![\"ccs-62657-0-92404800-1558706763.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-92404800-1558706763.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Photo: Kelvin Trautman<\/span><\/p>\nDean James from Bedfordview agrees, saying: \u201cConsidering the weather that has come through in the last month, to get the trails into the condition that they are now in, there has been a lot of work put in. It was such a fun ride. The new stretch (on day 1), the \u201cGreat Oke\u201d, was amazing. To make it downhill like that was pretty cool; you look back and you see all the riders snaking down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dean\u2019s riding partner Eugene Kritzinger from West Rand commented on the organisation of the event: \u201cIt\u2019s mind boggling how seamless it is, even in 2017 with all the rain we had an incredible ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sean Dane from Salt Rock missed doing the first sani2c in 2005 but has done every one since. He describes his experience of the drop into the Umkomaas Valley: \u201cIt\u2019s the most amazing experience sweeping in and out of all of those switchbacks and it\u2019s fast track, it\u2019s brilliant. And the view on the left as you are going down, I wish I could go and do it again. Each year, for as long as we can, we\u2019ll be doing sani2c,\u201d says Sean.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way the race has evolved over the years since 2006 when I first did it is unbelievable. The amount of time, effort and work everyone has put in; the tech, the supremely manicured track. It\u2019s a very well-organized event. It\u2019s also good to see a race giving so much back to the communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Sean\u2019s riding partner Craig van Heerden, also from Salt Rock, was doing his third sani2c, and says it started as a huge challenge in his first year as he had not ridden a bike since his school days: \u201cEach time there is something different, something you have forgotten about from the previous year that springs up on you and it is new and improved. Not one year has been exactly the same, there is always a bit of variation, all the time constantly evolving. There is such a huge focus on the rider experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Erika Blom from Midstream and Tanya Iozzo from Johannesburg came into Jolivet on day 2 of the Adventure after 8 hours 46 minutes, having had a day of technical difficulties. Erika is a triathlete but an MTB novice; she took up the sport a mere six weeks ago: \u201cWe had such fun. I am so grateful for the Ride Like a Girl clinic that we did; next time I would practice more switchbacks. We did all the turns slowly but I think if you get into the groove and you turn earlier and your back wheel spins, then you can actually do it more safely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Umko drop was magical\u201d, says Tanya, \u201cI would put up with the Iconic Climb again for that. It was worth every minute of it.\u201d<\/p>\n The two say that the people and the atmosphere at the event really helped them in what was their first stage race. Erika summed up the experience: \u201cAfter day 1 you are full of confidence to become a Black Mamba (a rider who completes ten sani2c events), after day 2 you\u2019re quiet, then the wrap up on day 3 makes you miss the experience already. What a great first stage race, so many kind people, excellent hospitality and breathtaking views.\u201d<\/p>\n Photo: Kelvin Trautman<\/span><\/p>\n In the Trail this year, 45% of the participants were first time sani2c riders, which Farmer Glen was thrilled about: \u201cWe have many new riders across all three events which is encouraging for the sport, while we also have a large contingent that comes back again and again. We added 35 Black Mambas who have now completed their tenth this year, and we have 6 riders who have done every single sani2c, the Black Mamba Legends.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have made a concerted effort to let mountain bikers know that sani2c is rideable if you are a competent rider. The trails are not highly technical; it gets technical when you ride fast. We cater for the full spectrum of riders by having three versions of the event, and the Race caters for those who want to ride as fast as they can.\u201d<\/p>\n With the support of the communities it travels through, and with a community effort in building and maintaining the trails, the sani2c delivers a route through farmlands, forest, game reserve and tribal land that you simply cannot access otherwise, and through scenery that takes your breath away.<\/p>\n<\/a>Photo: Anthony Grote<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Photo: Kelvin Trautman<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Photo: Kelvin Trautman<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n