![\"ccs-58780-0-38611600-1494175402.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-38611600-1494175402.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Andrew Stockwell & Dan Fowler on their way to a third stage victory which would seal their title on Stage 3 of the 2017 Glacier Cradle Traverse, on Sunday the 7th of May. Photo by Oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\nTitle sponsors, Glacier by Sanlam, and Dryland Event Management\u2019s vision for the event is to replicate the relaxed feel-good family atmosphere of the Glacier Storms River Traverse at beautiful Avianto, a popular Gauteng wedding venue. But with the quality of the riding on offer, the Glacier Cradle Traverse was always going to be a very different event on the trails. Virtually every rider has remarked on the amazing routes, from locals like Andrew McLean and Teresa Coetzee to visitors from Bloemfontein and the Western Cape \u2013 the trails have surpassed all expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI live in the area and I was really pleasantly surprised by the trails\u201d said Andrew McLean upon completing the final stage. \u201cI learnt [about] lots of new trails. I mean the terrain is fairly bumpy and rocky, its real mountain biking and it made for a world class event. I would imagine we\u2019ll see a lot more of Dryland up here because this event in a year or two\u2019s time will be sold out and maybe even with an event aimed at the race snake because the pros will love this terrain\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n Another Gauteng local and a veteran of virtually every stage race in the country, Teresa Coetzee was excited to show off her local trails and her province. \u201cPeople always have this perception that we have this concrete jungle here in Gauteng so it is amazing for me to know that people have come to the Cradle Traverse and experienced our playground. I ride here, this is my training ground; but I was so surprised to see how much more there is and all the routes I haven\u2019t ridden yet. It makes me proud to say this is Gauteng and it\u2019s a wonderful place to ride your bike.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow well-travelled mountain biker, Nicky Webb, was, like McLean, pleasantly surprised by the riding on offer. \u201cWhen you think of Gauteng you don\u2019t think of great mountain biking, but the riding has been amazing\u201d the Cape Townian, riding for the iLoveBoobies charity, said.<\/p>\n South African track athlete and 1 500 meter record holder, Johan Cronje, made the trip up to the Glacier Cradle Traverse from Bloemfontein with his riding partner Janus Marais. \u201cIt\u2019s new terrain for us, it\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve been into this part of the world and I\u2019ve enjoyed it very much; even if the singletracks are far more technical than back home\u201d he reflected.<\/p>\n Having initially faced some resistance from the local mountain biking fraternity route director Richard Beswick is confident that once word about the inaugural race gets out the Glacier Cradle Traverse routes will attract locals and visitors to Gauteng alike. \u201cPeople thought the race would just feature trails they can ride at any time, but so many land owners have allowed us access to areas which are usually closed to mountain bikers that we could create a really unique and exciting route. Some of the sections might have been quite technical but the distances were purposely kept short to ensure that nobody spent too long on their bikes, but could enjoy all the other activities on offer at Avianto\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n Though the racing was not the primary focus of the event the winners were still honoured with daily prize giving\u2019s. The men\u2019s team category was dominated by the all-conquering Continental Tyres pair of Andrew Stockwell and Dan Fowler. While Janus Marais and Johan Cronje, riding as Zebra Sports, finished second with two second place stage finishes and a third on Stage 1 behind Andrew McLean and David de Lima \u2013 who was forced to withdraw after the first stage due to an infected cut caused by a mountain biking crash in training. The final podium position was claimed by cousins Tim Lansom and Grant Robertson in the men\u2019s team race.<\/p>\n<\/a>The men\u2019s team podium after Stage 3 of the 2017 Glacier Cradle Traverse, on Sunday the 7th of May. From left to right: Johan Stumpf (Managing Director Mpact), Grant Robertson & Tim Lansom (Cousins | 3rd), Andrew Stockwell & Dan Fowler (Continental Tyres | 1st) and Johan Cronje & Janus Marais (Zebra Sports | 2nd). Photo by Oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Local resident and South African cycling legend, Andrew McLean, in action on the final stage of the 2017 Glacier Cradle Traverse, on Sunday the 7th of May. Photo by Oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>A Cradle Moon Game Reserve zebra stands statuesque while a mountain biker passes behind it during Stage 2 of the Glacier Cradle Traverse, on Saturday the 6th of May 2017. Photo by Oakpics.com<\/span><\/p>\n