Known for fun in the mud, the Glacier Storms River Traverse has built a reputation as a fiercely social
stage race. The routes are challenging enough to ensure a good workout but not so tough as to
prevent post-ride shenanigans. It is also perfect for eBikes, with 30% of the 2023 field taking on the
race with electric assistance. Most importantly though, especially given its Women’s Month race
date, it featured a field where 40% of the competitors for the eleventh edition were women.
The women, fittingly, dominated the racing from the 11 th to the 13 th of August. Anel Strampe was the
fastest overall, crossing the line first on two of the three days. She was only bested on the final day,
by Kobus Weyers, though Strampe had done enough on the preceding stages to take the overall
title. This feat was achieved on an eBike, though it does not detract from the impressiveness of her
ride. Strampe also smiled her way around the 160 kilometres of the three-day route, clearly loving
the speed which her eBike provided.
She was joined on the solo eBike Women’s podium by Petty van Wyk and Abigail Kitshoff, the latter
who was taking part with her husband “The eBike makes it possible for us to do races and rides
together,” her husband Theo Kitshoff pointed out. “Rather than us getting frustrated with each
other we can ride together at a good pace and enjoy the experience. This was our second Glacier
Storms River Traverse and we’ll definitely be back again.”
The fastest riders on traditional bikes, over the course of the long weekend, were the women’s team
winners; Yolande de Villiers and Stephanie Wohlters. The formidable pairing won the first two
stages, before placing second to the young guns, Karla Stumpf and Kelsey van Schoor on Stage 3.
Stumpf and Van Schoor had to be content with third place on the overall standings however, after
losing 33 minutes on Stage 2; to a series of punctures and a broken valve core.
“I’ve learnt a lot from the Glacier Storms River Traverse,” Van Schoor said. Though best known for
successes on the road the Customised Cycling racer is no stranger to off-road racing. Yet, she
remains eager to learn. “One thing I learnt is that mountain bikers are far more helpful than
roadies,” she joked. “During our puncture problems on Stage 2, we were offered multiple CO2
bombs, all of which we eventually needed, and one woman even offered Karla her bike so we could
finish the stage.”
Such is the spirit of mountain biking. A spirit which is amplified at the event, mainly due to its social
nature. While there are some who take it seriously and race for the best result possible, many are
more concerned about stopping at water points or taking photos. Stages 1 and 2 both featured
sections with ocean views and even points at which to stop to take photos. Stage 3 spent its entirety
inland, but also included stretches in the pristine indigenous forest as well as traverses of the MTO
Forestry pine plantations.
“When you ride here, every day is like Christmas,” Chris Sykes, co-owner of the Tsitsikamma Village
Inn and the brewer for the Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery, boasted, while dressed in the Santa Claus
costume he always wears for the final day of the race. There are endless roads through the
plantations waiting to be ridden and the views over the rugged coastline or across the Tsitsikamma
Mountain Range are truly spectacular. On years, like this, when the roads are not overly muddy the
enjoyment is amplified. Though the odd splatter does help remind riders that they are still riding the
Glacier Storms River Traverse.
Photo: Anel Strampe was fastest overall, racing an eBike, and beating not only the fast women’s
teams but also all the men in the race. Photo by Oakpics.com.
2023 Glacier Storms River Traverse General Classification Results
Solo eBike Women:
1. Anel Strampe (5:52:35)
2. Petty van Wyk (7:22:14 | +1:29:39)
3. Abigail Kitshoff (9:30:41 | +3:38:05)
Solo eBike Men:
1. Kobus Weyers (6:02:42)
2. Jeremy Horner (6:15:13 | +12:30)
3. Johann Steyn (6:20:49| +18:06)
Women's Teams:
1. Yolande en Steph: Steph Wohlters & Yolande de Villiers (7:18:34)
2. Team Elements: Mandi Augustyn & Juanita Mackenzie (7:33:46 | +15:11)
3. Team K&K: Karla Stumpf & Kelsey van Schoor (7:51:50 | +33:15)
Men's Teams:
1. Enjoy: Hardus van Rensburg & Gerhard Hatting (7:28:20)
2. MTB Goats: Eckhard Visser & Paul Serrao (7:41:04 | +12:44)
3. The Tootlers: Ryan Dean & Nicholas Hops (8:03:32 | +35:12)
Mixed Teams:
1. Team Moerze: Martha Koekemoer & Pieter Kotze (7:37:38)
2. Chemchamp Africa: Daniel Tenner & Biance Bekker (8:52:23| +1:14:45)
3. The Sinclairs: Hermien & Keven Sinclair (9:49:29 | +2:11:51)
Solo Women:
1. Elizma Kock (8:41:16)
2. Liezel van Niekerk (9:21:14 | +39:57)
3. Karike Human (10:28:35 | +1:47:18)
Solo Men:
1. Albert du Toit (7:30:52)
2. Lourie Nel (7:34:04| +03:12)
3. Ludwig Lillie (7:35:47 | +04:55)
