Is cycling to/from races the new normal?
You tell me. Temporarily it seems so. It makes a lot of sense. Because iso just doing the event, you make a long weekend out of it. For double or triple the fun. Suddenly what would have been a 100 or 200km MTB race becomes a 700 or 800kms long weekend outing. Here are two to consider.
Cycling to the start of the TRANSBAVIAANS
Last month we had a great experience cycling up from Paarl to the start of the Transbaviaans in Willowmore. It was a 3-day outing from Paarl, sleeping over in Barrydale. Then Oudtshoorn. And finally at the start in Willowmore. Followed by the Transbaviaans race the next day. Or rather the Langsbaviaans this year. Which was quite a bit different to the usual manicured trip through the Baviaanskloof. Alas, it was a great 4 days of cycling, coming in at about 800kms for the trip. And then back home in a car. Check out the Langsbaviaans outing on STRAVA at strava.com/activities/19910310123 – and book your return boxed bicycle transport with #bicyclecouriers. Like I did.
Enter the race on transbaviaans.co.za/
Cycling to the start of the KAROO 2 COAST
Dewald’s favourite MTB race. The karoo to coast. Next weekend we intend to do the same again. Albeit with a different route. Franschhoek pass is still closed. Which leaves us with Du Toitskloof as the logical alternative. So day 1 to Barrydale again, via Worcester and Montagu. Then to George, and there are many ways to do so. Ie above the mountain the Langeberge. Of half and half, coming down Garcia pass. Maybe via Herbertsdale. Or a bit of the Cross Cape route. Or back to George with the same route like did after the Attakwas earlier this year. Day 3 to Uniondale parallel and on gravel north of but along the N9. Or to Knysna and then up the K2c route in reverse. Which is a lot of climbing but gets a vote of confidence as a bucket list item. Let’s see how it goes. By then the karoo to coast should be a drop in the ocean. Find some inspiration on this RWGPS collection – ridewithgps.com/collections/11165388 – and book your return boxed bicycle transport on #bicyclecouriers. From Knysna or George.
Enter the race on karootocoast.com/
