I went out with a fellow Islander on one of his favourite routes which was new to me. Despite some pretty decent training the last several months, it really felt like a tough slog. I happened to check the bike about 2 hours after the ride and both tires were completely flat - no wonder it seemed like so much work! I guess it's off to the bike shop for a quick tune-up and some new tubes and maybe tires...
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After sitting behind a desk for far too long, it was time to get back on the bike. This time, to AfrikaBike at Le Grand George (then entrance is directly opposite the entry to the estate). As noted in this earlier blogpost, there is free entry to the public today, as well as tomorrow. I had a good chat with Fred Lingenfelder, one of the brains behind the operation. Though there are just 3 trails open at the moment (they have done all of the work in the last 6 weeks - no small feat!), they have big plans for the future, including a clubhouse, restaurant, bike rentals and storage - as well as several serious races scheduled for May 2015. They have a small kiosk at the moment and will set up a big bonfire and braai this evening (no alcohol, as no licence yet), and if you're looking for some fun, they have an Eliminator Race that from 5 - 7 p.m., with the 60 best times qualifying for the night race that will start around 7 or 7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Fred is anxious to get tires on the ground - they need riders, so if you're interested why not drop by and check them out. Incidentally, Fred tells me they plan to charge R30 for adults and R10 for pensioners and 12-and-unders, but will also be looking at seasons passes, etc. Their website has recently been updated, so you'll find more info at www.afrikabike.com I tracked each of the 3 trails on Sports-Tracker - click on the image for the workout details (elevation gain, etc.). Both the Pink route and the Blue route are suitable for families/youngsters - the Blue is certainly more fun. The Red Cross-country route has was great for the first bit, dipping into the forest, but then there were some challenging uphill sections, including a few areas that weren't quite clear whether they were open or not. Nothing technical on any of the routes.
For the last couple of years, I've made a few half-hearted enquiries about mountain biking on private property and established developments along the coast - all the way from Hoogekraal above Glentana and beyond to Pacaltsdorp and the area past Herold's Bay and Le Grand George. The scenery would be fantastic - and it's much closer than driving all the way down towards Knysna to do the Homtini. A few people did generously offer to let me come use their trails for hiking but no real mountain biking.
But good news - Bike Afrika has just announced they will develop 84 km's of interlinked trails - from beginner to full-on competition calibre - at Le Grande George. It's early days yet, but they'll be opening the first 3 trails to the public (free-of-charge) on Dec 20 & 21, 2014. Plans are afoot to offer bike rentals, storage and clubhouse/restaurant facilities and more. What a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season! So, what are you waiting for? Get your gear on and see you out there! Sensational 7 Passes Weekend MTB Event Scheduled for April 26-27, 2015 - Registration Opening Soon11/11/2014 If you're looking to participate in what's bound to be an exceptional MTB event, check out the inaugural 7 Passes George 2 Knysna race scheduled for April 26 & 27, 2015. Registration starts on November 14, 2014 and is limited to 200 participants. I've always wanted to do this route, but with logging trucks careening through the hairpin turns at a furious pace, I've been rather wary - this looks like the perfect opportunity (I'm assuming it'll be a closed track...). And if you're not sure you're up to the full 77 km route, there's a shorter 36 km option. Here's the press release I received which announces the event: From: 7 Passes MTB [mailto:info@7passesmtb.co.za]
Sent: 11 November 2014 19:13 To: Subject: Garden Route Events launches new MTB gem Garden Route Events launches new MTB gem in heart of the pristine Garden Route MEDIA RELEASE BY: Write Touch Communications EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE The new Susan Deacon 7 Passes Weekend MTB event taking place in April 2015 will start in George central and follow the famous 7 Passes road through indigenous forests, pine plantations and private farmlands. “This truly is a route for everybody as it offers racing snakes the opportunity to blast out from the word go, whilst simultaneously offering a great challenge to mountain biking beginners,” said race director Pax Mosterd. “The route literally covers seven mountain passes. There will be three water points planned for the 77km long route, each at approximately 20km apart to make sure that the participants are well cared for.” The inclusion of the Leeuwenbosch short route option, which starts at Karatara, will also afford juniors and those starting out in the sport the opportunity to race 36km. “The short route also ends at the Knysna waterfront – race village finish venue extraordinaire! A real wow factor is the Penny Pinchers floating bridge planned for the finish,” Mosterd continued. "This