There’s still nothing like a word-of-mouth recommendation to give some real-world credibility to an event. We did a survey to our @TreadMTBmag twitter followers to find out which South African stage race is their favourite, and why. Two races that were prominent were the FNB Wines2Whales and the FedGroup Berg & Bush, while the Nedbank Sani2c also featured regularly as did the Old Mutual joBerg2c.
Note: Much to our editor’s disdain, we have left the tweets unedited…
Laurie Snyman @LaurieSnyman Berg and Bush 2 day, first stage race with my hubby, absolutely awesome.
Grumpy @YatesGraeme Sani2C – organization
Transbaviaans – just because it’s a mind bender
Berg & Bush – fantastic single track and brilliant trails
Sarel Strydom @strydsa Really enjoyed W2W!! Well organised and great trAils!!
Mia Anfield @annieallen64 Berg and Bush 2 day original. Perfect distance for me to do with my hubby #loveit
Steve White @stephenRAwhite @w2wmtb is by far the best! Day 2, ‘play day’. Enough said!
Simone Sartori @sianro @w2wmtb best organisation and great route
OneEffingGear @OneEffingGear only done dusi 2 c and that was awesome. Great vibe and amazing scenery.
Karl Gebhardt @KarlGeb Berg and Bush – awesome trails and fantastic organisation!
Diana Carolin @di_carolin @CapePioneerTrek Its the Race with Soul!
Jurgens Uys @Jurgensuys1 @w2wmtb best organization and great vibe at village.
Will_MTB @willemgrove @bergandbush original. Great trails, great venue, awesome food, good mates, lots of beer and who can forget a BOAT CROSSING!!!!
Benni @titusrider W2W….Value4Money, excellentOrg, Singletrackgalore, Not4dirtroadies
Trevor Crowe @crowe_trevor Joberg2c. I get to Ride the Beloved Country and raise funds for St Laurence’s Children’s Haven who lube chains @ waterpoint 2
Nichol Jordaan @NicholJordaan Tough, technical, fun, beauty, hospitality, vibe! All in one @tankwatrek
Anica van Wyk @anica_vanwyk fave stage race is def OM joBerg2c – the breathtaking route, vibe and awesome people like @properwappo who make it happen.
Neil Frazer @NeilFrazer in a field cluttered with class @joBerg2c_journo – it’s a proper journey across the beloved country + convivial rider mix
StealthCarbonRacing @StealthCarbon W2W!!!! Super organised. Great single trax. Great vibe. Great scenery.
Peter O’Farrell @peterthevet joberg2c – spectacular scenery, 9 consecutive days of pushing yourself followed by parking off!
Andy Hadfield @andyhadfield berg and bush 2 day. Perfect intro to stage races and don’t need butt cream
Brett Haggard @Brettski Jozi2Kozi last year was a great experience… More of a ride than a race though… Mellow vibe, great hosts, great scenery…
Murray Turner @Murray_Turner for us who spend most of it falling off our bikes the two day arabella challenge is excellent
Andrew Robinson @topdrawersa has to be the Imana Wild Ride…unspoiled magnificent coast line…great vibe & awesome riding…
MTB Trails SA @MTBtrailsSA Sani2C. Just love the spirit!
Marc Grannum @marcgrannum Joberg2c, route and vibe
Nigel H @Puffaddict Imana Wild Ride for the unique format & advntr. Bergnbush for the best s-track ever. Sani2c coz I cycle home:-) #scottburghmtb
James Williams Namaqualand quest 3day stage race- SA most beautiful! Cycling means me smiling and the flowers….well that’s earth laughing!
TREAD Magazine is sold throughout South Africa and can be found in: Spar, CNA, Exclusive Books, Discerning bike shops and on Zinio
*Originally published in TREAD Issue 33, 2015 – All rights reserved
