The Swartberg Pass is the major link between Great Karoo and Klein Karoo in the western Cape province of South Africa and traverses the 2325m high Great Swartberg (Black mountain). This ancient barrier of gnarled, tilted, twisted and folded rock rises from the the vast semi desert of the Karoo (a Khoi San word for ‘thirstland’) and is the eroded remains of a Himalayan-sized mountain that formed during the gondwanaland break-up, 300m years-ago.
‘In the picture above, is the rubicon of gravel road passes. There is an allure and a mystique around this old pass, coupled with its status as a national monument, which elevates this pass to the very top of the list’ – an extract from https://www.mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za
Ride your mountain bike up-and-down an iconic Pass in southern Africa over the formidable 2,325m high Swartberg (Western Cape, South Africa); a 2-day Adventure ride with overnight in Gamkaskloof (nickname Die Hel – ‘the hell’), a remote, hidden valley, miles off the beaten track.
Date: 18 to 20 September 2019 (riding days 19, 20), with an extended itinerary for you and your family from 20 to 26 September.
Cycling route: Swartberg Pass & Die Hel (‘the hell’). 2 days; 120 -130km (2x 60-65 km per day)
Cost: ZAR 5 500 (SGD 530) – ZAR 8 000 (SGD 750) per person, depending on the number of riders. Partners are welcome. There are lots to do in Prince Albert/ Oudtshoorn (Please enquire for the price).
Bicycle hire is available at ZAR 250 (SGD 25) per day.
Who is this MTB trip for?
This trip is for passionate, adventurous, and expedition-craving Mountain Bike riders. Riders who don’t fear climbing the odd 2000m over 60km (highest altitude 1,575m), riding steep up and downhill on country gravel roads; often rutted and rocky. Mandatory: Adventure spirit, an appetite for the lighter side of life and appreciation of nature – animal, plant life and landscapes!
Map and Profile of Day 1 ride (1700m climbing)
Day 2 ride elevation diagram is similar but with +/-2100m climbing.
Day 1 (18 Sept): Journey overland (vehicle) from Johannesburg, across the South Africa countryside, to the entrance to the pass. Overnight (the town of) Prince Albert.
Day 2 (19 Sept): From Prince Albert, climb up Swartberg Pass, then into ‘Die Hel. Overnight in Gamkaskloof.
Day 3 (20 Sept): Ride back out of Die Hel with a long downhill on the Oudtshoorn side of Swartberg Pass.
Why should people go to Cape Town and the Western Cape to cycle?
Magestic Mountains, breathtaking coastline, hospitable local, character towns, a variety (in this event, arid) of landscapes, favourable climate, food to die for, nature – rich animal, bird and plant life and ‘where-do-I-start’!? array of activites.
Organised by Multisport Travel Logistics, a subsidiary of Choice Tours (see also Tripadvisor reviews), this 3 to 4 days MTB tour is non-profit and social alongside local adventure riders. The Mtb ride location is in the Western Cape (as is Cape Town), around 400km from Cape Town.
Type of terrain
The surface is rough dirt (often rutted) country roads over mountain passes. A hardtail will suffice, but a full suspension bike will be more comfortable. E-bikes are welcome.
Who is this MTB tour suited for?
Riders with at least moderate fitness level and technical skill. If you have the skill but prefers to snub the uphills and/ or appreciate the spectacular views, a backup/ ‘sweeper’ vehicle will be in attendance.
You can either bring your own bike, or rent through contracted service providers.
What’s included in the MTB tour package:
– Share logistics and support (share expenses) basis
– 2x MTB riding days – 60-65 km each
– Return road transfer from Johannesburg/ Pretoria
– 2 x nights’ accommodation
– 5 x meals (possible extra expenses for special dietary requirements)
– Support/ ‘sweep’ vehicle
– bicycle Technical assistance
– Communication backup (satellite phone/ 2-way radios)
– A #BucketlistRides / AdventureMtb T-shirt, riding shirt or rain jacket
Add-on sight seeing tour: 20 – 26 September 2019
While the starting point of the programme is the mountain bike ride (19-20 Sept), the sight-seeing tour adds plenty of value to your visit to easy-accessible South Africa, with its rich diversity of activity, nature, wildlife, culture and experience. The activity opportunities for spouses/ partners are endless.
