The 18th edition of the 230 kilometre Trans Baviaans Race will take place tomorrow, August 13 from Willowmore to Jeffreys Bay with over 1000 riders competing in teams of two to four in one of South Africa’s most iconic mountain bike races.
For most in the field, the name of the game is completing the Trans Baviaans and enjoying the experience. Though bettering one’s previous best time is usually among the aims for any returning team, among the elite teams only a stellar result will do, however.
Along with the make-up of the field the weather and road conditions always play a significant role in the speed at which the Trans Baviaans is raced.
There will be a rolling start, with teams self-seeding themselves and starting anytime between 05:00 and 07:00 on Saturday morning. Only the designated elite teams will start in a defined batch, at 07:00.
The weather is predicted to be cold, but not freezing, with a single millimeter of rain expected to fall on Willowmore in the morning. Fortunately, a tailwind is also on the cards, blowing riders down the Baviaanskloof until early afternoon. In the late afternoon the wind is predicted to turn to the southwest, presenting a headwind for the final 50 kilometers to Jeffreys Bay.
Due to the remote nature of the Baviaanskloof, which is the largest wilderness area in South Africa, cell phone reception is limited. This means race updates will be sporadic, until the 140 kilometer mark at Bergplaas. Thereafter more regular updates can be expected on the EcoBound Events Twitter handle, @EcoBoundEvents.
Additional coverage, in the form of photos and videos from the course can be found on the @transbaviaans Instagram handle and the Trans Baviaans 24HR MTB Race Facebook page.
For more information visit www.transbaviaans.co.za.
