At first light on 21 June, cyclists gathered at Timbavati airfield to mark the 10th annual Rotary Club of Hoedspruit (D9400) K2C Cycle Tour. One hundred and seventy-two riders lined up at the hangar, their jerseys emblazoned with the hornbills drawn by local artist Warren Cary, before setting off on a 104-kilometre route through Timbavati, Thornybush and Kapama.
The pelotons departed at ten-minute intervals, their wheels cutting into the gravel as the sun broke across the bushveld. Riders would spend the day pedalling through reserves that offered both challenge and spectacle, from long stretches of dust to unexpected encounters with herds of elephant and buffalo.
By late afternoon, the cyclists had made their way back to the airfield runway. Drums from Southern Cross School echoed across the veld as the finishers rode through the arch, greeted by family and friends who had waited in anticipation. Many went straight to a bush shower or the cold pool before gathering again for wine tastings led by Hoedspruit sommelier Amanda Smith.
Much of the event’s appeal lies in the hospitality provided along the way. Lodges on the route went out of their way to make the riders feel welcome, from the well-known Rotary breakfasts after the opening 42 kilometres to Kapama’s carefully prepared lunch spread. Cyclists spoke of the support stations as a highlight in themselves, describing the sense of being looked after at every turn.
Nature provided its own challenges and rewards. One group was forced to take a detour to avoid a breeding herd of more than 100 elephants, while another peloton cycled quietly through a herd of buffalo, conscious not to disturb them. For many, these encounters became the defining memories of the ride.
The Hoedspruit community once again played a central role in supporting the tour. Bananas from La Bamba, sweet packets from Seeds of Light and WiFi provided by Letaba Networks at the hangar were just some of the contributions that added to the event’s atmosphere. It is this involvement from local businesses and organisations, encouraged over the years by organising chair Michael Henderson, that gives the tour its distinctly communal feel.
Participants came from across South Africa and beyond, but the event has remained firmly rooted in Hoedspruit. As the sun set on the winter equinox, riders and supporters sat on lucerne bales, later destined for animal feed at Raptors View Wildlife Estate, sharing stories well into the night. The chatter carried the same energy that had driven them along the reserve tracks earlier in the day.
Reflections from those who took part captured the mood. Southern Cross Schools Executive Head, Sam Hamman, described the tour as “remarkable.”
Rider Tessa Shellard thanked the organisers for what she said was “an amazing K2C,” noting that the guiding and the supper on Saturday evening had made the 2025 experience stand out.
