Look forward to several highlights including “Buchu Bends†built by Eric Starke to showcase a stunning view of Table Mountain. You will also be treated to a spectacular view of the Sandveld and Atlantic Ocean on “Gryskopâ€!
“Rhino’s Passage†takes you south to “Suicide Run†where all your efforts on the various climbs will be rewarded with an epic 1.4km descend! Exiting “Suicide Run†brings you onto a dam wall and into the heart of Michele Starke’s Buchu fields. Mouton’s Valley is the largest organic buchu farm in South Africa, producing essential oil and dried leaves for the world market.
Over the dam wall and next is “Bokdoring Draai†and “Twin Peaksâ€, both offer technical twists and turns leading into flowing sections that then link up with “The Canyonâ€. The fast downhill starts here taking you through “Steyntjies Poort†and into “Porcupine Avenue†– arguably one of the best sections on our trails.
Then you wind your way around the orchards on jeep tracks. Riders will turn left after Water Point 3 and head up Levant Hill on a jeep track that contours around it, then a short climb takes riders into “Yellow Cliff Roadâ€.
This trail is a 1.3km switchback climb with an ascend of 100 meters. Make sure you leave something in the proverbial tank for this climb. It is technical – fitness and endurance are required to reach the top.
After “Yellow Cliff Road†you climb into Levant Hill and circle around Avontuur Dam via “Hello Kitty†named after John Ince’s chance encounter one evening with a Leopard. From “Hello Kitty†you cycle through “Marshlands†and enter Buglers Post farm, belonging to John and Marika Ince.
One of the several highlights here include the “Muy Berg†singletrack, which will give you a splendid view of the Rooi Karoo. Next, the Pine Forest Play Park with some interesting obstacles including swinging bridges, ride the plank, drops and more, to test your skills! You then follow the road around Buglers Post and climb to the Duncan’s farm, Pomona.
Here your challenge is “The Throne†– a remarkable first effort at building a singletrack from Rob Duncan. Now you are at the highest elevation point of the route! And the last water point!
The trail descends back to Buglers Post via “Blaaukopâ€, and then connects to “Jakkelskloofâ€. Next is “Owls Corner†and a steep Jeep track climb gets you to “The Bugâ€. “The Bug†takes you north and starts the descent to the finish line via “Fairy Meadowsâ€. When you get to “Rondekop†you are back on Mouton’s Valley and the flat and fast jeep track, which runs next to the Bushman’s River will take you all the way to the FINISH.
