Cradle Gateway 2 Gateway - MTB

[Charity85]

Good day Gents

 

Just want to get some advise, so I have read up a few articles on the trail and me and a friend is keen to take it on this coming weekend.

 

Has anyone done it recently who can advise in terms of safety and best place to park your vehicle (thus accessible by 6 am).

 

Thanks any advise will be appreciated.

[WR 1.0]

You can park at Bidon Cafe next to Kloofzicht. Weekends get busy although it should be a little quieter now that races are done. Safety over weekends shouldn't be an issue

[love2fly]

If its the Cradle "loop" you're referring to, the 2 main places to park are:

• Valverde - Costs you R20-00 but you get a full R20-00 voucher so its free if you have a coffee after. Food is ok and is the safest place to park in the Cradle. Yes, there were some bikes stolen a couple of years back but they have tightened up hugely with a control system and have a closed perimeter.
• Bidon Bistro (next to Kloofzicht) - Parking will cost you R10-00 and no voucher, Hands down the best food in the Cradle as far as cycling venues go.
• Parking is relatively secure but don't leave a bike on your car if you park outside the venue (ie on the road)

The trail is easy and follows single track in a clockwise direction. Not very technical. 

A lap is 29km and 385km of climbing. You can elect to do as many laps as you want but when you get to 3 it can be a bit boring....

Edited November 27, 2019 by love2fly

[EmptyB]

Safe on weekends, I ride it during the week sometimes too. Lekker trail and not hectic at all. Usually start at Bidon....

[Schnavel]

Park at Broadacres shopping center and then ride out from there. Gets you a lot more distance and there are some great little trails around the area all the way into the cradle.

[Ozzie NL]

And once you get bored of the default Cradle loop, try some of the smaller, less used trails on the woesrand

[SteveS]

If its the Cradle "loop" you're referring to, the 2 main places to park are:

• Valverde - Costs you R20-00 but you get a full R20-00 voucher so its free if you have a coffee after. Food is ok and is the safest place to park in the Cradle. Yes, there were some bikes stolen a couple of years back but they have tightened up hugely with a control system and have a closed perimeter.
• Bidon Bistro (next to Kloofzicht) - Parking will cost you R10-00 and no voucher, Hands down the best food in the Cradle as far as cycling venues go.
• Parking is relatively secure but don't leave a bike on your car if you park outside the venue (ie on the road)

The trail is easy and follows single track in an anti clockwise direction. Not very technical. 

A lap is 29km and 385km of climbing. You can elect to do as many laps as you want but when you get to 3 it can be a bit boring....

You follow the route in a clockwise direction

[love2fly]

Thanks for that....I'm getting old...

 

And darn it if I didn't meet a lady riding down the single track from Val Verde this morning....I once met an oke exactly between the two berms on the Cradle Restaurant side, I was going flat out and met him just before the right turn!

You follow the route in a clockwise direction

[Danger Dassie]

Another option is to park at Cradle Moon. From here you have a few options, ride out of Cradle Moon an onto the Cradle trail for a loop. If you want you can also do some of the trails in Cradle Moon for some extra distance. There are shower facilities as well there.
Grab a chipotle burger on the deck after, you wont be sorry. 
Alternatively park at Valverde to start and end on the route, also shower and pool facilities there as well as a decent post ride menu.
Bidon is great, but a bit open and busy for me personally.