The big difference is the event is staged within the reserve and offers the rider an opportunity to ride along the custom game tracks with the game itself. The end result is an amazing series of single track sections that would be hard to match by the best track builders in the world. The natural flow and continuity of the single track was outstanding and notably, not once did you feel you could get lost but it still kept the ‘wildness’.    

The race was well attended with some new faces from Northern KwaZulu-Natal setting the pace from the gun. A small group had formed upfront with a handful of riders making a break but everyone remaining apprehensive as the word ‘rhino’ echoed in the back of each riders mind.

I was one of the ‘lucky’ few up front to have my own personal game viewing session unimpeded by the windows of a car. Cruising down a single track is normally exhilarating at the best times but when you add the chance of rear ending of confronting head on one of the Weenen big boys, you could be looking at a new adrenalin sport!

One two occasions I experienced that dry feeling sensation in my mouth, when suddenly the large rocks in the grass up ahead suddenly got up and crashed through the trees into the distance, and yes those rocks were rhinos! As the ride progressed the general game paths seemed to open up out of the bush thicket and you were able to see any ‘moving rocks’ before they heard you and fortunately I didn’t have to contend with the heavy weight title again for the third time.

I felt somewhat relieved when I crossed the finish line in first place but very revitalised after experiencing the big African game first hand. If you’re looking for a race with a difference the Weenen Classic should be a must on your calendar.

Report by Andrew Hill