This is an uncompetitive ride staged over two days through some of the Cape’s most interesting and diverse terrain. It includes three mountains, a world biosphere reserve and three conservation areas. It goes over 20 farms, eight wineries and includes rides through forests, fynbos and grasslands.
Day 1 - Distance: 58 kilometres. Total ascent: 1,265 metres. The first day’s ride is much about a tale of four climbs. The first you encounter just after leaving the Inn less than a kilometre into the ride. By the time you reach the first watering point at Thandi Farm Stall the first big encounters and 20 kilometres of hard riding are behind you.
Before you reach the second watering table you must tackle the Paul Cluver single track climb and ride past the Lebanon Forest Station. You may get a hint of home as the route starts to turn back. Hard work lies ahead however as you get onto the long climb towards Groenlandberg. Brace yourself for the final challenge of the day once you have said goodbye to the helpers. Single track through magical pine forest is what you get as you cross the Jakkels River Dam and careen back down to the Inn.
Day 2 - Distance: 42 kilometres. Total ascent: 985 metres. Today the profile shows a totally different route as you descend the Van der Stel Pass and ride across the Bot River on your way to the first watering point 37 kilometres away. The going to the second watering point at the Art House is relatively easy as you push on to Karwyderskraal.
There is much to see and do as you pass the wineries of Hemel-en-Aarde and ride on to Rotary View Drive. Pause here for the panoramic view of Walker Bay and the Kleinrivier Lagoon, this is something to savour. Onward you press, past the Hamilton Russell winery and on single track along the Onrus River. The finish of today’s ride is at Hermanuspietersfontein Cellar at the Hermanus-Sandbaai intersection.