With the various race reports that I have done I prepare a template a head of time with the various criteria that I use to rate the race but after only 20 minutes into day one of the Imana Wild Ride I knew that anything I had used before would just not work for this event.
Photo: QuickPix/Gavin Ryan.
The experience starts at registration in Morgan’s Bay and you already get a feel that this is something different…. Something special. The event organisers are family or friends and introduce themselves to each rider with a warm welcome and friendly chat.
As with my normal race report template, I had originally thought a route description would be easy but an attempt to do a day-by-day report would not do this race any justice or give you a true a reflection of what the route is about.
What you can expect
Pristine shores sparkle into the distance as you race up the beaches, jagged rocky out crops grab your Lycra and tear at the skin on your shins as you cross between beaches. Your breath will be taken away as cattle tracks skirt around cliffs before dropping you down to river crossings that will wash you seaward before your water logged shoes get purchase on the opposite sand banks.
A series of hills nicknamed “mothers” one through six will find your bike riding you as you scale skyward on 4×4 tracks to the tops of hills where you are treated with endless vistas of this truly wild and untouched landscape.
Photo: QuickPix/Gavin Ryan.
On some of the wider and deeper rivers locals ferry you and your bike across the rivers before you jump off and climb out of the valleys through thick indigenous canopies and streams.
Traditional clay rondavels line rough eroded district roads that roll between hills with some seriously steep but short climbs that test the legs.
The daily distances of between 40 to 60 km will sound trivial to most mountain bikers but don’t be fooled, there are no easy kilometres on this race and the “slow poison” soft sand will drain your legs of any overage of enthusiasm, the mothers will kill your calves and endless cattle tracks prevent you from finding any rhythm.
A true highlight of the race has to be the visit to the incredible “hole in the wall” on day three near Coffee Bay.
Photo: QuickPix/Gavin Ryan.
This race is like no other and you don’t stay in tents like other stage races but lodges and hotels host you for a night. However, you will need to service and maintain your bike yourself. This goes for your legs too as no massage or physio services are available. The race is hard, your equipment will suffer, your body will suffer but your head will not. This is a race to clear the head and cleanse the soul, there are no route markings and a very basic route card will keep you guessing and following the tracks of others with the most important race rule being “keep the ocean on your right”.
This has to be one of the best races, (if not the best) that I have ever done. I felt privileged to be riding this wild country side and honoured to be part the very few that have been able to participate in the event over its 16 year history. The race and organisation have a bigger focus than just the race itself, the Imana crew set up the WREC (Wild Ride Education Company) which over the years has taken the money raised from the Wild Ride and built 28 classrooms in the Transkei and also helped other needy causes in the areas touched by the race.
Photo: QuickPix/Gavin Ryan.
The Imana Wild Ride is a race that I will make every effort to come back to as often as I can and should be on the bucket list of anyone that owns a mountain bike, is looking for a great ride and has a sense of adventure.
Rating: 10 stars out of 10
Photo: QuickPix/Gavin Ryan.
It was truly a privilege to be part of this ride. I say ride because if you race you miss out on what is more than just a route from point A to point B. A bucket list event for sure!