Adventure and Travel

Trail Daze | Cape Town – Part 2

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 37 comments

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Kicking off 2017, the Trail Daze crew re-visited Cape Town to bring you the second of this two-part (part one) mother-city mountain biking showcase. We were joined by local pinner, industry influencer and all-round nice guy, Mark Hopkins.

We met up at the Kloof Nek parking lot, just off Tafelberg Road, and headed for the rubber-destroying slab of granite just a short pedal away. Only a few hundred meters long, with Table Mountain towering above you, this fun section of trail is deceptively technical at high speed and will certainly leave its mark if you come off the bike.

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ccs-38514-0-80519900-1484842841.jpgThe elevated starting point serves up some great views across Cape Town CBD, Table Bay, and as far as Wellington on a clear day.

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The trails surrounding Table Mountain and Lions Head really surprised me with the technicality and gradient. I’ve never ridden any of the Cape Town trails so it was an awesome day out railing rugged trails in big dust clouds. It’s a trail for the locals and Mark and Dan certainly know the scoop, and I’ll hopefully be making my way back there soon.
Matt Lombardi

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ccs-38514-0-16499200-1484842937.jpgRolling slabs of granite merging together under the patch of pine trees requires above average bike handling skills at high speeds. *knee pads highly recommended

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Crossing the top of Camps Bay drive, the unassuming entrance to The Glen leads you down a fast and flowing yet technical stretch of trail with the fun factor locked at maximum. Skinny, hard-packed singletrack cutting through dense greenery keeps you on your toes all the way to the bottom as you pick your line through sharp rocks and exposed roots.

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It’s absolutely amazing that these trails have been opened up recently. Being able to shoot out for a quick shred around Lions Head and the Glen to ride and test new product is a dream for us as a mountain bike company! Throw in some of the sharpest rocks in the region, rad turns in the Glen, a top-class sunset as well as your choice of restaurants/bars at the bottom of the hill, and you’ve got yourself a great place to ride.
Mark Hopkins

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ccs-38514-0-07376900-1484843014.jpgMatt Lombardi blending in and getting lost in the green-room, descending down The Glen towards the Atlantic ocean on another horrible day in Africa.

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Exiting The Glen, it’s a short but punchy climb up Kloof Road toward the start of the Lions Head trail, from where you’re confronted with more breathtaking views of Camps Bay, 12 Apostles, and Table Mountain. This section of trail is just one piece of the newly legalised MTB trails around Table Mountain, but is still shared with hikers, runners and everything else in between – so please be lekker and respect others also looking to enjoy the outdoors.

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ccs-38514-0-13795800-1484843192.jpgA rare glimpse at a green, unburnt and unscathed landscape around Cape Town, while wildfires relentlessly ravage the greater Western Cape area day in and night out, for months now. Be grateful for the opportunities you have to ride your bike today, because it could be gone tomorrow.

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The city bowl has a huge network of short, steep and ridiculously rad trails that you’ll need a local to make the most of. Of course, there are also the network of easily navigable dirt roads spread across the slopes of the mountain to make use of if you’re after less technical riding. Views of the icy Atlantic constantly entice you to descend to the white beaches below, but at the same time, the magnetism of the colossal chunk of sandstone that is Table Mountain, keeps you climbing and searching for more views. Cape Town is a really special place to ride your bike!
Daniel Dobinson | iRideAfrica

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ccs-38514-0-72555200-1484843544.jpg3 tiny riders traverse the final stretch of singletrack with Lions Head towering in the late afternoon blaze.

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ccs-38514-0-79286900-1484843577.jpgSeeing out the last golden rays of the day. Cheers Cape Town trail network – you’ve been very kind.

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ccs-38514-0-50359700-1484843609.jpgBeer time!

ccs-38514-0-44932600-1484843605.jpgFew things in life compare to the magic of an ice cold draft after a sweaty summers ride.

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This project is made possible by:

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Kloof Nek parking GPS: 33°56’31.7″S 18°23’42.4″E

Riders : Daniel Dobinson | Matt Lombardi | Mark Hopkins

All images by Ewald Sadie

instagram:

@ewaldsadie

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Comments

bullet77

Jan 30, 2017, 4:19 AM

Looks fantastic. Are  these trails one direction? 

Rockrabbit

Jan 30, 2017, 6:29 AM

Wow! that's an impressive pic from under that tree trunk in the Glen. I'm going to hit them this evening :)

Dan Dob

Jan 30, 2017, 7:52 AM

Looks fantastic. Are  these trails one direction? 

Not really Bullet. Most of these trails are dual directional (not the Glen-too steep!) and there is not really a signposted 'route' to follow the trails mentioned in this article so best to make use of local knowledge. There are many different ways to link up incredible rides depending on what kind of riding you like as well as where you want to start and end from.

