Ride report: Single track stoke at The U
The third edition of The U mountain bike stage race took place in Piket-Bo-Berg from 19-21 October 2018. Billed as “SA’s Single Track Stage Race”, the relative newcomer is a small boutique event which lives up to the hype. The U is a two and a half day mountain bike stage race which kicks off […]
Passes and Pinot Noir on day one of Tour de Braai
It’s not every week you get to spend five days on a bike touring through some of the most scenic parts of the Western Cape. The Tour de Braai is a five day tour by gravel from George to Swellendam. Marketed as “the most relaxed multi-day cycling stage ride in South Africa” it’s all about […]
7 iconic scenes from the 2017 Berg & Bush
The Grindrod Bank Berg & Bush took place in early October this year, with something to please every level of mountain bike rider. The Berg & Bush has it all, a three-day mountain bike ride in the shape of the Great Trek, a race in the shape of the Descent, and a relaxed, family-style MTB […]
Entries open for magnificent Fairtree Simonsberg Contour stage race
Entries are now open for the 2018 Fairtree Simonsberg Contour Mountain Bike and Trail Run Stage Race events taking place 3 to 4 February and 10 to 11 February 2018 respectively. Keen trail runners and mountain bikers will once again have the opportunity to race in this unique conservation area right at the start of […]
Chandelier finale at Cape Pioneer Trek
The final stage of the 2017 Momentum Health Cape Pioneer Trek presented by Biogen was a loop through the Chandelier Game Reserve outside Oudtshoorn. For the last time, we rustled around in our tents, wriggling into lycra, looking for clean socks, and applying suncream before dragging ourselves and our bikes to the start line. Photo […]
A wild ride in Pondoland
There are mountain bike stage races aplenty in South Africa, all offering something different to the mountain bike enthusiast. From Wines2Whales in the Western Cape to the Berg & Bush in KwaZulu-Natal, mountain bikers are able to pick and choose from numerous events that suit their respective styles and skill levels. The first day starts […]
Ride report: The Cross Cape Cycle Route
What better way to experience the beauty of South Africa than on a 742 km mountain bike route that takes you off the beaten track and into the heart of the Western Cape. Thamar Houliston spent a week riding the newly unveiled Cross Cape Cycle Route. Here’s the lowdown… The Cross Cape Cycle Route from […]
Ride report: Old Mutual joBerg2c Day 8
Day 8 of the Old Mutual joBerg2c was probably my favourite route thus far. The drop off the escarpment from the Free State to KZN on Day 4 being the other contender for the pick of the days. Riders head into the sunrise. Photo credit: Em Gatland We left the Mackenzie Club in a flurry […]
Double Trouble: Racing Wines2Whales with a partner
With just over a week between us and the start of the Wines2Whales races, we are beginning to feel the stoke. From our recent stage racing experiences, we have learned a little about the ups and downs of team racing. Having a partner can be amazing motivation in the right circumstances, getting the best riding […]
2016 Mountain Bike Stage Race Calendar
2018 Stage Race Calendar: All the racing for 2016 has come to an end. Take a look at our 2018 Stage Race Calendar. South Africa is undoubtedly the capital of the marathon cross country stage race world, with well over 50 stage races (and multiday single stage events) to choose from. It’s clear that proper […]
Race report: Imana Wild Ride 2015
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 […]
Trans Hajar: new 400km race route uncovered
Four hundred kilometres of challenging routes have been prepared for the 2015 Trans Hajar Mountain Bike Stage Race. The fifth edition of the race will take place from 30 January to 3 February 2015 with competitors pushing themselves to the limit on an all-new route, including Arabia’s highest peak Jebel Shams (3,028 metres). Driven by […]