The day before I returned was spent with Christiaan & Elisca on trails that form part of one of the Cape Epic stages. It was the hottest day on my whole holiday, the temperature was close to the 40's.
Because of the heat in South Africa there isn't much time for respite, you ride to finish your ride before the heat of the day. That means you shut up & pedal so that your ride is done by 10:00! The trail provides you with views over the whole of the Bainskloof Valley before you head over to the furthest part which spans views over to the Swartland! It has a good combination of easy rideable fast flowing singletrack and a few pieces of nice rock garden type singletrack.
I still need to get a bit braver with the regular narrow little bridges that they sneak in regularly when you least expect it.
Head out early to avoid the heat as in start your ride at 6:00 if not earlier as you don't want to be caught in the furthest part of the trail with the sun beaming down on you. The wind also pumps like crazy at the back of the mountain, but I was quite grateful for the wind as it kept us cool. Riding in the UK doesn't make me hard enough for this warm temperature, it literally feels like I'm going backwards as soon as I'm not under the shade!
The trail was 95% singletrack, constantly going up & down and traversing round the mountains.
They do have a café at the start and finish area of the trail which sells cold cool drinks, beer snacks and even homemade jam.
Put it on your bucketlist for places to ride!
Find out more about the routes and how to get here by visiting Mountain Biking - Welvanpas.
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| Bainskloof |
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| Trying out IamSUPERBAR, a healthy dried fruit and nuts bar made by Elisca's friend |
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| View towards the Swartland! |
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| Singletrack for miles! |
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| Singletrack satisfaction! |
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| Elisca properly said something inappropriate to make us both laugh like this! |
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| The Dollas in action |
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Welvanpas
Lunch at Blacksmith Kitchen in Paarl! Beautiful setting, amazing food and great place to kuier
Kerryn is friends with the owner of Blacksmith Kitchen in Paarl and recommended this place to us. The setting is beautiful and the food even better. Service is great with plenty of ice water top ups as an added bonus. Their crockery are personalised with parts of the deeds of the farm printed on them and it is evident that attention to detail is very important to them. They served the most amazing fresh garlic pesto with the pizza, I care more about the taste than the effects of the garlic. :-)
HOT HOT Paarl!
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