The De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience will host its third annual mountain bike event from August 20 to 22 at De Hoop Nature Reserve, and there are still some entries available.
This year, for the first time in almost six years, the De Hoop Vlei – a Ramsar wetland of international importance – is full again.
Recent heavy floods in the Overberg region resulted in approximately 300 ml of rain flowing into the Vlei and restoring the drought that was caused during the past few years.
“The Agulhas region, which includes Bredasdorp, De Hoop, and Infanta, is showing off its pristine beauty, green pastures, fynbos, and untamed coastline like never before,” said race director Anneke Jacobs, of Overberg MTB Events.
She added that the good news was that riders would be able to see the Vlei in all its pride and experience kilometres of flowing water along the route.
“Changes to the route for this year, as a result of the floods, will be a slightly longer distance for stage one.”
The route will follow the same direction out of De Hoop, and still ride the Flatrock single track opposite the Vlei towards Buchu Bushcamp, but then head out to Haarwegskloof, in the direction of the Overberg Renosterveld. “A beautiful flowing single track of 4 km on Katkloof will take riders back to the farmlands, up the famous Epic climb called Dennis the Menace, and back to De Hoop Nature Reserve,” said Jacobs. All in all, riders will be experiencing the untamed and unspoiled trails including limestone jeep tracks, custom-made single tracks, and miles of breath-taking ocean views. Visit www.entryninja.com for more.
