To Hell and Back is an absolute gem of a MTB stage race
Two days. Out and back. From Kobus se gat se kant not far outside of Oudtshoorn. Over Swartberg pass. And into die hell which is Gamkaskloof. Where there is not even radio reception. And the road there looks like someone accidentally (or intentionally) dropped a piece of spaghetti onto the side of the mountain as it swirls and twirls all the way down to the bottom. Certainly not one for the faint-hearted driver. And with only one way out it certainly doesn’t beg for a bit of congestion or a missed turn!
I first did To Hell and Back over a decade ago
It is such a lovely concept. A 75km-each-day out and back ride from Oudtshoorn side into die Hel and then back again the next day. Day 1 has 1800m of climbing and day 2 has 2100m of climbing. great value for money. Average finish time is 4 ½ hours. And there are 3 water tables along the way. I distinctly remember the snow. I mean how often does it snow in November month in Oudtshoorn? Well, that year it did. And Eugene from Sedgefield cycles sold all his warm kit, drove back, fetched more, and sold that as well.
25-year anniversary clip
More about GAMKASKLOOF
Gamkaskloof, also known as Die Hel (The Hell), is a remote, isolated valley in South Africa’s Swartberg Nature Reserve that was once a self-sufficient community and is now a tourist destination. Visitors must use high-clearance vehicles to navigate the challenging 37 km gravel road off the Swartberg Pass to reach the valley. The area offers a glimpse into the past with historic houses, a school, and a cemetery, and is a popular spot for its natural beauty and birdlife. Today, the valley is part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and offers tourism experiences.
OLD NICKS CLUB for experienced To Hell and Back riders
The Old Nicks club are for those who have completed 10 or more(!) To Hell and Back MTB stage races. Wow. And see how many familiar faces are on that list. To name just a few from our circle: Barry Pauw from ENDUREN as used on our Tourdeboland and Bolandcycletours each year. Corrie Muller local trail-building legend and dentist to those who cannot master the singletrack. Geniel de Villiers from DAKAR fame and a few Stellenbosch watering holes we used to frequent. Juan Mason from MASONS bike inn right here in Stellenbosch. Kevin Evans from THE Bike Shop in Plett where we send so many bikes over the festive period.
DIY To Hell and Back route
80kms each day with around 2000 vertical meters times two which means a decent outing before the obligatory beers and braai. The route below shows from the Buffelsdrift 4-star game lodge and hotel outside of Oudtshoorn. Then 30kms slightly upwards to Kobus se gat. And then the Swartberg gravel pass starts in earnest. Another final climb before the stunning descent into DIE HEL. For your very own DIY To Hell and Back route.
Time for a DIY trip?
First things first: if the To Hell and Back stage race is such a great event, why the need for a DIY trip? Simple, because we want to take along our families and need a different time of the year. So they can also experience the wonder of Gamkaskloof. And for this a DIY To Hell and Back is the perfect answer. We can add driving through Meiringspoort. We can stop by or sleep in family/friends accommodation at Prince Albert guest houses. I can look out for John Swanepoel from MTB Africa fame with his gravel grinder tours as he is certainly the local legend up and down this valley. And we can share the experience with outhers. Maybe planting a seed for their own adventures in future. Let’s go!
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Or we can send your bicycle to/from Oudtshoorn, just like the one for THE BIKE GARAGE today 🙂