This 6-day sight-seeing tour offers a state-of-the-art experience through the world famous region that is the diverse Western Cape and Garden Route with its spectacular coast, fascinating semi-desert, can’t-get-enough-of tourist attractions and mother city, Cape Town.
In short, the itinerary covers the areas of Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Hermanus and Cape Town and includes Garden Route sight seeing, a Safari Game Drive, Whale spotting opportunities and Cape Town and Peninsula) sight seeing.
Cost of add-on: ZAR 15 500 (SGD 1500) – ZAR 21 000 (SGD 2025)
We offer a 10% discount for those who book both the MTB and add-on tour.
What is included:
– Guided, air conditioned transport
– 6 x nights’ 3-4 – star equivalent accommodation
– Entrance/ activity fees to Storm River mouth, Game safari, Cape Point & Table mountain. (transport to other optional extra activities mentioned, offered free of charge)
– All breakfasts
Add-on Itinerary
Day 1, 20 Sept: Upon finishing your #BucketListRide, continue on to Hlangana Lodge in Oudtshoorn for overnight stay.
Day 2, 21 Sept: Morning: selection of Optional Extra activities. These activities include a selection of (time permitting & to be decided upon general group interest) a 25km leisurely Mtb ride along lion & cheetah camps fences and ‘red hills’, and ending at Doornkraal Farmstall and wine cellar, an Ostrich tour (Oudtshoorn), Elephant experience (Oudtshoorn) #ElephantExperiences, Storms River mouth suspention bridge walk (Garden Route), Bloukrans Bungee (Garden Route), Knysna lagoon activities (e.g. Featherbed eco-experience) , Wine estate/s visit(s) (near Cape Town) and Table Mountain (Cape Town). Afternoon: Travel to idyllic Knysna over the Outeniqua mountains and through parts of the Garden Route. Overnight stay at Knysna.
Day 3, 22 Sept: Day for Optional Extra (Knysna/ Garden Route) activities (see below) O/n The Lofts (or similar), Knysna
The itinerary makes provision (with minor itinerary/price deviations) for riders, interested in the 22 Sept 100 km Karoo to Coast Mtb event that takes place on 22 September, for drop-off at the race start and collection again from the finish. Riders will miss out on some Garden Route sight seeing but will experience the beauty and serene atmosphere of it, first hand, on the bike.
Day 4, 23 Sept: After an early start, travel through the coastal part of the western Cape to the ‘Whale capital’ of South Africa, Hermanus, with an African Game wildlife Safari en-route, at Botlierskop Game Reserve. Once arrived in Hermanus, take the opportunity to spot the Southern Right Whale which frequents in these waters, this time of year. Overnight stay at Auberge Burgundy/Nautilus Cottage, Hermanus
Day 5, 24 Sept: After breakfast and some leisure time for whale spotting, visit a wine estate in the famed Stellenbosch/ Franschoek/ Paarl wine regions. In the afternoon, continue to Cape Town for a short city tour. Overnight stay at Hippo Boutique hotel.
Day 6, 25 Sept: Today is set aside for a Cape of Good Hope / Peninsula tour. Experience the dramatic sights from the Cape Point lighthouse, Chapmans Peak and a number of other historical and spectacular sight around this famous route. Boulders Beach penguins can also be visited. Overnight at Hippo Boutique hotel.
Day 7, 26 Sept: Leisure time until it’s time to transfer to Cape Town international Airport for your return flight.
For more information, please head to Multisport Travel Logistics website or their facebook page: BucketlistMTBrides.
For any inquiries, please contact Gere via email or whatsapp +27828211673
This is a paid advert for Multisport Travel Logistics.
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