The action of the 2016 FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Events will close off with a third and final stage that will start at the Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw), take mountain bikers on a memorable 69km journey before finishing at the Onrus Caravan Park within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
According to Michael Meyer, FNB W2W MTB Director, Stage Three is the perfect culmination of three days of magnificent mountain biking. “Even our event team is faced with mixed emotions on the day. We are excited to reach the finish venue in Onrus, but we are sad that it signifies the closing off of a really special event. We trust that the riders will enjoy this stage as much as we do and look forward to welcoming all to the finish line on the day.”
Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
EVENT DATES: FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events (Adventure, Ride and Race)
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure: Friday, 04 November 2016 – Sunday, 06 November 2016
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Ride: Monday, 07 November 2016 – Wednesday, 09 November 2016
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Race: Friday, 11 November 2016 – Sunday, 13 November 2016
Stage Three Route Information:
“Stage Three features many iconic sections,” says Johan Kriegler, FNB W2W MTB Director. “After three days of mountain biking, riders will finally finish by the sea. The journey will include passing the Houw Hoek Inn, the oldest hotel in South Africa, meandering through the quaint town of Botriver past the Botriver School, experiencing the magnificent Wildekrans and Hermanus Trails, Gaf-se-Bos, the Fruitways Beach Crossing and the PERI river crossing to name just a few. Stage three is sure to leave lasting memories. Enjoy every minute.”
Summary:
Start Venue: Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: Onrus Caravan Park
Distance: 69km
Climb: 1200m
To get the legs back in action, Stage Three will start with a rolling hill from the Race Village at Oak Valley Wine Estate through the Paul Cluver Wine Estate. Riders will slip past the Amphitheatre on a downhill, over three dam walls before exiting Paul Cluver to start the journey towards the whale haven of Hermanus. Riders will be greeted by the first single track at Korteshoven (10km into the stage) and then the second single at the Houw Hoek Trails. These trails are on private property and are only accessible during events. From Houw Hoek Inn, which is also a spectator point, the Old N2 Trail will take riders onto Katpass (the old railway road).
FNB W2W offers financial support to the Groenlandberg Conservancy, a group of landowners managing a three year alien clearance programme along the Jakkals River. Be cautious going down Katpass. Riders will now enter the town of Botriver where W2W supports crèches, the school and the Botriver Education Foundation. The school and Rotary Hermanus host Water Point 1 (23km into the stage) which is also a spectator point. Soon after Water Point 1 riders will reach Wildekrans Wine Estate, a great MTB destination with trails open to the public. On a contour single track along the Botriver, the Steel Bridge will be crossed. Besides the finish in Onrus, the Steel Bridge is the lowest point on the route. At this point the downhill part of Stage Three has been completed.
All the trails from the Steel Bridge to the Karwyderskraal gravel road (Botriver Farm) are strictly off limit to cyclists except during events. Water Point 2 (41km into the stage) will be hosted by the Caledon School at the Arthouse on Botriver Farm. From here riders will get to experience Gaf-se-Bos. Cape Trails has been doing a lot of alien clearance in Gaf-se-Bos and have also planted many indigenous trees along the wetland area. Once on the Karwyderskraal gravel road, riders are asked to keep to the left. Turn right at the De Bos Dam onto a steep downhill which is part of the public MTB Hermanus trails. Water Point 3 (61km into the stage) is at the Plaaskombuis on the Hemel en Aarde Road. This water point is also a spectator point.
From here the trail runs along the Onrus River towards the sea. It is mostly fast, but fun downhill. The last 3km will be spectacular, cycling on the Fruitways Pallet Beach Crossing, over the PERI Onrus River Bridge and onto Atlantic Drive which will take riders to the finish.
Download the Stage Three Route Map here: http://wines2whales.co.za/rider/route-2/
Each FNB W2W MTB entrant will receive an adidas branded jacket. Together with Duesouth, the official retail partner of the FNB W2W MTB Events, adidas will set up an exhibitor’s area in the Race Village. Riders and supporters can look forward to a firsthand experience of adidas’ newest TERREX range.
The prize purse breakdown for the 2016 FNB W2W MTB Race can be viewed here: http://wines2whales.co.za/rider/race-prize-purse/
Like our Facebook page: Wines2Whales
Follow us on Twitter: @w2wmtb
For more information on the FNB W2W MTB events contact Chris on 083 760 3158, e-mail race@wines2whales.co.za, adventure@wines2whales.co.za or ride@wines2whales.co.za or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
Source: Newsport Media
