Entries to the 2017 Glacier Storms River Traverse are less limited by the capacity of the event as they are by the capacity of the Storms River Village. With most of the accommodation in the hamlet already booked for the weekend of the 3rd to the 6th of August, the opportunities to join for a long weekend of bliss in the forests are running out.
But Dryland Event Management has taken steps to ensure more mountain bikers and their families can experience the Glacier Storms River Traverse. In 2016 Dryland first introduced the popular luxury camping upgrade to the Storms River Traverse, and for 2017 the number of canvas tents – complete with beds, white linen, camp chairs and plug points – has been increased. The Glamping campsite has also been moved from the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, where the race village is based, to the Tube and Axe Lodge Backpackers four hundred meters down the road. The new site also boasts a dedicated ablution facility, with guaranteed hot showers which riders will love after a muddy day on the trails, which means no more portable toilets and showers.
To supplement the limited accommodation options available in Storms River Village Dryland Event Management are increasing the number of their famous luxury tents. Photo by Oakpics.com.
If you would prefer to book your own accommodation, please be advised to do so when you enter the Glacier Storms River Traverse. The Tsitsikamma Village Inn (www.tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za) is the recommended accommodation location for the event, but as the Inn often fills up before entries to the Storms River Traverse even open Dryland Event Management suggest you also visit www.tsitsikamma.info to explore all the accommodation options in the area.
It’s important to remember though that while you might only be entering for yourself or yourself and a riding partner the Storms River Traverse is best experienced with the whole family. The event offers an educational day care programme for children between the ages of three and twelve, plus a day care facility for children under the age of three. For the teenagers the Tsitsikamma Village offers a plethora of activities from ziplining, to bungy jumping and white water tubing. And because the daily stage distances are under sixty kilometres riders sixteen, and older, are eligible to take part in the Storms River Traverse under the Cycling South Africa rules.
The relaxed riding pace at the Glacier Storms River Traverse means you will be able to stop and enjoy each water point. Photo by Oakpics.com.
For the less adventurous members of the family Tsitsikamma also offers hikes, bird watching, Segway and canopy tours. Or you can browse stores in the quaint Storms River Village before kicking your feet up and letting the relaxed atmosphere soak away the stresses of the outside world, while you enjoy a glass of wine and a good book.
On the bike the Glacier Storms River Traverse is famously social. In fact the route is made up largely of jeep track so that you can ride two abreast and chat throughout the stage. The relaxed pace also means you will have the time to enjoy the full offering at each water point, and along with the Biogen supplements you can expect home-made banana bread, boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, marmite sandwiches, koeksisters and of course Klein Karoo International ostrich steaks off the braai at the final water point on each stage.
The Glacier Storms River Traverse is often one of the wettest and muddiest events on the calendar, so pack your wet weather gear. Photo by Oakpics.com.
Entries close on the 15th of July 2017 and to find out more about the Glacier Storms River Traverse please visit www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za. To stay updated on all the information and to get excited as Dryland Event Management build up to the event follow @SRTraverse on Twitter or like the Storms River Traverse Facebook page.
The opportunities to join for a long weekend of bliss in the forests, during the 2017 Glacier Storms River Traverse are running out. Photo by Oakpics.com.