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The Expedition : Route
The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition traverses through the rugged and scenic Hessequa, Cape-Agulhas and Overberg regions of the Western Cape, South Africa. The 2012 expedition will start in Still Bay on 15 March 2012. It will follow a westerly direction and will finished near the tranquil town of Stanford (30km east of Hermanus) on 18 March 2012.
Expedition stats for 2012:
Total distance: 394km
Total ascent: 6440m
Number of stages: 4
Total riding time: 40 hours
Profiles and stats per stage:
Stage 1 (Still Bay to Nona Rosa Bush Camp)
Date: 15 March 2012 Start: 07h00 Cut-off: 17h00
Total distance: 103km
Total ascent: 1900m
Stage summary:
The Ellensrust Campsite in Stilbaai will be the assembly point for the expedition on 14 March 2012. Registration will take place on the afternoon of 14 March 2012 and the starters bell will let the riders loose at 07h00 the next morning.
A dirt road will take the fresh legs along the western bank of the Goukou River. Riders cross the Goukou to do the first of three climbs for the day (at 17km). After crossing the Goukou again, the second climb awaits (at 31km). Then its easy riding down to the Duiwenhoks River. An unusual river crossing will leed you to the third climb of the day (at 72km). Another easy ride will take you across the Heidelberg Plain and into the stunning bush camp at Nona Rosa.
Stage 2 (Nona Rosa Bush Camp to Potberg)
Date: 16 March 2012 Start: 07h00 Cut-off: 17h00
Total distance: 85km
Total ascent: 1550m
Stage summary:
We start snaking down the Slangrivier at 07h00 on the morning of 16 March heading towards the Slangrivier’s bigger brother, the Breede River. Two technical sections, separated by an easy-riding plateau, will get the day off to an adventurous start. A short rubber duck portage will take you across the Breede River to the eastern sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve, famous for rolling hills of fynbos, bontebok conservation and the odd missile test.
With the help of local farmer and hard-core mountain biker, Niel Neethling, a single track has been prepared that will take you up the mountain for the longest climb of the day. At the top another breath taking view of the Indian Ocean awaits you. Then it is single track down hill through beautiful fynbos. A sneaky little single track will take you to the finishline and overnight village at Potberg.
Stage 3 (Potberg to Strandveld Winery)
Date: 17 March 2012 Start: 05h00 (Yes, this is the dark start!) Cut-off: 17h00
Total distance: 130km
Total ascent: 1380m
Stage summary:
This is the biggie! Love it or hate it, you're going to talk about this one afterwards. The starter’s bell will sound more or less when the local rooster enjoys his morning coffee. Your first two hours of this stage will be in the dark and night riding gear will be compulsory for the first section of this stage. Daylight will throw a technical climb at you, just to make sure you're awake. After crossing the suspension bridge over the Heuningnesrivier at De Mond Nature Reserve, the Agulhas Plains will bring some easy-riding relief.
A single track climb will elevate you from the Agulhas Plains up the Soetanysberg in the picturesque Agulhas National Park. Another breathtaking view awaits you at the top...Indian Ocean to the left, Atlantic Ocean to the right. Then its time to cowboy up, scrape together your last bit of energy and head for the expedition village at Strandveld Winery, home of the stunning First Sightings Wines.
Stage 4 (Strandveld Winery to Beloftebos)
Date: 18 March 2012 Start: 07h00 Cut-off: 15h00
Total distance: 76km
Total ascent: 1610m
Stage summary:
It's the final day! We wave goodbye to the friendly folks at Elim and head straight towards the not-to-be-underestimated "Three Little Pigs". That is all that's left between you and a 10km downhill near the Salmonsdam Nature Reserve towards the picturesque Beloftebos and your 2012 Cape Outback MTB Expedition finishers medal.
