WATCH | Exhilarating e-bike and junior racing on the cards

The Glacier Storms River Traverse has long been one of the most social stage races on the South African mountain biking calendar, and the 2023 experience will be no different!

Hosted at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, over the weekend from August 11 to 13, the exceptional landscape, unparalleled trails and world-class water points provide the perfect backdrop for an experience not to be missed. All mountain bikers and e-bikers of all ages and skill levels are welcome at the event.

“The Glacier Storms River Traverse is an opportunity for us to host so many role players who are important to our business. Every year for the past 11 years, over the Traverse weekend, we have been excited to welcome existing clients, intermediaries, potential clients, colleagues and friends – who love the outdoors as much as we do,” explained Khanyi Nzukuma, chief executive at Glacier by Sanlam, on why the Glacier Storms River Traverse is such an important event to the company.

“It’s a time to connect outside of work and share a moment of well-being and fun in beautiful surroundings.”

Be as Chilled or Competitive as You Want at the Glacier Storms River Traverse

“The Glacier Storms River Traverse route was designed to allow for social riding,” notes Henco Rademeyer of Dryland. “The stages are relatively short, with one or two strenuous, but not too intense climbs on each day. There’s just enough challenge to get the blood flowing! Because the courses are short; they’re also really fun to race on an e-bike. You don’t have to worry about battery management. You can go full throttle, on power mode, from start to finish.”

“As more and more e-bike riders enter the event, it’s become harder to stop them racing. So, this year we’re going to let them loose and reward them with podiums and prizes,” Rademeyer added.

“The more relaxed e-bike riders are welcome to tour and ride amongst the rest of the field too. We just want to create a bit of space between those wishing to race and the competitors taking their time to enjoy the scenery.”

The short stages also mean that junior mountain bikers, from as young as 15, are eligible to take part, with full Cycling South Africa sanctioning.

“We are also offering a 25 percent discount to anyone between the ages of 15 and 23 when they enter the Glacier Storms River Traverse,” says Rademeyer.

“Families have always been a big part of the field at the event and many of the kids that first came to the race on bikes with training wheels 12 years ago, are now old enough to participate in the stage race themselves. It’ll be amazing to see one of those youngsters take the overall victory one day, and hopefully this initiative makes it possible for them to take part this year already.”

Host for the Adventure – Ryan O’Connor

“I love this event because it brings together like-minded adventure enthusiasts who love the outdoor lifestyle of mountain biking,” says avid cyclist and Smile FM radio DJ, Ryan O’Connor.

“It’s three days of tough but do-able trails in the heart of some of the most beautiful coastal greenery.”

August is Women’s Month in South Africa and the Women’s Day public holiday is just two days before the race gets underway. Along with the festival of social riding, the Glacier Storms River Traverse also celebrates women. Glacier by Sanlam in particular is keen to ensure that the tradition continues of spoiling female participants.

With so much taking place in Tsitsikamma, it’s no surprise that accommodation in the village is already nearly fully booked. Would-be Glacier Storms River Traverse riders are encouraged to secure their spots in the 2023 race, and book their accommodation as soon as possible. Entries are limited to 300 and the quaint forest hamlet cannot accommodate more than this. To avoid disappointment, visit www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za to start the entry process.

For more information on the Glacier Storms River Traverse, contact Suné Van Wyk at 044 279 1013 or via email at sune@dryland.co.za.