Chase the Tide

Chase the Tide is the tougher of Follow the Tide's two private beach rides: a fully inclusive round trip from Durban that rides the coastline of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park all the way from Kosi Bay to Cape Vidal. Departures are timed to the spring low tides, when hard, rideable sand is exposed, and only one group rides each tide window. It is recommended for strong, experienced cyclists only.

After a night at Lodge Umusa in Kosi Bay, riders cross Kosi Lake by barge past 700-year-old fish traps, then ride 45 km of sand to a private dune-forest camp at Mabibi. A 25 km leg leads to Mseni Lodge at Sodwana Bay and an early night before the big day.

The final leg is 65 km of open beach to Cape Vidal, with real pace needed to stay ahead of the tide. The last night is spent camping at Cape Vidal, where wildlife often comes close, before the drive back to Durban through the park.

Highlights

• Barge crossing of Kosi Lake past 700-year-old fish traps, with a chance of hippos
• Riding the full coastline from Kosi Bay to Cape Vidal in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• A night at a private, off-grid camp in the Mabibi dune forest
• The challenging 65 km open-beach ride to Cape Vidal
• Camping at Cape Vidal, with wildlife often close around camp
• Wildlife sightings on the drive back through the park

Surface and terrain
Almost entirely beach riding on the hard sand exposed at spring low tide. Flat overall, but the 65 km final leg is open beach the whole way and exposed to headwinds. A standard mountain bike is all you need; a fat bike isn't required.

Weather
Subtropical coast: hot and humid in summer (November to March) with afternoon storms; mild, dry and sunny in winter (May to August). Coastal winds are common on the open beach.

Suitable for
Strong, experienced cyclists only. Riders need the fitness and pace for a 65 km day on open beach against the tide, back-to-back sand riding with no rest day, and to be comfortable camping without power or phone signal.