TREAD Media

SAPPI KARKLOOF TRAIL FESTIVAL: EPIC TRAILS, SLICK EVENTS DELIVER COMMUNITY IMPACT The renowned Sappi Karkloof Trail Festival returns to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, bringing together mountain bikers, trail runners, families and outdoor enthusiasts for a weekend that showcases some of South Africa’s most celebrated trails. Hosted at the Absa Karkloof Country Club, the festival continues to grow as both a premier sporting event and a powerful contributor to the local economy and community development initiatives. [Partner content] Full story at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #sappikarkloofclassictrailfestival #karkloofmtb #karklooftrails

MAVIC NEVER LEFT SOUTH AFRICA: RIDERS STILL TRUST ITS LEGENDARY WHEELS For decades, few names in cycling have carried the same weight and heritage as Mavic. From elite racing circuits to weekend group rides, Mavic has become synonymous with innovation, reliability, and performance. While trends in the cycling industry continue to evolve, one thing remains certain Mavic has never left South Africa. The brand continues to hold a strong presence among local cyclists who value high-performance wheels, technical apparel, and trusted cycling equipment built for serious riding. [Partner content] Full story at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #maviccycling #mavicsouthafrica #mavicwheels

BERG & BUSH DESCENT AT 20: SAME SOUL, NEW LINES In 2026, the Standard Bank Berg & Bush Descent marks its 20th anniversary, which says as much about the event’s staying power as it does about how well they’ve protected its identity over the years. It remains one of South Africa’s most iconic three-day stage races, set in the foothills of the Drakensberg, where the terrain does most of the talking and the trails are built to let you listen. Full details and online entry at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #bergandbush #bergandbush2026 #mtbstagerace

You’ve just conquered the three-day KAP sani2c. *Farmer Glen tips hat 👨‍🌾🧢 Right now your mind might be telling you that riding all three stages in one continuous push is out of reach. But think about it. When you finish a 21km run, you cannot imagine doing a marathon. 
When you finish a marathon, you cannot imagine doing Comrades. And yet, people do. The KAP sani2c nonstop (29–31 May 2026) is the ultimate test of endurance, teamwork, and mental strength. Waking up at midnight, slicing through pristine forest trails in the pitch dark, watching the sunrise over the misty Umkomaas Valley, and pushing all the way to the ocean at Scottburgh in one go is a life-changing adventure. You already know the route.
You already love the trails.
You’re already fit - it’s basically a taper from now to nonstop… Yes? Gather your support crew. Challenge your partner. Take on the ultimate test of endurance, teamwork and mental grit. Head over to the nonstop website to enter (link in our bio) … think of it as the back-to-back Comrades medal, just way more hardcore.

MORE THAN PERFORMANCE: SILVERBACK’S SHIFT TOWARD COMMUNITY Silverback Bicycles has long been recognised as a performance-driven brand, earning its stripes on international race circuits and through success in demanding disciplines like marathon mountain biking and stage racing. But while those achievements built credibility, the brand’s next chapter is being written much closer to home – and with a sharper focus on the people who ride. [Partner content] Full story at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #silverbackbikes #silverbackmtb #silverbackgravel

RIDERS SET FOR FAST, FLOWING TRAILS AT SAPPI MANKELE CHALLENGE Mountain bikers and trail enthusiasts are gearing up for the return of the iconic Sappi Mankele Challenge, taking place on 16 May at the Mankele Adventure Park in Mpumalanga. After several years of wet and muddy race conditions during the traditional March event window, organisers have moved this year’s event to May — a decision expected to deliver cooler temperatures, drier trails and some of the best riding conditions the venue has seen in years. Full details at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #sappimankelemtbchallenge #mankelemtb #mtbrace

KAP SANI2C: FAST FINAL STAGE CONFIRMS 2026 CHAMPIONS Stage 3 of the 2026 KAP sani2c ‘OG’ UCI racing delivered exactly what the route profile promised – a brutally fast final day from Jolivet Farm to Scottburgh Golf Club. At 86km with 1042m of climbing and 1703m of descending, the stage encouraged aggressive racing from the start. Toyota Specialized Imbuko 2’s Travis Stedman and Jaedon Terlouw sealed overall victory, while two teams fought intensely for the remaining GC podium positions. Efficient Infiniti Insure’s Samantha Sanders and Vera Looser completed a dominant week with another stage victory to become the KAP sani2c UCI Women’s champions. Full final stage report at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 📸 @anthonygrotephoto #sani2c2026 #kapsani2c #mtbstagerace

KAP SANI2C: LEAD CHANGE ON QUEEN STAGE The blistering pace set by the top teams on Stage 1 continued on day two of the KAP sani2c, producing another tight group finish in the UCI men’s race and a sprint finish for second and third in the UCI women’s race. Stage 2 takes riders from Mackenzie Club to Kings Harvest School, covering approximately 92km with around 1 600m of climbing. Characterised by the technical descent into the Umkomaas Valley and the decisive tough Unitrans Iconic Climb back out the valley, stage 2 can reshape the General Classification battle, which it did today. Full story at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #kapsani2c #sani2c2026 #mtbstagerace

KAP SANI2C: STAGE 1 PRODUCES SPRINT-FINISH THRILLER In a characteristic KAP sani2c sprint finish at Mackenzie Club, four teams battled all the way to the line in the men’s race, but it was Felix Stehli and Marc Pritzen (Team Honeycomb 226ers) who took the win in 02:43:27. Stage 1 of sani2c tests rider endurance across 89 kilometres and 1,027 metres of climbing. Full stage report at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 📸 @anthonygrotephoto #sani2c2026 #kapsani2c #mtbstagerace

KAP SANI2C: PROLOGUE DELIVERS EXPLOSIVE START The 2026 KAP sani2c opened with a sharp and decisive Prologue at Glencairn Farm, setting the tone ahead of the ‘OG’ race start tomorrow morning. At just 17.96km, the route packed in 570m of climbing, rewarding explosive power and precision on a course that leaves little room for error. Full stage report at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 📸 @anthonygrotephoto #sani2c2026 #kapsani2c #mtbstagerace

In keeping with its UCI status, KAP sani2c delivered an explosive prologue stage on Wednesday, setting the scene for an iconic three full stages…

TREAD MEDIA LAUNCHES NEW CYCLING EVENTS ‘APP’ TREAD Media, South Africa’s leading mountain bike media brand, has officially launched TREAD Events, a new digital platform designed to make it easier than ever for cyclists to find and enter races. Built specifically for the South African cycling community, TREAD Events gives mountain bikers and gravel riders a central place to discover events, explore race details, and connect directly with organisers. It is one of the first platforms in the country focused purely on cycling events, with a strong emphasis on simplicity, speed, and ease of use, especially on mobile devices. Full details and download link at treadmtb.co.za or via link in our bio 👆 #treadevents #treadeventsapp #mtbevents #gravelevents #cyclingevents