T E C H T A L K
22 Sweet gravel tamers: lekker locally available bikes designed for rugged detours
72 Useful stuff: pimp your ride with high-performance comfort essentials
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R O U T E S T O R I D E
46 Graaff-Reinet: diverse terrain and challenging climbs in Karoo big sky country
56 Greyton: quiet backcountry roads that weave through the Overberg’ s rolling hills
114 Central South Africa: from Kimberley to Bloemfontein and the Eastern Free State
122 Pretoria & beyond: Brits channels, dirt roads to Cullinan, plus the Waterberg
132 George: through forests, farmland and mountain passes in the Garden Route
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140 Gansbaai: the Overstrand’ s winding river valleys and 昀氀 at coastal plains
144 The KZN Midlands: meander through the lush green hills below the Drakensberg
L O C A L R A C I N G
82 24 events we dig: dusty dices across our beautiful country and into Namibia
G R AV E L A D V E N T U R E S
28 Lesotho: Three friends take on a 900km journey from Bloem to Hilton across Africa’ s Rooftop
60 Finland: Swiss Enduro stars discover fox 昀椀 re, gravel, saunas and more in Santa Claus land
124 9 Peaks: a cross-country mission to the summits of the highest points in each of SA’ s provinces
134 Across Africa: A Moroccan woman’ s solo wanderings through 31 countries by bike
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Paul Ingpen paul @ electricink. co. za 021 438 5972 / 082 990 8408
MANAGING EDITOR Anne Duncan
COMMERCIAL MANAGER Jono le Roux jono @ electricink. co. za / 083 324 6576
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elinore de Lisle
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Zach Van Coller zach @ electricink. co. za / 064 202 5214
DIGITAL MEDIA Chris Williamson social @ electricink. co. za
PHOTOGRAPHY Cameron Baird, Dom Barnardt, Meryem Belkihel, Martin Bissig, Caleb Bjergfelt, Jason Boulle, Sam Clark, Troy Davies, Guido Del Giudice, Anthony Grote, James Cameron Heron, Carlo Jorge, Jared Kieser, Andrew King, Sterling Lorence, Kevin Mackinnon, Jess Meniere, Oakpics, Ewan Oates, Si Pocock, Reblex Photography, Wayne Reiche, Julian Robinet, Cobus Saunders, Sportograf, Stephen Shelesky, Rodolfo Soto, Max Sullivan, Leon Van Bon, Erik Vermeulen, Mark Wadley, Richard Wadley, Sue Wadley
CONTRIBUTORS Meryem Belkihel, Kevin Benkenstein, Martin Bissig, Jack Black, Kobus Burger, Steve Burnett, Dan Craven, Rudi Joubert, Robert Le Brun, Antony Ribot, Julian Robinet, Herman Swart, Bjorn Uys, Jean Paul Van Der Linde, Mark Wadley, Mike Woolnough
To advertise in these publications please call Jono on 083 324 6576 or email jono @ electricink. co. za
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Gravel Bike magazine is published by Electric Ink Media. Copyright: Electric Ink Media. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from Electric Ink Media or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Electric Ink Media or the editors. Editorial & advertising enquiries: admin @ electricink. co. za 7 Pitlochry Road, Bakoven, Camps Bay 8005 Printed by Novus Holdings, Paarl Distribution: Mia 083 445 5097
PHOTOGRAPHS MARTIN BISSIG, JULIAN ROBINET, SUPPLIED