It’s rare for a mountain bike stage race to take place entirely inside a game reserve. That’s just one of the attractive features of the Glacier Waterberg Traverse, which is organised by Dryland Event Management and which takes at Summerplace Game Reserve, Limpopo from 9-11 May.
With more than 40 species of large mammals, wildlife encounters by mountain bike at this Bushveld venue are common and exciting. Summerplace Game Reserve is a leading South African mountain biking destination with an incredible network of trails hand built across the ridges, slopes and plains to deliver an abundance of flow.
The Glacier Waterberg Traverse is also unique in that it offers two stage races in one, with a RACE route that’s designed to be tough, yet rewarding and a RIDE route that’s moderately challenging. The RACE is a Solo event, while the RIDE has both Solo and Team categories for those who want to share the unique Bushveld mountain biking experience.
Here’s what’s in store:
RACE
Stage 1: 55km | 830m ascent
Stage 2: 61km | 1275m ascent
Stage 3: 52km | 700m ascent
RIDE
Stage 1: 38km | 590m ascent
Stage 2: 41km | 650m ascent
Stage 3: 42km | 575m ascent
There’s one race village, which simplifies logistics. As with all Dryland Event Management stage races, it’s fully catered, serving delicious, nutritious meals from registration day lunch until lunch after Stage 3. There are various accommodation options, from basic tents to luxury lodges.
For supporters, the organisers have included pleasant bush walking routes to designated spectator points on each stage, ranging in distance from 2-6km roundtrips.
“I had the pleasure of enjoying the inaugural Waterberg Traverse last year and what I loved about it was the fact that it’s a premium three-day event that’s a quick drive from Gauteng, unlike most multistage events that require flying,” said experienced Johannesburg-based mountain biker, Letshego Zulu.
“It’s a great blend between riding one’s bike and having a good time off the bike with fellow riders. This is especially great if you bring along family and friends that don’t ride bikes, because we don’t spend the entire day on the bike. It’s technical enough for intermediate to advanced riders (RACE) but also easy enough for beginners (RIDE),” she added.
The RACE is Cycling South Africa sanctioned and offers podium recognition for Under-23, Elite, 30-34,35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60-years+ Males and Females. Prizemoney is on offer for top three overall Men, Women, Veteran Men and Master Men as long as there are a minimum of five riders in the category.
There are prizes for the top three finishers in the RIDE event for Overall Solo Men, Solo Women, Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Mixed Team, eBike Men’s Team, eBike Women’s Team, eBike Mixed Team.
Summerplace Game Reserve is a 2hr15min drive from Pretoria and less than three hours from Johannesburg on good quality roads.
To find out more or to secure your entry, click here.
