Adventure and Travel

Trail Daze | Bobsledding down Welvanpas

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 17 comments

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Back on home soil after exploring some fine trails up North. We headed out to a destination that needs no real introduction. Known simply as Welvanpas, the trail network merely originates on the farm, but actually spans across six farms in the greater Bainskloof area.

Naturally when covering such a large expanse, you can expect a wide variety of surroundings and surfaces, ranging from overgrown, ferny river trails and orchards to pine forests and exposed single track running down from the foot of the Hawequas mountains. Riders of above average fitness will enjoy these trails most, as some of the more rewarding and scenic sections of this trail network only start after 550m of relentless climbing.

ccs-38514-0-13196800-1460116559.jpg4 of us with 4 bikes on the R44 en route to Wellington.

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ccs-38514-0-01809700-1460116582.jpgHeading out towards Doolhof to ride some river trails before taking on the long climb up towards the Full Monty.

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ccs-38514-0-59552600-1460116599.jpgThis part of the trail features fast, narrow hard packed single track traversing the hillside along the Kromrivier, heading down towards the orchards.

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A massive mountainous backdrop, huge climbs, never ending singletrack and trails to suit (almost) every type of rider – these are the things that come to mind when I prepare for a day out at Welvanpas. It’s also one of the last places in the area you can blast through pine forest and trail builder Pieter van Wyk has done an incredible job with the flow of these trails! The trails North of Bainskloof Pass are more XC oriented and pass through beautiful, remote areas of protea filled fynbos. The trails South of the pass make great use of the gravity on offer and have incredible flow through the pine plantations and the ridiculously fast and loose descent down ‘Cool runnings’ is the perfect way to end the ride!
Daniel Dobinson | iRideAfrica

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ccs-38514-0-25969200-1460116692.jpgFurther down the river side trail, you enter a ‘Jurassic Park’ like world of ivy covered poplars reaching for the skies.

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ccs-38514-0-91089800-1460116709.jpgContrasting surroundings as you leave the lush green riverside shrubbery, and head up towards the more harsh and unforgiving Hawequas Mountains. It’s a long and steep climb and not to be underestimated, especially during summer months – so make sure you fill up those hydration packs.

ccs-38514-0-22114900-1460116732.jpg
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ccs-38514-0-12325300-1460116715.jpgThe reward is worth the climb as you drop into Full Monty for some super fast, rocky, pine-needle covered single track goodness.

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Blasting down endless single track on the MTB express train, the evening sun piercing the trees and flashing on your eyes. Dust assaulting your nostrils, you’re breathing heavy, chasing that wheel in front of you. Mates, bikes, flowing trails, Roti, Beers. Welvanpas never disappoints.
Julien Louw

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ccs-38514-0-31415000-1460116811.jpgExiting the forest en route to Cool Runnings.

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Spontaneity is the spice of life… Wanna go riding? Yes! This afternoon… we’re pressed for time. Cool, let’s do it… where? Welvanpas. Sweet I’m on my way. How many of us? Four… can we fit the bikes in your car? Ya, I’ll make a plan, no problem. Awesome, we’ll bring food and beer. No excuses, no hassles, no complaints, no delays, just awesome company, awesome trails, focused hard work, and all-round make-it-happen positivity. This is the mountain bike culture I live for, and every experience like this enriches life so much more than “just another ride in the forests”.
Harry Millar

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ccs-38514-0-54008000-1460117930.jpgDropping into Cool Runnings with some sublime single track on the way back down to the Welvanpas trail center.

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ccs-38514-0-59962300-1460118034.jpgBombing down Cool Runnings in the last rays of the day, dissecting wild Protea fields with the majestic Hawequas mountain towering above you… yes please.

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This project is made possible by:

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GPS: 33°37’59.1″S 19°04’10.5″E

Permit: R40

All images by Ewald Sadie

instagram:

@ewaldsadie

Riders : Daniel Dobinson | Julien Louw | Harry Millar

Stay tuned to Bike Hub for more Trail Daze coming soon…

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Comments

KarlvN

Apr 25, 2016, 6:07 AM

Sublime.

 

just

 

 

 

Sublime.

T-Bag68

Apr 25, 2016, 6:15 AM

Fab Pics again Ewald... 

Guest

Apr 25, 2016, 7:15 AM

Radness !!

Lone_Ranger

Apr 25, 2016, 9:23 AM

Now why post all of this awesomeness on a Monday?? Lucky we have a free day on Wednesday so I don't have to wait a whole week to get on the trails again.

 

Awesome article and pics!!! Got to get up there again.

'Dale

Apr 25, 2016, 9:38 AM

Awesomeness

nonky

Apr 25, 2016, 10:27 AM

Another great review! 

Great pics too.

BDF

Apr 25, 2016, 1:07 PM

Double thumbs up!

Andre_MTB

Apr 25, 2016, 6:15 PM

Boland, jou lekker ding.

Haas_Das

Apr 28, 2016, 11:42 AM

We met the trail builder, Pieter van Wyk, and his wife at the Welvanpas Coffee Shop after our first ride there - what a humble and amazing couple!  Thanks Pieter for the fantastic trails and hours of fun that you offer us mountain bikers!  Remember to try some of the wines produced by Dan and Retha Retief, the owners of Welvanpas (after your ride, of course!).  Also, Welvanpas is included in the 2016 Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club annual membership.

ByronH

Apr 29, 2016, 10:55 AM

Wow that looks incredible... damn you Cape, you so far away

BlackSnow

May 4, 2016, 8:19 PM

Seems I have a trail to go explore this weekend. Thanks for the great review.

mtb impi

May 4, 2016, 11:22 PM

YEEEEAH MAN!!!

 

that is what it is all about

Eldron

May 5, 2016, 4:38 AM

Best bike park in SA - that place is mind blowing.

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

May 5, 2016, 4:48 AM

Went there for the first time on Sunday. Brilliant place. Definitely on my favourite trail list. Such variety.

MTBeer

May 5, 2016, 5:49 AM

Went there for the first time on Sunday. Brilliant place. Definitely on my favourite trail list. Such variety.

am I allowed to say this? - I prefer Welvanpas to Jonkers :ph34r:

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

May 5, 2016, 5:51 AM

am I allowed to say this? - I prefer Welvanpas to Jonkers :ph34r:

Gasp!

banna

May 5, 2016, 6:08 AM

am I allowed to say this? - I prefer Welvanpas to Jonkers :ph34r:

What madness you speak? :-)

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