MTB Trails Eastern Cape

[Dubber88]

PM me your number and I'll hook you up.

 

If you like technical singletrack, Woodridge is a must. From JBay, just follow the old road to Thornhill, past Thornhill, down and up the Van Stadens Pass, right into Woodridge.

 

Consider staying over a night or 2 at Heroncliff. Very nice acc. in forms of a house on river (R130 pp) or camping on the river (R40 pp)

 

From there, you can do a full day's riding into the Baviaans taking the main gravel road. If they stop you at the boom, just tell them that it's a public road and you're GOING THROUGH... they havn't stopped us at all while training there 3 months ago, so maybe the issue is resolved.

 

If you like something more adventurous and if you're fit, take out a hiking permit at the Komdomo office and do the Osseberg trail (it's a 90km loop, after about 15km on tar, you hit the first climb of 16km and 900m vertical!!, then it's playtime... you follow a contour jeep track with a few steep up and downhills and eventually descend for 17km back into the Groot Rivier Poort, but on a hiking trail that's very rutted at places, and overgrown at places. You'll gross the river several times as the trail winds through the kloof. This is a great ride, almost all of it can be ridden, although through tall grass and vegetation in a few places. We did it in 2 days to cater for the slower riders. the First day's 45km took us almost a full day incl. stopping to take photos etc.

 

Then, a ride no one ever mentions, and much better than the Baviaans main road in my opinion, is from Heroncliff to the Groot Rivier on the Karoo side... Also 15km tar, then up the climb to the tower (16km, 900m vetical) then through beautiful mountains down to the Groot Rivier. If I remember correctly, it's about 2200m vertical there and back in 86km. But this part has magnificent views and rough terrain for if you're up to it.

 

Don't underestimate the EC Summer. The mountains get very very hot. I measured 57 deg C in direct sun in January 2010 @ 13:00, and over 40 while riding...

 

Here's a few pics of the Groot Rivier ride from Heroncliff... to camp or rent the house at Heroncliff, phone Theo Ferreira at 0731903767.

 

Ek het nou weer na hierdie foto's van jou gekyk, dit lyk ongelooflik!

 

 

 

[MattyG]

Have to agree that the Baakens Valley is awesome. I ride there every second morning and enjoy it a lot. And the valley is just 300m from my gate.

 

Pity people don't ride there more often, if they use the route more regularly it will shed its reputation of being dodgy and dangerous.

 

Since I moved to PE in 2nd half of 2008, I have only heard of one bike-jack close to the valley, where they stole a new bike from a school boy a few minutes after he got it from Cyclo Pro.

 

The Valley is to PE mtb'ers like the Spruit is to Jhb mtb'ers.

it is an awesome trial it branches into different routes also, i go there often but cant make it a regular thing coz all my friends are lazy vetties and dont want to join me and riding alone has become too dangerous. if u guys wouldnt mind a keen laaitie joning u sometime pm me and ill be there.

[Bennie Dikwiel]

If they stop you at the boom, just tell them that it's a public road and you're GOING THROUGH... they havn't stopped us at all while training there 3 months ago, so maybe the issue is resolved.

 

We were there yesterday and they charged us R30 per head to go in. Just spoken to Gavin Shaw (042)2837913 (Eastern Cape Parks manager for Baviaans South) and he confirmed that they now charge all who access. I accept that there needs to be stringent access to this world heritage site, but I think it crazy that we have to pay the same access fee on a MTB as what a oke with a massive 4x4 does! Charge or no charge, the Baviaans remains as one of the most beautiful places in the country!