CAPE PIONEER TREK
THE DATES FOR OUR 2019 TOUR IS FROM SUNDAY THE 1ST TO MONDAY THE 16TH OF SEPTEMBER 2019.
THE CAPE PIONEER TREK EVENT TAKES PLACE FROM THE SUNDAY THE 8TH TO THE SATURDAY THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER
WESTERN CAPE SINGLETRACK AND THE CAPE PIONEER TREK
Ride some of the best MTB trails in South Africa
Ride the spectacular Cape Pioneer Trek, 7 day MTB stage race
Over 16days from Sunday the 1st to the Monday the 16th of September 2019 (16 days / 15 nights)
During the 16 days of this tour, you will have an action-packed MTB experience in the Western Cape area of South Africa. We will be taking in some of the best mountainbike trails on offer with the tour culminating in the legendary Cape Pioneer Trek in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo areas.
THE CAPE PIONEER TREK – IT’S A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
FROM THE HEART OF THE KAROO COMES THE RACE WITH SOUL
From the arid desertscapes of the Groot Karoo to the great mountains of the Klein Karoo and the aboriginal forests of the Garden Route, the Cape Pioneer has it all, a truly African mountain biking experience. The magic lies in the unique combination of exciting, diverse trails, passionate people and authentic human connection, brought to you by world class event organisers. The result is a race that has achieved near legendary status.
THE ESSENCE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
World class organisation, great trails and great friends. The Cape Pioneer Trek will return you to the soul of the sport and leave you with a lifetime of memories.
THE ROUTE
7 DAYS, 496km – TOTAL DISTANCE, 10745m – TOTAL ASCENT
The 2018 route is truly a culmination of the best trails and areas we have utilized over the years. The focus is on pure enjoyment, even during the travel stages, which are naturally slighter longer, the emphasis was shifted to more fun and scenic areas to ride through. The addition of many new single-track sections, which is still in the construction phase, will elevate the 2018 edition to something to cherish.
Even the iconic landmarks within the route will have that added twist to enhance overall rider enjoyment even though it will still remain a challenge of note. Above all, we have found that trail sweet spot that will stay with the riders forever. Enjoy.
A PREVIEW OF WHAT LIES AHEAD IN 2018
OUR ITINERARY
SEPTEMBER 2018 – ACTIVITY
Saturday 31 August – OVERNIGHT FLIGHT FROM EUROPE TO CAPE TOWN – SOUTH AFRICA
Sunday 1st of September – ARRIVE CAPE TOWN AND SETTLE INTO ACCOMMODATION
We meet you at Cape Town international Airport late in the afternoon. When all are there we transfer to our accommodation which is about 40min to an hour away – depending on the traffic….
On arrival and after we have settled into our accommodation, we assemble our bikes. We will have all the relevant tools and support there to make sure this is a pleasant and quick process! We then have to go test the bikes just to make sure all is in 100% working order.
Monday 2nd – TOKAI, KIRSTENBOSCH TRAILS and TABLE MOUNTAIN
Tokai has been closed for a couple of years due to fires that ravaged the mountains. This however gave the opportunity to build quite a number of new trails and as the main MTB destination in the Southern suburbs of Cape Town, the trails are excellent. We ride all the way back to Cape Town from Tokai, following the greenbelts, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens trails and the slopes of Table Mountain.
The slopes of Table Mountain have also previously been the location for the Absa Cape Epic prologue in the past and offers spectacular views of Cape Town and the bay! We have lunch in town and fetch our race packs for Sundays Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Tuesday 3rd – JONKERSHOEK – STELLENBOSCH
A MTB destination that provides you with many route options in a typical Western Cape Mountain region! There are some “nice” climbs, traverse sections and downhill single trails that range from easy to very advanced black routes.
We’ll spend the morning there and then stop off in Stellenbosch village on the way back for a well-earned lunch!
Dinner tonight is included
Wednesday 4th – OAK VALLEY MTB TRAILS
Today we transfer to Hermanus, about an hour’s drive. Along the way we stop at Oak Valley MTB trails after driving over Sir Lowry’s Pass to the other side of the Helderberg mountains. These trails, in various configurations, have been part of a couple of Absa Cape Epic events but is also the base for the annual FNB Wines2Whalesevent. This means that the trails are in perfect condition and there are various exciting man-made features on the trail to maximize enjoyment for us riders.
You will most probably consider coming back for the Wines2Whales 3-day race after riding here!
Thursday 5th – HERMANUS – Hemel and Aarde trails
The trails that we will be riding takes us into the Hemel and Aarde valley where some of the sections are also part of the last day of the Wines2Whales and has featured in the Absa Cape Epic as well. Many route options and spectacular scenery will keep you entertained and happy while on your bike!
