bobbie Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 Event Name: GABRAN (Great Annual Bike Ride Across KzNatal)When: 18 August 2017 - 20 August 2017Where: Start: ATKV Drakensville, Kwazulu-NatalCategory: RoadGABRAN – GREAT ANNUAL BICYCLE RIDE ACCROSS KWAZULU NATAL This is a NON-TIMED, NON-PODIUM event!! Day 1 The event starts at the ATKV in Drakensville on Friday morning, and makes it way through the hills and dales of Kwazulu Natal to Wagendrift Dam in Escourt. Compulsory stops at the Winterton Country Club for an assortment of breakfast nibbles – muffins/sandwiches/scones/crumpets/coffee/tea/juice. Then onto the Estcourt Bowling Club for some “beverages” before the final stretch to Wagendrift Dam where we set up camp for the evening. Cooked lunch and dinnerLive entertainment for the evening Day 2 Breakfast is bright and breezy from 6am on Saturday. “Tent town” needs to be taken down, bags taken to the truck, and then you on your merry way....The “concrete road” is a wonderful start to the days pedal.. followed by Bacon Hill, Griffons before heading into Mooi River for “the 2nd breakfast”. Once refuelled, it is onwards and upwards to the Sherry Tasting, or Bierfassl... if you think you going to sneak past... beware... you will be spotted... and called to order at one of these venues... cycling is thirsty work after all! A meander from there down to Midmar dam is the remainder of the ride – yip, lunch will welcome you! Set up camp, share a drink or ten, and then dinner will be ready! This is followed by a marvellous raffle (security system, weekends away at private game lodges, in the berg, leather back packs to name a few!!) and some more live entertainment and partying. Day 3 Sundays' cooked breakfast, is warmly welcomed, before/during the tent breakdown. Once again, load your kit onto the truck, and begin the descend to PietermaritzburgPass the City Hall... and let your Amashova 2017 training begin..... Fox Hill or Polly Shorts awaits... and then it is “downhill to Hillcrest” for a final Lamb on The Spit at the Hillcrest Athletics Club. The GABRAN has raised R385 000 for The Cows (The Cows raise funds in support of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA) over the last three years, and we have every intention of making the R250 000 mark this year alone! R1950.00 per rider Includes meals:Friday: Snacks in Winterton, Lunch & SupperSaturday: Breakfast, Lunch & SupperSunday: Breakfast & Lunch Includes transportation of your camping gear and kit from campsite to campsiteIncludes campsite costs for Friday and Saturday night GABRAN – it’s not a race, it’s an experience! Go to Event Page
Cadre Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 When: 18 August 2017 - 20 September 2017 ???? Would that be 18-20 August? Did this event in the 90's. Absolute jol. The organisers got it right and provided plentiful. However, I got smashed at the brewery in Nottingham Road and ended up in a ditch flying downhill to Midmar Dam. Will definitely consider it this year.
bobbie Posted February 28, 2017 Author Posted February 28, 2017 Hi Cadre Apologies, must have had some of that Nottingham Rd brew when creating the event!! It's an amazing event and wait till you see the menus!! Hope to see you there this year!! Bobbie
bobbie Posted February 28, 2017 Author Posted February 28, 2017 Hi Grantc! We are setting up the online entries page but in the meantime you can email: dusart@iafrica.com or durbsdaisy@thecows.co.za We will send you all the entry details and any other details like the menus etc. as well! You don't wanna miss this one! RegardsBobbie
bobbie Posted June 14, 2017 Author Posted June 14, 2017 Most definitely interested!!! Its the most awesome fun!! email me: durbsdaisy@thecows.co.za
bobbie Posted June 14, 2017 Author Posted June 14, 2017 Entered Fantastic!! Look forward to meet you! eddy 1
bobbie Posted June 22, 2017 Author Posted June 22, 2017 The Cows gear up for GABRAN Stampede Durban - With a lofty national target of raising R10 million for the Childhood Cancer Foundation in their tenth year of existence, the irrepressible sport fanatics that make up The Cows are gearing up for their annual three-day fund-raising bicycle tour known as GABRAN, or the Great Annual Bike Ride Across Natal. Into its 26th year, the ride is now organised by Westville Cycle Club and attracts cyclists of all abilities keen to enjoy a slow paced, social ride and contribute to The Cows CHOC fund-raising efforts by buying an entry into the three day ride for R1950, which includes three cooked meals a day and all camping and transport of the riders personal possessions during the ride. "It is not a race at all," stressed event organiser for The Cows Lynne McRae. "It is an experience. Everyone rides at their own pace, and takes as long as they want to complete each stage." "It all forms part of the national campaign to raise funds for CHOC, and over the last three years we have raised R385 000 through GABRAN," said McRae. "This year we want to really raise our game to contribute meaningfully to the national target of R10 million, by raising R250 000 from GABRAN 2017," she added. The race is open to any cycling enthusiast looking to enjoy the leisurely 283km ride from the foothills of the Drakensberg to the outskirts of Durban. Minors who are 14 years or older are welcome if accompanied by an adult. While road bikes are the popular choice, many opt for tandems or mountain bikes, and the odd unicycle or mini cycle has also completed the fun event. "Safety is paramount throughout," stressed McRae. "Every rider will adhere to all the usual cycling safety requirements, like compulsory helmets, and they have obey all the rules of the road, all the time." The race actively discourages riding in big groups to contribute to the events safety and a sweep vehicle will be on hand to assist riders battling at any stage of the ride. The event website makes it clear that this is a non-timed, non-podium event, and warns that there are numerous 'compulsory' stops for 'feeding and grazing purposes'. Legendarily, these have, over the years come to include pit stops at the Winterton Country Club and the Escourt Bowling Club on Day One, the Bierfassl in Nottingham, Road on Day Two, and the race-ending lamb-on-the-spit at the Hillcrest Running Club. The first stage is a 100km ride from ATKV in Drakensville, followed by an 87km second stage to Howick, and finishes with a 94km closing stage to Hillcrest. The 2017 GABRAN takes place from 18 to 20 August. More information can be found at www.gabran.co.za
I FLY Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 Is there an option for our vehicle to be driven from the start to the finish?
bobbie Posted June 23, 2017 Author Posted June 23, 2017 Is there an option for our vehicle to be driven from the start to the finish? Unfortunately not! Perhaps you can arrange to catch a lift with a friend to the start? Most of us get 'delivered' at the start venue on Thursday evening and collected from the finish in Hillcrest on Sunday morning. You can visit our event page on Facebook, Gabran CHOC Cows and post that you are looking for a lift to the start, you might be able to catch a lift with some of the KZN cyclists.
Friedpiggy Posted August 15, 2017 Posted August 15, 2017 Good luck to everyone riding GABRAN. Weather is going to be a challenge.
bobbie Posted August 16, 2017 Author Posted August 16, 2017 You are so right - we've been watching the forecast with concern!! Weather is looking rather grim at the moment, but luckily there are lots of stops and vehicles to put our dry stuff in. But we can't wait!!
Dazshell Posted August 16, 2017 Posted August 16, 2017 Have fun guys. Sad I'm missing what would have been No. 3 in a row, but with the weather not looking so lekker, also a little relieved! Stay warm an dkeep the rubber-side down. bobbie and Deez 2
bobbie Posted August 16, 2017 Author Posted August 16, 2017 Have fun guys. Sad I'm missing what would have been No. 3 in a row, but with the weather not looking so lekker, also a little relieved! Stay warm an dkeep the rubber-side down. Such a pity for sure! But, there's always next year!!
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