T-Bob

Jan 30, 2017, 8:15 AM

Such an awesome set of shots and I can't wait to send them the the boys back home with a big 'yeah fellas, why would you move to Africa!'. Stunning shots of a stunning city. Looks like some great trails that have opened up. Seems like every day we're getting new areas to ride. Congrats to everyone who work hard for the masses to get access and work with stakeholders and TMNP to let us ride. 

Myth

Jan 30, 2017, 8:52 AM

Stunning photos

PhilipV

Jan 30, 2017, 8:56 AM

man, now I miss living in Cape Town. 

Puncture Kid

Jan 30, 2017, 9:44 AM

SO are you gonna share where the start points are?

Capricorn

Jan 30, 2017, 9:52 AM

SO are you gonna share where the start points are?

 

x-marks the spot for glen start (2nd pic clarifies it a bit), little circles the stairs leading up to the trails around Lions ahead camps bay side once you've finished Glen and are coming up Kloof road

 

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Puncture Kid

Jan 30, 2017, 9:58 AM

Awesome Capricorn!

Dan Dob

Jan 30, 2017, 9:59 AM

Just a note that the circle in the middle of the map above is a hiking ONLY trail, Mtbers only allowed access on the trail on the hairpin.

Puncture Kid

Jan 30, 2017, 10:00 AM

Do you need permits? Where to get?

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Jan 30, 2017, 10:00 AM

x-marks the spot for glen start (2nd pic clarifies it a bit), little circles the stairs leading up to the trails around Lions ahead camps bay side once you've finished Glen and are coming up Kloof road

 

 

 

attachicon.gifyolo.jpg

:w00t:  :w00t:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Duane_Bosch

Jan 30, 2017, 10:07 AM

When I'm riding the Glen the voices in my head are screaming!

 

WATCH THAT TREE

WOOOAHH

DON'T CRASH

DON'T CRASH

THAT ROCK IS NEW

DON'T LOOK AT THE CLIFF

WHY DIDN'T I WEAR MY FULLFACE?

 

That trail feels like a mini version of Le Canyon in Les Gets but quite a lot more dangerous.

Nick

Jan 30, 2017, 10:54 AM

Do you need permits? Where to get?

 

You can get a permit from SANParks - either a year-long activity card or a day pass.

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Jan 30, 2017, 11:00 AM

Do you need permits? Where to get?

I find the easiest to be Kirstenbosch Gardens. Ask for a Mountain Biking Permit (it's a level 3 activity card)

 

If you go with 3 mates, the price goes from R 500 each to R 286 each. 

 

Need proof of address, copy of ID & 2 passport photos. 

popcorn_skollie

Jan 30, 2017, 11:02 AM

x-marks the spot for glen start (2nd pic clarifies it a bit), little circles the stairs leading up to the trails around Lions ahead camps bay side once you've finished Glen and are coming up Kloof road

 

attachicon.gifx-marks the spot.PNG

 

attachicon.gifyolo.jpg

 

Well done Cap. That spot is probably the hardest directions I've ever had to explain to anyone.

Duane_Bosch

Jan 30, 2017, 11:06 AM

Need proof of address, copy of ID & 2 passport photos. 

I'll never understand that little bit. I could live under a bridge. It's got F0KKOL to do with them.

 

But yeah. With all the great trail now legal a Sanprks activity card is a BARGAIN!

 

And...... We can LEGALLY shuttle. The granite and the glen for a quick arvo session with 1 (light) beer at Bacini.

Puncture Kid

Jan 30, 2017, 11:16 AM

You can get a permit from SANParks - either a year-long activity card or a day pass.

 

E.g. at the start of the Lions Head walk? If not where is SANParks situated so that one can conveniently get a day pass?

Puncture Kid

Jan 30, 2017, 11:25 AM

I find the easiest to be Kirstenbosch Gardens. Ask for a Mountain Biking Permit (it's a level 3 activity card)

 

If you go with 3 mates, the price goes from R 500 each to R 286 each. 

 

Need proof of address, copy of ID & 2 passport photos. 

 

Is this price for year?

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Jan 30, 2017, 11:31 AM

Is this price for year?

Yes. 

MTBeer

Jan 30, 2017, 11:34 AM

I didn't need proof of address. Nor did the six of my mates wh0 all bought permits. Only I.D. (or copy of ID if not going in person) and 2 ID photos.

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Jan 30, 2017, 11:34 AM

I didn't need proof of address. Nor did the six of my mates wh0 all bought permits. Only I.D. (or copy of ID if not going in person) and 2 ID photos.

hmmmmmmm..... strange. 

the nerd

Jan 30, 2017, 11:35 AM

Someone wanna employ me in Cpt.. those trails are worth it! 

MTBeer

Jan 30, 2017, 11:37 AM

does anyone else call that granite boulder section Moab? I thought that was it's 'official' name?

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