Locals put pedals to the metal

Across 204 kilometres and 24 hours, cyclists truly go cross-country at the Trans Drak.

Four locals, AC Swanepoel, Chris van der Linde and the team of Adee Bosman and Rowan Bernstein, competed in this true endurance race, weaving through untouched valleys and mountain tracks of the Drakensberg.

According to AC of the Newcastle Wheelers, the total ascent is about 3 330 metres.

“In the Van Reenen area of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, you are taken through corners, spectacular landscapes and scenery of the ‘Little Drakensberg’, which cannot be seen from the busy road.”

The race begins near Swinburne in the Free State, near the N3 on a farm road, following the unbeaten track for 28km until the first checkpoint.

Using farm and district roads, the second leg is 54km to the second checkpoint.

“From here, the route narrows to farm and 4×4 tracks, through indigenous wetland areas, followed by the most beautiful view of the grassland area near the Ingula Pump Storage scheme. The view overlooking the green pastures of KZN and the De Beers Pass is stunning,” explained AC.

From the storage area, riders took lonely and breath-taking routes towards the third checkpoint near a local primary school, then towards Van Reenen itself, where refreshments and traditional Zulu dancing were enjoyed.

This is followed by a scenic 18km downhill along a historic wagon route.

“This takes riders through the highlight of the route thus far, a 130-year-old road tunnel and indigenous forest towards a padstal aside the N3.”

Departing from the Biltong Padstal, 120km down, the gruelling climb towards the Lost Valley began, where slower riders had to gear up with night equipment to see them through.

Next on the checkpoint list was a trek to Geluksburg, at 148km into the race.

Checkpoints five and six cut a path towards Bezuidenhout’s Pass, then the aptly-named Nightmare Hill, where fresh coffee and warm blankets were provided.

“The last stretch was towards the finish at the Border Post, including an unmanned water point. We followed Free State district roads and ended after a total of 204km.”

In the top handful of cyclists from the onset, AC Swanepoel was eventually crowned the winner, in a spectacular time of nine hours, 11 minutes and 38 seconds.

Chris finished in 10:30:09.

Adee and Rowan stayed together over the full distance, completing the course in 12 hours, 47 minutes and 22 seconds.

Congratulations to these local cyclists on their achievements!