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[Event] Houw Hoek Gravel Race


JC Kriegler

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Event Name: Houw Hoek Gravel Race
When: 04/05/2024
Where: Houw Hoek Hotel, Western Cape
Category: Gravel

The Houw Hoek Gravel Race is a new & exciting addition to the Houw Hoek MTB Tour. It's part of the CSA Western Cape's Gravel Series and hosted on Saturday 5 May 2024. It offers a 135 km & 82 km distance. Starts and finishes at the Houw Hoek Hotel and the route includes the historic Katpass, Vd Stel pass, various farm, gravel and public roads. The long route turns at Genadendal and includes the Rietfontein Monster, a beautiful and steep pass on Rietfontein farm.



Go to Event Page.
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  • 2 months later...
3 minutes ago, Johan A Marais said:

Silence, does that mean slow, or not at all...🤔

 

How does one respond meaningful to a question like that without having access to the entry system or database?

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Houw Hoek tour was my first proper mtb event in about 2016 or so - I have fond memories of it. Rode it on my first bike, a 7k momsen hardtail, 3x9, with a no-name fork and very narrow handlebars.

I didn't even know there was a difference between what I was riding and the specialised dual suss and all the other proper bikes that lined up on the start line.

I remember marvelling that people would ride the second day, end in Hermanus and then ride back up the pass to the start where their cars were.

I remember how chuffed I was with myself the first time I did that.

The bug bit me hard hard hard. 

Glad to see it's still going and hoping the gravel catches on.

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I know of quite a few people riding, but also a few scared off by the opening descent... Not sure if they're on bikes without brakes or what the issue is. 🤷‍♂️

Entry portal has updated description and route files loaded. Getting really excited for my first full on gravel race!

  • First 5,5km down the historic Katpass. The road surface on the pass is intermediate; 80% of the surface is in good condition, but for 20% you need to navigate the right line. This is the only section where a mountain bike will be able to go faster than a gravel bike.
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43 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

I know of quite a few people riding, but also a few scared off by the opening descent... Not sure if they're on bikes without brakes or what the issue is. 🤷‍♂️

Entry portal has updated description and route files loaded. Getting really excited for my first full on gravel race!

  • First 5,5km down the historic Katpass. The road surface on the pass is intermediate; 80% of the surface is in good condition, but for 20% you need to navigate the right line. This is the only section where a mountain bike will be able to go faster than a gravel bike.

The old Houw Hoek tour started down there too - it's a lekker thrilling descent. One year it was -2 degrees at the bottom.

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Saw somewhere that entries were closing tonight. 
But they are already closed....

Edited by Jaytriathlon
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Anyone have a contact number of email for the organisers? Event entry page wasn't working yesterday

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18 hours ago, Jaytriathlon said:

Saw somewhere that entries were closing tonight. 
But they are already closed....

This happened to me with the Lourensford Classic as well. I just emailed Gerda and she sorted me out with an entry.

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21 minutes ago, Jbr said:

I think I'm extremely lucky to go home with two collarbones, and two rims still intact 🤣

100% agreed but at least we got to chase Rudi for over 100kms with Jos and Carlo the whole day 😄

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The terrain was quite rough especially the first and the last 10km. (Did the 80km) 

Went past a guy that had a bad fall he was unconscious but there was all ready an official with him, does anyone know if he is all right? He was later picked up by an ambulance when I passed there again? 

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