Now in its third year the Du ToitTankwa Trek is kicking on from a race of sheer natural beauty, singletracks and superb Dryland organisation, it’s becoming the next big “Must Do” MTB event and it’s easy to see why.
In the December/January issue of Full Sus we profiled the exquisite Garden Route 300, which is packed with forest singletacks, the Du ToitTankwa Trek couldn’t be more different in the terrain it asks entrants to conquer. With the orchards of the Ceres and Witzenberg Valleys providing the backdrop for the first two days and the rugged Kouebokkeveld Mountains never far away it’s a race of epic beauty and, notably, a race of tough challenges. It’s a race that embraces the heat of the Karoo rather than the humidity of the Coastal Forests, but it’s also a race that offers an unforgettably riding experience.
Each stage is as different as the men who designed them. Stage one is pure mountain biking as envisioned by the Hanekom brothers. Hannes and Sakkie are two of the most formidable amateur racers on the local mountain biking circuit and their loop through their backyards of the Witzenberg Valley shows off what they love – tough climbs, technical trails and ample rewards for the strong and the brave.
Stage two takes in the Ceres Valley and the formidable Merino Monster. It’s been carefully planned by Mauritz Walters, who riders will probably be cursing as they tackle the old Tronsberg Pass followed by the Monster in quick succession. The impish Walters might well be testing if the city folk are tough enough for the Bokkeveld, but he’s not difficult to forgive as any rider conquering stage two has earned the right to tell a war story or two around the Kaleo campfires.
Stage three is the brain child of Charl van der Merwe and after a 26km liaison it’s hand-cut and hand-built singletrack all day (pretty much). If there ever was a global advertisement for mountain biking in the Western Cape it’s the trails of stage three that should be used. Van der Merwe’s trails will have riders squeezing energy they didn’t know they had out of their tired legs and booking their spot in the 2016 Tankwa as soon as they cross the finish line.
The routes are just half of it though, for on the Tankwa Trek riders will be camped around the wedding venue of Kaleo Manor in the Kouebokkeveld and they’ll be treated to all the bells and catering whistles we’ve come to expect from a Dryland race.
But if you’re reading this and you haven’t managed to secure an entry there’s a bit of a problem… you’re going to be missing out. Well yes and no. The Tankwa Trek is one of best covered MTB events in the country. Full Sus will be providing daily race reports. Oakpics and Zoon Cronje will be there to capture every moment for posterity and Bigshot Media will be producing a television production for SuperSport. Plus with wi-fi in the race village (bear in mind there is hardly any data coverage anywhere between Ceres and Pofadder so it’s a very handy technological oasis) every socially conscious rider and team manager will be Tweeting, Vining and Instagramming the sights and sounds of the race straight to your phone. Live video streaming is only a couple of pros and some international exposure away, so look out 2016 – because the Du ToitTankwa Trek is very definitely the next big thing on the SA MTB Calendar.
And with a waiting list nearly 300 riders long, it’s easy to see why it’s doubtful that the Du Toit Tankwa Trek will remain a sand alone event in 2016. So keep an eye out a Tankwa Ride or Adventure on our stage race calendar.
Sus the Du Toit Tankwa Trek
Dates: 13 – 15 February 2015
Distances: 88km (1 890m of climbing), 91km (2 300m of climbing) and 63km (860m of climbing)
Format: 3 stage, clover leaf format stage race.
Venue: Kaleo Manor, Kouebokkeveld (32km from Ceres)
Website: www.tankwatrek.co.za
Who to Follow: @tankwatrek, @dryland1, @TeamBulls, @TeamRECM, @oakpics, @bigshotmediasa, @ZoonCronje & @FullSussa.