Hermanus is known as the whale watching capital of South Africa. Even though we are not going to be there during peak whale watching season, the Brydes and Humpback whales are still in the bay and there is always a chance to spot them. Our lunch spot for the day gives us the best opportunity to spot any whales that might be out there in the bay, as we will be sitting right next to the water – picture to the right.
Lunch today is included
Friday 6th – Drive to Mosselbay – Start of Pioneer, settle in and sort out our bikes.
Mosselbay is our destination for today, as this is the start town for the Cape Pioneer Trek. With registration for the event taking place tomorrow, we use this day to relax, sort our bikes out and spin the legs very gently.
Saturday 7th to Saturday 14th
Saturday when we arrive we do all the admin and sort out registration etc. Test ride the prologue route….
From today till the next Sunday morning, we will be part of the race and your accommodation (depending on the option you selected) and logistics will be taken care of by the event organisers.
For details of the route, please have a look on The Cape Pioneer event website
Sunday 15th – BACK TO THE CAPE TOWN
After the prize giving and party on Saturday night in Oudtshoorn we head back to Cape Town for an evening in the Mother City before you head back home on Monday.
Included in the package is normal bus transfer back to our hotel in Cape Town. We are however able to assist you with flight bookings from George to Cape Town. This option is subject to availability and we will confirm pricing should you require this option.
In Cape Town, we settle into our accommodation and go for a magical last dinner.
Monday 16th – TO THE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The plan for Monday morning is to go and ride the coastal road to Chapmanspeak and back early in the morning. Will however decide on this during dinner on Sunday night as the bodies might be a bit tired…..
Depending on your travel plans, we take you back to the airport after lunch time to be on time for your flight home.
PACKAGE COSTS
Over 16days from Sunday 1st to the Monday the 16th of September 2019 (16 days / 15 nights)
Price to be confirmed but will be about € 3960 per person sharing with a guaranteed entry as either part of a 2 person team or as a Solo rider in the Cape Pioneer Trek.
Team and Solo entry details for the Cape Pioneer Trek explained below
Included in the above price
Sharing accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis in good 3-4 star hotels or guest houses,
Single accommodation available on request and subject to availability at an additional cost.
Lunch on 2 afternoons (prior to the Cape Pioneer),
Dinner on 2 evenings (prior to the Cape Pioneer),
Guided cycling on the routes as mentioned above,
All entry fees to the local trails,
Bicycle technician with basic spares available on all the rides,
Guaranteed all inclusive entry for The Cape Pioneer Trek (Team or Solo)
All transfers
All-inclusive team entry details entry details as included in this package
YOUR TEAM ENTRY COVERS ALL YOU AND YOUR PARTNER NEED WITH NO BACK-UP NECESSARY. ALL YOUR MEALS, INCLUDING BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS A TENT AND COMFORTABLE MATTRESS. BE QUICK – ENTRIES ARE LIMITED TO 250 TEAMS OF TWO.
YOUR TEAM PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:
Official race garment.
Race finisher’s t-shirt
Three scrumptious meals per day starting with lunch on the first Sunday (vegetarian options available). Hospitality comes courtesy of the local community with all meals prepared locally with home cooked goodness.
Tented village accommodation during the event. This includes a spacious 2-man tent per rider, ready for occupation when you arrive at the finish venue. A comfortable mattress is supplied per person.
Hot showers.
Clean accessible toilets.
All-inclusive solo entry details as included in this package
YOUR SOLO ENTRY COVERS ALL YOU NEED WITH NO BACK-UP NECESSARY. ALL YOUR MEALS, INCLUDING BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS A TENT AND COMFORTABLE MATTRESS.
YOUR SOLO PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:
Official race bag for all your kit (which we will transport from venue to venue for you)
Official race garment.
Race finisher’s t-shirt
Three scrumptious meals per day starting with lunch on the first Sunday (vegetarian options available). Hospitality comes courtesy of the local community with all meals prepared locally with home cooked goodness.
Tented village accommodation during the event.This includes a spacious 2-man tent per rider, ready for occupation when you arrive at the finish venue. A comfortable mattress is supplied per person.
Hot showers.
Clean accessible toilets.
Various upgrades in accommodation exists. Please have a look at the Cape Pioneer Trek website for all the details regarding the event, the same discounts apply to these upgrades.
Not Included
Your flights to get to Cape Town,
Purchases of a personal nature,
Wine and alcoholic drinks,
Additional costs in the hotels (laundry, Telephone, bar etc.)
Please note
We take limited numbers on our tours to ensure personal attention during your time with us! Make sure to reserve your spot now!
Bicycle rental – We are able to assist you with bicycle rental if you need this, it is however subject to availability. Please let me know if you need a rental bike.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
To reserve your spot on this tour, please complete the short form below and we will get back to you to confirm if we still have a spot on this tour.
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Should we have a spot available, we will forward you the detailed Tour Registration form.