Search the Community

Definately on my bucket list so to speak, is to ride the To Hell & Back (two day event) one day. My attempt at showcasing Gamkaskloof "Die Hel" the way I saw it a week ago when we drove there (2nd time I've done this). The road was in much worse condition as before. Want to capture the whole stretch towards Elands Pass on video as best I could and limited time we had (more videos to follow), so sped up the video which you could easily pause if you want to have a better view of a certain point in time frame. Some valuable lessons learned regarding better shots I could have taken with the drone, would also like to invest in a 360 camera as well as a MUCH faster pc to render and edit more than a TB of video data! So I'll share it here for those who are interested or planning a ride or drive there. Huge respect to anyone who have ridden in and out of there!

DATES: 19 & 20 September 2019 (18 - 20/21/22 Sept, including return transport from Johannesburg/ Goerge Airport) VENUE: Prince Albert, Western Cape, South Africa ENTRIES CLOSE: 19 August 2019. First 15 entries gets a #BucketListRides riding shirt COSTS (share basis): (includes Getting there by road & 2 nights' accommodation) R 3 000 - R 6 000 (numbers depending) DISTANCE: 120 km (Day 1 = 60km; Day 2 = 60km) RIDE FORMAT: Social/ Adventure ride (share expenses - non- profit) with the backing of established people/bike transport & touring company (visit http://choicetours.biz/multisport/ ). Includes travel logistics/ services from/to Pretoria/ Johannesburg/ George (nearest commercial airport). E-bikes welcome; rentals available TERRAIN/ TRAIL COMPOSITION: Rough dirt Mountain passes (steep ascent/descent in places); Start and end at 764m elevation; highest point 1 583m VALUE ADDED: Bike mechanic & Support/ sweep vehicle with extra water DESCRIPTION: The awe-inspiring, historic Swartberg Pass seems a formidable barrier between 'groot' and 'klein' Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa, and the thought of crossing it leaves fear, or an exciting sensation of adventure, in your heart. This is top 5 on our bucket list of rides in Africa and we're calling mountain bikers who can't wait to dig their wheels into the dirt over this sensational pass, and into 'Die Hel' ('the hell' or Gamkasklooof; also called the 'Lost Valley'). We love riding 'adventure style', i.e. with our eye on the goal; yet making the most of it and taking in the spectacular sights between start and finish. The racing snakes are welcome to ride it 'conquer' style, and meet back up with the 'peloton' at the finish. CONTACT: Gerhard de Jager: geredejager@gmail.com or +27828211673 (WhatsApp) ADDITIONAL FEATURES (extra expense): Add-on: Combine with Race entry & logistical support for 'gotta-do' local (September), 1-day to multi-day events e.g. Buco Karoo to Coast (22th)(HIGHLY recommended) https://www.karootocoast.com/ ; Lesotho Sky (23-27th) www.lesothosky.com ; Ride2nowere (6-8th) http://ride2nowhere.co.za/ ; De Hoop vlei (27-29th) http://dehoopvleimtb.co.za/ ; The Rock (27-29th) www.therockrace.co.za; Fedhealth Mtb Challenge (14th) https://www.stillwatersports.com/event/fedhealth-mtb-challenge/ ; Rift Valley Odyssey (25-29th) www.riftvalleyodyssey.com

It's been a dream of mine to cycle across South Africa specifically trough the Karoo for some time now and with routes like the Freedom Trail and Dragon's Spine it has been looking more and more like a reality. However after four months of unreplied emails and no more trail info on the website I have given up the the Freedom Trail leaving me with a month before holiday, a copy of "Riding the Dragon's Spine", a outdated website and inactive Facebook page. Has anyone out there ridden from Cape Town through the Karoo? How up to date is the info on the Dragon trail? Are there other routes that can be accessed by the public? Do you need special permission? Who from? We are leaving on the 1st of July, route or no route and will figure it out as we go along if we have to. I'd just prefer not to.