A mountain bike race like no other

Together with about 300 teams, The Dolphin Coast Wheelers recently took on the original and toughest team single stage mountain bike race in the world, The Trans Baviaans, in the Eastern Cape.

Covering 230 kilometres in 24 hours, the four riders trekked day and night from Willowmore in the heart of the Eastern Cape Karoo through the world heritage site and remote Baviaans Kloof and finished in Jeffreys Bay.

Ballito resident, Kevin Stryan, one of the Dolphin Coast Wheelers (which is part of the Dolphin Striders) said the race was mind-blowing.

“I did not even know this place existed. I travel a lot, but I have never been to the Eastern Cape and it truly was incredible. We saw a lot of eland, duiker, antelope and even a huge baboon cross over the road during the ride,” said Stryan, who has done three Sani to Sea races, a Johannesburg to Sea race and a Berg and Bush in Winterton last year.

“The race consists of seven checkpoints. It starts at 10am, because they want you to experience riding at night. A lot of guys enjoyed riding in the darkness.

“The race is structured very well, as you see the most beautiful parts during the day. They leave the really tough parts for night time, because they do not want you to see what is coming, you just feel it,” he said with a chuckle.

One of the toughest climbs was Bergplaas.

“It is just never ending. We had full moon, so we could see a line somewhere up there, but when you reach it and think it is done, there is another one. It was a good two hour climb and definitely tougher than I expected.”

They eventually made it to the top of the relentless Bergplaas and Stryan said they finished stronger than expected.

“We actually surprised ourselves. We finished in 14 hours, four minutes. Still, it was a tough race. You have to be properly prepared for it. It is not like any other stage race, where you do a five to six hour ride a day. This is a all in one hit. They make it tough for a reason. They want you to remember it.”

He said the main thing was to keep well hydrated and nourished.

“We had boiled potatoes, eggs and lots of energy bars at the checkpoints. I took my own energy drink with, because I know my body responds well to it and I did not want to take a chance with a drink I was not used to.

“The food was amazing. These proper, old, Afrikaans farmers in the middle of nowhere cooked up a storm for us with real hearty food.

“We stayed on a sheep farm outside Willowmore the night before the race. The farmers made us a proper carbo loading dinner and an awesome breakfast. They were wonderful people.”

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