MTB'ing Backpackers in Dullstroom

[Billaridoo]

Did the unthinkable,

 

Sold everything here in GP, bought a log cabin in Dullstroom and starting up a MTB-centric backpackers in Aug/Sept this year. 

 

Looking for your valuable input into what you'd expect from such a place when you visit. I backpacked across the globe for some years, but only started MTB'ing again in 2012, so I'd appreciate some suggestions to tip the scales evenly and create a place where MTB'ers would feel at home. 

 

Sorted so far:

- Local trails and friends with farmers for the "unbeaten track" routes 

- Bike wash bay + free lubricants 

- Secure lock-up facilities

- Small selection of parts/clothing/accessories

- Repair specialist in town

- Transportation to/from pic-up/drop-off locations

- Emergency stand by

- Entertainment, awesome vibe, small bar, super comfy sleeping, great view.

- Free additional red blood cells when you do altitude training for your enduro races ;-) (Dullies sits at 2100m above sea level)

 

Any suggestions would be awesome.

 

Happy dayz!

[Billaridoo]

I do MTB, here's a ride with me Dad back in '13

 

[Uni]

Sounds good - will definitely come through once you're opened, been wanting to ride in dullstroom for a while. Good luck with the venture, keep us posted.

[Billaridoo]

Sounds good - will definitely come through once you're opened, been wanting to ride in dullstroom for a while. Good luck with the venture, keep us posted.

Thanks Uni, will post progress pics. The beeeeg move from GP to MP is due @ month end, then the fun and games start to get everything ready

[FrequentFaller]

Bold moves - all of the best!

 

I like the local trails guide bit - always handy to have someone with some know-how to help make the best use of (often) limited time in an area.

 

I would recommend making bikes available for rental and Air BnB'ing some of your space. This could attract (lots of) overseas visitors as an additional market.

[johannrissik]

FOOD!!!! I've never known a non-hungry cyclist

That, and a place to for riders to unpack and repack all the *** they carry with them. Think large flat surface that's not the floor. Good luck with your venture.

[Billaridoo]

Bold moves - all of the best!

 

I like the local trails guide bit - always handy to have someone with some know-how to help make the best use of (often) limited time in an area.

 

I would recommend making bikes available for rental and Air BnB'ing some of your space. This could attract (lots of) overseas visitors as an additional market.

 

Thank you FrequentFaller for the advice, I hooked up with a few guys already to route through private property and also busy negotiating for permission to set up a forrest single track course right on our doorstep. Will be building turns and jumps in there.

 

We're listing with all major international and local Backpackers as well as BnB promotion services (Tripadvisor, WhereToStay Coast to Coast, Hostelworld etc) We are branding it a backpackers, but threw in a lot of BnB services providing decent bedding, en-suite bathrooms and small 6 man "dorms"(each dorm has a double bed and 2 bunks) to double as private rooms.

[Billaridoo]

FOOD!!!! I've never known a non-hungry cyclist

That, and a place to for riders to unpack and repack all the *** they carry with them. Think large flat surface that's not the floor. Good luck with your venture.

Thanks johannrissik, Yup, food is a must. We'll do breakfasts, but there is a facility in town that caters for international athletes who come to Dullstroom for altitude training. They are top notch. Other than that we have special rates negotiated with some of the best eateries in town for deliveries.

 

The workbench/pack-out-space is a great plan! Will incorporate that into the wash/service bay area.

[RockCoach]

You are close to some of my fave single track trails in Boven. Have you chatted to the guys at Roc'nRope there?

 

Good luck.

[Billaridoo]

You are close to some of my fave single track trails in Boven. Have you chatted to the guys at Roc'nRope there?

 

Good luck.

I know old "Goodstuff" Gustav from back in my climbing days when Rock 'n Rope just started. Will be contacting him and a friend in Sabie to combine services/adventures.

Gustav and his wife are awesome people and have been a great inspiration for me to start this up.

[Hfx0]

This is a seriously cool idea.

