Known for fun in the mud, the Glacier Storms River Traverse has built a reputation as a fiercely social
\nstage race. The routes are challenging enough to ensure a good workout but not so tough as to
\nprevent post-ride shenanigans. It is also perfect for eBikes, with 30% of the 2023 field taking on the
\nrace with electric assistance. Most importantly though, especially given its Women\u2019s Month race
\ndate, it featured a field where 40% of the competitors for the eleventh edition were women.
\nThe women, fittingly, dominated the racing from the 11 th to the 13 th of August. Anel Strampe was the
\nfastest overall, crossing the line first on two of the three days. She was only bested on the final day,
\nby Kobus Weyers, though Strampe had done enough on the preceding stages to take the overall
\ntitle. This feat was achieved on an eBike, though it does not detract from the impressiveness of her
\nride. Strampe also smiled her way around the 160 kilometres of the three-day route, clearly loving
\nthe speed which her eBike provided.
\nShe was joined on the solo eBike Women\u2019s podium by Petty van Wyk and Abigail Kitshoff, the latter
\nwho was taking part with her husband \u201cThe eBike makes it possible for us to do races and rides
\ntogether,\u201d her husband Theo Kitshoff pointed out. \u201cRather than us getting frustrated with each
\nother we can ride together at a good pace and enjoy the experience. This was our second Glacier
\nStorms River Traverse and we\u2019ll definitely be back again.\u201d
\nThe fastest riders on traditional bikes, over the course of the long weekend, were the women\u2019s team
\nwinners; Yolande de Villiers and Stephanie Wohlters. The formidable pairing won the first two
\nstages, before placing second to the young guns, Karla Stumpf and Kelsey van Schoor on Stage 3.
\nStumpf and Van Schoor had to be content with third place on the overall standings however, after
\nlosing 33 minutes on Stage 2; to a series of punctures and a broken valve core.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve learnt a lot from the Glacier Storms River Traverse,\u201d Van Schoor said. Though best known for
\nsuccesses on the road the Customised Cycling racer is no stranger to off-road racing. Yet, she
\nremains eager to learn. \u201cOne thing I learnt is that mountain bikers are far more helpful than
\nroadies,\u201d she joked. \u201cDuring our puncture problems on Stage 2, we were offered multiple CO2
\nbombs, all of which we eventually needed, and one woman even offered Karla her bike so we could
\nfinish the stage.\u201d
\nSuch is the spirit of mountain biking. A spirit which is amplified at the event, mainly due to its social
\nnature. While there are some who take it seriously and race for the best result possible, many are
\nmore concerned about stopping at water points or taking photos. Stages 1 and 2 both featured
\nsections with ocean views and even points at which to stop to take photos. Stage 3 spent its entirety
\ninland, but also included stretches in the pristine indigenous forest as well as traverses of the MTO
\nForestry pine plantations.
\n\u201cWhen you ride here, every day is like Christmas,\u201d Chris Sykes, co-owner of the Tsitsikamma Village
\nInn and the brewer for the Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery, boasted, while dressed in the Santa Claus
\ncostume he always wears for the final day of the race. There are endless roads through the
\nplantations waiting to be ridden and the views over the rugged coastline or across the Tsitsikamma
\nMountain Range are truly spectacular. On years, like this, when the roads are not overly muddy the
\nenjoyment is amplified. Though the odd splatter does help remind riders that they are still riding the
\nGlacier Storms River Traverse.<\/p>\n
Photo: Anel Strampe was fastest overall, racing an eBike, and beating not only the fast women\u2019s<\/em> 2023 Glacier Storms River Traverse General Classification Results
\nteams but also all the men in the race. Photo by Oakpics.com.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSolo eBike Women:
\n1. Anel Strampe (5:52:35)
\n2. Petty van Wyk (7:22:14 | +1:29:39)
\n3. Abigail Kitshoff (9:30:41 | +3:38:05)
\nSolo eBike Men:
\n1. Kobus Weyers (6:02:42)
\n2. Jeremy Horner (6:15:13 | +12:30)
\n3. Johann Steyn (6:20:49| +18:06)
\nWomen's Teams:
\n1. Yolande en Steph: Steph Wohlters & Yolande de Villiers (7:18:34)
\n2. Team Elements: Mandi Augustyn & Juanita Mackenzie (7:33:46 | +15:11)
\n3. Team K&K: Karla Stumpf & Kelsey van Schoor (7:51:50 | +33:15)
\nMen's Teams:
\n1. Enjoy: Hardus van Rensburg & Gerhard Hatting (7:28:20)
\n2. MTB Goats: Eckhard Visser & Paul Serrao (7:41:04 | +12:44)
\n3. The Tootlers: Ryan Dean & Nicholas Hops (8:03:32 | +35:12)
\nMixed Teams:
\n1. Team Moerze: Martha Koekemoer & Pieter Kotze (7:37:38)
\n2. Chemchamp Africa: Daniel Tenner & Biance Bekker (8:52:23| +1:14:45)
\n3. The Sinclairs: Hermien & Keven Sinclair (9:49:29 | +2:11:51)
\nSolo Women:
\n1. Elizma Kock (8:41:16)
\n2. Liezel van Niekerk (9:21:14 | +39:57)
\n3. Karike Human (10:28:35 | +1:47:18)
\nSolo Men:
\n1. Albert du Toit (7:30:52)
\n2. Lourie Nel (7:34:04| +03:12)
\n3. Ludwig Lillie (7:35:47 | +04:55)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"