The Unmissable Magic of KAP sani2c

 

The signature ‘Umko Drop’ descent into the Umkomaas River Valley of Day 2

 

KAP sani2c fans enjoyed ‘Farmer Glen on tour’ updates during the ABSA Cape Epic as he shared behind the scenes video while crewing his daughter Bianca Haw and her sani2c Efficient Infiniti teammate Sam Sanders. The pair secured the African Jersey and 6th place overall in the women’s race. The sani2c founder, Haw family and sani2c community are now busy with the finishing touches for the 22nd edition of KAP sani2c, hosting 1000 participants per event for three days of unforgettable riding: KAP sani2c Adventure (6-8 May) and the ‘OG’ (7-9 May). 

 

You can catch more Farmer Glen ‘behind the scenes’ on sani2c’s social media as he chats to landowners, builds bridges across dams and rivers with community route building teams, and ensures that the three race villages are ready to deliver the hospitality and vibe that brings riders back year after year. 

 

The many Black Mambas of sani2c  

 

As happens every year, a new group of riders will join the growing number of sani2c ‘Black Mambas’, riders of sani2c who have completed 10 events or more. Some riders have seen the race evolve from the very basic infrastructure of 2005 to the sophisticated relative luxury of today’s sani2c. 

 

Glencairn Farm delivers sani2c hospitality ahead of the start of your three days of riding

 

Lyle Poulter is looking forward to becoming a Mamba next month and says that sani2c is the highlight of his mountain biking year: “It is one big adventure with a different start and finish point every day, and living out of a box with all your stuff just adds to the whole experience/adventure. It's just amazing how you literally ride to the sea which is over 200 km away from where you start. The race villages are amazing - you feel very special and honoured to be there, and the vibe is incredible. There are people talking about their first time, racing snakes talking about how fast they went, and how incredible the trails are. The catering is the best. I have done every stage race in SA and sani2c definitely puts on the best spread, especially at the second stop.” 

 

Lyle says his most special sani2c so far has been in 2023 with his friend Nick Dickens, as they won the Adventure event. He adds: “The route is fast and flowing and I have always said you make sani2c difficult by how fast you go. Everything is ridable, but because of the distances it is extremely tough - so much fun is had throughout the three days.”

 

Above: Lyle Poulter on Wow trail in 2025: “It is one big adventure with a different start and finish point every day.”

 

Peter Bennet will also be lining up for his tenth sani2c: “For nearly 10 years it has been something I plan each year. It's a fantastic reason to get fit and have something fun to look forward to. I have always enjoyed the journey, and reaching the destination after three decent days of cycling is always such an achievement. However strong you are, it's always a challenge, and a great feeling of ticking off a goal when you hit Scottburgh.

 

“Each time is a different experience. The race villages keep evolving and improving and the hospitality has always been phenomenal, especially from the local farmers and their families. The fantastic flowing single track is signature sani and gets technical if you are going fast. I have run out of talent a couple of times, but fortunately nothing too serious.”

 

“The hospitality has always been phenomenal, especially from the local farmers and their families.”

 

He also has noticed that the event makes a contribution to the communities it travels through: “So many people less fortunate than any of us riders turn out to cheer us along. It's really humbling and often such an example to us, how the crowds of kids have such joy on their faces and such enthusiasm in their voices as you ride through their humble homes and schools. I'm really grateful that something is returned to the community through this event.”

 

“So many people less fortunate than any of us riders turn out to cheer us along.”

 

Mark Fletcher did his first sani2c in 2012: “It was the best experience I had ever had up until that point in mountain biking - leaving a rushing world behind and finding a place of simple purpose, to ride trails through farms in places most will never see or experience. This is one thing that has brought me back as often as possible. This year, I will be riding my 10th sani2c with my son Nate,  who has been eagerly waiting for this day for many years.” 

 

“Leaving a rushing world behind and finding a place of simple purpose, to ride trails.” 

 

20 years later, Chris is still lining up  

 

Chris Harburn is the owner of Giba Gorge Adventure Park in Pinetown, so he knows a thing or two about mountain bike trails. He did his first sani2c in its second year, 2006, and this year he will ride his 20th: “It is the most wonderful adventure and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. sani2c have got it right. It's very well organised: I drop my vehicle at the start in the Berg and take three days off work while I ride to the sea in Scottburgh, to collect my vehicle and go back to work. It doesn’t get better than that!

“I come back every year to keep challenging myself and have three glorious days of single track riding. The continuous single track brings us back every year. The trails are meticulously prepared, ” says Chris.

 

“Fortunately for Giba Gorge, sani2c helps our staff riders by sponsoring their entries every year! It’s a special gesture and our staff would never get that opportunity otherwise. It helps them understand what trail building, and customer service, is all about, and we have learnt from the best! They really love the event and appreciate the opportunity sani provides.” 

 

From left: Giba Gorge’s Vincent Ngcobo, Falakhe Msweli, Richard Hlongwana and Kwanele Ntombela at the start of sani2c 2024. 

 

Every single sani2c for 22 years 

 

Coming back for their annual ‘sani2c fix’  are the three die-hard legends who have completed all 21 editions of sani2c: Flavio Scarpa, who moved to Italy in 2023, George de Beer from Durban, and Grant Macpherson from Hillcrest. All three are entered for next month’s event and look forward to maintaining their legend status. 

 

Black Mamba Legends, from left: George de Beer, Flavio Scarpa (Farmer Glen), and Grant Macpherson

 

You can still experience the magic of the sani2c trails

 

There are entries available in the ‘OG’ event, as well as a small number left for the Adventure. First-timers are encouraged, but beware, this may fix your plans for the next twenty years!  

 

Get your dancing feet ready for Day 2’s finish at Kings Harvest Academy 

 

Farmer Glen says: “We gather that some riders have been ‘on-the-fence’ about entering as they are worried about the potential impact of foot-and-mouth disease, but we can confirm that the route will not be affected. Over more than 20 years we have built strong relationships with the farmers. All landowners have given permission, and we will be ensuring that all necessary biosecurity measures are in place.”

 

“Come and join us and discover what the riders keep coming back for”, says Glen.

 

Enter KAP sani2c Adventure or ‘OG’,  here