Potch Riders Tackle the Karkloof Classic with Guts and Grit!

Yolandi Botes
May 26
2 min read

🚵‍♀🌲🚵‍♀🌲🚵‍♀🌲🚵‍♀🌲🚵‍♀🌲

Sunday, 25 May 2025 we saw the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival host the SA MTB Marathon Championships, and two brave riders from Potch showed up and took on the mountain, head-on.This wasn’t your average Sunday cycle. It was steep, rough, and packed with twisty single-track trails, the kind where your handlebars just squeeze through 😳.

Image: Hoërskool.Ferdinand Postma.High School

🟢 Ilne: 41.4 km of Pure Determination

Ilne took on the 41.4 km route, which is more or less the distance from Potch to Klerksdorp, but here’s the kicker: it came with a 1335 m elevation gain. That’s the height of 445 floors. Yes, like climbing a skyscraper. On a mountain bike. In the mud. And probably with a few tree roots thrown in for good measure 🌳💪. It wasn’t just about distance, it was about staying focused, keeping balance, and digging deep on those brutal climbs.

🔴 Divan: Going Bigger with 61.6 km and 1933 m Up!

Divan didn’t hold back. He took on the 61.6 km route, with a whopping 1933 m elevation gain. That’s like riding your bike up 644 floors! This route demanded everything: fitness, mental toughness, and sharp technical skills. The trail was littered with tight, narrow paths and serious climbs, the kind that test even seasoned mountain bikers.

And still, he kept going. That’s commitment.

🎯 More Than a Race — It’s Mountain Biking in Its Purest Form

Both routes were built for those who love real mountain biking:

Narrow, winding singletrack sections
Long, steep climbs
Proper trail challenges that push your body and mind

Throw in some KZN forest magic, sweeping views, and fresh mountain air, and you’ve got a day on the bike that hits different.

💬 Respect Where It’s Due

Ilne and Divan showed up and gave it their all. No fuss. Just legs turning, wheels grinding, and hearts pounding up those hills. That’s what mountain biking’s all about. So here’s to our local riders who flew the Potch flag high this weekend. You’ve made us proud out there on the trails! 🇿🇦🔥