Beer4Recovery Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Hi Guys, I want to put together a trip for a few buddies riding some of the best trails in the Western Cape, and need some help! Some of us are more into the enduro/AM/DH scene - (if I can explain it like that - although we have 120mm travel trail bikes) and some of the others think XC is all there is to mountain biking, so no hardcore XC / Cape Epic stuff for this trip please (but we don't mind pedaling to get to the good stuff - like in Enduro). I am thinking 1 week for a trip like this - including some rest/off days. I still need to figure out traveling logistics. For now I would like your input on trails to choose. From the stuff I have seen (photos only) and amount of descend we would like to have + people stoked about the trails, Jonkershoek & Tokai popped up quite a few times. Any other trails that gets the adrenalin pumping?? Any specific routes on these trails?? Secondly, I don't want to break the bank. Bed & Breakfast or self catering accommodation would be sufficient . I don't know if a centralized base would be better from where we would head out to the trials or a 'round trip' setup? Self-drive would probably be better than flying down & hiring a van with a bike carrier? The planning is still in it's infancy - so I hope by the time I run the idea by them with the info I gathered, they will be hooked. Any info, suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Hey bro! Well, here's a bit of info for you... In terms of where to be based, there are a number of options. If you're thinking of broadening your riding areas, I'd suggest getting a place in the Northern Suburbs, like Durbanville and surrounding areas. That way you're within 30 minutes of Tokai, Stellies, Somerset West and various other places. Plus the rentals are a bit cheaper out that end, and you have some fantastic places as B&B's out there. Don't know many of them, but I know they're there. As for riding spots: Tokai (basically all of Tokai, although the trails are limited there at the moment) as well as some trails in Silvermine area and Table Mountain (more XC style here) Jonkers - truly amazing, or so I'm told. Contermanskloof - lots of XC, but also a DH line for the more adventurous (rideable on trail bikes) G Spot (stellies) - very nice. Oak Valley - pristine, but a bit further out so you may want to do a day trip there Delvera wine farm - some Very nice trails, but with hellish climbs as well. Bring your lungs. There are other places which I haven't mentioned, but as I said above - best place to base yourself if you're going to roam around will be in the N Subs and particularly Durbanville. Easy access to both sides, and easy access to CT proper and everything else. S Subs accommodation is pretty pricey, and then you'd be 45 - 60 mins outside everything else apart from Tokai / Silvermine. S / West is good, but then the same applies as in S Subs - you have to travel further to get to places other than S West. Either way, good luck dude. T-Bob and Beer4Recovery 2
NicoBoshoff Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Three words. Wel. Van. Pas. The Search, Captain Fastbastard Mayhem, Ysterperd and 2 others 5
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Three words. Wel. Van. Pas. SO wish I was there this past weekend. Unfortunately not only was I sick, but so was my wife and son. So it would have been a REALLY bad move for me.
Hairy Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Don't forget oak valley and grabouw mto' When you all set and in ct the hook up for a table mountain morning ride and some awesome coffee afterwards. N/subs also have places like contermanskloof right on the doorstep. Beer4Recovery, Ysterperd, LazyTrailRider and 1 other 4
BergForce Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 (edited) Jonkershoek is probably the best spot so I would recommend staying in Stellenbosch. Somerset West is also a good spot to stay as it is very central to all the riding spots and if you pm me I could organize you a ride on Lourensford.http://www.capetownmagazine.com//media_lib/r2/220257af21ec0c95ac7d0690ea7c99af.img.jpg Edited June 24, 2013 by BergTrol Beer4Recovery 1
braailegend Posted June 24, 2013 Posted June 24, 2013 Stellenbosch probably nicest and best bet. My local trails (Eden) also links up with G-spot's top with tons of single track in the woods to explore with a few hidden surprises, Beer4Recovery 1
Beer4Recovery Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 WOW, thanx for the info & offerings! I have read some good things about Welvanpas (is that where the Dirtopia Enduro was?) I bet a day would be more than enough to get some good riding in on these trails?
Beer4Recovery Posted June 25, 2013 Author Posted June 25, 2013 Jonkershoek is probably the best spot so I would recommend staying in Stellenbosch. Somerset West is also a good spot to stay as it is very central to all the riding spots and if you pm me I could organize you a ride on Lourensford.http://www.capetownmagazine.com//media_lib/r2/220257af21ec0c95ac7d0690ea7c99af.img.jpg Stunning photo! Where was this taken?
DJR Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 If you want reasonably priced accommodation but not luxurious, try SANParks at Tokai. They have a cottage they rent out, literally situated at the Tokai entrance. I can't think of a better base to operate from if you want to ride ride ride. Beer4Recovery 1
niterider Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 I'd base myself in Stellenbosch, with 2 days for Jonkers and a day for the other stuff. Then a day trip out to Durbanville for Contermans, Hoogekraal and Meerendal. And then a big day out at Welvanpas. And another day out at Oak Valley, Grabouw. Remember to keep some time inbetween for wine-tasting. Beer4Recovery and LazyTrailRider 2
MTBeer Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 if you want to drive a bit further out of Cape Town for a day then Eselfontein near Ceres (about 2 hours from CT) is a must. Not really any downhill type stuff but just km upon km of flowing singletrack. You can do about 60 or 70 km of riding there with 90% of it on singletrack. Beer4Recovery and Hairy 2
Pappa Bear Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Bearmanguy - go check iRideafrica website, they have good accurate maps for all of the spots in capetown and id definitly required! Dan Dob and Beer4Recovery 2
MTBeer Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 oh and a big yes for Jonkershoek. If you only ride one place, that should be it. Beer4Recovery 1
Dan Dob Posted June 27, 2013 Posted June 27, 2013 (edited) BearManGuy, Contact us (iRideAfrica) and organise a trip through us! Take the hassle out of transporting everyone (we have van and trailer), finding all the best spots and good accommodation (according to your price requests) and of course actually finding all the trails. It will cost you marginally more than if you did it on your own but trust me, you will not find the best trails for your group without a guide Edited June 27, 2013 by iRide Hairy and niterider 2
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