I have been mountain biking for a number of years and progressed from short ‘Racing

Snake’ races, through most of the 3 – 9Day Multi Stage Race events, then after collecting many T-Shirts and Medals – I did it all !!

The challenge was on to Keep Fit, Keep

Healthy and most importantly ‘Keep the Rub- ber Side Down’.

South Africa has reportedly about 450,000 kms of country roads just BEGGING to be eXplored by ad- venturers, on their bicycles, travelling at a sedentary pace of between 10-15kph. We would manage between 40 – 80kms per day, depending on the terrain, the hills, the weather and the number of

selfies we take.

A new breed of bicycle has also been introduced, which is a ‘hybrid’ between a Road Bike and a Mountain Bike . .

. aptly named a Gravel Bike. The simple explanation is that it has similar geometry to a Road Bike, its lighter,

and sports thicker tyres to be able to navigate our coun-

try roads with ease.

This is my bike of choice when eXploring.

Wakkerstroom lends itself to be the ideal destination for riders to gravel bike or mountain bike …

whatever you want to call it ! . . .

The country roads have all the hills and dales, and the quaint town is surrounded by mountains with kloofs, mountain springs, vlei areas, dams, con-

servation and heritage sites. It has ample accom- modation, great restaurants, and even boasts a bioscope, nogal !!

“Wakkerstroom eXplore” is a FaceBook social event from 2nd to 4th May. Follow us on the BADAss

Bikers FaceBook Group, or better still JOIN US, as we unlock yet more biking routes throughout South Africa – Rob van den Bergh ([email protected])