Houw Hoek Tour

[Musketeer]

Not sure if this is under the right topic, but has anybody out there done the Houw Hoek tour? Doing it for the first time this year and it doesn't seem too intense...

 

Any views, advice or opinions?

[eraser]

Did it last year and loved it. Stayed with family at Houw Hoek Inn and had an awesome weekend away.

 

Two relatively easy but interesting days of riding. Especially liked day 2 down Houw Hoek pass and across to Hermanus. Don't drink to much wine at the last "water point" though.

 

Would have definitely done it again this year but am doing Joberg2c over that weekend.

[GLuvsMtb]

I've done 2 before. It is a real blast, but the self seeding system is a big fail. Everyone ends up seeding themselves in the fast group. A better option would be to have a start group of +-100 riders every 15 minutes. Start early and make it first in, first out. The ride itself is a jol, but don't underestimate the route. Those climbs to the customary wine stop on day 2 can hurt if you have not trained.

[Stevief]

When is it?

[milky4130]

When is it?

Always first weekend in May, entries close though.

[milky4130]

Not sure if this is under the right topic, but has anybody out there done the Houw Hoek tour? Doing it for the first time this year and it doesn't seem too intense...

 

Any views, advice or opinions?

both days are +-45km each, it's not a race, so there is no timing. Just have a jol everyday & ride it at your pace & enjoy the scenery or just race it. Boths days are also part of the W2w routes i.e. day 2 & Day3. It was fairly easy for me. Logistically, day 1 starts & ends at the same venue(I think), day 2 starts in HH but ends in Hermanus so you'll need to work that one out. There wasn't shuttles or vehicle transfers if I remember correctly just double check though.

[Musketeer]

Thanks for the information. Really looking forward to it. Seems like a nice ride and a good outing.

[lloydkayak]

... post delete

Edited March 18, 2014 by lloydkayak

[Gazzan]

Any suggestions for last minute accommodation?

[CleatsnCleavage]

Any suggestions for last minute accommodation?

am staying at triactive lodge, in the cabins. Very basic but heard that it is ok.

[CleatsnCleavage]

Looking forward to this ride. Single speeding it this year. It is pure fun this weekend. Only 2 weeks away.

First...Arabella Challenge next weekend whohoo

[CleatsnCleavage]

So pathetic that the organisers still havent updated the 2014 route profiles. It looks like Arabella Challenge is tougher since Houw Hoek organisers say its similar to previous years, so that is under 1000m climbing on both days?

[Mushilele]

This isn't a race, remember. If you want a tougher option to race then the Arabella Challenge will probably do it for you.

[Beefy]

I've done 2 before. It is a real blast, but the self seeding system is a big fail. Everyone ends up seeding themselves in the fast group. A better option would be to have a start group of +-100 riders every 15 minutes. Start early and make it first in, first out. The ride itself is a jol, but don't underestimate the route. Those climbs to the customary wine stop on day 2 can hurt if you have not trained.

 

Riders ability at the back is also an issue. Long queues for very simple sections of ST.

[GLuvsMtb]

 

Riders ability at the back is also an issue. Long queues for very simple sections of ST.

This is normally compounded by riders ability in the front. Self seeding system is the only draw back of this tour.

[milky4130]

Maybe but on the second lap there is NO seeding. Then it is full gas.

i was just thinking the same thing in prep for 100miler, have you ever done two laps before? - I suppose only possible on Day1.