Have a vine time at Gravel & Grape

The third annual Gravel & Grape MTB event is taking place from 5-7 May 2017. The event features two rides, the Gravel & Grape Extreme and the Gravel & Grape Adventure.

Choices, choices

The Extreme is the same three day race that hardcore mountain bikers have come to know and love over two years, while the Adventure is a two day mountain bike challenge that covers 65km of cycling over the course of its stages. The Adventure is a solo and team event. Entries are for teams of two in two different categories: junior and open. The junior category is for both team members between the ages of 16 and 18 years, while the open category can be a son/daughter, husband/wife, daughter/father team or any two adults who would like to experience their first stage race.

Pure MTB

Both events (the Adventure follows the same route as the Extreme) feature some of the purest, expertly hand-cut singletrack in the country. The Gravel & Grape is an event that takes mountain biking back to its roots, focussing on fun but challenging riding with trails that reward the effort you put in.

“The Gravel & Grape delivers raw, rough mountain biking,” says last year’s winner, Chris Wolhuter. “A highlight was riding through some parts of the valley that were completely isolated. It was very beautiful, very serene.”

The routes have been crafted to reflect the rugged nature of the Breedekloof Valley, but also to show its gentler side. Stunning views, unique scenery, and three days of pure mountain biking will leave you gasping for more. The Gravel & Grape Extreme and Adventure are also a showcase of the region’s quality wines, hearty country food, majestic mountains, vineyards and sparkling rivers. Many of the local wine farms will be at the race village over the weekend, with tasting stations for all parched riders.

The Gravel & Grape aims to maximise the rugged terrain of the area and provide participants with an experience that harks back to a less manicured time. If you like riding, that is, actually picking the smoothest lines, tackling rock gardens, negotiating scrappy descents and winding through swooping single track, then the Gravel & Grape is the perfect ride. It’s a test of technical ability, but also with a warm welcome from the region’s people.

“We want people to experience the valley and region as it is for us; beautiful, challenging, unique and exciting, says one of the race organisers and Slanghoek Cellar’s Pieter Carstens.

By involving a number of wine farms into the race, each day offers something different, from the highest peaks to the lowest valley floors. As it is for the vineyards, so it will be for the Gravel & Grape riders – on the lower regions of the valley, the soil is sandy with gigantic river pebbles, while higher up you find broken rock and sandstone. To get you through it all will be expertly carved trail. “Make no mistake, this is an event that will test you, but will also provide warm hospitality and the opportunity to indulge in our award-winning wines after each day’s riding,” says Carsten.

Unique in every way

The hot springs of ATKV Goudini Spa, stunning fynbos and hospitable people make this an event like few others. The Breedekloof Valley is just one hour from Cape Town, and includes Rawsonville, Slanghoek, Goudini & Breerivier. The event race village is based at Goudini Spa, making this a family weekend instead of just another rider event. Participants of the Gravel & Grape will have full access to the resort’s facilities, including the iconic warm baths. Bring the family while you tackle the testing terrain.

The race is a clover leaf, with each day starting and ending at Goudini Spa, making your overnight experience one to remember.

Gravel & Grape Extreme

R5000 per team

Gravel & Grape Adventure

Junior Team R2000 per team

Junior Solo R1100

Open Team R2800 per team

Open Solo R1600