The 2026 Standard Bank Berg & Bush marked my fifth time lining up for the two-day event and my third alongside my teammate and friend, Bonita.
Going into this year’s event, I felt fitter than I have for almost any stage race I’ve done before. The training had gone well, the legs felt strong, and for once I arrived at the start line feeling prepared rather than hoping fitness would magically appear somewhere along the route.
Yet as I rolled into the race village at Em’seni Camp, I found myself asking the same question I’ve been answering for the past five years: Why do I keep coming back to Berg & Bush? The simple answer is that it’s fun.
But the real answer goes much deeper than that.
A STAGE RACE FOR ALMOST EVERYONE
Over the years I’ve ridden Berg & Bush with different partners, including one memorable edition on an e-bike. Despite the different experiences, one thing has remained constant: the two-day event is incredibly accessible.
The distances are manageable. Day one covers roughly 58 kilometres, while day two sits around the 50 kilometre mark. That’s enough riding to feel like you’ve achieved something significant, but not so much that training becomes overwhelming.
You still need to prepare. No stage race should ever be underestimated, especially if it’s your first. But Berg & Bush doesn’t demand endless weekends of six-hour training rides to get to the finish line. For many riders balancing careers, families and life, that’s an important consideration.
It’s one of the reasons I continue encouraging more women to enter mountain bike stage races. Over the past five years I’ve made it something of a personal mission to convince ladies that they absolutely can do events like this. Judging by the number of women I’ve managed to persuade onto start lines, I’d say the mission has been reasonably successful.
THE SWEET SPOT ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN CALENDAR
Part of Berg & Bush’s appeal is its timing. The event falls during one of the most beautiful periods of the year in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Mornings are often icy cold, with frost covering the grass, bikes and anything left outside overnight. Yet within a few hours the African sun has done its work, and riders are peeling off layers as the temperatures climb. It’s the kind of weather mountain bikers dream about. Cool enough to ride comfortably, warm enough to enjoy every kilometre.
Then there’s the scenery. The routes wind around the spectacular Spioenkop region, delivering endless views of rugged mountains, open landscapes and African bushveld. It’s a reminder that mountain biking isn’t only about the riding; it’s also about the places our bikes take us.
MORE THAN JUST A BIKE RACE
Ask regular Berg & Bush riders what keeps them returning, and many will mention the food before they mention the trails. And honestly, they wouldn’t be wrong.
The full-service package includes accommodation and meals, allowing riders to focus entirely on riding, recovering and enjoying the experience. The catering has become one of the event’s defining features and somehow manages to exceed expectations year after year.
For many women, especially those carrying much of the family logistics at home, there is something wonderfully liberating about arriving at an event and not having to think about meal planning for a few days. You simply ride, eat, relax, sleep and repeat.
It’s a small luxury that makes a surprisingly big difference.
REAL MOUNTAIN BIKING
The trails themselves strike a balance that few events manage to achieve.
They’re not overly technical, making them accessible to a broad range of riders, but they’re also not overly manicured. There are rough edges, a few sketchy moments and sections that demand your attention. They feel like real mountain bike trails built into the landscape rather than trails built specifically for a race.
The trail builders and local landowners invest enormous effort into creating and maintaining the route, and that work shows.
Every year the trails deliver enough challenge to keep things interesting while remaining achievable for riders with moderate experience.
A COMMUNITY THAT FEELS LIKE FAMILY
One of Berg & Bush’s greatest strengths is the atmosphere.
From the race briefings to the dining hall conversations, there’s a sense that everyone is part of the same community for the weekend. The staff are welcoming, the organisers are approachable and the entire event carries a warmth that many larger races struggle to replicate.
The accommodation options cater for every budget and preference, from the basic Kudu tents to the upgraded Weaver and Kingfisher options, as well as the dormitory rooms at Em’seni.
What particularly stands out is the event’s commitment to youth participation. Thanks to the distances and format, Berg & Bush remains one of the few major stage races where younger riders can genuinely participate and thrive. It’s something that sets the event apart and bodes well for the future of South African mountain biking. Now we just need to encourage more young females to take up the challenge.
SO WHY DO I KEEP COMING BACK?
After five years, the answer remains surprisingly simple.
I keep coming back because Berg & Bush reminds me why I love mountain biking.
It’s not about chasing podiums or proving anything. It’s about sharing trails with good people. It’s about laughing with friends over dinner after a day on the bike. It’s about crisp winter mornings, African landscapes and the satisfaction of reaching another finish line. Most of all, it’s about creating experiences.
For me, Berg & Bush has increasingly become a ladies’ weekend away on bikes. A chance to spend time with fellow female mountain bikers who understand exactly why we willingly get up before sunrise to ride our bicycles through the dust, the frost and the hills.
Of course there are school groups, corporate teams and families enjoying the event too. That’s part of the magic. Everyone arrives for their own reasons, but somehow leaves feeling like they were part of something bigger.
Five years later, Berg & Bush still delivers exactly what it promises: great trails, great people and a whole lot of fun.
And that’s why I’ll almost certainly be back again.
