Adventure News: Cape Pioneer Trek gets the thumbs up from Gideon Sam

Adventure News: Cape Pioneer Trek gets the thumbs up from Gideon Sam - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Cape Pioneer Trek gets the thumbs up from Gideon Sam

(Photo: Karin Schembrucker)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a true pioneer, riding on your mountain bike where no two wheels have ever gone before?

If your answer is �yes�, the DCM Cape Pioneer Trek (18-23 October) is a must-do ride. The name says it all.

Henco Rademeyer (Dryland Event Manager) promises that at least 30% of this year�s route is �virgin terrority�. Apparently nobody has ever cycled on the single-track sections, some of which date back to the days of the Voortrekkers and British Settlers.

Rademeyer explains that, when organizing any of their events, their policy is based on two principles.

The first and most important principle that they adhere to is that riders who enter for a Dryland event should enjoy every moment that they spend on their mountain bikes. Secondly, they want the riders to feel safe while they are riding.

Rademeyer and his colleagues have undoubtedly struck on a winning recipe. For the past two years the MTN Attakwas race was voted by the riders to be the most popular one-day event of the year. Considering that it is also regarded to be one of the toughest races, this is a huge compliment.

This year the Attakwas is basically the first stage of the Cape Pioneer Trek.

How do you persuade average riders to get excited about the prospect of suffering and pain?

Rademeyer says their secret is to make sure that each of the water points along the route is really special.

�We go out of our way to make sure that the riders are pampered when they get to a water point. It is not just about getting something to drink. Riders can enjoy a massage and lots to eat, including braaivleis. As if this is not enough, we play vibrant music to create a festive atmosphere.

�Our water points could be described as oases in the midst of the suffering.�

It is interesting to note that Gideon Sam, President of SASCOC, recently said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is beginning to put more and more pressure on its affiliated members to take on environmental responsibilities. According to the Committee, sport can be an important tool to make people aware of environmental issues.

Therefore the IOC expects each country�s Olympic Committee to put forward a �Green Plan� in which it is explained how they plan to make a difference.

In view of the above, the Dryland Event Management deserves to be complimented. With their sincere effort to lessen their carbon footprint, they are seriously trying to make a difference. The have already decided to accept the challenge of becoming �water neutral�.

But that is not where it will stop. They are also planning to plant trees of the Spekboom variety along the route.

There is a good reason why they have chosen the Spekboom. It has enormous carbon-storing capabilities. Its capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions is equivalent to that of a moist, subtropical forest. This quite incredible evidence was gathered in the Eastern Cape over the past seven years. Findings suggest that up to four tons of carbon per year could be captured by each hectare planted with Spekboom.

For more information visit www.dryland.co.za