Mountain bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
9 Day Tour: 6 days riding, 2 days transfer, and 1 rest day
This option has more of a traditional tour approach, covering greater distances each day. The routes are mostly jeep track and gravel roads, and you will even have the chance to ride sections previously used by the Absa Cape Epic, offering some of the best training for multi-stage races. Experience South African hospitality at its best with fantastic local cuisine at B&Bs and restaurants a bit off the beaten track.
Day 1: Arrive/Transfer and Bike Build
If time permits, we can do a short ride to test your bike and sample what’s to come.
Overnight in Hermanus
Day 2: Hermanus to Hermanus via Black Eagle
The route offers marathon-style riding along mainly district roads (variable surface gravel roads, between one and two lanes wide), with some jeep track thrown in for good measure. The ride takes us through some working farms with stunning scenery, plentiful birdlife, and even a chance of spotting a buck. A tough day in the saddle, so be sure to take enough water and we’ll provide a snack or two en route.
Level: Easy, with one spot of technical riding
Overnight in Hermanus
Day 3: Kleinmond via Botriver
Today’s ride starts off on good gravel roads that will warm the legs up for the main climb of the day. The climb is a long, fairly loose, sandy jeep track which takes us along a route that has been used more than once by the Absa Cape Epic. Once at the top we head to some of the best single track in Grabouw, along a route known only to a few locals. We finish the day with a fast but rocky jeep track descent into the Palmiet River valley and on to the sleepy coastal town of Kleinmond.
Level: Medium; valley trail has one or two hard technical sections
Overnight in Hermanus
Day 4: Oak Valley
A shorter day, but loads of fun on some of the best flowing single track in the country, with plenty of bridges, stiles, and little jumps to keep the kid in us happy. From fast-flowing descents and bermed corners to leg-burning power climbs, Oak Valley’s purpose-made trails will have you wondering why you can’t do this all day.
Level: Medium, with optional hard technical sections
Overnight in Ceres
Day 5: Eselfontein
Who knew there could be so much continuous flowing single track in one ride? An awesome day’s riding in a very dry area with alternating rocky and hard pack trails.
Level: Medium to hard technical sections
Overnight in Ceres
Day 6: Rest Day and Transfer to Swellendam
After a relaxed, scenic drive through the countryside there is a chance to stop for some wine tasting and a slow lunch on the banks of the Breede River.
Overnight in Swellendam
Day 7: Swellendam to Witsand via Malgas Pont
Don’t take this predominantly downhill ride lightly. The 90 km ride on district roads and, unlike the Day 5, good bunch skills will definitely be beneficial. Two-thirds of the way into the ride we get a short break when we catch a ride on one of the few operational ponts across the mighty Breede River. Once on the other side, we have a quick 40 km ride to the peaceful seaside holiday town of Witsand (white sand) at the mouth of the Breede River.
Level: Non-technical riding
Overnight in Witsand
Day 8: Bredasdorp to Salmonsdam
The day starts with a short but scenic transfer before we get down to some serious riding. Today’s riding terrain is very similar to that of Day 7. We’ll take in some stunning scenery, as we eat up the first couple of kilometres on good district road. Just outside the town of Elim, the approaching mountains mean only one thing, and as we start to get closer to Salmonsdam there are a couple of climbs that will test already tired legs.
Level: Non-technical riding but strenuous
Overnight in Stanford and enjoy a farewell dinner on the African Queen, a river barge on the Stanford River.
Day 9: Transfer/DepartPack bikes and transfer.