The Swazi Frontier

Compulsory kit

This list is not aimed at adding unnecessary ballast as you tackle the hills but is for your own safety due to the remote and inaccessible nature of the terrain.

Every rider must carry on all stages:

Bike odometer essential for navigation;
Hydration system with minimum capacity of 2 litres per rider with energy drink mixes. The Swazi valleys can get extremely hot. You will be able to top up at the daily water point;
Food the average winning time is around 4 hours per day so slower riders can expect 6 to 7 hours in the saddle. Be sensible and rather carry too much food and don’t get caught short. Limited snacks such as bread, muffins etc may be available from breakfast each day and there will also be some snacks available at the daily water points;
Passport (essential in case we need to get you to a SA hospital urgently);
Medical aid card (in case hospital treatment is required);
Credit card;
E100 (R100) for emergency transport hire.

Each team must carry on all stages:

Cell phone (with either Swazi SIM card or international roaming) in waterproof zip lock bag;
Bike repair kit including hanger, chain breaker, chain links and pins, tubes, puncture repair kit, multi tool, tyre levers, tyre patch, cable ties, duct tape, chain lube;
Bike pump;
Route instruction sheets will be provided by us and should be kept handy for continual reference. Many novel systems have been devised to attach the laminated A5 route instruction sheets;
First aid kit (including sufficient strapping);
Space blanket.

Recommended kit for overnight stops

Each rider is restricted to 1 bag for all kit (ie clothing and bike equipment) which may not exceed 80cm x 40cm x 40cm. We will transport kit bags to each overnight venue. We cannot accept additional crates, boxes or any loose items due to limited transport.

We recommend that you pack into your bag:

Towel (compulsory);
Change of clothes for overnight venue (including swimwear as all overnight venues have pools);
Waterproof top (one suitable to ride in);
Personal toiletries;
Cash for the bar;
Torch/head torch;
Additional bike tools for major repairs (spare brake pads/blocks);
Additional energy/recovery supplements.

Bike Spares

There will not be a bike repair shop so it is essential that you focus on your bike preparation before the race and bring along adequate spares because you need to be self-sufficient. We strongly recommend that you bring along too many spares rather than too few. There is no need to carry them all on the ride just so long as they are available to you at the overnight stops. Below is our recommended list: