Adventure Mtb Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 DATES: 19 & 20 September 2019 (18 - 20/21/22 Sept, including return transport from Johannesburg/ Goerge Airport) VENUE: Prince Albert, Western Cape, South Africa ENTRIES CLOSE: 19 August 2019. First 15 entries gets a #BucketListRides riding shirt COSTS (share basis): (includes Getting there by road & 2 nights' accommodation) R 3 000 - R 6 000 (numbers depending) DISTANCE: 120 km (Day 1 = 60km; Day 2 = 60km) RIDE FORMAT: Social/ Adventure ride (share expenses - non- profit) with the backing of established people/bike transport & touring company (visit http://choicetours.biz/multisport/ ). Includes travel logistics/ services from/to Pretoria/ Johannesburg/ George (nearest commercial airport). E-bikes welcome; rentals available TERRAIN/ TRAIL COMPOSITION: Rough dirt Mountain passes (steep ascent/descent in places); Start and end at 764m elevation; highest point 1 583m VALUE ADDED: Bike mechanic & Support/ sweep vehicle with extra water DESCRIPTION: The awe-inspiring, historic Swartberg Pass seems a formidable barrier between 'groot' and 'klein' Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa, and the thought of crossing it leaves fear, or an exciting sensation of adventure, in your heart. This is top 5 on our bucket list of rides in Africa and we're calling mountain bikers who can't wait to dig their wheels into the dirt over this sensational pass, and into 'Die Hel' ('the hell' or Gamkasklooof; also called the 'Lost Valley'). We love riding 'adventure style', i.e. with our eye on the goal; yet making the most of it and taking in the spectacular sights between start and finish. The racing snakes are welcome to ride it 'conquer' style, and meet back up with the 'peloton' at the finish. CONTACT: Gerhard de Jager: geredejager@gmail.com or +27828211673 (WhatsApp) ADDITIONAL FEATURES (extra expense): Add-on: Combine with Race entry & logistical support for 'gotta-do' local (September), 1-day to multi-day events e.g. Buco Karoo to Coast (22th)(HIGHLY recommended) https://www.karootocoast.com/ ; Lesotho Sky (23-27th) www.lesothosky.com ; Ride2nowere (6-8th) http://ride2nowhere.co.za/ ; De Hoop vlei (27-29th) http://dehoopvleimtb.co.za/ ; The Rock (27-29th) www.therockrace.co.za; Fedhealth Mtb Challenge (14th) https://www.stillwatersports.com/event/fedhealth-mtb-challenge/ ; Rift Valley Odyssey (25-29th) www.riftvalleyodyssey.com
DJR Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 Yes, I know I'm from that part of the world. Yes I know I'm biased. BUT this is one of the GREATEST rides you can do, anywhere on earth! Tough, yes, but worth every drop of sweat, the sore bum, sunburn and every cramp (OK, maybe what I said about the cramp is taking it a bit too far).
DJR Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 The picture above is taken on the "dansbaan" (dance floor) near the pass entrance on the Prince Albert side. It is a round cement slab that some of the locals built there many decades ago because the NG dominee was dead set against immoral dancing in his town. Whoever allowed the youngsters some dancing fun in a barn got into trouble with the church. So, they neatly solved the problem by making the dance floor in no mans land. The parties were kept hush hush and nobody could ever be pinned as the responsible person......eventually the dominee came to understand that resistance was futile when young men and woman wanted to get together........
MORNE Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 This must be so cool, I did this in another type of bicycle about 10 years ago...a hyundai Atos rental haha. Was fun and the looks we got from ooms in their overlanding hilux's was priceless. Had a wedding in Prince Albert and flew to George, so we decided to just go as the 'crow flies" and see what happens lol. True that they say the best 4x4xfar is a rental...
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