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f you’re a keen mountain biker, have we found a treat for you! This year, the De Hoop Vlei MTB<br />
Experience will take the format of a guided mountain bike ride, and with no racing and timing<br />
elements, the event will be your chance to take advantage of enjoying the exceptional scenery and<br />
routes at one of Cape Nature’s flagship nature reserves, De Hoop.<br />
All vast open spaces, whale watching, drives out to the beach at Koppie Alleen, this area, teaming with<br />
wildlife, is an exceptional spot to explore, making it much more attractive than the usual mountain bike<br />
riding weekend away. It’s a weekend for not only bikers, but their husbands and wives, children and<br />
friends ... a serious treat after our months of lockdown.<br />
The decision to change the experience to a more relaxed, guided ride format is due to the Covid-19<br />
restrictions, which also means there’ll be a limited field of 50 riders. Small groups of 10 riders, each<br />
with a professional guide, will depart every quarter of an hour, fastest going first, so there’ll be no crowding.<br />
The event will involve challenging but rewarding riding, along a combination of jeep and single tracks, with<br />
limestone and protected vegetation areas that add to the challenge.<br />
The weekend starts with a 19km Sunset Scramble fun ride on the Friday, which will loosen the legs and<br />
shake off any cobwebs ahead of the first stage, with the second day seeing a 55km Flat Out on The Rock<br />
ride. This route includes a new track which goes all the way up to Buchu Bush Camp, and is known as the<br />
Flatrock single track. Riders can take in panoramic views of the entire Vlei, unparalleled and unspoilt sunrises<br />
over the Potberg area and open flood plains that stretch as far as the eye can see towards Arniston and<br />
Struisbaai. Then, after riding through local farm land, following some interesting cattle tracks and trails, riders<br />
will climb back over Denice The Menace, which is the most technical and steep climb of the day. Sounds<br />
too hectic? There’s a shorter option on day two for the more relaxed, non-technical riders - a 32km De<br />
Mond-Melkkamer Dash. The highlight of the weekend is the 62km Trails to Whales ride. Starting at De Hoop,<br />
riders will be heading out to the Potberg side, and climbing back to De Hoop with the iconic Vaalkraens. This<br />
is the signature and main Strava climb for the day, and takes you to the Eastern half of the reserve, where<br />
whale watching opportunities reign supreme.<br />
The weekend entry fee package is R2650 a person, which includes two dinners, lunches and breakfasts at the<br />
Fig Tree restaurant at De Hoop Collection, a bottle of Lomond wine, a goodie bag with nutrition supplies from<br />
Enduren and snacks, a complimentary massage by EPT recovery, and a bike wash after each ride. It excludes<br />
the Cape Nature entrance fee (payable at the gate) and a Ciovita rider jersey (optional extra). There are also<br />
special accommodation rates at the De Hoop Collection for this weekend, starting at R375 a person a night,<br />
with options of fully equipped cottages that sleep four or six.<br />
Details: Race entries on dehoopvleimtb.co.za; reservations can only be made through email at<br />
nicola@dehoopcollection.co.za. For more info visit dehoopvleimtb.co.za and dehoopcollection.com<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember 20 Get It Magazine 41
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