will make for a super exciting race finish and will find riders challenging themselves to make the bridge before the cut-off time." “Only riders who enter the long route and who finish within the predetermined time will be eligible to take on this dramatic race finish,” confirmed Knysna Waterfront Manager Sheldon Meese. “We are really excited about this event and specifically the floating bridge, which will add an exciting edge to the finish and make it super spectator-friendly.” Title sponsor director Marcel Deacon of Susan Deacon properties decided to join this exciting initiative in a title sponsorship capacity. As an avid mountain biker himself, he fondly remembers a similar event years ago and is happy that the new event will include more single track on neighbouring farms to add a slight technical aspect to the predominantly district road route. The introduction of a few surprise sections through privately owned properties will be pleasantly received by participants as some of the tarred surfaces are being eliminated in this way. Entries open on Friday 14 November 2014. Be sure to be one of the first 200 confirmed participants at this inaugural event in order to receive the limited edition Susan Deacon 7 Passes race item as well as a Knysna Waterfront voucher. Enter at www.7passesmtb.co.za or go to www.gardenrouteevents.co.za for more info. ENDS (397 words) Press release by Garden Route Events, issued by Write Touch Communications. A Great MTB & Road Bike Event to Coincide With the George Agricultural Show Aug 22 & 23, 201418/8/2014 Looks like a good route... entry form at the bottom of this post. If you're interested in the Agricultural Show itself, you can find out more about it on their website. Goeie Naand almal
Net 'n herhinnering aan die fietsry tydens die George Skou op 22 en 23 Augustus 2014. 22 Augustus: Die aand is daar weer op die stockcar baan lekker baanfietsry. Ons ry lekker saam op die baan met ons mtb's. Inskrywings fooi: Volwassenes R 30 Skoliere R 20 ONTHOU DAARS 'N WISSELTROFEE OP DIE SPEL DIE AAND!! VERLEDE JAAR WAS DIE WENNER DR JAQUES VAN STADEN. KOM ONS KYK OF HY SY TITEL/ TROFEE GAAN SUKSESVOL VERDEDIG HIERDIE JAAR. Sien plakaat aangeheg vir meer detail. 23 AUGUSTUS: Pad wedren ( Laaste wedren van die padliga) Mtb wedren Sien plakaat aangeheg vir meer info. Ook aangeheg: Roete kaarte - mtb Roete Kaart - pad wedren Inskrywings vorm pad & mtb ONTHOU: PRYS GELD OP LANG MTB EN PAD OVERALL 1STE 2DE EN 3DE MAN EN VROU!!!! SIEN JOU DAAR!!!! Corne Botha SWD Cycling: Road & Technichal Commissioner WCCA: Road Commissioner CSA: Event Safety & Security Commissioner Cell: 073 194 2948 Mossel Bay Tourism has updated their brochure on cycling routes around Great Brak River. I can see there are a few I still have to tackle... Check out the latest brochure & map below:
Quite an adventure doing the Harkerville Red Route MTB trail this time:
- we started with 4 couples - we had 1 flat tire (I am 2 for 3 now...) - we had one broken thumb (not a sprain, a real break) - after a mini-evacuation and escort out to the gravel road we were left with 3 couples... - we had 1 camp stove, 1 fuel cylinder, 2 pots, lots of coffee... and no matches - we had 1 tick - we had quite a few bumps and bruises - we had fantastic weather - we had lots of fun - all in all a great success (if you don't count the broken thumb, of course) Click on the map for the full work-out details or for more photos on the Sports-Tracker.com website Had a tight time schedule this morning, so cut it a bit short - warmed up with a circle around Great Brak River village, then headed up to Little Brak via Sandhoogte, crossed the N2 and came back through Fraai Uitsig, Reebok & Tergniet before heading across the R102 and coming back via the village to avoid traffic. Also took the gravel path beside the railway tracks to avoid the narrow R102 bridge before returning to The Island for a quick loop. Lekker dag!
Click on the image below for the full work-out details on Sports-Tracker.com A new route this morning - up to Greenhaven, then cutting across to Sandhoogte and along to Little Brak before coming back via Fraai Uitsig and Reebok. We stayed inside Fraai Uitsig & Reebok before joining the R102 (it is narrow and gets busy from about 6:45 a.m. onwards and drivers are heading into the rising sun, so not ideal). Perhaps next time instead of turning right onto the R102 when we exit Reebok, we'll continue straight, cycling past Leani's Kwekery and then turn right on the gravel road which runs past Oasis and comes out by Suiderkruis Security and then make our way back via the village.
Still, it was nice to do something a bit different - it keeps things interesting! And it's yet another beautifully clear day - though it's definitely getting a bit crisp out there, especially first thing in the morning. Click on the image below for the full work-out details. The sky was clear and beautiful after last night's wind & rain. A bit of a headwind going up the R102, but not too bad. Looks like we have another glorious day in store for Garden Routers...
Click on the image below for the full work-out details on Sports-Tracker.com |
AuthorTheIsland@GreatBrak features the occasional blogpost in between braaiing and beach walks - stay tuned or drop me a line. Categories
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