Jeeptrek

A lot more technical single track than the Oyster festival. The Oyster festival has long climbs. I would put them on the same level of toughness with maybe the Eden Classic the tougher one.

The route was changed a bit this year. Very tough. This is some of the best scenery around. The trails are rough and the climbs hectic - especially Snake Valley. It was my 9th Cherry Festival MTB in 10 years - I try not to miss it.

My best knowledge is that there is a small change to the MTB-route. About 4 km gravel road is excluded and 4km additional single track were added at stuck in the mud and Brandkop areas (40 to 60km)

Have a look on Facebook pages of Founties Mounties and Tokkie Wheelers. Those looking for some single track - there is about 5 kilometers on the top of Brandkop (Pellissier) that can be combined with the Brandkop raceway dirt tracks and to the south for about 15km in total.

Quite a few options for rides from Great Brak/Tegrniet although it will be on secondary gravel roads. Still worth doing it as there are quite a few steep descends/ascends to the river valleys. I can think of the following : Botlierskop road Fredenheim west of Great Brak (spelling?) Out on the gravel pass north west of Great Brak (turn-off at the Spar in Great Brak) - combine it on the road that pass the Wolwedans-dam at the western side. Straight on from Klein-Brak past Botlierskop turn-off - choose your return road as you wish. Turn left from Klein-Brak tar road just past the Botlierskop turn-off and continue through to Oudsthoorn road (Brandwag I think) Most of the times I return to Klein-Brak and continue along the river & coast to Kusweg in Reebok/Tergniet.

I am riding a VT2 since June 2004- about 18 hours a month. My opinion is that it is a very capable bike and I can reccomend it. It still has the original brake system and rear shock. The suspension bearings were replaced twice. Apart from normal shock and drivetrain maintenance no problems. What is a good price? Depends on the condition. My price in June 04 was R15 500 (Minute shock in front). I would not easily pay more than R5 000 unless drivetrain and front shock is as good as new.

The first one I tick off on my list each year - a good mix of two mountains, singletrack, Eastern Free State dirt roads and a festival afterwards. Worth the effort!!

I would use only Garmins (or Polar etc) with a barometer to create a profile. Normal GPS elevation measurements are not accurate enough. Garmin Edge 305 and Polar 72? do have a barometer, Garmin Forerunner, Quest etc don't have. I can't comment on accuracy of software to calculate elevation.