SWISS PHOTO MAESTRO Martin Bissig has the best job I know . The Cannon ambassador has been one of the most consistent contributors to Mountain Bike mag over the past eight years . Every time an email arrives from him I hit open , no matter what I ’ m supposed to be focusing on . Martin scours the atlas for obscure , often unexplored , mind-blowing landscapes that will make for great bike-riding stories he then gets published around the world , including in mags like National Geographic . For those who have read Mountain Bike over the years , think back to Himalayan crossings in Tibet , husky-led fjord rides in Greenland , Kilimanjaro with Danny MacAskill , and 5 000m-high rope- and crampon-assisted climbs with bikes in Pakistan . That ' s to name just a few of the mesmerising photo-journ expeditions he ’ s indulged our office-bound butts with over the years , daring us to dream .

Did I mention that he usually takes along famous nut-jobs who live to explore the outer envelope of what and where is possible . And good-looking clothing models – yes , that too . He doesn ’ t even need to pack his bike – bike brands have the right size and spec bike waiting for him to collect at the airport .

Suffice to say we needed more than a bike race to lure him over here to give SA – the home of mountain biking – our time in the sun outside of looting and corruption stories . He ’ s had a deep affection for the country and its people since he came here to shoot Cape Epic in 2013 – he even sends Swiss tour groups to ride here . When , during lockdown , I told him that we were planning a trip

into the greater Kruger , a tourist haven that was battling without foreign visitors , he jumped at it , saying “ if I can leave Europe , I will be there – name the date !”

Fast forward nearly a year of planning and Marty arrived at ORT . He was accompanied by a huge bag of drones and cameras sherpa ’ d by the tiny blonde , effervescent Fränzi – the Swiss rider who has twice been on our cover – and who I dare say has bigger MTB trail kahonis than most okes I know . Twenty four hours later we were up before the silent bushveld sunrise , drinking koffie and rusks as the journey into the heart of one of the world ’ s oldest and biggest game

reserves began . Within an hour we were gifted by a sighting I ’ ve yet to hear of , let alone experience . As we followed a faint animal track through a forest of mopane trees we literally rode straight into two magnificent cheetahs basking in the dawn light atop an ant hill ! Simply worlds apart for our Swiss companions , who had only left Zurich 36 hours earlier .

Observing Marty and Fränzi explore a vast space with no buildings or other humanengineered attractions over the next week was fascinating . I watched as raw , unspoiled African nature and the potent charm of her indigenous people intoxicated them . When Martin

arrived , he only wanted to shoot pics with Big 5 game , but by the last day he ' d become so enchanted with the bush that he was into shooting the birds and trees as well .

You can read Martin ’ s account of his time here on page 24 . This ‘ trip of a lifetime ’ revealed nature in its rawest simplicity , as it has been for millions of years . Our exploration and animal sightings were extraordinary – but it ’ s the way our overseas visitors tuned into Africa ' s primal energy that made the most impact on me . It was a powerful reminder of why I ’ m insanely happy to have grown up and to live here still , despite political concerns . Even more so to be a mountain biker with a plethora of unique , hidden , animal and custom-built trails to explore , either solo in silence , or in more social groups or races . We are beyond spoiled for choice , and again , lockdown has provided a look-around-youand-don ’ t-take-what-you-havefor-granted perspective .

In recent times we have seen too many lives pass too soon , so the message is simple . Get outside often , follow your dreams and make every ride count .

Enjoy summer , the racing and travel opening up , and the family holidays that lie ahead . We hope this mag is a solid source of inspiration and a worthy travel companion . Let us know what you liked and may be keen to see more of in future editions .

We look forward to your pics , stories and comments .

paul @ electricink . co . za

@ paulingpen

Mountain Bike SA

@ mountainbikesa

PHOTOGRAPH MARTIN BISSIG

10 | MTB | proud as punch