Celebrate the Bicycle This Spring

Overberg MTB Events and Trail’s End are proud to present Elgin Bikes2Blossoms, a two-day mountain biking tour through the spectacular trails of Elgin. One of South Africa’s undoubted singletrack hotspots the trails around Grabouw are world famous. Spend two days, there, riding and an evening reminiscing, at Trail’s End, about the bicycle’s storied history from the 1^st to the 3^rd of October 2021.

The weekend gets underway, on the 1^st of October, with the grand opening of the Trail’s End Bicycle Museum. Curated by Professor Mike Bruton, the installation is Africa’s first bicycle museum and is a fitting addition to the continent’s premier Bike Hotel. Famed for his interactive science centre conceptualization, Professor Bruton not only curated the installation but will also host an informative talk on the history of the bicycle on Friday evening.

On Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 October, the Elgin Bikes2Blossoms powered by Trail’s End entrants will be treated to two spectacular days of riding. “The routes have been carefully put together to showcase Elgin’s most iconic trails, including the best sections of the FNB Wines2Whales routes in the region” event director Anneke Jacobs promised. “The days are relatively short, but riders shouldn’t underestimate the difficulty. They’re packed with singletrack and punchy climbs, so the riding will be fun but strenuous.”

“Both days start and finish at Trail’s End” Jacobs explained. “Day 1 circumnavigates the Eikenhof Dam, the singletracks the route takes in include the some of the famous A to Z Trails, Sean’s Cut Down as well as Willie’s Singletrack. Day 2 then heads towards Oak Valley and Paul Cluver. The Witklippies, Rietvlei Magic and Fish Eagle Dam trails are among the highlights of the second day.”

“The event’s entry fee includes a goodie bag, featuring a bottle of both Oak Valley and Paul Cluver’s award winning wines” Jacobs added. “But we decided to leave the accommodation and meal options up to each rider. Ideally, as many people as possible will stay at Trail’s End; to be part of the full weekend’s festivities. It’s such a special venue, with a welcoming atmosphere and facilities geared perfectly for cyclists.”

Local cycling coach, Lance Stephenson, designed the routes for the event and is offering 3 Elgin Bikes2Blossoms powered by Trail’s End entrants the chance to win 1-on-1 skills training sessions with him. “With Paul Cluver closing their trails, outside of events, this represents a great opportunity to ride the newly extended Rietvlei Magic singletrack, for example” Stephenson revealed. “The route will be fully marked and though the idea is to ride at a relatively leisurely pace entrants can challenge themselves and race the stages if they wish too.”

Mountain bikers can book their spot in the Elgin Bikes2Blossoms powered by Trail’s End online, at www.entryninja.com and visit www.overbergmtbevents.co.za for more information. Accommodation booking can be made via www.elgingrabouw.co.za or directly on www.trailsend.bike.

Next on the Overberg MTB Events calendar is the De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience. The event was postponed from August, due to floods and an overflow of the Ramsar Convention protected wetland at De Hoop Nature Reserve. It will now take place from the 19^th to the 21^st of November 2021. De Hoop Collection are looking forward to welcoming riders to a summer event and showcasing the beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom while different species of fynbos are in bloom.

Elgin Bikes2Blossoms powered by Trail’s End
Friday, 1 October, 17:00	Bicycle Museum Grand Opening
Saturday, 2 October, 08:00	Day 1: 40km
Sunday, 3 October, 08:00	Day 2: 41km
Start/Finish	Trail’s End Bike Hotel, Grabouw
Entry Fee	R1 100 per person
Website	www.overbergmtbevents.co.za
Online Entries	www.entryninja.com
Accommodation Options	www.trailsend.bike or www.elgingrabouw.co.za