Events

FNB W2W announces Stage Two route

· By Press Office · 1 comment

Affectionately known as Play Day, Event Organizers are proud to announce that the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Events Stage Two route will be the source of even more excitement in 2016.

The only stage to start and finish at the same venue, Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw), riders will need to complete a 64km route that features a 1400 climb.

ccs-62657-0-47036300-1476791008.jpgA mountain biker navigating his way over Raka, one of the many exciting bridges at the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre Bike Park. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg

According to Michael Meyer, FNB W2W MTB Director, the Stage Two experience is guaranteed to leave all riders with lasting memories. “Stage Two has become a highlight for many riders with its fun and sometimes out-of-the-ordinary features. Together with the support of our sponsors we are proud to continue enhancing the fun factor and look forward to seeing the excitement that this Stage brings to the sport of mountain biking.”

Stage Two Route Information:

“Magnificent bridge features, contour single track, the KROMCO-PERI Play Park and the Paul Cluver Amphi Bike Park are iconic to W2W’s Play Day,” says Johan Kriegler, FNB W2W MTB Director. “My advice is to listen to your heartbeat just after the start and when going up the first climb. Learn how to ride switchbacks and if you’re afraid of heights, you might want to see a hypnotist beforehand to get that sorted. When experiencing Raka at the Paul Cluver Amphi Bike Park, don’t brake at the downhill entrance. The feature is designed to allow the downhill speed to carry you effortlessly on the up. It’s called free riding.”

Summary:

Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance: 64km
Climb: 1400m

From the start at Oak Valley Wine Estate a short, steep climb will shake up the bunch. The distance to Water Point 1 has been extended from 12km to 15km at Glen Elgin. The first 25km is fairly fast with regular ups and downs. Riders access Oak Valley higher than ever. Another signature contour experience, Waterfall, has been added. The trail maintains the height by running along and into a cliff, crossing at the waterfall with a slight ascent, creating a new and exciting downhill. Further along the Oak Valley trails a similar feature has been added, named Edge, the steepest cliff that W2W has ever built against. This feature is constructed with steel pegs and stacked logs to secure the trail in mid-air. A moderate and long climb will see riders cross over from Oak Valley Wine Estate to Paul Cluver Wine Estate.

The climb into Paul Cluver has been extended to link up with a new flowing downhill section that leads into Witklippieskloof (3rd contour trail). A fast gravel road links Witklippies to Water Point 2, 28km into the stage at the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre. The fun intensifies after the Amphitheatre with well-known MTB features such as Raka, Swing, Ark, Cobra (switch-backs), Mamba, Boomslang (4th contour trail), Pofadder (5th contour trail), Jakkels, Pine Singles (now with dual and cross-overs) and the Berms. Paul Cluver is exited with yet another noticeable climb into Lebanon. Water Point 3 is at the Lebanon Crech, 46km into the stage. This is a water only stop. From here gravel roads and short singles will take riders into Thandi, to Water Point 4 at 51km. From here riders will climb via the Switchback singles, meander along more singles before entering the KROMCO-PERI Bike Park.

In 2014 the KROMCO-PERI Bike Park was a double storey. In 2015 more singles were added to Stage Two, as a result the bike park became a single storey feature. In 2016 the KROMCO-PERI Bike Park has been upgraded to a triple storey feature with the highest level being between 6 – 8m above ground.

The final 10km stretch towards the Oak Valley Wine Estate is easier, faster and more flowing than last year. A new section, the Cow Trail, has been added. The beautiful Oak Lane single will guide riders to the finish.

Download the Stage Two Route Map here: http://wines2whales.co.za/rider/route-2/

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Comments

PhilipV

Oct 20, 2016, 9:46 AM

I rode Edge yesterday. It's a nice bench cut trail and it's obvious that a hell of a lot of time went into it.

It has a bit of a pointless bridge at the entry that might cause a little bottle neck. But pointless bridges are a bit of a W2W trademark so riders will be used to it by day2 and hopefully have enough confidence to ride it then.

It's obvious on OV that the trail fairies are busy. W2W riders are in for a treat.

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