Video recap Day 2 of Expedition Africa Back to the Berg by Sven Musica Teams on the bike after CP11 towards TA3/4, struggling, pushing, even riding. Then into the glorious foothills of the proper Berg, over moors, past cliffs, into valleys, into night. Live tracking: ea26.maprogress.com/ @alpineheathresort @pigglywigglymidlands @dargleforestlodge @hebronhaven @merrellsa @radbag.co.za @squirtcyclingproducts @foreverfresh.sa @bikebox.company @freedomchallenge @drakensbergbrewery @pigglywigglycoffeeshop #expafrica2026 #expafrica #expeditionafrica #adventureracing #iamanadventureracer #arworldseries ARWS - Adventure Racing World Series Adventure Racing World Series - Africa Series Sleepmonsters - The Adventure Racing Website Music licence: Musicbed Covered by Subscription #144366

Leg 4 - the trek of valleys and tarns, is going to hit hard. That seems to be a popular description for these early stages but let's dig into the details. The teams can get CPs in any order (a rogaine). Inspired by a stage in last year's Raid Bimbache in Morocco, teams must get a minimum 13 points not to be penalised. Some CPs are worth more than others. This terrain has trails, and it's not yet in the high Berg - they aren't ascending the escarpment though they can see it, but there are still over 2000m of gain in 50km. Time estimates are 10 to 24hrs. Those are the basics, here is the reality: last night, Jabberwock and Gymcity AR had a challenge just leaving the parking lot. Admittedly that was during the night, but they each spent about 10 minutes trying to work out how to exit the TA, "walking in frikkin' circles"! Look at the topo map. Everything is up or downhill. Lots of contour lines. Depending on route choice, teams can easily be cliffed out going off piste - see Training System (4) near CP25. Lots of probing looking for a way down, which slows pace significantly. Add to that teams navigating at night and it's not so pretty. You can't just stick to trails either, if you're getting a full 13 points. Take 2-pointer CP15: approaching it from the west is fine, on a great path, but on the eastern/southern side, the pain kicks in. When placing the CPs, Damon and Franco were averaging 5km/h on the stage, but that eastern/southern bit saw them do 2km in 3 hours(!), and that was in daylight, following a GPS. We're talking thorns tearing at you, baby-head grass clumps that are ankle breakers, big ferns, water, which valley am I in - really rough going. And because it's high value, you can bet teams will be gunning for it, making great time, only to be hit by the baseball bat of reality. Or cricket bat, since we're in South Africa. Overall, the section between CP15 and 19 is rough, wildly overgrown since the original scouting trips, and therefore going to be quite a surprise for teams who head that way. Kirsten Oliver Photography has some beautiful pics here, but that's not telling the whole story. Live tracking: ea26.maprogress.com/ @alpineheathresort @pigglywigglymidlands @dargleforestlodge @hebronhaven @merrellsa @radbag.co.za @squirtcyclingproducts @foreverfresh.sa @bikebox.company @freedomchallenge @drakensbergbrewery @pigglywigglycoffeeshop #expafrica2026 #adventureracing #iamanadventureracer #arworldseries @arworldseries @arwsafrica @sleepmonstersdotcom @Francoolivier @ddeboor

Teams are now properly into the paddle of stage 2, and thanks to the sluices being opened, the teams have a great flow to speed them through this 34km kayak. The estimates are that it will take teams 4-7hrs, including the short trek from the paddle take-out back to the start at Piggly Wiggly, to receive new maps for MTB stage 3. If the teams look light on gear, it's because these opening 2 stages don't require teams to carry all mandatory equipment, but will need to so for stages 3 onwards. Live tracking: ea26.maprogress.com/ @alpineheathresort @pigglywigglymidlands @dargleforestlodge @hebronhaven @merrellsa @radbag.co.za @squirtcyclingproducts @foreverfresh.sa @bikebox.company @freedomchallenge @drakensbergbrewery @pigglywigglycoffeeshop #expafrica2026 #adventureracing #iamanadventureracer #arworldseries

#Day7 of #arwc2023 Placements of teams on their way to the finish line at #CapeStFrancisResort #kouga #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan #ECYours2Explore

2023 Adventure Racing World Championship finish line awaits instagram.com/reel/CyxPxxWoS… #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan #ECYours2Explore

Placements of the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championship has changed a bit from Day 5 to #Day6 #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan #ECYours2Explore

Team Brazil Multisport at TA8 📷 Enrique Blanco #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan #ECYours2Explore

#Day5 of #arwc2023 and some teams are on fire! Captivating and inspiring visuals depicting astounding performances, courageous efforts, and displays of fortitude and perseverance by teams striving just to get to the end. Thank you to all media involved sharing the journeys of the teams! #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan #ECYours2Explore

#Day5 scenes en route through rugged terrains #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

23 October #Day5 of the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championship #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

Looking great! #Day5 of #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

#Day5 of #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

22 October …#Day4 of #arwc2023 highlights of teams’ experiences and endurance #arworldseries #expafrica #kouga #expeditionracing #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

Unbelievable endurance from all teams participating in the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championship #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort

The teams are going strong and moving on #Day4 #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #stanleybrand #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort #Nissan

#Day4 First 4 teams of #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort

#arwc2023 race is staged over a vast area of the Eastern Cape incorporating mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, the sea, wilderness areas, nature reserves, and farms. Teams keep moving day-and-night in this non-stop expedition race format. #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginsider #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort

Teams pushing through despite the weather! #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters #endorphinmag #adventureracinginside #arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort

Thank you to all #arwc2023 partners supporting the 2023 Adventure Racing World Championship. An event of this magnitude is only made possible with partners and stakeholders supporting it. #merrell #merrellsa

#Team400 Simon Faragher’s words about the kayak: “That's an old Fluid kayak. A classic Synergy. The 4x4 of South African rivers” #arwc2023 #arworldseries #expafrica #expafrica2023 #adventureracing #kougamunicipality #carrerasdeaventura #raidnature #raidaventure #raidmultisport #merrell #merrellsa #squirtcyclingproducts #bikeboxcompany #outthereusa #garmin #mrspackrafting #ardarkzone #sleepmonsters @endorphinmag @adventureinside @arearaider #SarahBaartmanDistrictMunicipality #CapeStFrancisResort