Background to BIKE4BEASTS

BIKE4BEASTS is a mountain bike challenge, launched as a fundraising initiative to support the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). The first event was held in 2007 on the De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve and Mapungubwe National Park. Since that success, another four challenges have been held on Venetia and Mapungubwe and two others on the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve in Gauteng. In keeping with the goal of supporting the work of the EWT, a different threatened species is chosen each year as the mascot for BIKE4BEASTS. The first mascot in 2007 was the Black Rhino, followed by the African Wild Dog in 2008, the Cheetah in 2009, the Lion in 2010, and the Saddle-billed Stork for 2011.

"The Bike4Beasts ride has certainly become part of our annual family holiday plans and it is something that we all really enjoy. This was my third ride and I continue to enjoy them just as much each time and find the course really challenging and exciting. It was great to be able to do the Mapungubwe ride on the Monday with my 9 year old son James - his first long ride/race and to experience the elephant sighting with him." - August van Heerden, regular rider

"To participate in a very special event and to assist in developing and maintaining a feature which is fundamental to our country and continent – our natural heritage, fauna and flora in all its glory. The race organisation was perfect". – Colin Donian