KAP Sani2c
An event like this is a welcome economic boost for the areas that host the cyclists, bringing much needed cash flow to establishments and the community at large.
Someone interesting stats:
Beneficiaries: 12 Communities and 23 schools and environmental groups
2850 people employed during the race
4500 - the number of participants, oldest 75, youngest 17
2300 tents erected , 5200 mattresses used , 225 000 litres of water used for showers,
19800 litres of coke, 500kg of Bananas and 9600 doughnuts consumed.
23 Eight tonne trucks are used each day to move the three events from Sani Pass to Scottburgh.
When all three events are underway, there is a rider every 58 metres along the 263km route on bikes having an estimated value of R 135 million, making Sani2c the largest stage race in the world.
An event like this is a welcome economic boost for the areas that host the cyclists, bringing much needed cash flow to establishments and the community at large.
Someone interesting stats:
Beneficiaries: 12 Communities and 23 schools and environmental groups
2850 people employed during the race
4500 - the number of participants, oldest 75, youngest 17
2300 tents erected , 5200 mattresses used , 225 000 litres of water used for showers,
19800 litres of coke, 500kg of Bananas and 9600 doughnuts consumed.
23 Eight tonne trucks are used each day to move the three events from Sani Pass to Scottburgh.
When all three events are underway, there is a rider every 58 metres along the 263km route on bikes having an estimated value of R 135 million, making Sani2c the largest stage race in the world.
Drak Mountain Bike Club
The Drak MTB Club has access to several kilometres of private amazing single track / jeep track trails, as well as a huge range of routes on quiet and dusty public district roads. Check their web site for rides and other upcoming events:
Sani Spoors Mountain Bike Trails
Sani Spoors offer well maintained bike trails which start from the Olde Duck Restaurant, approximately 1 km along the Drakensberg Gardens Road.
Ed Smith 082 299 5234
Ian Bonsma 079 516 5507
The road to Cobham
This quiet18 km gravel road starts in Himeville and winds through the Little Berg to the Cobham Reserve.
The Sani Pass road
Take the road from Underberg, turning left approximately 2 km after Himeville. The road is tarred all the way to the Sani Pass Hotel at the foot of the pass, after which the gravel road winds steeply up to the top of the escarpment. You need your passport as the route takes you into Lesotho.Mountain Biking in Underberg and Himeville
UNDERBERG ATTRACTIONS
UNDERBERG ATTRACTIONS
UNDERBERG ATTRACTIONS
Berg Bikepacker
If you enjoy spending time with friends, breathing in the beauty of your surroundings and drinking coffee, these rides are for you. There are options for all levels of fitness and abilities. Berg Bikepacker knows the area well, and we also supply refreshments at our selected picnic sites along the way. For your peace of mind, the Berg Bikepacker support vehicle is available to lift tired legs if necessary. Our guided rides are geared to the slowest riders in the group, taking time out to appreciate the tranquility of the countryside, admire the views and listen to the birds.
Contact Craig: 083 775 7381
craig@bergbikepacker.co.za
If you enjoy spending time with friends, breathing in the beauty of your surroundings and drinking coffee, these rides are for you. There are options for all levels of fitness and abilities. Berg Bikepacker knows the area well, and we also supply refreshments at our selected picnic sites along the way. For your peace of mind, the Berg Bikepacker support vehicle is available to lift tired legs if necessary. Our guided rides are geared to the slowest riders in the group, taking time out to appreciate the tranquility of the countryside, admire the views and listen to the birds.
Contact Craig: 083 775 7381
craig@bergbikepacker.co.za
Gran Fondo heeds calls for shorter route
Ahead of the much-anticipated second edition of the Underberg Gran Fondo, organisers have heard calls from riders and included a shorter 45km option for the 2023 event on Sunday, 30 July.
2022's inaugural edition of the gravel classic was well received by riders across the board, and 2023 is gearing up to be even more popular as the event has joined the Gran Fondo World Tour Gravel Series and organisers have listened to suggestions from riders that took part last year.
"There has been a lot of interest already in this year's race and we've only just opened the entries," organiser Pierre Horn said.
"After last year's race we had a few of the older riders requesting that we add a shorter distance so this year we will have a 45km route that will be more than doable for all riders.
"It's going to be called the Underberg Gran Fondo Tour de Farms, because the route takes riders through the farming community which is exciting, and we are looking forward to making the route public shortly.
"The new distance opens the event to so many more riders and the interest already suggests that it will be a popular distance."
The event already offers the long 140km route, the 90km and now the short 45km race and this year the Underberg Gran Fondo has also been included on the Gran Fondo World Series.
"We're the only Gran Fondo in South Africa that's included on the Gravel World Series and we hope that maybe in 2024 we will get riders from overseas coming to take on our race.
"The gravel riding discipline is definitely still growing because it caters to so many different riders and it's appealing for those MTB riders who don't necessarily like the single track or technical riding.
"Also, it takes the roadies off the busy main roads, and a bonus is that it you get some of the best views when you ride along the gravel," Horn added.
The Southern Drakensberg provides the ideal backdrop for a gravel race, but it has a lot more to offer.
"We want to create a family-orientated event and there is so much to do in and around Underberg.
"From the museums to the incredible trails at the Sani Spoors; we are trying to cater to the whole family because Underberg is always a fantastic weekend away."