sincerely want to thank all our sponsors.”
Pam Golding Properties was the main sponsor. Other sponsors were Sunshine Coast Spar, The Cycle Asylum, Diaz Building and Joinery; Boknes Hardware; Herotel; Nico Koortzen from Stroop Farm. Talk of the Town was the event’s media sponsor. David Stott was the official photographer.
Prizes were donated by ooba Homeloans; Currencies Direct; Greyvensteins incorporated; De Jager & Lordan Inc.; Bodenstein family; Zasgro; Zonia’s Kombuis; Vuur en Vlam; Roes restaurant; Boknes Hardware; Boknes fuel and shop. Water points were hosted by Roes Restaurant; Buco; Elna Rudman Brokers; SaveMor; Alexandria; Build It.
54km overall winner: Erik van Zyl (1:49:10)
54km women’s winner: Tracey Campbell (2:04:45)
10km overall winner: Meline Pretorius (21:02)
10km first male: Gerhard Bolt (21:13)
Full results at boknesratepayers.co.za
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, January , 2026. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
