Glacier Storms River Traverse 2024 From Sunshine to Showers
The Glacier Storms River Travers women’s team podium (from left to right): Iliska Verwey & Tanja Schutte, Nicola Freitas & Megan Scribante, and Yolande & Chantel de Villiers. Photo by Oakpics.com.
The 2024 Glacier Storms River Traverse will be remembered as a thrilling blend of sunshine, showers, Over its 14-year history, the event has seen its fair share of weather challenges, but this year’s edition might just go down as one of the most memorable. The race kicked off under ideal conditions with two days of brilliant sunshine on Friday, August 9, and Saturday, August 10, before a light drizzle on Sunday, August 11, added a classic Tsitsikamma twist to the tale.
Despite the rain, the 180 riders, both traditional and e-bikers, embraced the muddy trails with enthusiasm. For some, the challenging conditions only added to the adventure. “Today was my favorite stage, because of the mud!” Megan Scribante, who won the women’s team competition alongside her partner, Nicola Freitas, said with a laugh. Scribante, who was experiencing her first team stage race, couldn’t have been more thrilled with the event. “The riding, the food, and the whole vibe – I’ve really loved it. I’d have to speak to my family, but I think we’ll be back next year. I’d like to ride the Glacier Storms River Traverse with my father-in-law.”
Freitas echoed her partner’s excitement, adding, “If my mom gets an e-bike, I think we’d be able to ride it together next year. The routes aren’t too technical, so it’s very rideable for most people, and it would be great to do it with my mom.”
The spirit of camaraderie was evident throughout the event, with many families and couples participating together. The Mixed Category, in both e-bike and traditional bike divisions, was bustling with husband-and-wife teams, while the race village was alive with the energy of young riders. Children on balance bikes, first pedal bikes with training wheels, and little mountain bikes added to the lively atmosphere. To keep them engaged, the Storms River NPC organized forest hikes, and the Dryland Event Management team led outrides to the edge of the village, where the children had the chance to ride the final kilometer with their parents.
Crossing the finish line together as a family is one of the event’s many charms, embodying its all-inclusive spirit. For newcomers like Naledi Fodo and Precious Dimba, who participated in their first stage race as a team, this sense of community was particularly special. Dimba, making her mountain bike event debut on an e-bike, grew in confidence over the three days. “The mechanics loosened my pedal clips a bit this morning, so I didn’t fall over every time I stopped today,” Fodo shared with a grin. “We were so well looked after and made to feel part of the family. It’s so lovely to be welcomed like old friends, despite being newbies.”
Among the seasoned riders was e-bike champion Anel Strampe, who had her share of challenges this year. In 2023, Strampe dominated the race, crossing the finish line first on all three days, even outpacing the solo men and men’s teams. This year, however, she faced a few setbacks. After misjudging her effort on Stage 1, she ran out of battery power on the 3-kilometer climb out of the Storms River Valley. Stage 2 saw her suffering a mechanical issue, yet she still managed to win the stage. On the final day, Strampe crossed the line first again, clinching the general classification victory with the fastest overall time across the three days.
The 2024 Glacier Storms River Traverse was a testament to the resilience, camaraderie, and sheer joy of mountain biking, proving once again that whether under the sun or in the rain, the spirit of the race shines brightest.
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