Fun for the family.
Stuart Biesheuvel – the overall solo men’s title winner.
Handing over the cheque to The Smile Foundation. Left to right: Johann de Wet (Glacier by Sanlam), Tanya Jackson (Smile Foundation) and Henco Rademeyer (Dryland Event Management)
Glacier by Sanlam chief executive Khanyi Nzukuma.
The Glacier Storms River Traverse took place from 10 -12 August in the scenic Tsitsikamma Valley. The annual, three-day mountain bike stage race, organised by Dryland Event Management, has manageable stage distances ranging from 35 – 65 kms and is geared towards a fun-filled week-end with activities for the family too. The event is popular with both first-time stage racers and experienced riders looking to take in the sights and soak up the relaxed Storms River atmosphere. This year’s event attracted 273 registrations.
Winners all round
Gauteng’s Stuart Biesheuvel surprised even himself when he took the solo men’s title as he was riding in only the second stage race of his short mountain biking career. He took full advantage of the race that prides itself on being a relaxed and fun introduction to stage racing. “It’s fantastic and I’m quite surprised myself,” he said.
Alexander Rohrer and Luke Evans won the first stage race. Kobus and Fienie Barnard won the mixed category. Kathryn Rees won the solo women’s race.
Families and children catered for
With a family-friendly atmosphere true to Glacier events, the Tsitsikamma Village Inn was filled with a large crowd of female riders and supporters – 140 females in total - who were given special gifts and treated like royalty.
Children are catered for at the race village at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn with meals and day care while their parents are out cycling.
Biking for good
Two years ago, the Glacier Storms River Traverse became the first in the growing stable of nationwide mountain biking and trail running events run by Dryland Event Management to adopt The Smile Foundation as its official charity. Since then it has helped to raise thousands of rands to help the work of The Smile Foundation in providing corrective surgery on children born with facial disorders.
“The Glacier Storms River Traverse is the perfect partnership for us as it gives us the opportunity to connect with our business partners and their families in a relaxed and informal setting,” said Khanyi Nzukuma, chief executive of Glacier by Sanlam. “It’s a fun event that also has a strong social and environmental aspect to it as well, and these aspects resonate with our company culture and values. We’re also pleased that the event allows us to support The Smile Foundation as this has such a positive impact on the lives of South African children,” he said.
A total of R50 000 was raised at this year’s event.
Fun-filled experience
These are just some of the things to experience if you ride the Glacier Storms River Traverse:
Luxury tents – This is not your usual sleeping bag setup. You get to sleep on a stretcher with a cosy matress, white linen and a fluffy duvet – and the tents have electricity.
Waterpoints – Savour the ostrich fillets, snack on biltong, or even drink a craft beer.
Smile Foundation – Your entry supports the Smile Foundation – guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of many deserving children.
Hunter’s Pub – Catch up on all the gossip from the day at the Hunter’s Pub at the Tsitsikamma Village Inn.
Bloukrans Bridge – Take a bungy jump off the bridge, just a short drive from the Tsitsikamma Village.
Glacier will be extending its sponsorship of this event as well as its sister event, the Glacier Cradle Traverse, until 2020.
Next year’s Glacier Storms River Traverse takes place from 9 – 11 August. For more information, visit www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za
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