On Wednesday the 9^th of November Glacier by Sanlam and Dryland Event Management introduced the mountain bikers of Gauteng to the successful Traverse event format at the launch of the Glacier Cradle Traverse. The three-day mountain bike stage race will take place from the 4^th to the 7^th of May 2017 and the media and invited guests received an early hint of what to expect.

The Glacier Cradle Traverse launch got underway with a launch ride on Avianto Lifestyle Estate’s trails, led by route director Richard Beswick. The key to the Traverse race format is the non-technical routes which do not require riders to possess superb singletrack skills. The focus is rather on providing a scenic route which showcases the beauty of the area and provides the basis for a weekend to remember. The Glacier Cradle Traverse stages will be 49, 64 and 45 kilometres long and take in some of Avianto, the Cradle of Humankind and the Muldersdrift area’s best loved trails, but also traverse game reserves and private land where mountain bikers are not usually allowed to tread.

After getting an idea of the route the Glacier Cradle Traverse will be riding, the guests were treated to a media launch over canapés. Jean Lombard, Head of Business Integration at Glacier by Sanlam, Henco Rademeyer, Dryland Event Management, and Trevor D’Oliveira, owner of Avianto Lifestyle Estate, expanded on the ethos of the Traverse concept and what the Glacier Cradle Traverse will bring to mountain biking in Gauteng.

As entrants to the Glacier Storms River Traverse will know, the spirit of the event is legendary. Riders are encouraged to bring their families along to the Glacier Cradle Traverse as there is much more to do, like explore the Crocodile Ramble tourist route, visit the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, or enjoy one of Avianto’s many leisure activity options. There will also be a children’s’ activity programme, including short mountain bike races in the afternoons.

Just as at the Glacier Storms River Traverse, the central race village will feature a relaxed atmosphere, complete with chill zone, and title sponsor Glacier by Sanlam will have more exciting initiatives in store too; including entertainment in the afternoons and evenings. From the registration on Thursday the 4^th of May, where riders and their families will be treated to a luxury registration process, to the final prize giving on Sunday the 7^th of May the entrants to the Glacier Cradle Traverse, and their families, will be immersed in a long weekend of riding, relaxing and socialising with like-minded people.

Entries to the Glacier Cradle Traverse open on Thursday the 10^th of November on www.cradletraverse.co.za. For the inaugural event entries will be limited to 350 riders, so to avoid disappointment enter today.

About Glacier by Sanlam

Endorsed by Sanlam, Glacier offers a wide range of investment solutions, designed to assist clients to create and preserve their wealth throughout their lifetime.  These solutions include local and international investments, pre- and post-retirement solutions, shares and fixed interest instruments.  For more information, please visit www.glacier.co.za.

About Dryland Event Management

Dryland currently owns and operates fifteen mountain biking and trail running events, including the UCI Categorised Cape Pioneer Trek, Fairview Attakwas Extreme MTB Challenge and the DUTOIT Tankwa Trek. Known for excellence in logistics and with a strong focus on ensuring the best possible rider experience Dryland continues to strive to improve and grow their event offerings. For more information, please visit www.dryland.co.za.