Fun for all at the 2018 Glacier Cradle Traverse

Johann de Wet and Khanyi Nzukuma of Glacier by Sanlam.

2018 Glacier Cradle Traverse champions Andrew Stockwell and Bryce Munro.

Dieter Rothman, Smile Foundation charity supporter.

A beaming Yolandi and Michelle de Villiers at the finish line.

Dawie Roodt and Heiko Weidhase from Efficient Group.

Part of the beauty of the Glacier Cradle Traverse is the family-friendly atmosphere.

The 2018 Glacier Cradle Traverse took place from 6 – 8 April at Avianto Estate in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. The annual event features three-day, two-day and fun ride options and provides mountain bikers with the chance to explore some of Gauteng’s best singletracks in a relatively non-competitive atmosphere.

Relatively non-competitive because riders are encouraged to slow down, spend time on the trails with friends and soak up the hospitality provided by Glacier by Sanlam, Dryland Event Management and Avianto. For those who feel the need to race, there are category prizes up for grabs each year and age group prizes for the children who take part in the fun ride on the Sunday.

Andrew Stockwell and Bryce Munro took home the men’s team prize, with mother-and-daughter team, Michelle and Yolande de Villiers acing the women’s team race. Grant Usher and Amy McDougall were clear winners in the solo men’s and solo women’s races. Yolandi du Toit and Ben-Melt Swanepoel were the winners of the mixed team race.

The real winners at the Glacier Cradle Traverse were the riders who simply took part for the love of mountain biking. With a relaxed atmosphere and even a Schools Race and Fun Ride on the final day, it was truly a memorable experience.

Many of the riders claimed they’ll “definitely be back again next year”.

This is the second year that Glacier has sponsored the Glacier Cradle Traverse, a sister event to the highly successful Glacier Storms River Traverse in the Cape. Head of Marketing for Glacier, Zaida Essop said that this year’s event topped all others. “It was a fun-filled family weekend that catered for clients, intermediaries and participants alike,” she said. “We hope to attract even more riders in 2019 as mountain biking continues to grow in popularity.”

Supporting worthy causes

The Glacier Cradle Traverse also raised much-needed funds for worthy causes. Financial intermediary Steve Buhr set out with a target of raising R25 000 for the Smile Foundation, an organisation that facilitates free corrective facial reconstruction surgery and treatments for children. He far exceeded his target, eventually raising close to R40 000.

Glacier Storms River Traverse

The popular Glacier Storms River Traverse will take place from 10 – 12 August this year. Entrants will once again have the chance to soak up the beautiful scenery along the Tsitsikamma route. Visit www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za for updates.