If you’re thinking about riding the 2026 KAP sani2c, the best people to convince you aren’t the organisers – they’re the riders. We asked some recent finishers what makes sani2c “more than a ride”, and their stories say it all.
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“The forests and valleys are mental therapy” – Steve Masehlele
“sani2c is very addictive. I think what keeps bringing me back is the experience. You don’t get to see the beauty of the Umkomaas unless you are on the bike. The forest and the valleys we ride through are mental therapy; you get to understand that you belong to nature when you ride through those places.”
Steve Masehlele has completed eight of the 21 editions of KAP sani2c, and he can’t say enough good things about it: “The trails are well taken care of, I see the effort and dedication of community members. We get a lot of cheers and well done words along the way. That motivates us to keep going despite our exhaustion.
“This year, me and my partner had a very chilled ride – we stopped many times to gaze at the beautiful scenery of KZN mountains, rivers and valleys. It was unimaginable fun. I love the Cannondale Curves on day 1, the zigzag riding is fantastic, and I very much enjoy the Xhumeni forest. I feel refreshed when I pass there.”
Farmer Glen’s eyes still light up with the same passion
After more than two decades of putting on the event, sani2c founder, dairy farmer Glen Haw, has not lost the glint he gets in his eyes when he talks about the ride, and what he may have in store for the next year: “When there are guys like Steve who express what sani2c has meant to them, or what the route felt like, we as a family know our hard work has paid off. But sani2c is so much bigger than us; all the communities along the 265 kms of trails are who we have to thank for what sani2c has become.
“We all work together for months and months to make the magic happen, so that both the Adventure and ‘OG’ riders can experience the best three days you can have on a mountain bike in our beautiful country.”
Want to ride the KAP sani2c route virtually before lining up at Glencairn in May 2026?
2026 KAP sani2c riders can take the guesswork out of sani2c readiness with the complementary training plans available from Absolute Motion, starting in January. Also catering for those who want to join a training plan in February, or even March, sani2c coach Johann Wykerd says: “For first time riders especially, having the confidence of knowing you have followed a plan specifically for this race, will help eliminate startline nerves. Training Peaks, the app that powers the sani2c training plans, includes an indoor app called Training Peaks Virtual. We upload the actual KAP sani2c GPX files, so you feel every climb, descent and turn of the route.”
For full details visit sani2c.co.za/prepare/training.
A father-and-son experience to treasure forever
Grant Robertson says he and his son Kyle had a fantastic experience this year: “I’d recommend sani2c to anyone thinking of riding in 2026. The trails are beautifully designed and so well manicured, and doing it with a partner makes it even more special.
“I’ve had the honour of doing sani2c with both my sons in separate years, and those three days together are memories I’ll treasure forever. There are very few experiences where you get that much quality time with your [adult] child, doing something you both love, away from the world. sani2c gives you that. It creates moments and memories that stay with you long after you’ve crossed the finish line.”
On the ride itself he says: “The water points are always a highlight, and the camaraderie – from fellow riders to the spectators – it creates such an incredible atmosphere. You get to see places and views you would never experience any other way than by bike. It’s truly extraordinary. For me, Day 3 is always the standout. It really suits my riding style. I love the flowing singletrack, the mix of pace, the railway line, and those beautiful tree overhangs. It’s just magic.”
Why the Young Guns also love sani2c
Of Kyle’s experience, Grant says: “A huge highlight for Kyle was getting to the top of the Iconic Climb, those socks are his ultimate bragging rights! Being younger, he absolutely thrives on the challenge, and he loves that sani2c gives you something to show for it. He also loved the high-speed sections with the sharp corners, and of course the adrenaline rush of riding the floating bridge at Scottburgh beach, that’s his favourite part of all.”
Grant explains that the race villages are a big part of the sani2c experience: “Glencairn the night before the start is incredibly well organised…especially if it’s your first time. Everything is laid out so clearly, and anything you may have forgotten for the three days, you’ll find there. Considering how many riders each race village feeds and accommodates, it’s remarkable how smoothly everything runs. You never wait long, the food is always plentiful, and you’re never left hungry. There are loads of chill zones and places to relax (other than your tent!), which just adds to the whole experience.”
“Knowing that Farmer Glen and the sani2c team give so much back to the local community means a great deal. I’ve personally seen the growth in the area and the impact on the schools and families. Riding sani2c feels like being part of something bigger. In a nutshell, what makes it so special is that it’s incredibly accessible while still being an unforgettable adventure. It’s not as technical as some of the other stage races, which makes it the perfect event for anyone wanting to try their wheels at a stage race for the first time. It’s so well organised that you can simply focus on the riding, and the experience.”
KAP sani2c 2026 Roadshow: dates and venues
The Haw family and team will be touring the country early next year to connect with riders. Glen says: “We have found it so rewarding meeting some new and ‘old’ regular riders, and sharing their trails, so we have carefully chosen popular trail parks to host these gatherings.”
- 17th Jan – Pretoria – Wolvespruit
- 18th Jan – Johannesburg – Taroko Trail Park
- 24th Jan – Ballito – Holla Trails
- 25th Jan – Hillcrest – Giba Gorge
- 7th Feb – Howick – Karkloof Country Club
- 15th Feb – Cape Town – Contemanskloof MTB Trails
Will you join the December Distance Challenge on Strava?
Join the KAP sani2c Strava Club (https://www.strava.com/clubs/1007323), record your rides throughout December and upload them to Strava, to stand a chance to win with Ciovita. Rack up the most distance in the month and be one of the winners who receives a Ciovita Fusion Jersey, a R 1000 Ciovita voucher, and 5 pairs of Ciovita socks. Winners will be announced in January. T’s & C’s apply.
KAP sani2c 2026 dates:
KAP sani2c Adventure: 6-8 May 2026
KAP sani2c ‘OG’: 7-9 May 2026
Find out why KAP sani2c is ‘More than a Ride’, and enter here: www.sani2c.co.za
Photo credits: Action Photo SA, Devin Paisley, Anthony Grote
About KAP sani2c
KAP sani2c is one of the oldest three-day mountain bike stage races in South Africa, with 265 kms of spectacular trails from the southern Drakensberg to Scottburgh on the South Coast – sweeping scenery and deep community spirit carry you to the sea. There are two versions of essentially the same event, the Adventure and the ‘OG’, with the greatest differentiator being that the ‘OG’ is a UCI sanctioned stage race and includes a Prologue for UCI riders before the three days of racing. And e-bikes can only be entered in the ‘OG’ event.
