Event Name: The "X" MTB Eastern Cape When: 9 September 2014 - 13 September 2014 Where: Grahamstown Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape Category: MTB ENTRIES OPEN ON 5 FEBRUARY 2014 START/FINISH: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Daily distances to follow shortly but averaging at 70-80km per day. This will be the most incredible mountain biking you will experience. 5 fantastic days of cycling on rarely used pristine Eastern Cape mountain tracks, through 6 private game reserves and remote areas you may never have known of before. Great hospitality, quaint historical little towns, unbelievable cycling and comfortable accommodation awaits you. During my scouting rides in this region in Dec 2013, I saw more game than I saw during a 5 day trip to the Kalahari ! See the scouting images. Some of these do include other images of my trip down to the Eastern Cape but many others include the actual routes. The images are on our FB page. 8 September – Monday – Arrive in Grahamstown. Sort out bikes, route planning and briefing, dinners and Q&A session over a beer or 2. 9 September [Tuesday] Day 1: Grahamstown – Middleton. Riders will follow the old steam train route from Grahamstown via the Highlands Station along the ridge and ride through 2 game farms before arriving at the New Year’s Dam. Another short climb and then dropping into Alicedale town for lunch at Bushmans Lodge – 45km from Grahamstown and dropping about 900m in altitude whilst gaining only 300m! After lunch and leaving town, you will ride along very old and rarely used paths, tracks and farm roads through Boesmanspoort [bushmans Gorge] and arrive at the hamlet of Middleton – an historic place from a bygone era. Overnight spot. 10 September [Wednesday] Day 2: Middleton – Somerset East. After a hearty breakfast, the route follows the dirt road out via Bloemhof farm to Somerset East. Plenty of game on this section as well. A decent climb during the middle part of the post lunch section will ensure a healthy appetite later. Shortly before Somerset East, riders will follow the old rail route into town and to “The Hub” where you will be allocated your place for the night and not before you’ve enjoyed a well deserved dinner at this relaxed spot facing the indigenous forest slopes of the nearby Boschberg – you’ll be in it the next day! 11 September [Thursday] Day 3: Somerset East – Bedford. Boschberg mtb trails awaits after breakfast at the “Hub” on the edge of town. It would be criminal not to let you experience some of these awesome trails. We’ll take you onto the 10km circular, single track trail after a nice, short climb on the green route. After that, you’ll leave town via fire break path and climb the “Patrys Hoogte” pass – a spectacular climb will lead you to a long descent into the valleys of Glen Burnie farm. Like most of the riding, this section is also stunningly beautiful! Game abounds! Crossing the Great Fish River, the route takes you on a 25km loop into the the Baviaansriver Valley outside Bedford. The town of Bedford will welcome you! 12 September [Friday] Day 4: Bedford – Woodlands Game Reserve. You’re in for a game ride of note! This section has an incredible variety of game and plenty of it! You will also be privileged to traverse through eZulu – a 33000 hectare private game reserve. Expect to see any of the buck species, including giraffe, rhino, sable antelope, gemsbok, kudu, water buck, bushbuck and many other smaller species. Warthog abounds and will entertain you as they ran off, little tails in the air like radio antennas. The long climb to Riebeeck East will not be in vain. The views across the route you’ve just ridden will be a highlight before you top out. 13 September [saturday] Day 5: Woodlands Game Reserve – Grahamstown. Your ride will continue into the reserve and after crossing the Fish River again it won’t be long before you enter another Game Reserve before finishing Grahamstown for a hearty and well deserved lunch. We will also have a relaxed, informal “awards” ceremony. Expect the blues after this awesome expedition ride! This experience is one you will remember into another life! Teams of 2. You can be more together. Its about safety. Teams who wants to race can arrange with other similar minded teams to compete on route and decide if and when they want to set off every day. Narrative, maps and GPS tracks will be provided for each team/group for free download once youve entered Teams can leave for their ride at any time between 06h00 and 08h00 every day. The latter being the latest. On the last day to Grahamstown, we all must leave at 07h00. Teams will need to visit compulsory check points along the way. Riders will need to be self sufficient during each day’s riding unless indicated otherwise. Lunch packs will be provided by each overnight stay. Riders can also complement that with their own snacks/food/drinks. We will also transport overnight bags to each sleep over point. CATERING: Will be included ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: Will be included. Included in the entry fee: Accommodation for 5 nights. Chalets/Country Hotel/Cottages/Game Lodge. 5 dinners 5 lunches. 3 are take away/packed lunches for “on-the-trail” consumption 5 breakfasts Long sleeve Expedition shirt a Pair of Glider MTB glasses Branded tog bag Did we mention the sensory overload along the way? a Transformed you! Hilana Marais, sports massage expert will be on the trip to treat you to a massage, should you wish. Pre bookings and payment can be done directly with her. email : hilana marais <captainhilana@googlemail.com> ENTRY FEE: R7250 p/p ENTER ONLINE www.quantumadventures.co.za Go to Event Page
