Trans Baviaans tests the mettle of local cyclists

Untouched wilderness, knee-deep wading through rivers and steep climbs were par for the course of two local cyclists at the Trans Baviaans 24Hour Mountain Bike Race.

AC Swanepoel and Kevin Haycroft of the Newcastle Wheelers cycle club took on one of the toughest races in the world on August 16 and 17, and achieved a very respectable 32nd spot out of 480 teams.

After a gruelling 11 hours and 13 minutes, which was well inside the 24 hour cut-off time, the team who dubbed themselves ‘Malkoppies’, crossed the finish line in Jeffreys Bay after traversing the steep mountain climbs, sheer cliffs and several river crossings.

The Trans Baviaans starts in Willowmore in the Eastern Cape, the late start at 10am forcing riders to cover as much ground as possible before night sets in. Riders must then navigate an unmarked route using a map issued at the start, checking in at various checkpoints along the route.

In total, riders climb almost 2 500 metres on the 230-kilometer course. Many friendships are tested as riders team up to help each other through the difficult terrain, while many teams dropped out.

“The race is a definite test of endurance and character,” said Mr Swanepoel.

Mr Haycroft was very proud to have finished the race, as only months ago he was told he would have to stop cycling completely due to a knee injury. For Mr Swanepoel, who finished seventh in his first solo 365 kilometer Namibia Desert Dash race last year, the Trans Baviaans was excellent training for his 2014 solo ride in the same race, which stretches from Swakopmund to Windhoek.