Goosebay

Weather predictions are looking very good - rain this weekend and then the 21st - perfect. There is quite a lot happening so will be good to make a weekend of it. There are some municipal cottages on the lagoon (Uilenkraal) as well as camping. Loads of B&B's in town and surrounds. Other camping sites - Strandskloof and the Gansbaai campsite next to the harbour. Saxon Lodge offering 20% on the festival weekend. The prizes are cash except for the 65km which is a night at Grootbos (you will be riding though it so hopefully that will be enough to inspire you and to see the value attached to the prize - awesome place)

Last photos! Of the 65km http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/sun%2000.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/sun%2001.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/sun%2004.jpg

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/grootbos.jpg Chill spot after the last major climb - enjoy the view and the mostly downhill home!

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/flowervalley%20pan.jpg View of the finish - 65km route

Work on the trails progressing nicely http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/20160903_111521.jpg The pincushions and heather very special at the moment - views as always! http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/20160903_112811.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq8sTiGPCwc Above is a short video of the final loop. The Avoca downhills are missing from this video - you can watch them here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imaUNhOu4ns The 65km is hardcore - it offers a unique riding experience for the fit rider. Good climbs on all kinds of surfaces, awesome views and downhills, and single track you won't experience anywhere else!

Some photos of the new venue - should be good! http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/27082016venue.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/27082016venue1.jpg

Yes it is Eben - but we approach it from the 215 (old descent) side, much more manageable. Next time you are here we must ride it - pity you can't make the 24th

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/20082016%20tower.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/20082016%20tower1.jpg

Isn't it nice to know that you will be going down this side instead of up. The new climb is much more manageable http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/20082016%20tower1.jpg

Did a little test ride yesterday - quickly knocked together a short video of the 65km first major climb and downhill https://youtu.be/i-2iF85I9xA

You will enjoy the 46km, it will be hard but very rewarding. The only really sandy bit is just before you get the last descent down to the finish at Flowervalley, but we hope to have that sorted come September.

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/carnivore.jpg Found a couple of these flesh eating beauties on the trail this weekend (http://fynbosfarm.co.za/fynbos-various-2.html for more info )

The conservancy has managed to raise funds to employ 4 unemployed youngsters from the local community to work on the tracks. This year we will clean and upgrade the single track and for next build some new bits. As the route is so different this year it will be very new for those who have done this event before. Event profits are channeled to the little flower valley school for the little ones in the area.

So the routes are not manicured - but we do have some really fun bits. Most of the riding is on twee spoor - but not often used and the bossie kapper leaves one side open and throws the cut twigs etc on the other side - so only one side is ride-able. There are two nice climbing single track sections, a few down tracks and a couple of scenic sections. For the more adventurous there are some downhills that will need serious concentration if you ride them fast. They are very ride-able though if you take them easy and control your speed. All the jumps are rollable - but can give you good air time if you hit them at speed. http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/46%20001.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/46%20002.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/46%20005.jpg http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/46%20004.jpg

If you draw a lazy flipped C on the photo above you get the first major climb on the 65km route - to the just visible hut at the top from just behind the hill in front. The climb is long, but much more gentle than last year - seeing you still have one more mountain after this :-)

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/view.jpg With the estuary mouth closed we have incredible bird life - a large flock of flamingos and a few avocets. We have also spotted the resident martial eagles during the last month.

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/News%20pictures/fynbos.jpg Just a reminder how beautiful these surroundings are - not only the fynbos flower and bird variety, but also the changing scenery as you ride - from mountain views to sea views - to glimpses of afromontane forests.

Bredasdorp and Elim has some very nice trails - quite a bit of single track. Best to speak to Naas Vermaak, he has a bike shop on the Bredasdorp main road, or visit the Southern Foundation website. Even remnants of a bmx track (might have been restored?)

There are periodic updates on this website http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/Updates%202013.html

This is the last descent on the long route http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/70km%20end.jpg

Both the longer routes will enjoy this fun piece - should be familiar to some by now http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/single%20track.jpg

Some of the bits you'll be riding on the long route http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/News%20pictures/new%20descent.jpg

new venue http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jcl/2016/venue.jpg