Chairman’s Report – FatTracks AGM 2025

Dear Fellow FatTracks Club Members and Supporters,

Final Year as Chairman

This is my last report after four rewarding years.

I’m pleased to hand over FatTracks in excellent health. The trails are looking great, we have corporate sponsors committed through 2027, along with more monthly donors coming on board, and strong membership support.

Today, we have more people than ever enjoying our FatTracks Mountain Bike Club / Baakens Valley Adventure Trails – mountain biking, trail running, hiking, dog walking and birdwatching.

This growth reflects our community’s need for safe, accessible outdoor recreation.

2025 Club Activities

• Major club outride from Norm Hudlin to Windfarm (50+ riders)
• Weekly Tuesday rides expanded to three groups: Newbies, Intermediate, and EB
• Thursday afternoon Crit-X at our club facility
• Conservation hike and information session with Graham Taylor (well attended)
• WESSA conservation initiatives removing alien plant species
• Active WhatsApp Banter group for members to organise rides

Volunteers Needed:

• Herald Cycle Tour, MTB & Road Races 2026
• Astron Energy Run
• CycloPro FatTracks Longmore Classic (30 November 2025 – https://longmoreclassic.co.za/ )

Recruit New Members:

Membership fees are vital for trail maintenance. Please encourage friends and family to join and experience the joy of our Baakens Valley trails.

Meet your 2026 FatTracks Committee!

Left to right: Brenton van Waltsleben – Trail Maintenance & Infrastructure (supported by Jared Loenen, Ivor Smith & Stefan Oosthuizen), William Craven – Marketing, Member & Community Engagement, Johan Gerryts – Treasurer & Financial Management, Ian Olivier – Sponsorships & Partnerships, Scott Woods – CSA club rep & XCO events liaison, Hettie Van Vuuren – Merchandising & Events, Marius Olivier – Chairman, Jared Loenen – Supporting Trail Maintenance & Infrastructure

Absent from pic:  Claire Warneke – Admin & Communications, Andrea van Holdt – Environmental Stewardship, Marcel Combrinck – Security & Risk

Thank you to our Sponsors

• Continental SA – Generous continued support through 2027 (thanks to Ryan Visagie)
• Waudcray – Mark and Catherine Waudby (FT Life Members)
• Steel Pipes & Fittings
• City Paint and Tool
• CycloPro
• IPC Properties
• Plastic Rebuilders
• Billson Trucks
• Pam Golding
• Springwell
• IMB Adventures
• CTM

Special thanks to Norm Hudlin Trails for hosting our AGMs free of charge. Please support this facility by spreading the word.

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In Conclusion

I’m stepping down as chairman on a high note, confident that the incoming committee will take FatTracks to new heights, serving the wider trail user community of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Thank you to my fellow committee members for four years of support.

Hats off to Joseph Jozman and Nedson Mangonyo for excellent trail maintenance, and to Johan Westaard and his team for grass cutting and trimming.

Special thanks also to Ms. Busisiwe Mlonzi-vezile from the NMBM Directorate of Public Health’s Department of Environmental Management for her support and encouragement towards FatTracks and what we do for the wider NMB community in the Baakens Valley. 

Let’s work together to overcome challenges, embrace opportunities, and create a brighter future for our club. Support our club’s incoming committee in whatever manner you can.

Wishing you and your loved ones the best for the festive season and the year ahead.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Pieter Labuschagne Chairman, FatTracks Mountain Bike Club

Some photos from the AGM below… thank you Sam for the pics!