Sunshine and Good Times in the Tsitsikamma at the Glacier Storms River Traverse
Good times are certainly synonymous with the Glacier Storms River Traverse. Sunshine… not as much. In the 14-edition history of the event, the sun has rarely shone for three consecutive days. In 2026, the weather gods smiled upon the 250 mountain bikers gathered in the Tsitsikamma, producing three days with 20-degree Celsius highs and hardly a cloud in the sky. Warm temperatures raised spirits from the usual high and ensured this year’s event was one to remember.
“We had rain last week, but the weekend looks perfect,” co-owner of the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, David Pienaar, had forecast on Thursday before the race got underway. “The tracks will be muddy in places, but not as muddy as in previous years.”
That proved true. From Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August, the plantation roads and indigenous forest tracks gradually dried. There were puddles, which could be avoided, and a few which needed to be endured. Some mud is essential though. It would not be a Glacier Storms River Traverse without it.
The fact that riders return, year on year, despite the risk of wet days and muddy trails, speaks volumes for the off-the-bike attractions of the event. It is a reunion of sorts for some, and an anniversary celebration for at least one couple. The festivities begin upon arrival, on Thursday 30 July, with popcorn, sweets, droë wors, Perdeberg Wines, and Weihenstephaner beers. There was even a Biogen fuelling station to help riders rehydrate and pre-fuel for the cycling to come.
Stage 1’s 62 kilometre course presented the longest test of the weekend, though probably not the hardest. The 950 metres of climbing was largely confined to a double ascent of the Storms River Pass at the start and at the finish of the stage. In the middle, the MTO plantation dual tracks provided the opportunity to ride two-abreast and chat away the kilometres. The day’s two water points, one powered by Glacier by Sanlam and the other by GWM South Africa, were situated on the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean and inspired even longer stops than the usual Dryland Event Management smorgasbord, which requires willpower to tear oneself away from.
Stage 2 arguably the best day of riding, though the fast descents are only reached after arduous climbs. Perhaps it was the climbing, alternatively the night in the Hunter’s Pub on Friday night led to hunger on Saturday morning, but the water points were once again difficult to depart. Especially Water Point two, where ostrich fillet strips hot off the Webber braai proved particularly popular.
The final day had notes of celebration and bittersweet emotion, as participants recognised that each pedal stroke brought them closer to home time. “I’m happy, but I’d love to just stay here and ride every day,” one rider remarked. “I’m not ready to go home.”
Stage 3’s blend of indigenous and pine plantation tracks, as well as the Storms River Pass descent/ascent double, brought the 2026 Glacier Storms River Traverse to a close. For most of the field, the joy was in the riding and the socialising. Though there were a few who kept their socialising for off-the-bike. Karina and Kelvyn Els powered to victory in the E-Bike Teams competition, holding off Dalene Eksteen and Bas Gouweloos by 1 minute and 44 seconds after three days of electrified racing. Paul Andries De Vos and Maria Palm won the solo men’s and women’s E-Bike categories, respectively, while Alex Hayman and Joshua Le Roux won the analogue men’s team division. Marisca Steyn and Arnou Oberholzer were the fastest mixed team, on normal bikes. Yolande de Villiers took home the solo women’s crown, posting a combined time which would have seen her finish second in the solo men’s division.
Three young riders impressed too. Ella Corrigan and Camille Chasteau De Balyon were unchallenged but nonetheless speedy in the women’s team category. The pair used the event to work on their stage racing partnership, which hopefully will blossom in more competitive races over the coming months. The stand-out performer of the weekend was Ruan Portwig. The 19-year-old was faster than all but one of the solo E-Bikers over the three days, underlining his prodigious talent.
To view the highlights from a beautifully sunny long weekend in the Tsitsikamma Forests, mountain bikers can follow @stormsrivertraverse on Instagram or like the Glacier Storms River Traverse Facebook page. For more information on the Glacier Storms River Traverse, visit www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za or its sister event, the Glacier Waterberg Traverse, where the routes are packed with singletracks, at www.waterbergtraversemtb.co.za.
