The 9PeaksBike Challenge comprises a fair amount of gravel biking
TRAIL
Images : Stephan Griesel , Terence Vrugtman & courtesy 9 Peaks moments and a great mini-adventure . This saw him doing numerous radio and newspaper interviews , as well as being invited to speak at FEAT SA .
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People were now talking about this cool adventure , and more began chasing the nine peaks , but many failed to complete the journey , as it proved a bigger challenge than they thought it would be . This was not just because of the driving distance required , but also because some peaks were hard to find , or had restricted access , and this led to a formal structure being devised for what was now officially known as the 9 Peaks Challenge . Administered by Kobus , the challenge has its own website , which includes a set of rules for the challenge ( for consistency ) as well as helpful notes on access , parking , safety and who to contact to arrange access to those peaks that are on private land . There is also a Wall of Fame section that lists the Fastest Known Times , or FKTs , across various categories ( solo , pairs , teams and social ).
While Kobus said he was not motivated by trying to go as fast as possible when he did his solo challenge , he did think others could learn from his mistakes and wrong turns , and complete the challenge faster . That saw Daniel Barnard and George Louw challenge the team FKT in December 2012 , setting the record at four days , 18 hours and 38 minutes . Daniel then took it one step further by challenging the solo record in July 2014 , bringing it down to four days , 16 hours and 34 minutes . The current solo record is held by Ignus Zietsman ( 4d 12h 32m ), posted in January 2022 , while the men ’ s team of Greg Avierinos , Ryno Grieel and Ruan van der Merwe posted the phenomenal all-time FKT of 64 hours in August 2017 .
The rules of the challenge include some obvious ones , like getting permission to access all the peaks , and tracking all aspects of the challenge on electronic devices . Furthermore , challenge participants must handle all their own driving and logistics ( no designated driver ), and may only use legal methods of road travel ( no speeding ). For record purposes , a set route must be followed , either starting in the north at Iron Crown , or in the south at Seweweekspoort , and the clock starts at the foot of the first peak , then stops on the summit of the last one . While some peaks can be summitted with a car , the challenge requires
The 9 Peaks Bike Challenge was first done by father and daughter due Colin and Bianca Cooper in 2015 participants to leave the car at designated parking spots and complete the rest of the peak on foot .
Bringing in the Bikes
In April 2015 , the father and daughter pair of Colin and Bianca Cooper creatively replaced the driving portion of the challenge by cycling it on steel Qhubeka bicycles instead . They completed this groundbreaking adventure in 45 days , and thus another version of the 9 Peaks Challenge was born , with specific rules soon added to formalise the challenge . Most of the general and peak-specific rules still apply , except where otherwise stated . For this challenge , the entire distance must be covered on foot or by bicycle , and challengers can decide when to switch from the bicycle onto foot for the ascents . This means that cyclists can ride to as close to the summit as possible , which allows for some creativity in route choices .
A safety and support vehicle is allowed to travel with the team for the duration of the challenge , but must adhere to the peak-specific rules where vehicle parking locations are concerned . This vehicle can carry supplies , safety equipment and anything else that is required , but challengers are not allowed to travel in the vehicle , except where a portage is required , such as from accommodation to a peak , and that distance must be ‘ made up ’ on the bicycle before or after the peak ascent . A high level of honesty is therefore required with this rule .
Until this year , the Coopers were the only finishers of the “ 9 Peaks Cycle ,” but then well-known trail runners and adventure junkies , Jock Green and Ryno Griesel , decided to give it a go . As Jock recalls , he received a message from Ryno that said , “ Let ’ s cycle across the country and run some pointy bits in between ,” and that ’ s about it all it needed for him to sign up for the # 9PEAKSBIKE Challenge . The envisaged trip would take about 14 days , covering over 3000km on the bikes , with about 25,000m of elevation gain . The summits themselves would require about 135km of running , including another 8000m of climbing !
For Ryno , the allure of the 9PeaksBike Challenge was irresistible . As he said before the challenge began , “ The 9Peaks adventure concept is a really cool way to explore our country , and I am keen to experience it from a bicycle as well .” Jock shared his enthusiasm , adding , “ It ’ s not just about the challenge , it ’ s about experiencing the journey in a unique way .”
Jock ( left ) and Ryno ( right ) in training for their big challenge
Highly Experienced Duo
Their preparations for the challenge included not just rigorous physical training , but also obtaining permissions for peak access , and meticulous logistical arrangements . Thankfully , this dynamic duo brought an incredible amount of experience in endurance events to the table , meaning this was likely to be a challenge they could finish . Jock is a multiple South African road cycle champion , with over 20 years of professional racing experience in South Africa and abroad . He is also a trail runner , with wins in the Ultra Trail Drakensberg and Karkloof 100-milers under his belt , and has represented South Africa at the World Champs of trail running . He is also the coholder of the 100km Magaliesberg Traverse FKT .
Meanwhile , Ryno has years of experience in adventure racing , and has completed a number of longdistance , Red Bull Adventure running projects with Ryan Sandes , including the FKT for the Drakensberg Traverse . He is also the current co-holder of the team FKT for the traditional 9 Peaks Challenge , with Ruan van der Merwe and Greg Avierinos , clocking 64 hours in 2017 .
The plan was for Jock to head up the running sections of the challenge , Ryno would handle the navigation for the project , and Ryno ’ s brother , Stephan , would follow them in the vehicle while taking charge of logistics , media and nutrition . Stephan has overseen the logistics of many of Ryno ’ s previous projects , where his being a 4x4 expert , avid cook and experienced photographer also proved most helpful .
It was decided that the team would start in the north of the country and make their way south , meaning their route would visit the nine peaks in the following order : Iron Crown ( Limpopo ), De Berg ( Mpumalanga ), Nooitgedacht-West ( North-West ), Toringkop ( Gauteng ), Namahadi ( Free State ), Mafadi ( KwaZulu-Natal ), Kwaduma ( Eastern Cape ), Murch Point ( Northern Cape ), and Seweweekspoort ( Western Cape ). And so , at 5am on 12 May , Jock and Ryno set off , with Stephan following closely behind them . What ensued in the next two or so weeks was an epic adventure on bike and foot !
Turn the page to read more about Ryno and Jock ’ s 9Peaks adventure .
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