Home : The Cape Outback in a Nutshell

The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition is a 4-day multi-stage mountain bike expedition staged in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is a professionally organised and affordable endurance challenge for amateur mountain bikers who wants to test their abilities to the limit. The 2012 expedition will be hosted from 15 to 18 March 2012.

The route: The route traverses for approximately 400km's through the rugged and scenic regions of the Western Cape known as the Hessequa, Cape-Agulhas and Overberg. The region, carved up by many rivers, is home to the southern most tip of Africa, rolling coastal fynbos plains, vast protected wilderness areas, unforgiving mountains and most importantly, unexplored mountain bike trails that runs through the region like veins through your body. (More about the 2011 route)

The teams: Riders take part in teams of two. Only 75 teams will be allowed to enter Cape Outback 2012. Teams that enter will enjoy the benefits of a full service package. This includes three delicious meals a day, tented accommodation in the expedition villages, an expedition tog bag, a bag transfer service, bike wash at the end of each stage, etc. (More about the entry package)

The expedition villages: Each night of the expedition is spent in different expedition villages. These villages have all the facilities necessary to cater for tired riders after a long day on the bike. This includes a technical area for bike services, complimentary bike wash after each stage, a secure bike park, masseurs, an entertainment area and tented accommodation for riders. (More about the expedition villages)

The online entry system: Entries can only be done online and through the official Cape Outback website. Click on Register to ride! and follow the instructions. Payments can only be made by direct deposit or electronic fund transfers (EFT).

The FTT Position Placement System: The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition is not a timed event. Position placement is determined by a unique and simple points system called the FTT-system. There will be a cut-off time for every stage. Riders finishing all four stages within the cut-off time, will be awarded the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition Finishers Medal. There are categories for men, ladies, mixed and veterans, but in the end, it's all about that Finishers Medal.

Why ride the Cape Outback?: In addition to the FTT Position Placement System, that rewards those riders that "get going when the going gets tough", the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition boasts a few special features. These include a night/day stage, a rather unusual methods to cross the numerous rivers that the region throws at riders, beautiful and often remote settings for expedition villages, endless unexplored trails and an unmatched village vibe in the evenings. The Cape Outback is not a mega-event and long queues are never seen in the expedition villages.

The organisers: The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition is owned and organised by X-Treme Africa Events. The two faces behind the company are Jaco Loubser and Leo du Plessis. Jaco is a financial manager, a field guide, a lifeguard and a volunteer fire fighter. He is in charge of logistics and the Cape Outback office. Leo holds a post-graduate in sports science and is an adventure guide, entrepreneur, hard-core adventurer and route guru for the Cape Outback.