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.
The elevated starting point serves up some great views across Cape Town CBD, Table Bay, and as far as Wellington on a clear day.
Matt Lombardi
Rolling slabs of granite merging together under the patch of pine trees requires above average bike handling skills at high speeds. *knee pads highly recommended
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.
Mark Hopkins
Matt Lombardi blending in and getting lost in the green-room, descending down The Glen towards the Atlantic ocean on another horrible day in Africa.
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.
A 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.
Daniel Dobinson | iRideAfrica
3 tiny riders traverse the final stretch of singletrack with Lions Head towering in the late afternoon blaze.
Seeing out the last golden rays of the day. Cheers Cape Town trail network – you’ve been very kind.
Few things in life compare to the magic of an ice cold draft after a sweaty summers ride.
This project is made possible by:
Kloof Nek parking GPS: 33°56’31.7″S 18°23’42.4″E
Riders : Daniel Dobinson | Matt Lombardi | Mark Hopkins
Permit: Purchased from the
TMNP offices
Read more about the Constantia greenbelt trails here.
All images by Ewald Sadie
instagram:
Looks fantastic. Are these trails one direction?