MTB / Gravel trails close to Karoo National Park (Beaufort West)

[sucramuk]

Hi all

 

Am visiting the national park this weekend and want to take my bike ( more allowed to take my bike tbh!).

 

As there are now lions in the park riding is now not allowed.

 

Anywhere close to the park where I can go ride for 2 - 3 hours?

 

Have my MTB or the CX.

 

Thanks for any ideas.

 

 

[Skubarra]

Would be interested to know as well, visited the park last year but in the end didn't get the chance to do a bike ride

 

The most interesting option for a long ride I could find on Strava was riding taking the R381 just north of the town and ride up Molteno Pass (gravel/tar). For the rest I can imagine there would be a few flat gravel district roads around town.

 

Let us know if you find anything interesting 

[johannrissik]

Look at the road that runs along south and west of the park and then up towards Fraserburg via the Oukloof (or is it Nuwekloof?) pass.

As mentioned above, also the Molteno pass. 

[TiggerT]

Hi guys the park now has a short single track section that you can ride.. 3km I think.

Yes the road to Loxton turns off just north of Beaufort, starts out tar then turns gravel some nice climbs out there.

[TiggerT]

Or if you're not looking for much climbing... Take the R61 to Graaff Reinet & just outside town turn left toward Steenbokkie Nature reserve ( there are boards) after about 1.5km that road turns gravel and you can go for 80 - 100km. Pretty flat thou but perfect for your CX bike..

[sucramuk]

Thanks for the tips guys, not sure if I will be granted enough time for the 100km ride.

Think I'll go up the pass by the side of the park and take the CX.

 

Thanks again.

[TiggerT]

Enjoy

[Slowbee]

photos or it did not happen

 

[Sepia]

photos or it did not happen

 

Yes, report what you find.  Interested in that area myself.

[sucramuk]

Went for the ride on Sunday.

 

Was enjoyable.

 

Drove to park entrance gate and started ride from there, you are within the town speed limits so the trucks weren't to bad.

 

After 8km turn left onto R381, and from that point I only saw 3 cars the whole time I was on this road.

 

First 10km is tar with a very, very gradual ascent, the last 2km ascending at about an 8% average climb, after a short decent you hit the gravel.

 

Mostly fine but there were some seriously corrugated parts in places, once the gravel started it was an 8km climb to the plateau (some of the climbing at over 10%) and continued there after with rolling hills. Due to time constraints and a serious head wind on the climbs I didn't go to far along the plateau.

 

The scenery once on the R381 was nice to look at, and I caught  a few sightings of boks within the park fence.

The gravel section between the rocks was the Karoo starkness and always good to see.

 

The return home was all downhill, only marred by the fact I nearly lost my kidneys when hitting the corrugated sections a bit to fast!

 

 

On a side note, I tried out the MTB single track within the park. It is only 1.8km long and probably would not be worth taking a bike specifically for it, but it was fun on the CX.

 

 

In a few weeks time I'm of to Anyberg National Park, anyone been there?

 

[Skubarra]

Thanks for the feedback and photos. Will definitely give the pass a try next time Im at the park.

[johannrissik]

Anysberg? Yip, lots of miles to put in there. The roads which lead to the main camp from the east and the road that comes in from the west. On the west is a fork that goes to Montagu (south-west) or Touwsrivier (north-west).

 

Marius, the reserve ranger/manager is also a keen cyclist, talk to him

 

While you're at it, ride down to Montagu on your way home.....nice sweeping downhills.

[Sepia]

Yes, done it. As Johan says, (he put me onto this part of the world) many miles can be put in there.  Road  was fine for CX but a little sandy.   Lovely part of the country. Great for solitude.

 

Don't miss the fork which crosses the river bed (just a small sign saying Montague) on the left coming from the east, it is not a train smash as  it is possible to ride all day here.   

 

Just take water and push on to Montague and a decent camp site awaits you.

Edited January 24, 2018 by Sepia

[Slowbee]

:clap:, brilliant inspiration!
 

[Skubarra]

Just saw on Facebook - 3 day cycle event in the park  on weekend of 22 June, apparently its for free! Celebrating Sylvester the Lion. Looks like a very nice opportunity to do some riding in the park & it is during the school holidays so you can work it into your winter school holiday itinerary.

 

Edit: correction - will try and find out about the costs.

Edited January 25, 2018 by Skubarra

[Sepia]

Now that would be worth doing.