KAP sani2c ‘OG’ - the original gangsta of SA mountain biking
What is in a name? When William Shakespeare penned that line, he used it to suggest that naming things is irrelevant, that a rose, called by another name, would smell as sweet. Well, the team at sani2c, the legendary 3-day South African mountain bike stage race, including its founder ‘Farmer’ Glen Haw, decided to take another look at the names of the three events at sani2c, because they think it does matter, and perhaps it can help some riders figure out where they ‘fit’ when they enter KAP sani2c in 2025.
If a beautiful bit of singletrack can be built, anywhere, Farmer Glen and the team will build it
There are three versions of the same event because there are a lot of people who want to ride sani2c, and a lot of them want to do it again, and again and again.
There are many, (some might say most), things at sani2c that are the same at each event, and the most important and obvious one is the point-to-point route. All three events start at Glencairn Farm near Underberg and cover the same 265 kms of thrilling trails with a ridiculously high proportion of singletrack, some gut-busting climbs, leg-wobbling descents and a whole lot of fun. All riders stay at the same overnight race villages at Mackenzie Club and Jolivet Farm, and all riders cross the finish line on the grass at Scottburgh Golf Club at the coast, generally with a big smile on their faces.
KZN dairy farmer Glen Haw, who started this event in 2005, is at pains to try and differentiate between three events that pretty much do the same thing, because they were duplicated simply to cater for more riders.
The descent into the Umkomaas Valley is one of the many reasons riders keep coing back again and again.
“When we start looking at the differences between the events, this is where it can get tricky, as we hate to generalise about who enters which race, or put them in a box”, he chuckles. “But to help us to understand the ‘characters’ of sani2c and how each event differs, and what it may offer riders, we are going to try,” says Glen.
What was formerly known as the KAP sani2c Race, is renamed KAP sani2c ‘OG’.
These riders are the ‘original gangstas’ of sani2c. They have been around for a while and love being part of the ‘first’ event, even though it is the last to start and finish each year. This is where you will find the three ‘last riders standing’, Flavio, Grant and George, who have completed all twenty of the previous KAP sani2c events.
Some fast forest singletrack mixed up with indigenous forest trails, nature reserve, river crossings, and flow.
The racing will still happen here. The sani2c ‘OG’ will continue to be a UCI sanctioned event and elite riders can accumulate valuable points, and a Prologue will take place the day before ‘OG’ starts. The presence of the pro teams in the race village creates a certain frisson in the air that you may not find at the other two events.
‘OG’ is authentic sani2c, and that authenticity extends to hospitality and the welcoming of new riders. ‘OG’s’ are always keen to share their love of sani2c, so this is a good place for first-timers to see what it is all about - in a limited field of 1000 riders, the pro teams make up a very small percentage of the field. There are family groups, fathers with sons or daughters, and mothers with sons or daughters, husband and wife teams and big groups of mates. We have even seen three generations taking part.
Day 3 is known for its fast and flowing trails, but there is plenty of climbing in Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve.
Glen says they look forward to increasing the women’s field again next year: “sani2c ‘OG’ is where we would like to encourage the women to enter. We are thrilled with how many women are coming into the sport; they are loving it and thriving. There are many talented women riders getting into racing, but also groups of women who are out to have fun riding their bikes while pushing themselves to achieve beyond what they had thought possible. This is what sani2c is about - it is why Iconic is so tough - that sani2c finishline feeling stays with you forever.”
The KAP sani2c Adventure will keep its name
Glen says of the Adventure: “These riders will not be happy if we alter the name, they are all so determined to be part of the Adventure, that even when this event is sold-out they insist on remaining on the waiting list, rather than signing up for the ‘OG’ or e-Trail.”
The Adventure riders think they have the most fun. Some of them are pretty hardcore racers but they like to shine in the middle event, and not try and fight it out with the pros. The beers flow fast and strong after a challenging morning out on the bike, and the stories of conquering the Unitrans Iconic Climb flow as readily. These are the guys and girls lining up to get their socks at Jolivet who swear they did not put a foot down, but managed the brutal climb with finesse. These riders like a challenge for sure and some are here to push themselves, while also connecting with good friends or colleagues.
Some sharp switchback riding keeps you on your toes descending the Umkomaas Drop.
The ‘OG’ riders are committed and loyal to ‘their’ event too, and cannot figure out what the fuss is about at the Adventure, so you will just have to choose which of the two you’d like to try, unless of course, you’d like to enter on an e-bike.
What was formerly known as the KAP sani2c Trail, is renamed KAP sani2c e-Trail
This new name is an obvious shift, just to make it very clear that this is the e-bike race, though all riders are welcome here. This event promises to develop its character over time, as 2024 was the first year that e-bikes were put into one focused event.
sani2c e-Trail will cater for just 250 teams, or 500 riders. This event will remain half the size of the ‘OG’ and Adventure, allowing for a more intimate experience. Tamika Gandar, Farmer Glen’s daughter and race organiser, says the luxury tents will be more readily available at the e-Trail due to the smaller field, and they are making plans for other extras, like the option of table bookings, in order for large groups to comfortably sit together.
Glen says he has noticed a positive shift in the sentiment towards e-bikes across the full spectrum of riders, and that it made a big difference having a dedicated e-bike event: “At e-Trail the e-bikes feel welcome and don’t have to worry about putting anyone’s nose out of joint, because the conventional riders doing the e-Trail are here in full knowledge that the e-bikes are catered for. What we did do was start the conventional riders who did not have e-bikers in their group, a good 30 minutes later, which worked really well, and we had no complaints.”
That sani2c finish line feeling can’t be beaten.
We are also seeing more riders now, who have such a wide range of commitments between work and family, that they cannot make the time to train as fully as they’d like for a sani2c. With the kind of e-bikes being produced now, the whole sport of riding e-bikes has changed and it’s not about not being fit enough so you ride an e-bike, it’s about allowing the bike to give you that bit of power you may lack so that you can really enjoy the ride as if you were in peak shape.
It really gives you the best of both worlds, and that is what we have here.”
Racing is a thing at e-Trail too though, says Glen: “These e-bike racers can ride! It is a serious business, and this year we had leaders’ jerseys in the e-bike race and the competition was fierce, so we look forward to seeing this category develop.”
A good night’s rest, on a bed
The KAP sani2c team is launching a project to build steel beds for sani2c, which will be a significant employment creation project, in line with the sani2c vision of improving livelihoods and developing skills within the communities along the sani2c route. It’s a win-win for riders and the all-important people behind the scenes that make this amazing ride possible.
Enter now via the sani2c website:
KAP sani2c e-Trail: Tuesday to Thursday, 6-8 May 2025
KAP sani2c Adventure: Wednesday to Friday, 7-9 May 2025
KAP sani2c ‘OG’: Thursday to Saturday, 8-10 May 2025