![\"ccs-62657-0-35367900-1495115838.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-35367900-1495115838.jpeg\")
<\/a>Photo credit: Em Gatland.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Idea<\/h2>\n
For a second year, Hayden Brown and I were hired by Supergroup to document their journey at Sani2c.<\/p>\n
Last year we used a car to follow the team. Not being able to follow the race route meant that we ended up getting lost more times than I\u2019d like to admit and losing a ton of time trying to find the riders again.<\/p>\n
So while I was mentally preparing for the Supergroup project I had the bright idea of following the team on an e-bike. I had briefly seen one of the Giant E-bike models a month earlier and I contacted my friends at Bike Hub to see if they knew who I should speak to.<\/p>\n
Two days later, Iwan Kemp had organized two 2018 Giant E-Bike Full E+1.5 bikes for us to ride. Now that my idea was a reality, I had to face my own realities: my relative inexperience riding a mountain bike.<\/p>\n
For those that don’t follow stage racing, Sani2c is a multi-day race with three events starting on consecutive days. The three events are the Trail, Adventure, and finally the Race. We were following the second event, the Adventure.<\/p>\n Our goal was to ride with the Supergroup team allowing us to not only experience the journey but scout out special spots that we would not be able to access by car. While the goal and idea were grand, nothing ever goes exactly to plan, and due to human error, the chargers for the Giant E-bikes had not been packed. So I started the first day with only 30% battery on the bike.<\/p>\n I made 30km +- before the battery ran out. Now as I mentioned before I’m not a cyclist, and riding the bike with zero power just wasn\u2019t an option at my fitness level, so I caught a lift to the finish line where a plan had been made to get a charger.<\/p>\n On the second day with a fully charged bike, we looked forward to the incredible drop into Umkomaas Valley and the grueling Iconic climb. This was most definitely my favorite day.<\/p>\n Firstly, the sunrise at McKenzie is spectacular. With the sun still peeking its way over the hills, we reached the Umkomaas Valley with the most amazing view and single track. There\u2019s nothing quite like it. The hardest part is trying to keep your eyes on the trail.<\/p>\n I took my time here, stopping often to capture shots of the Supergroup team. Time well spent soaking in the route and atmosphere.<\/p>\n I also stopped to help a crashed rider who took a serious tumble over his handlebars. I waited with him and his partner for around 30 mins until the helicopter flew over us and acknowledged our position.<\/p>\n I then had to try and catch up to the group. While assisting the injured rider, I had fallen behind to starting batch M, with most of the Supergroup team being in batch I. Thankfully, with most of the downhill out of the way, I could now use the power of the Giant E-bike to catch up.<\/p>\n By the time I reached the waterpoint 1, I had caught up three or four batches, and was back on track. I snapped some images of the Supergroup team at the waterpoint, grabbed some liquids and snacks for myself and began the next 30km of climbing.<\/p>\n Straight off the block I started overtaking riders on the climb, and continued to do so for the next 30 km. I was blown away by the power and torque created by the bike.<\/p>\n I must admit I needed to use the higher power option since I just didn\u2019t have the training and strength that the rest of the riders had. I received an array of comments while passing riders.<\/p>\n “-Ah! <\/em>its<\/em> an E-bike<\/em>“ And many more. It really was a mix of feelings, but mostly people were impressed if not intrigued.<\/p>\n On the Iconic climb, most riders walked except for the odd few exceptional riders showing their strength\/training by getting to the top without putting a foot down. I was not one of those people. While the Giant E-bike could make mince meat of the climb, I lacked the skill to accomplish the task. I still did my best and had some dropped jaws while passing a bunch of riders and making it look effortless. We even stopped to photographed some Supergroup team riders and then jumped back on the bikes to pass them again.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, due to using the highest power option on the climbs I ate through the battery and made it to the 60km water point 2. Again I was left with a 23kg bike and no power. Now if I had trained and was just reasonably fit, I have no doubt the bike could make the finish line. However, since I hadn\u2019t and didn\u2019t have any fitness, I was stoked to reach 60km and had a ton of fun while doing it.<\/p>\n The final day was met with rain and lots of it. We decided not to ride because of our camera gear, not because of the bikes, and unfortunately, we shot the final day from a vehicle.<\/p>\n Firstly, thank you to Giant South Africa for lending us their brand new Giant E-Bike Full E+1.5. The bike really allowed us to cover the race beyond what would have been possible with a car.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe Reality<\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Supergroup riders anxiously awaiting the start of their Sani2c Adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
“That\u2019s cheating<\/em>“
“Let\u2019s swap<\/em>“
“Nice bike<\/em>“
“How?<\/em>“
“Are you going camping with that backpack?<\/em>“<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe Bike<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>
With a central Yamaha motor and dual suspension with 140mm travel. The bike is an amazing ride. I enjoyed the ride, and that\u2019s what it’s about, isn\u2019t it? You don\u2019t purchase an E-bike to race, you buy it to have fun. The Gaint handled the single track like a pro, felt well balanced, and did what it was built to do on the climbs: obliterate.<\/p>\n