The 2024 Trans Baviaans marks the 20th edition of the country’s favourite single-stage marathon mountain bike event. Over the last two decades the Baviaanskloof has presented challenges as varied as the magnificent nature reserve itself; from sweltering heat to icy cold, torrential flooding to arid droughts. This year’s traverses of the largest wilderness area in South Africa will once again present unique challenges with 63 river crossings and measures put in place to mitigate the further spread of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak which has affected the Eastern Cape cattle and sheep farmers. It will still reward too, of course, as the infamous R332 road has been graded all the way to Rooihoek, well within the rugged reserve. This, a predicted tail wind in the first 140 kilometres, and a strong elite field should all contribute to an attempt on the course record.
Valley Electrical Titan Racing and Insect Science headline the showdown for the Trans Baviaans Race title. The first, of two events, starts at 10:00 in Willowmore on Saturday, 10 August, and concludes after 227 kilometres of racing and 2 850 metres of climbing at Mentors Country Estate, in Jeffreys Bay. “We’re expecting a fast edition,” Zane Schmahl, of the Trans Baviaans, stated. “The recently graded road makes it possible to not just complete the course on a gravel bike, as a few riders have done in the past, but to race a gravel bike too.”
With the road having been graded into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve it may be possible to win the race on gravel bikes, for the first time, this year. Photo by Simon Pocock.
“We have gone back and forth on which bikes to race,” Rossouw Bekker, of Valley Electrical Titan Racing laughed. “What are the other guys riding?!”
“It’ll be my first Trans Baviaans so I’m really excited,” Bekker smiled. “It’s an iconic event and one I have somehow never done. We will be pushing the limits of our Titan Racing Switch gravel bikes tyre clearance and have fitted 2.1 inch mountain bike tyres, with tubeless inserts. I think gravel bikes will be significantly faster leading into the Reserve and then across the closing kilometres to Jeffreys Bay too, so we’ll just have to be cautious when it gets rough.”
Bekker will be partnered by Matthys Beukes in a formidable team, which on paper has the firepower to challenge the existing course record of 7 hours, 51 minutes and 6 seconds. “There’s a strong line-up and our target is to avoid riding in the dark,” Bekker alluded, avoiding any outright confirmation of record chasing goals. Arno du Toit and his Insect Science teammate, Keagan Bontekoning are Bekker and Beukes’ most formidable rivals.
Arno du Toit dipped under the 8 hour mark in his last start at the Trans Baviaans, but missed out on victory after taking a wrong turn in the final 30 kilometres. Photo by Jacques Marais.
In 2018 Du Toit dipped below the 8 hour mark himself, finishing before sunset alongside Gert Heyns. “Let’s be honest, we’re not really conditioned to race for over or close to 8 hours,” Du Toit allowed. “It’s a bit different than the stuff we normally prepare and train for. I really feel Trans Baviaans is one of the most iconic events in our country and always have it on the calendar, so I’m super happy that it fits in with our racing schedule this year. It’s also a beautiful part of South Africa and awesome to explore it on a bicycle.”
“I like the different challenges it brings,” the Insect Science man continued. “Not only in terms of a long day out, but from equipment choice to planning nutrition, effort management and other strategies while staying motivated mentally.”
“I do think it would be really cool to race on a gravel bike, but Keagan was too soft, so not this year unfortunately,” Du Toit joked. “No, I think there are some rough sections in the kloof which won’t be efficient at all and will take too much effort to get through. We’re just running fast tyres, Schwalbe Thunder Burts on the Giant Anthems. I think that will be the fastest choice.”
There will be 63 water crossings on the 227 kilometre long route this year. Photo by Llewellyn Lloyd / Reblex Photography.
Trans Baviaans Route Update and A New Finish Venue
Du Toit and Heyns lost the lead and the chance at a course record, in 2018, by taking a wrong turn after Check Point 7. It is a tough lesson which should serve to remind every team taking part in the Trans Baviaans that the route is unmarked. “Trans Baviaans operates on an adventure racing ethos,” Schmahl noted. “Every rider is encouraged to download the GPX files and to familiarise themselves with the route, which has changed slightly this year. We are going back to a start in the centre of Willowmore, alongside the town hall, and have moved the finish line to the Mentors Country Estate.”
The 63 water crossings have been meticulously graded by the event organisers. “There are 24 crossings which are simply a wet trickle over the road, 12 which will create a splash as you ride through, 19 were you will get your feet wet, and 7 which will require you to get off and push your bike. One, the Langwater after the Smitskraal Check Point 123 kilometres in, is a swim hazard if you get it horribly wrong,” Schmahl advised. “So, exercise caution!”
The magnificence of the Baviaanskloof, South Africa’s largest wilderness area, provides the backdrop for the first 160 kilometres of the event. Photo by Llewellyn Lloyd / Reblex Photography.
“We also need riders to comply with the foot-and-mouth disease mitigation measures we have put in place, in order to help the local farmers who do so much for the event,” Schmahl asked. “At Check Point 7, after 205 kilometres at Zuurbron, every bicycle’s wheels will be sprayed with disinfectant and thereafter you will cycle through disinfectant baths at a number of farm gates. Please remove your bottles from your bike for the spray process and when riding through the baths. This process is to prevent the spread of the viral disease between affected and non-affected herds of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.”
Weather conditions are looking positive for the Trans Baviaans Race. Fresh, yet not overly cold, conditions are predicted for Willowmore on Saturday morning, along with a 9 metres per second breeze from the North West. The breeze is expected to rise to 10 metres per second in the Baviaanskloof while the temperature should also increase to a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius. 1.2 millimetres of rain is predicted for Jeffreys Bay on Saturday evening, along with a gentle 5 metres per second South West headwind. Temperatures on the coast should also be warmer than inland with a low of 14 expected overnight and into the early hours of Sunday morning.
The MAC – or Mother of All Climbs – is always one of Trans Baviaans’ most formidable challenges. Photo by Simon Pocock.
To share in the action as it unfolds, on the 227 kilometre route, follow @transbaviaans on Instagram or like the Trans Baviaans 24HR MTB Race Facebook page. For more information, to download route files, and to read the 2024 Race or Supporter Guides visit www.transbaviaans.co.za.
Smooth roads and tail winds for the opening 100 kilometres should provide a fast start and make it possible for the top teams to chase the course record in 2024. Photo by Llewellyn Lloyd / Reblex Photography.
