Ride the Rhenoster

The ride is a special event, inviting riders to an unique natural environment which is protected and conserved through the efforts of private land owners. Riders will have access to parts of the Conservancy that are not generally accessible to the public.

The trail is mapped by Miles Crisp, an experienced Mountain Bike rider and past-resident of the Nature Conservancy. A team of volunteers mark the trail with Miles, and we thank  Ettienne Soekoe, Abbey de Groot, Richard Hawkins, Geoff Pinnock and Bruce McGregor for their unstinting support.

The event takes place Saturday 11 September 2010.

Residents will be providing the water tables, cheering riders and shouting encouragement.  Please take note that this is not a commercial event - there are NO energy bars, sports drinks, medals or gear.  This event is for those riders who want to give something back to the people who protect the open spaces mountain bike riders enjoy.

Land owners have given permission for this event to take place as an exclusive offering. Only parts of the trail are on public servitudes.  This exact trail cannot generally be travelled so this is an excellent opportunity to ride a new trail.

"Ride the Rhenoster" takes its name from Rhenosterkop which stands sentinel over the Conservancy.  The Rhino for which the hill is named, are no longer in the area.  And perhaps that is just as well, given the rampant poaching of rhino in recent months.

However, riders pass two areas where game has been introduced - the Oori on the western side of the Crocodile River, and the Roodekrans Game Reserve which is visible from many vantage points along the way.

Riders at the crest of a lonnnnng climb, with Rhenosterkop in the background, to the left.