Richard Pearce
It is not unusual for those who have visited Addo and the adjacent Zuurberg region of the Eastern Cape to trot out phrases like “God’s Country”, “paradise” and “heaven on earth”.
With its avenues of bountiful citrus groves and delightful dorpie ambience, you can be forgiven for making the comparison.
The Cape buffaloes, African elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, Great White sharks and Southern Right whales that feature in the Greater Addo Elephant National Park would surely have had Golden Circle tickets on the Ark.
It is no surprise that residents of Gqeberha, which lies a mere 50km north of Addo, often escape to this part of the world for a bit of R&R.
The locals are friendly and never short of a tale, and of course, there are worse ways to spend a weekend than watching communities of elephants living their best lives in the park, or by kayaking and swimming in one of the rivers.
It is a good life for man and beast alike. It is also a healthy one.
In recent years, the region has grown in popularity as a premier mountain biking destination and since 2014 it has been home to the Great Zuurberg Trek (GZT) – a boutique three-day race starting and ending at the Zuurberg Mountain Village.
As the word has spread, so more entrants from other parts of the country have signed up for the annual event, whose trails offer breathtaking views of the national park and beyond.
The race is also differentiated in the pantheon of national mountain bike events by offering four-star hotel accommodation, luxury tents and fine dining.
A more recent addition is the chance to “glamp” at Africamps Addo on the majestic Hayterdale Trails property, which allows for easy access to 50km of mountain biking, trail running and hiking routes through Yellowwood forests.
So successful has the GZT been that the organisers felt the time had come to explore a new avenue – one which may prove to be a defining moment for the sport in the country.
In 2022, the region played host to SA’s first organised stage race for e-bikes, the Rubicon Great Zuurberg Trek E-edition (GZT-E), in an unlikely harmony between unspoilt terrain and eco-friendly modernity.
One of the fastest-growing sub-sections of the sport, the battery-assisted bikes enable riders looking for something different or those whose fitness levels might not be as sharp as they used to be to still enjoy the best of the traditional GZT route.
Greg Blandford, well-known in Eastern Cape cycling circles, put the inaugural GZT-E as one of his “top five life experiences”, even though he originally had no intention of taking part.
Blandford’s company, Rubicon Energy & E-mobility, put its name behind the event despite the inevitable risks that come with introducing something new to the public.
“I think initially the more traditional cyclist was a bit apprehensive about what e-biking could mean for the sport and how it might damage trails. But I think there’s a lot more acceptance now.”
He also felt e-biking allowed a lot more people to enjoy the sport.
“People who might not be as fit or can’t negotiate hills can now take part and do the longer trails with their friends,” he said.
“Giving this accessibility to more people is the biggest change we’ve seen. It’s become something that not only extends the life cycle of riders, but it also fits into healthy lifestyles for families.”
Gordon Pope, a 63-year-old businessman from Nelson Mandela Bay, exemplifies Blandford’s sentiments.
He became seriously ill after contracting Covid-19 in 2021 and with other health complications such as heart arrhythmia, screws in his legs from his motocross days and a bladder operation, he decided to go the e-bike route and take on the challenge of the debut GZT-E.
The decision had changed his life, he said.
“I am now able to exercise and get my heart rate up without being in the hurt locker, and I can ride twice the distance I normally would.
“Taking part in this event would not have been possible and don’t think that you are cheating because you are actually living life.”
Trevor Hayter, co-owner of Hayterdale Trails as well as the two Great Zuurberg MTB events, agrees the E-edition is more about enjoying the great outdoors and having fun.
“Instead of being completely broken when you’ve done a climb, the e-bike option means you still have a bit of energy left, which allows you to enjoy the downhill sections as well.”
What’s more, there is plenty to see and do off the bike in the Greater Addo area, including game drives, adrenaline activities, river cruises, sand sledding, canoeing, elephant safaris and quad biking.
“For those who think that life is finished for people like us – we are having more fun now than ever before,” said Pope.
The second instalment of the Rubicon GZT-E takes place from June 2 to 4 this year. Entry and other information can be found at www.gztebike.co.za.
Issued by Full Stop Communications
