Meet the team behind BreakAway Rides.
All our skills coaches are internationally qualified BICP instructors.
Katja Steenkamp
Founder, Skills Coach & Tour Guide
Things have to move for Katja—ideally fast. With a deep love for ultra-endurance racing, she completed the eye-watering 12,000 km Tour d’Afrique from Cairo to Cape Town in 2016, and two years later, pedaled up Mount Kilimanjaro. These days, she stays fit chasing after her 3-year-old and keeps things sharp with local Enduro races.
Katja is a certified Mountain Bike Guide and BICP Skills Instructor, with over 20 years of experience across disciplines. She’s podiumed in Enduro, XCO, Ultra-Distance, Adventure, and Multi-Stage races.
She loves the unexpected, new experiences, and connecting with people from all walks of life. “As a coach and business owner, I get to connect with so many different types of people every single day and it’s the most rewarding aspect of our work to see the smile on our students faces, when they accomplish something they didn’t think is possible. After 10 years I am still so thankful for the opportunity to get to live my dream together with my team!
Want to learn more? Visit www.katjasteenkamp.com
Thomas Rood
Skills Coach, MTB Tour Guide Product Sales
Born and raised in Cape Town, Thomas discovered cycling at the age of 15 when he was introduced to road cycling followed by mountain biking a year later as the sport was slowly emerging in South Africa in the 90’s.
Since then he has completed over 20 Cape Town CycleTours, represented South Africa at an MTB World Cup and Master’s World Championship level and even attended an Enduro World Series event in 2018. Travelling to remote riding destinations with his bike has always been a passion of his and in just the past few years he has ventured abroad a number of times to explore the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Mauritius and Reunion by bike.
Eager to help others experience the joy of riding a bike, Thomas is a patient and experienced teacher, offering help wherever he can and imparting a wealth of knowledge in the hope that others can benefit from the friendships, fitness and pure enjoyment that the sport can offer.
He focuses on creating a learning environment that builds learner’s confidence through natural skills progression in a playful and relaxed way that encourages fun and exploration above all else!
Alan Snelling
Skills Coach & Mountain Bike Tour Guide
Alan is a certified BICP skills instructor with over 37 years of mountain biking experience—a true pioneer of the sport in South Africa. He completed his first Cape Epic in 2004 and has since taken on most of the country’s top multi-stage events, including Sani2C, Wines2Whales, Berg & Bush, and the Magalies Monster.
In 2018 and 2019, Alan earned Western Province colours in the Cross Country Marathon Grand Masters Category, proving that grit and passion don’t fade with age.
These days, you’re more likely to find Alan on the trails than the race circuit—sharing his wealth of experience and skills with fellow riders. He’s especially passionate about helping more seasoned mountain bikers rediscover the thrill of riding, showing that with age, the fun is only just beginning.
Joe Nesbitt
KZN & WP Downhill Champion | SA Representative – UCI World Champs 1996 | Coach and Tour Guide at BA since 2024
My name’s Joe, and I’ve been living life in the fast lane—literally—since the mid-90s. As the KZN and Western Province Downhill Champion back in the day, I had the honour of representing South Africa at the 1996 UCI World Championships in Cairns, Australia. That was before Greg Minnaar became the GOAT—he was just a junior on our Schick Cannondale Race Team back then. So yes, I’m used to working with kids… and watching them become legends!
Over the years, I’ve completed countless multi-day stage races like Sani2C, Wines2Whales, The U, and the Knysna 200. I’ve tackled over 21 Cape Town Cycle Tours and 4 or 5 Double Centuries—and I’m not slowing down anytime soon. These days, it’s all about keeping the fun alive on the bike.
I’m passionate about sharing that joy with the next generation. I’ve spent several years working with kids at SACS and have been proudly coaching with Bike Academy since 2024. Whether it’s helping young riders build confidence or guiding them down their first singletrack, I’m all about creating stoke and sharing the ride.
After all, life’s going downhill… fast—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bradley Stow
Skills Coach
Brad is a BICP qualified skills coach with over 25 years of riding experience in a wide range of disciplines including Downhill, Enduro, Dirt jumping, XCO, BMX and stage racing. Brad loves sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience catering to any age or skill level, particularly focusing on jumps of all types, and learning how to flow smoothly and effortlessly.
Nicole Murphy
Skills Coach
Nicole believes it’s all about extracting as much fun from life as possible, and there is no better place to learn about yourself and life than on your mountainbike! Her love for MTB began on the XCO cross country racing circuit over 15 years ago, gaining invaluable skills on the bike, and this experience has fueled her passion to coach and guide new riders to the sport. She understands first hand what is needed to balance physical training, mental strength and skills, as well as never forgetting the importance of smiling all the way! She loves an adventure and when she is not on her bike, Nicole is often out surfing or doing yoga. She believes the community and connection created through this beautiful sport are a vital part, and loves the friendships and memories she has gained through riding her bike! Continually amazed by the universal language of bikes, Nicole enjoys using client’s experiences on mountain bikes as a metaphor for internal growth! She has a keen awareness for getting people out of their comfort zones with confidence and helping riders build a solid foundation of MTB skills to help riders quickly realize and share in the love of singletrack! Seeing the sense of accomplishment and joy in riders as they conquer a new skill or challenging obstacle is the greatest reward! She is certified with BICP.
Calin Nesbitt
Junior Coach | Gravity-Focused Rider & Racer
I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember. My dad was the one who first taught me, and from that moment, my love for two wheels has only grown.
Now at 19, I’m stoked to be sharing that passion with others. Coaching gives me the chance to help kids build confidence, learn new skills, and have fun in nature. There’s nothing better than seeing a big smile after a great ride. Being part of that journey—watching their love for cycling grow—is something truly special.
Julian Oosthuizen
AKA “Lil Julian” | Junior Coach | Gravity-Focused Rider & Racer
I’m a dedicated gravity rider and racer, currently competing in the Western Cape Downhill and Enduro series—with multiple podium finishes under my belt!
My favourite track? The Pietermaritzburg Downhill course—pure speed and flow. Favourite trail network? Definitely Jonkershoek, for its world-class terrain.
I honed most of my riding skills with BreakAway Rides through regular weekly sessions, and now I’m stoked to give back as a coach. I love working with kids—because they’re the future of the sport. Helping them ride safely, have fun, and grow their confidence is what it’s all about for me.
• Ride Guide Qualifications •
