“Let’s cycle across the country and run some pointy bits in between…”
At 5 am, on 12 May 2023, the team of Jock Green, Ryno Griesel and Stephan Griesel will start the 9 Peaks Challenge (www.ninepeaks.co.za) in South Africa. They will, however, add a twist to the traditional format as designed by the founder, Kobus Bresler in March 2011.
Kobus describes the original challenge as follows:
“The 9 Peaks Challenge includes the summit (on foot) of the highest peak in each of South Africa's provinces. The peaks are connected by road travel and makes for a beautiful adventure challenge and a unique way to explore the country”.
In April 2015, the father and daughter pair of Colin and Bianca Cooper creatively replaced the driving portion of the challenge, by cycling it on steel Qhubeka bicycles instead. They completed this groundbreaking adventure in 45 days.
They are, to date, the only finishers of the 9 Peaks “cycle”.
Inspired by Colin and Bianca’s achievement – Jock, Ryno and Stephan will attempt to finish the 9 Peaks cycle challenge in about 14 days under the banner of #9PEAKSBIKE.
Jock and Ryno will cycle and run and supported by Stephan in a Ford Ranger, they will start in the north of the country and make their way south.
Iron Crown, 2126m (Limpopo)
De Berg, 2331m (Mpumalanga)
Nooitgedacht-west, 1816m (North-West)
Toringkop, 1913m (Gauteng)
Namahadi, 3291m (Free State)
Mafadi, 3451m (Kwazulu-Natal)
Kwaduma, 3019m (Eastern Cape)
Murch Point, 2156m (Northern Cape)
Seweweekspoort, 2325m (Western Cape)
The traditional drive format of the challenge dictates parking spots where vehicles must be parked per peak, from where the challengers must continue further on foot towards the respective summits. The cycle rules, allow that the team can cycle as close as possible to the summit – which could result in some interesting route choices.
The team brings together a vast range of experience.