CELEBRATING WOMEN AND CYCLING IN STORM’S RIVER

Female riders treated like royalty at the opening night of the 2018 Glacier Storms River Traverse. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za

While the contingent of men is usually higher than that of women in mountain bike races, this is certainly not true for the Glacier Storms River Traverse. Registration for the iconic three-stage event kicked off on 9 August – a truly fitting occasion for Women’s Day.

With a family-friendly atmosphere true to Glacier events, the Tsitsikamma Village Inn was filled with a large crowd of female riders and supporters who were given special gifts and treated like royalty.

For Karike Human, the Glacier Storms River Traverse has marked some significant seasons in her life. This will be her fifth trip to Storm’s River for the event – she first entered with her husband in 2013 to celebrate their first year wedding anniversary.

With each edition she found a new reason to celebrate, and would later enter in the early stages of her first pregnancy, and soon after as a mother to a six month old baby girl. The 2018 event unfolds as a heavily pregnant Human awaits the arrival of her second child, which is why she will be a supporter instead of rider this time around.

“This race has been so good for us as a couple, and we look back at each event and remember some really exciting chapters of our lives!  We come here each year with a new reason to celebrate in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” she enthused.

Karike Human at her fifth Glacier Storms River Traverse. Photo: www.zcmc.co.za

2018 Glacier Stormsriver Traverse by www.zcmc.co.za. This beautiful and untouched gem of the Garden Route, plays host to riders on this 3-day mountain bike stage ride. With trails hugging the rugged coastline and views only seen on postcards, this ride is designed around the intermediate cyclist looking for an adventure without having to spend hours training every day. The daily distances range from 40-70 kms and will traverse the mountains, plantations and coastline adjacent to the Village.

Adding to the Women’s Day festivities was the story of Nicky Giliomee.

The competitive athlete was introduced to stage racing with her brother when they signed up for the 2011 Glacier Storms River Traverse.

“It was the perfect introduction to stage racing – a challenging yet enjoyable route with beautiful scenery. It quickly became one of my favourite stage races on the calendar, and over the years my family and I have been back a few times to participate,” she said.

This is edition will be especially significant for the Giliomee family. Nicky suffered from an injury at the fifth stage of the Cape Epic earlier this year, which she later discovered was a crack in her hip.

After a few months of recovery, she will climb back onto her bike for the first time this weekend. Her father Hein is going to join her, and will also ride for the first time after undergoing five heart bypasses last year!

“It’s a special occasion for our family, and what better event to celebrate than this. Glacier always put on the best races with amazing food, organisation, routes and treats!” added Nicky.

The first stage sets of tomorrow, and with heavy rainfall predicted, riders are in for one of the most memorable editions yet…

A glimpse of what riders are in for! 2017 Glacier Storms River Traverse. Photo: Oakpics