Garden Route Grind

MTB or Gravel Tour Exploring the epic mountain passes along the Western Cape Garden Route

Are you looking to put in a couple of days of solid riding, with loads of elevation to boot, while enjoying luxury accommodation, and great hospitality, and taking in the best of the Garden Route while you are at it? In that case, this trip is exactly what the doctor ordered.

5 Days of fully support epic riding along the Garden Route, including the famous 7 passes road, and a crossing of the incredibly beautiful Montagu Pass, as well as so much more. All the while enjoying luxury guesthouse accommodation, world-class dining and a plethora of included and optional off-the-bike activities each afternoon.

Where: The event kicks off in Knysna, with the first two nights of accommodation near the famous waterfront. You will need to get yourself to Knysna*. There is secure parking to leave your vehicle until the end of the tour. A shuttle from Sedgefield on the final day is included for you to collect your vehicle again.

*(A return road transfer from Cape Town (R750), or an airport transfer from George Airport (R450) can be arranged if needed, please leave a note in the comments section when booking if you require this.)

What’s included: 4 Nights of Guesthouse accommodation on a B/B Basis, 4 fully supported rides as per the itinerary, all lunches (excluding drinks), a sunset cruise on the Knysna lagoon, full mechanical support on route (parts for your own account) and a 40-minute massage daily.

Cost: R8450.00 pp/s. To book now click here

What kind of riding to expect: The 4 supported rides average around 70km/day, with between 1200 and 1500m of climbing per day, so you need to be reasonably fit to enjoy the trip. The riding is mostly along gravel roads and forestry tracks and is well suited to either XC or light trail bikes, but gravel bikes are also welcome.

Remember though, this is not a race, but is meant to be an enjoyable tour, exploring the countryside from your bike seat. You will be able to ride at your own pace, and there will be checkpoints, with tech support, water, and snacks every 20-30km along each day’s route.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at leisure throughout the course of the afternoon in Knysna. Check in to the accommodation anytime from 14:00. If you need assistance unboxing and setting up your bike, our staff will be on hand to assist. At 16:30, we will depart for the Jetty, and enjoy a sunset cruise and Oyster experience on the Knysna Lagoon – Overnight: Knysna (Meals Provided – None, canapes and champagne will however be served on the boat)

Day 2: Early morning breakfast buffet will be served at the accommodation, followed by a 72km circular ride from Thesen Island to Milwood in the Knysna Forest and back. Once back at the accommodation, and freshened up, lunch will be served on the verandah, and you will be able to enjoy a short massage, and then have the afternoon at leisure to explore Knysna. – Overnight Knysna (Meals Provided: Breakfast/Lunch and on-route light snacks)

Day 3: Early breakfast served again at the guesthouse. Today we are doing a point-to-point ride, so please ensure your luggage is packed and loaded into the support vehicle before you sit down for breakfast. After breakfast we depart through town, joining the seven passes road at Phantom Pass, and enjoy the historic 7 passes route for 80km, finally ending in the town of Wilderness, where we will be staying for the next two nights. Once checked in, you are free to freshen up, before enjoying lunch overlooking the sea, followed by a massage, and then the afternoon at leisure to explore Wilderness, or just go and chill on the beach. Overnight – Wilderness (Meals Provided: Breakfast/Lunch and light snacks on route)

Day 4: Today is a dual-stage ride, and we will start a little later than usual, so you can lie in a little, before coming down to enjoy breakfast, before taking on a tough ride across the Outeniqua mountains, from the coast, into the Karoo, enjoying a combination of forestry roads, jeep and single track to finally finish stage one at Louvain Guest Farm, where a dip in the pool, and a lazy lunch awaits. After lunch and some time to enjoy the facilities at Louvain, you will be shuttled along the tar road, to the base of another famous Thomas Baines Pass, the Montagu Pass, taking you back over the Outeniqua Mountains, finishing off in George, where we will load the bikes up on the trailer, and head back to Wilderness, for some well-deserved beers, and enjoy our last super together on tour. – Overnight – Wilderness (Meals Provided: breakfast/lunch, excluding drinks)

Day 5: Our last day on tour kicks off with a coffee and rusks, followed by a quick shuttle to the activity centre at Fynbos on the sea, where we have the chance to spend the morning exploring the amazing network of single track and trails that have been custom built here, overlooking the ocean as well as the Swartvlie Lagoon. After a couple of hours of being shown around the trails by some local legends, we will get together at the bistro for a delicious brunch, before saying our goodbyes. There are shower facilities available at the activity centre, so you can freshen up before hitting the road. Those who self-drove and left vehicles in Knysna will be given a complimentary transfer back to Knysna to collect their vehicles, alternatively, you will be taken to the airport in George, or transferred back to Cape Town, depending on your arrangements.

This is an exclusive, small group experience, and space is strictly limited to a maximum of 8 riders per departure. Click the link below, choose your dates and book now 50% Deposit secures your booking, T&C apply