We’ve been threatening to visit Dullstroom for a MTB weekend for a while now but the cost of accommodation is usually a deal breaker

 

If you can convince some of the pub/restaurant owners to install some bike racks for hungry and thirsty riders it would be awesome

[Billaridoo]

This is a seriously cool idea.

We’ve been threatening to visit Dullstroom for a MTB weekend for a while now but the cost of accommodation is usually a deal breaker

 

If you can convince some of the pub/restaurant owners to install some bike racks for hungry and thirsty riders it would be awesome

Thanks for a sterling idea Hfx0!

 

The cost factor is exactly why we are opening the Backpackers. Hopefully it will attract more MTB folks to town.

 

We'll run the bike racks and MTB specials idea past the pubs/restaurants. I can't see why it won't be accepted. Maybe we'll even provide those racks( branded with our details of course ;-) ) 

[RockCoach]

I know old "Goodstuff" Gustav from back in my climbing days when Rock 'n Rope just started. Will be contacting him and a friend in Sabie to combine services/adventures.

Gustav and his wife are awesome people and have been a great inspiration for me to start this up.

 

Awesome. Then you probably know Glenn and Mike etc too. All excellent contacts for the area.

[Pall Catt]

Where in Dullstroom is your place?

 

My family has a farm in Tonteldoos, which is a very characterful little one-horse town about 23km from Dullstroom. Ideal destination for MTB rides where you can then stop for a snack or a drink before returning to Dullstroom. I usually have to do it the other way round though. But one of my favourite routes in the area is through the Verloren Valei. To date I've only been able to access it from the Roossenekal-Lydenburg (R577) tar road - the highest tar road in the country (I'm told), that also passes right by the highest point in Mpumalanga and is a very sustained climb (430m over 8km) at high altitude (it peaks just shy of 2300m) so makes for good training, but is unfortunately a tar road. As it stands, its a 90-100km loop from Tonteldoos down the gravel district road to that tar road, through the Verloren Valei, to Dullstroom along the railway line, and then back to Tonteldoos on the district road. Anyway, I have been studying maps and doing some exploring over the years, trying to find a way to link Tonteldoos with the Verloren Valei without having to go that long way round over the tar road (ie. straight over the mountain - if you look at google earth it seems there are some basic roads/trails that should make it possible, but in my limited opportunities to explore I have encountered gates with "do not enter" signs). I think if you could negotiate some access there with the private landowners to do that then you will have a very nice route that will be fairly long, challenging, beautifully scenic, and also incorporate a nice pitstop facility in Tonteldoos.

 

I have plenty of maps with potential routes which I can share with you if you are interested.

[Gandalf]

Include a route that goes to a dam or stream where you can fish. cycle, catch some fish, cycle home.

[Billaridoo]

Where in Dullstroom is your place?

 

My family has a farm in Tonteldoos, which is a very characterful little one-horse town about 23km from Dullstroom. Ideal destination for MTB rides where you can then stop for a snack or a drink before returning to Dullstroom. I usually have to do it the other way round though. But one of my favourite routes in the area is through the Verloren Valei. To date I've only been able to access it from the Roossenekal-Lydenburg (R577) tar road - the highest tar road in the country I'm told that also passes right by the highest point in Mpumalanga and is a very sustained climb (430m over 8km) at high altitude (it peaks just shy of 2300m) so makes for good training, but is unfortunately a tar road. As it stands, its a 90-100km loop from Tonteldoos down the gravel district road to that tar road, through the Verloren Valei, to Dullstroom along the railway line, and then back to Tonteldoos on the district road. Anyway, I have been studying maps and doing some exploring over the years, trying to find a way to link Tonteldoos with the Verloren Valei without having to go that long way round over the tar road (ie. straight over the mountain - if you look at google earth it seems there are some basic roads/trails that should make it possible, but in my limited opportunities to explore I have encountered gates with "do not enter" signs). I think if you could negotiate some access there with the private landowners to do that then you will have a very nice route that will be fairly long, challenging, beautifully scenic, and also incorporate a nice pitstop facility in Tonteldoos.

 

I have plenty of maps with potential routes which I can share with you if you are interested.

Wow, thanks Pall Catt!

 

Sent you a PM