Bottelary Hills MTB Trails

[LeoKnight]

Had an awesome time up there on Sunday, I think I rode just under 5 hours and managed to clock up 70km .

 

That tree you have there in the picture was the only one I saw, much better than last Saturday. But with this wind we can only expect more to fall until all the dead ones are down. 

 

 

there was one more probably 20 meters on too. They views from the top was really amazing, makes you forget we are having water problems with all the green vines

[Iwan Kemp]

Again and again these trails surprise me in how much fun I have on them.  Tried the new blue route and it was really tough at the start but so rewarding (and glad we did not take the short cut halfway to the yellow route)

 

Two comments, luckily for us we have ridden the route before but there were two directional boards that was either not visible or where the arrow was gone (both on the red route)

 

Second comment, think it has been mentioned before, there are 2 tree trunks across the ribbok trail (and yes they were to big to move and doubt my leatherman would have been helpful)

 

Happened upon them today - in a rather brisk manner.

[Rouxenator]

Thank you trail blazers for getting rid of the fallen trees, road most the trails and not a single obstacle, just stunning views and epic trails. 

[dirtman]

Thank you trail blazers for getting rid of the fallen trees, road most the trails and not a single obstacle, just stunning views and epic trails. 

 

All the fallen trees are being removed by the owner of the farm on which the Ribbok single track is - he is doing a "chainsaw" sweep of the whole section every Friday to clear the route before the  weekend.  A big thumbs-up for that.  Unfortunately the burned trees are falling like pick-up-sticks and it will continue to be a problem as long as the southeaster keeps on pumping, so please be careful when riding that section. 

[Grease_Monkey]

All the fallen trees are being removed by the owner of the farm on which the Ribbok single track is - he is doing a "chainsaw" sweep of the whole section every Friday to clear the route before the weekend. A big thumbs-up for that. Unfortunately the burned trees are falling like pick-up-sticks and it will continue to be a problem as long as the southeaster keeps on pumping, so please be careful when riding that section.

Kudos to the landowner there. Great work on his behalf considering they don't get anything out of it except for liability!

[LeoKnight]

All the fallen trees are being removed by the owner of the farm on which the Ribbok single track is - he is doing a "chainsaw" sweep of the whole section every Friday to clear the route before the  weekend.  A big thumbs-up for that.  Unfortunately the burned trees are falling like pick-up-sticks and it will continue to be a problem as long as the southeaster keeps on pumping, so please be careful when riding that section. 

 

Also sending a thanks for the landowner for the help in keeping the route clear and riding awesome. 

 

As one of the few wooded areas it remains a special bit for me

[Christie]

Ive done a few after work rides on the yellow and purple loops, from Asara.

 

How does the rest compare in terms of technicality & effort? (Want to know if I should consider my 140/130 dual instead of the hardtail which Ive used before)

[Grease_Monkey]

Ive done a few after work rides on the yellow and purple loops, from Asara.

 

How does the rest compare in terms of technicality & effort? (Want to know if I should consider my 140/130 dual instead of the hardtail which Ive used before)

Nothing too technical. A dual suspension will definitely be more fun, but there is nothing at Bottelary a hardtail can't handle.

 

I usually ride a 110mm trail bike there, my 135/150mm is completw overkill. Have ridden a 130mm hardtail there which can more than handle the trails, but for anything longer than an hour's ride my back begs for some squish in the rear as well.

Edited January 2, 2018 by Grease_Monkey

[LeoKnight]

That is what I like about the routes there. Just enjoyment of riding on nature not tooo many difficult parts other than umph in the legs to do the climbs

[Rouxenator]

I did about 7h30 on the 24th of December combining some STF trails with all the trails of Bottelary, on a hard tail. No problems.

 

These trails are a dream.

[Christie]

Sounds great Roux????

How was the route, where did you go in etc?

(Ive got nice 70km routes with no repeats, but still short of options for 100km to 120km routes. Last time I did a 110km ride I had to include several laps (6 ?) of one part of the Wanabee trail to make up distance.)

[Rouxenator]

This includes a bit over Devon valley that is not part of Bottelary, but you can go a fair stretch without doing laps : https://www.strava.com/activities/1317141076 

[Dicky DQ]

Ive done a few after work rides on the yellow and purple loops, from Asara.

 

How does the rest compare in terms of technicality & effort? (Want to know if I should consider my 140/130 dual instead of the hardtail which Ive used before)

There is nothing that cant be ridden with ease on a hard tail.

[billygoat0523]

2018 annual permits are now available for purchase via our website. We have capped the number available to 1500. They are valid from purchase and expire 31 December 2018. Remember to take a copy of your completed order email when you collect your bikeboard. Familiarise yourself with our trail rules and get your bum on the bike!

 

so i see a guy going past me with his 2017 GREEN board, but since he was going downhill and me uphill I had no chance to speak to him in person.  so i checked strava flybys and i left a comment on his activity.  he replies that "i picked up my 2018 board yesterday".

 

er...  that is not the point.  your permit should be displayed on your handlebars.  the landowners and farmers grant us access to the trails, let's not upset them.  stick to the rules of the trail.

[Christie]

We had a propper ride today - red, green, yellow from Asara. Detoured a bit to find mid-ride cuppachinos, tried Hazendal (closed) then out towards Devonvale again. Came right by turning in at the Vine guesthouse and riding a few km up to the restaurant up there - nice place. I think we missed the orange ST in our quest, and then did not have time to do some of the purple. Enjoyed the ride, nice flowey ST, will go back to ride purple, also want to do ystervark and skaapsteker . Hardtail was perfect, trails were benign and it made for less work on the hills.

 

Some first world problems;

Recommend a cuppachino spot on the orange side?

Asara would not serve us a post ride breakfast (11h30 was too close to 12h00 or something as breakfast is a 3 course only or something) and lunch only from 12h00. We could get spme snacks at the deli, but my mate is a banting ninja, does not eat before or during rides and could not come right there. No big deal but perhaps we can start from a different spot? Any suggestions for post ride bacon&eggs?

[Chainmail]

Post/mid Ride Coffee is a problem on the trails, if you tailor your ride right, you can stop at Jordan’s Bakery, where they serve an excellent selection, breakfast 08.00-11.00, not sure what happens if you rock up at 11.30 though. Otherwise it is down to De Kuipe ( http://www.facebook.com/dekuipe) on the Devon Valley Road/ yellow route.

 

 

 

We had a propper ride today - red, green, yellow from Asara. Detoured a bit to find mid-ride cuppachinos, tried Hazendal (closed) then out towards Devonvale again. Came right by turning in at the Vine guesthouse and riding a few km up to the restaurant up there - nice place. I think we missed the orange ST in our quest, and then did not have time to do some of the purple. Enjoyed the ride, nice flowey ST, will go back to ride purple, also want to do ystervark and skaapsteker . Hardtail was perfect, trails were benign and it made for less work on the hills.

Some first world problems;

Recommend a cuppachino spot on the orange side?

Asara would not serve us a post ride breakfast (11h30 was too close to 12h00 or something as breakfast is a 3 course only or something) and lunch only from 12h00. We could get spme snacks at the deli, but my mate is a banting ninja, does not eat before or during rides and could not come right there. No big deal but perhaps we can start from a different spot? Any suggestions for post ride bacon&eggs?