With the gruelling Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race coming to Montagu in March next year, residents are hard at work preparing trails.
The Cape Epic is the world’s most televised mountain bike race and thousands of eyes across the globe will see what Montagu has to offer cyclists and visitors. This is the first time since 2006 that the race takes place in the town’s Cape fold mountains.
The Montagu Trails team has developed almost 190 km of challenging mountain bike trails, spanning 50 private landowners’ properties, whilst maintaining established cycling paths. This has been largely a labour of love that was supported through fundraising efforts and community spirit.
Their available manpower received a substantial boost, thanks to the African Conservation Trust (ACT), one of the Strategic Implementing Partners under the Social Employment Fund (SEF). This is a national mass employment programme, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and implemented by civil society entities. Ten participants of ACT’s Montagu SEF work tirelessly under the guidance of Chris Birkin and his Montagu Trails team. With the extra 700 person days at their disposal through ACT’s programme, this team is creating first class trails in the mountains.
In the Montagu Nature Garden, the new chair, Maarten van der Walt and curator Liezel Kruger, embraced the initiative. Twelve participants maintain this gem of indigenous tranquility.
Local hiking trail guide, Patti van Dyk, has assumed responsibility for upgrading Montagu’s popular wild walking routes, Cogmanskloof, Donkerkloof, Bloupunt, Aasvoëlkrans, and Kanonkop. Many of these routes were severely damaged during the 2023/2024 floods. With an active citizenry, and working closely with existing civic entities, including the Montagu EcoClub’s weekly invasive vegetation removal hacking volunteers, the employment of these participants under the SEF is showing dividends already.
Francois du Toit, CEO of ACT, says the 42 SEF participants are committed for seven full-days or fourteen half-days per month, through to July 2026, drawing a collective R645 000 in direct wages. This has a significant impact on the unemployed economy in the Langeberg.
“We are building a conservation economy, one of respect and gratitude for our natural surroundings and fellow citizens and are so pleased to be able to support the initiatives of the people of Montagu,” Du Toit said.
Three of the Cape Epic’s stages take place in Montagu.
The first stage on March 16 spans 90 km with riders climbing 2 150 m.
The second stage on March 17 travels 102km with a climb of 2 250 m.
For the third stage riders start in Montagu on March 18 and follow a challenging course of 134 km and a climb of 1 750 m to finish in Greyton.
