With a R50 000 prize purse, luxury accommodation and challenging three-day route, organisers of the PwC Great Zuurberg Trek have signalled their intent to elevate it among the top mountain bike stage races in the country. According to race director Brad Jackson, the Eastern Cape event - which takes place near Addo on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth from May 30 - had what it took to rival the best of the established stage races. "By offering increased prize money we're hoping to entice some … [Read more...] about Zuurberg cycle race offers “elevated” experience
addo
Fight poaching with a golf club
The SANPark's Honorary Rangers at Addo Elephant National Park are organising their 9th annual golf day on Tuesday, 10th June 2014 at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club. With the continual threat of poaching within SANParks all money raised on the day will be used to fund counter-poaching activities within Addo Elephant National Park. Addo Elephant National Park, situated only 40 kilometres from Port Elizabeth conserves the "Big 7", including Southern Right Whales and Great White Shark. Now the … [Read more...] about Fight poaching with a golf club
Stunning images from Spekboom Tented Rest Camp
MyPE was recently part of a group of lucky bloggers and publishers (list here) to experience the four beautiful parks that make up the South African National Parks' (SANParks) Frontier Region. Our first activity on the first day was a guided horse trail in the Zuurberg with 2008 Umzi Wethu graduate, Melikhaya. Now my experience with horses has been confined to watching the apprentice Longhair ride for years and rushing her to hospital whenever she fell off - not quite the qualification one is … [Read more...] about Stunning images from Spekboom Tented Rest Camp
Rare images of the elusive Addo Hyena
On our first two days touring Sanparks products within easy driving distance from Port Elizabeth we slept in the Spekboom tented camp in the middle of the Addo Elephant National Park, saw hyena (a big bonus) along with the normal suspects and slept in the luxury self catering chalets of the Mountain Zebra National Park after seeing Bushmen paintings. I was also most impressed to meet up with young Melikhaya who took us on a guided horse riding trail in the Zuurberg Mountains - as he tells me … [Read more...] about Rare images of the elusive Addo Hyena
Exploring Great Eastern Cape Game Parks
This week (3 to 7 February 2014) I am off exploring the following parks: Addo Elephant National Park Mountain Zebra National Park Camdeboo National Park Karoo National Park All courtesy of Sanparks and we will be coming back with some great images, video and memories - all to show tourists just how we live in Africa and more importantly what great game reserves we have within stabbing distance of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. CLICK HERE to see our daily itinerary as we … [Read more...] about Exploring Great Eastern Cape Game Parks
Oudtshoorn rider to defend Addo MTB Title
Two-time winner Matthys Beukes will return to defend his 80km Extreme mountain bike crown at The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on Saturday. Beukes - who will also vie for the overall Ultimate Quest title by riding the 106km Classic on Sunday - said he was looking forward to one of his favourite events on the racing calendar. "It's a great weekend away. The mountain bike route is interesting and the road race is always fun!" The George-based rider said he was in good form despite … [Read more...] about Oudtshoorn rider to defend Addo MTB Title
New bicycle up for grabs at cycle classic
With a full line-up of children's and family events to choose from, young and fledgling cyclists will share in the excitement of The Herald VW Cycle Tour on Saturday, February 1. These various Powerade-sponsored road and mountain bike races will roll out from Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth and Addo Polo Club in Addo respectively. Event organiser Linda Harwood said the main beachfront race village was traditionally abuzz with excitement on race day as hundreds of juniors turned out for the … [Read more...] about New bicycle up for grabs at cycle classic
Hand crafted cycle tour trails in Addo
Mountain bikers can look forward to riding eco-friendly, hand-cut trails in one of the world's most biologically diverse areas when they sign up for The Herald VW Cycle Tour in Addo on February 1. The mountain biking segment of the cycle tour not only exposes riders to some of the area's natural wonders but also provides pathways to development by creating trail-building jobs for local labourers. According to race director Brad Jackson of Mountain Events, participants should expect … [Read more...] about Hand crafted cycle tour trails in Addo
Addo – Eastern Cape’s mountain biking capital
The Herald VW Cycle Tour's return to Addo on February 1 is set to confirm this area's status as the mountain biking capital of the Eastern Cape. According to race director for mountain biking Brad Jackson, events like the tour had been responsible for a mini economic boom in the Zuurberg region over the past few years. Jackson said the area offered some of the best and most diverse mountain bike riding in the province and landowners had begun to capitalise on the burgeoning sport. "The … [Read more...] about Addo – Eastern Cape’s mountain biking capital
Briggs and Jackson continue tour legacy
For new road race director Julie Briggs the wheel has turned full circle as she assumes responsibility for The Herald VW Cycle Tour, which her father helped start in Port Elizabeth almost three decades ago. The 29th edition of what is now South Africa's second oldest national classic will take place in Port Elizabeth and Addo on February 1 and 2 next year. Briggs said the race originally started as the brainchild of her dad, well-known cycle shop owner Rob Rudman, and his two friends Peter … [Read more...] about Briggs and Jackson continue tour legacy
There is a reason why we refer to WILD Animals
As South African National Parks (SANParks) readies to host an influx of thousands of visitors during the eighth annual SA National Parks Week from 9 to 13 September 2013 - which offers free entry to National Parks, a disturbing trend in local parks has to be brought to the attention of visitors. Despite instructions upon entering Park gates to visitors not to get out of their vehicles within the game viewing areas except in designated areas, Park Management at the four SANParks within the … [Read more...] about There is a reason why we refer to WILD Animals
Wilder and Bigger
The Longhair and I have been playing 'frog in a blender' with the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees for some time now. Every year we travel up to Kirkwood and stay for just a bit longer. This year we arrived on the Saturday morning and stayed until 9:30 pm before tackling the road home. The one disappointment was having to drink coffee and hot chocolate whilst all around me people were fuelling themselves with frothy stuff, fruit from the vine and various other poisins that make you feel silly, sexy or … [Read more...] about Wilder and Bigger
Eagles and Birdies for Anti Poaching Drive
The SANPark's Honorary Rangers at Addo Elephant National Park are organising their 8th annual golf day on Friday, 7 June 2013 at Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth with the theme for this year being "Go Wild". Funds raised on the day will enable the Park to fund counter-poaching activities within the park. Addo Elephant National Park, situated only 40 kilometres from Port Elizabeth conserves the "Big 7", including Southern Right Whales and Great White Shark. The Park now covers over 180 000 … [Read more...] about Eagles and Birdies for Anti Poaching Drive
Shutdown of water supply to parts of Motherwell on Wednesday
In order to enhance the water supply to the Wells Estate area, it is necessary to construct a new connection to an existing pipe in Addo Road. In order to achieve this, it will be necessary to shutdown the supply to certain areas. The affected areas will include: Ikamvelihle Motherwell NU1 Motherwell NU2 The water will be shut from approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 and will be restored once the work has been completed. It is expected that the work will be completed by … [Read more...] about Shutdown of water supply to parts of Motherwell on Wednesday
Beukes wins and two in a row for Neethling
Matthys Beukes came back from a tough first half to chase down the leaders and snatch a surprise victory in the 80km Extreme mountain bike race at Addo just outside Port Elizabeth today. Beukes (Contego-Giant), who last won The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour in 2008 when it was a 65km event, proved he could go the distance in scorching conditions, crossing the line in 3:01:18. After riding off the front for most of the race, African cross-country champion Philip Buys (Scott) outsprinted James Reid … [Read more...] about Beukes wins and two in a row for Neethling
