Three brothers cycle through mighty Africa
Four days, 300 kilometres, three countries and more than 200 000 litres of water.
Three brothers, Anton (45), Adam (43) and Matthew (40) Wood had the opportunity of cycling through some of Africa’s most remote and beautiful areas with the Nedbank Tour de Tuli, Mapungubwe Route.
Almost 300 riders comprising 19 teams traversed three different countries – Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa and four wilderness areas – Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Nottingham Estate, Sentinel Ranch and Mapungubwe National Park.
The tour started at the Pont Drift Border Post between Botswana and South Africa and ended at the national park.
The funds raised during this event go towards the education of communities on conservation.
This was Anton’s sixth year and also the first year he planned the route.
“I literally plan the route a year before and visit Botswana almost six times a year to do so.
“It normally changes closer to the starting date due to the elephant gestation. Riding in this tour is amazing and that is the reason why I go back every time – being out in the wilderness on the back of a bicycle is indescribable.”
Elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, buffalo and eland are just some of the wild animals one gets to see. The scariest incident happened on Anton’s first tour when they bumped into an elephant who would not leave them alone.
“The female rushed up to us, but luckily nothing happened. Lion are curious and leopard run away with just a clap of the hand.
“The bird life is insane, especially the black eagle who breeds there. We see a lot of golden orbs and python. The last part of the trip has a lot of rich history which everybody needs to experience.”
Anton has broken his sternum, dislocated both joints and this year he fell over his bike and broke two vertebrae – he is currently undergoing surgery.
To participate in this event, the minimum entry requirement for all cyclists is proof that they have completed at least one mountain-bike event with a minimum of 70km in the last nine months and to dock up R26 000.
This avid mountain biker has previously done the Freedom Challenge from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town, the Red Island in Madagascar, the Jozi to Cozi, the Jozi to Sea as well as the Wines to Whales. “Madagascar is amazingly beautiful. My next event will be the Trance Portugal and the Swiss Peaks.”
