SUMMER RIDES in THE WOESRAND

All MTB rides in the Woesrand are LEKKER, but Summer rides are LEKKERDER.

Getting up early, riding without lights, leaving your house as the sky turns from dark to light with amazing colours and sunrises over the Muldersdrift and Cradle areas. No additional layers, no freezing noses, fingers and toes …. and a cycling tan to brag with are all benefits of Summer riding in the Woesrand.

Here are some pointers to make your Summer rides even better:

As it gets light earlier, unless you are part of the “Bat Squad”, rides can start at 05:00am or 5:30am where no front lights are needed for you to see where you are going. Small front (white) and back (red) lights are always recommended if you ride in traffic so you can be seen.

Going out early means that you are back earlier, more time for coffee, mid or post ride. If you are planning a coffee-stop mid ride, make sure the coffee shop will be open by the time you arrive.

Sunblock is always recommended, even in winter as the sun can be quite harsh when spending a lot of time in it (as with any sport). Summer days can get extremely hot even early in the morning so stock up on the sunblock. Also take some with you on long rides. Try to test this on shorter rides as some products can burn your eyes when you are sweating and that’s not lekker.

Drink-up. There are many websites and articles giving cyclists tips on how to hydrate, how much and how often to drink. When you start, 1 bottle per hour of riding is a good measure and then as you get fitter you will be able to ride longer with less hydration (depending on the intensity of course). It’s a fact that in summer you will drink more than in winter so be prepared, take enough fluids and drink regularly. Plan long rides along routes where you can stop to refill. Water is not always enough. If you are planning to spend a couple hours out on your bike you will need to replenish lost electrolytes and nutrients so you don’t suffer from cramps etc. There are many products out there to assist you, experiment and see what works for you. If you are starting to do longer rides, 3 hours +, it is also a good thing to have some food, bars, bananas or something with you that you can easily eat on the ride to give you energy in addition to the fluids you are drinking …. be prepared.

And then the rain comes down in Summer in the Woesrand. Yes, it will rain and you will get wet, and if you are not prepared for this you may have an uncomfortable ride. Rain is not the end of the world and can actually be quite pleasant sometimes. Watch the weather apps when you plan a ride so you are not caught off guard although this will still happen. Riding MTB in the rain can be tricky so you might need to adjust your route plan. If the weather gets really bad, pull over at a garage or somewhere safe until you can carry on or someone can come and fetch you. Have a small rain jacket and a zip-lock or similar plastic bag for your phone handy.

Summer riding is awesome, be prepared, plan your ride and have fun!