SA's Rural Gems
THE WHY
South Africa's cycling industry, like most elements of our incredible country, is a remarkably diverse environment. While the bright, flashy, and hyper-light carbon race machines and world's biggest Mountain Bike stage races enjoy the lion's share of attention, we at RushSports felt that there was a need to slow down and uncover the untold stories of those outlying dealers somewhat forgotten by the razzmatazz of modern life.
We welcome you to spend time browsing through the various Episodes below to get a feel for a side of the cycling community that you may never have known existed.
Sharp Shooter
THE HOW
DESMOND LOUW is a Cape Town based photographer who specialises in capturing sports cars at their fastest. He is also renowned for his portrait photography where he passionately captures the essence of his subjects.
An avid mountain biker, Louw describes below, why he got involved with the CycloPlus Dealer Tour:
"As soon as the words 'karoo', 'adventure' and 'road-trip' were mentioned, I stopped dead in my tracks and said YES I'M IN! Cycling is not all about Strava and carbon wheels, it's also about community... and the Dealer Tour reminds us of the greater cycling community we belong to. There are some special people and places right on our doorstep. I'm so proud to show this off and to be part of this project."
Episode 1
#WEVISIT MC ELLIS FIETSE, BEAUFORT WEST
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, it feels as if you are traveling back in time as you enter MC Ellis Fietse.
Episode 2
#WEVISIT CYCLEWORX, SEDGEFIELD
"I am incredibly fortunate that my work and passion are one and the same - I love what I do"
~ Eugene Roux, owner of Cycleworx and proud Cycloplus Dealer
Episode 3
#WEVISIT OUDTSHOORN FIETSE
Oom Essie Esterhuyse has spent the past 21 years running Oudtshoorn Fieste in the ostrich capital of the world.
Episode 4
#WEVISIT ROUTE 62 CYCLES, ROBERTSON
"Life is too short for just one sport"
~ Kotie Terblanche, Springbok Toutrekker and passionate CycloPlus dealer
Episode 5
#WEVISIT ADVENTURE CYCLES, WELLINGTON
Celebrating it's 10th anniversary, Adventure Cycles is perfectly positioned at the footstep of Bain's Kloof Pass and Welvanpas Trail Centre.
Episode 6
#WEVISIT FRANKIA FIETSE, VREDENBURG
"Solomon can fix anything!"
~ Owner Frans Sooebrand describing his mechanic Solomon.
Episode 7
#WEVISIT BELLVILLE CYCLES
"That's from 19'voetsek"
~Fanie Gouws describing almost everything hanging from the wall!
Episiode 8
#WEVISIT THE WESTERN CAPE
The final instalment of the CycloPlus Dealer Tour features a series of portrait style images that capture rural cyclists going about their daily routine.
We sent Oli Munnik out across the Cape to visit some of South Africa's most prized dealers.
Headed up North, Oli continues his tour of our countries most interesting cycling dealers.
The humble wheelie comes to life with Danny MacAskill and friends in this good vibes edit.
