MOUNTAIN BIKING: The X - an Eastern Cape odyssey

BICYCLING

Words: Ugene Nel ǀ Photos: Ugene Nel

THE X IS A BRAND NEW FIVE-DAY MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENT TO GRACE THE MTB CALENDAR IN 2014, AND PROMISES NON-STOP ADVENTURE FROM START TO FINISH. The X came about back in September 2013 when I hopped on an overnight bus from Cape Town to Upington. The next morning, when everyone else got off the bus and went about their business, I assembled my bike and started riding. I rode through the remote area of the Great Karoo and across historical places such as Verneukpan, finishing my journey in Matjiesfontein some 600 km and four days later.

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AN EASTERN CAPE ODYSSEY

The solitude and freshness along The X route is simply sublime!

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DURING THE DECEMBER 2013 SUMMER BREAK, I DECIDED TO DO SOME MORE SCOUTING, THIS TIME RIDING IN A CIRCULAR ROUTE AROUND THE AREA, WHICH IS ALSO WHERE I WAS BORN AND GREW UP.

The journey to the Great Fish River was an adventure in itself, with awesome exploratory riding and stops in places like Matjiesfontein (outside Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo), Saasveld, the Outeniqua Mountains, and Witteberg Hoek in the Langkloof. I was then joined by my friend, Rob Flashman, and for the next 10 days we explored some of the most remote and hardly used trails, paths, and quiet farm and public dirt roads the region had to offer. And as we rode, The X, an Eastern Cape odyssey, was born, and this is what riders can look forward to.

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AN EASTERN CAPE ODYSSEY

The shutters in front of the windows and doors of these old houses are very effective to keep the interior cool on hot days.

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Fortunately, there are enough boreholes and reservoirs along certain sections of The X route to fill up.

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THE ROUTE DAY 1 - TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER (115 KM)

The ride will start in the town of Grahamstown and after a short ride past Rhodes University, it will follow the old steam train route to Alicedale via Highlands. The 55 km journey to Alicedale follows a ridgeline for most of the way. Shortly after the railway siding at Highlands,

Leaving The Hub in Somerset East to tackle the awesome Boschberg MTB trails before continuing to the historic frontier town of Bedford via Stolzkloof trail.

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the trail enters a private game reserve. About 10 km before reaching Alicedale, the trail runs alongside the Nuwejaarsdam (New Year's Dam), so beware of the hippos here. The ride is sublime, with gorgeous vistas and plenty of amazing fauna, flora and antelope. There will also be frequent encounters with the comical warthogs, as they scarper along with their little tails aloft like radio antennas. The altitude loss to Alicedale is 1,200 m, with a gain of 800 m.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED IN THE OLD SCHOOL BUILDING (WHERE I SPENT MY FIRST FIVE YEARS IN SCHOOL), WHICH IS NOW THE BUSHMAN’S SANDS LODGE. THEREAFTER, THE REMAINING 60 KM ROUTE FOLLOWS THE BUSHMAN’S RIVER UPSTREAM FOR A WHILE.

Even though this section is open to the public, very few folk know about its existence and places such as Doringkom (Thornbowl), Boesmans Poort (Bushman’s Gorge) and Swartwaterspoort (Blackwaters Gorge) will feature. Here, the Eastern Cape bush is wild and unique, making it a very special place indeed! After passing the Sheldon siding, riders will follow an old rail route, alongside the actual railway line, to the overnight stop at the old hamlet of Middleton.

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The view from Patryshoogte (Partridge Heights ) outside Somerset East - looking toward the Great Fish River and Bedford.

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DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER (60 KM) DAY TWO IS A MUCH SHORTER RIDE, SO RIDERS WILL ENJOY A SCRUMPTIOUS FARM BREAKFAST BEFORE SETTING OFF FOR SOMERSET EAST, 60 KM AWAY. Following a dirt road that is mainly used by local farmers, riders will again join an old rail route as they near Somerset East. No rails or sleepers (this is the hard Rhodesian Teak wood used to lay the rails onto) exist and will make for some interesting riding. The Hub, a country restaurant, shop, tourism, and trail info centre, marks the end of day two and is where great food, great people and – the next day – more awesome trails await.

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DAY 3 – THURSDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER (95 KM)

After a delicious country breakfast at The Hub, riders will experience one of the most amazing trails in the Eastern Cape, the Boschberg MTB trails. These trails are really well maintained and nurtured by a small group of passionate riders from the area.

After leaving town via a firebreak, riders will take on a short but stunning climb towards the Patryshoogte Pass. From there, a very old trail drops down into Stolzkloof towards Kommetjies Hoek.

This section of the ride traverses through two game farms and the riding is simply amazing! Single track and jeep track riding on the edge of a deep ravine, surrounded by plenty of game, various birds of prey and fresh air!

Crossing over the Great Fish River will take the exhilarated riders into the Baviaans River valley before taking a right fork towards Bedford. This is another historical town and remains a hub for farmers, artists and naturally – mountain bikers. The distance covered is 95 km, with a 1,800 m altitude loss and exactly the same gain.

Approaching Nuwejaars Dam before Alicedale.

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DAY 4 – FRIDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER (90 KM)

The eZulu Game Reserve will no doubt be an experience of note! Namely 33,000 hectares packed with game. The 'lions' share of the ride will traverse through this piece of paradise en route to yet another game reserve, Woodlands, and the final overnight stop. This will be a 90 km ride, with a 1,100 m gain in altitude and a drop of 1,200 m.

DAY 5 – SATURDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER (70 KM)

Riding high above the Great Fish River valley, the route will continue east for 15 km before leaving the high plateau and descending to the Great Fish River. Following the edge of the river to Pigott’s Bridge, the next game reserve awaits, Kwandwe. At the time of writing, we are still negotiating a safe passage through this reserve, as there are elephants and a few large cats here. Not long after that, Grahamstown will welcome you back! The 70 km ride will allow for sufficient time to really enjoy the views and game, as well as reflect on the last few days of what will be magical!

ENTER NOW AND YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ON A HIGH LONG AFTER YOU’VE FINISHED THIS ADVENTURE RIDE! •

ER H T R U F R FO T U O B A S L DETAI ENTURE. V ntures.co.za or THISw.qAuaD e dition ntumadv ike expe

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Succulent and tasty prickly pears - a great food source!

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