We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.
I had some serious FOMO while following the Rhino Run dots from Windhoek this year. Not sure why that suffering appeals. It is a long way to do 1000kms through Namibia and then another 1800kms down to the wine route then garden route and finish in Graaff Reinet this year. Which is why I am so excited about the prospect of yet another MUNGA this year.
*And that yoyo pic with the COKE emblem is a not only symbolic for cycling up to and down from BFN – it also brings back fond memories of that exact yoyo we played with way back when in primary school at Clanwilliam during the time that craze hit. Plus an ice cold COKE is the stuff of dreams when pedalling into a headwind through the karoo with empty water bottles during a scorching December in sunny south Africa.
My history with the MUNGA route
Or at least cycling up and down to BFN. Memory fades and I had to go and check on RWGPS and STRAVA on what happened when. So here is a quick recap for myself for future reference.
- 2018 – first one
- 2019 – unofficial finish
- 2021 – first up+down
- 2022 – second up+down
- 2024 – up+down but not the race
- 2025 – up (…to Sutherland)
- 2026 – up+down here we go again
First one in 2018. Loved it. Shortly after TCR. And it lead to Rob’s book (Mungral: A Finisher’s Tale by Robert H Walker), based on his own journey with Theunis. Good times. Then again in 2019. Which wasn’t as successful. Wheel issues had me out of the race between the first water point and the first race village. Out of time at Vanderkloof dam, but Alex said all good to continue. And I rode on, still enjoying the remoteness. And saw Madeleen Kotze en route. Made up many spots from right at the back but no official finish. Then in 2021 was the first up and down. At first, I thought Chris was making a joke. But what a great outing.
Then we did so again in 2022. And in 2024 Heinrich and I cycled up with Chris to BFN but did our own thing coming back and not part of the race. In 2025 I entered the inaugural Nedbank GRAVEL BURN iso the MUNGA, but tagged along to cycle the route up to BFN with Chris. However not all plans work out the way intended and we called it in Sutherland. After still getting to experience the magic of the Tankwa Karoo.
Number 10
Which means this year, after successful up and down, will be my 10th on this route, some up, some down, some both. Looking forward to it. It certainly does have a nice ring to it.
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Are you cycling the Munga this year? Let’s send your bicycle to Bloemfontein! Unless you prefer to cycle there.
