THE adrenaline-packed three-day Phat GM Rides Cycle tour for Kouga Agri-Tourism, in aid of the Co-op Community Trust, is set to take to the road this weekend – covering three routes in the Gamtoos area.
According to Willie Oosthuizen from the Co-op Community Trust, the tour will endeavour to alleviate the economical strain caused by the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown – focusing especially on the hospitality and tourism industry.
“We have seen how the complete shutdown of the tourism and hospitality industry has negatively affected not only our community, but also the industry as a whole. With thousands of people affected, owners, employees, and their families who have been put on short time, have lost income and have been retrenched.
“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on all. We know that even the smallest act of kindness displayed during these tough times could be the inspiration for someone to see the positive again.”
The Co-op Community Trust envisions a Kouga Strawberry, Milk, Citrus, Honey, Fynbos and Cultural Route as part of their strategy of asset-based community development.
Role-players already involved are Mooihoek Strawberry Farm, Khoi-San Group, Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant, Supertubes Guest House, Jeffreys Bay Tourism, various NPOs from Kouga and Gamtoos Tourism.
Route
Avid cyclists, Leon Rennison, General Manager of Lythwood Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, and Gerhard Botha, HR Consultant from Rivers Labour Labour Consultants, will leave the starting blocks at Elandsriver Nursery at 08:00 on Friday, September 25, following the 47km route to Mount Ingwe. From here they will tackle the 50km stretch of road to Mooihoek Strawberry Farm on September 26, and conclude the race at Kitchen Windows (50km) the next day.
This leg of the tour forms part of a 1 000km journey from Lythwood Lodge to Jeffreys Bay since September 1.
They have completed about 800kms to date.
Rennison and his team are visiting different lodges, wildlife reserves, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels – giving exposure to these entities through social media coverage, while sending out a message of hope and positivity for the future of the tourism industry.
Cyclists are welcome to join the riders on the three-day tour at R150 per person per route.
For more information, contact Karen Compaan at 079 060 7520 or visit www.phatgmrides.co.za/ride-with-us-or-donate.
Role players who want to get involved in the development of this route, can contact Oosthuizen at 066 485 2121.
- The Co-op Community Trust, together with Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant, Mooihoek Strawberry Farm, Jeffreys Bay Tourism, Supertubes Guest House and Mount Ingwe Lodge, are sponsoring and hosting The Phat GM Rides Cycle tour in Kouga.
