AS WE HEAD INTO LONG summer days and much-needed holidays , we look back on a year without travel limits , without masks , and without the bugavoiding lack of human contact . The world may still be a long way from recovering economically , but it feels so good to hug your partner on the finishline and share a drink with your friendly rivals wherever in the world you choose to train or race .

It ’ s been heartwarming to see so many people back riding trails all over SA and around the world . The freedom of fresh air in our hair and time out in nature , alone or with friends , continues to provide us all with therapeutic moments to dream and to fuel our muscles and minds with endorphin-loaded positivity . We have seen e-bikes open up a whole new world to riders who can now join fitter and more adventurous partners . Land owners have opened up spaces to trail users , making mountain biking in South Africa more accessible than ever . Who wants to spend time chasing a bigger house or car when you can rather spend it feeling truly alive exploring the great outdoors ? We will never get those lost years back – we need to continually check in on our values .

As you will enjoy over our 148 pages , there are incredible trails just waiting for you to explore . Whether it ’ s your neighbourhood greenbelt , a local event , just across our border or the other side of the world , you always have options to suit your budget , interests and skills . We have been incredibly fortunate to visit some spectacular destinations in 2023 . Slovenia , Peru and Italy each offer spectacular two-wheel adventures for your bucket-list , but from the Karoo and the Berg to the deserts of neighbouring Namibia , we are reminded that nowhere is quite like home . My story on page 126 about an emotional trip back to

Charging hard at the World Multisport Championships in Ibiza – day and night . A great way to explore party island by bike ( see page 80 )

the Highveld where I grew up is another great illustration that our soul rests where our roots are , and that life is too short to wait . We are Africans at heart and love our region ’ s uniquely intriguing sense of adventure , plus the warm , welcoming culture of her people . Meet rising star Alex Miller on page 66 , journeyman Dan Craven on page 54 and Kenyan-raised prodigy Tyler Jacobs on page 108 to get a deeper sense of some interesting members of our tribe .

A serendipitous discovery of the magic that lies right beneath our feet was a desert ride in Swakopmund . That ride , which you can read about on page 36 , is a stark reminder of how we often take what we have for granted .

Like family and your local hood , we only realise the value of what we had when it ’ s gone , just like Patrick Morewood describes on page 146 . We tend to long for the snow-capped peaks or tropical forests of exotic lands , but our senses are just as deeply enriched by our own magical wildernesses . Namibia is one such . At face value it ’ s almost ugly compared with the likes of postcard-perfect Switzerland , but hop on your bike and head into remote regions shaped over millions of years by mother nature alone , and you ’ ll be so much richer for it .

This local versus international conundrum was perfectly illustrated when selecting a cover image for our 10th anniversary

summer edition . We have worked on every story as a team , reading stories by passionate riders and sorting through thousands of images – and we have generally felt the strongest connection with the African stories . Slovenia is an interesting part of the world , and the pics you ’ ll see on page 56 by our global contributor Martin Bissig are incredible , with the Soča River shot a real contender for a cover . But in the end it was the combination of warm human energy and an easily accessible southern African destination that was more compelling to the team . The split decision was a hard one . Let us know what you think … Do you buy the mag to read about far-flung destinations that you may never travel to , or do you love that local-is-lekker stoke that hopefully inspires you to get out on your bike ?

Our art director summed it up best . The picture of me looking stoked as I crest a massive dune captures that feeling of being on top of the world , in a place that only a bike can take you . Here ’ s to you experiencing that unique feeling often in 2024 , as you step a little bit beyond your comfort zone to explore the abundance of life outside . We ’ d love to hear your feedback on why you enjoy our mag and what we could add to improve it , from products to people to places , so please share your feedback and your own stokeinspiring stories with us on email .

Enjoy your festive season riding wherever you may be – mince pies taste so much better after a long morning ride . Safe travels , stash your trash and take great pics .

paul @ electricink . co . za

bikeruntri . co . za

Mountain Bike SA

@ mountainbikesa

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12 | MTB | proud as punch