"Like in a racing bob, it presses me into the metre-high berms of red earth. The incline: Perfect. The sequence: exhilarating. This work of art called G-Spot was modelled by hand by someone who is not a biker himself."
Mark Gordon is the creator of this South African mountain bike monument, which attracts bikers from all over the world. However, Gordon, who is actually a skateboarder, did not become famous as a result. Very few people realise that the trail is so named because of Gordon's nickname "G". Yet the G-Spot is something like his baby. He gets no money for it, shovels in his spare time and had to rely on his instincts when building this fun descent of berms, waves and jumps in the red sandy soil. He didn't have a bike with which he could have ridden the sections he had built. Nevertheless, the G-Spot became a prime example of a flow trail. And that was long before this flow trail wave swept across Europe. A remarkable achievement that plays a large part in the fact that the Cape region, and Stellenbosch in particular, is becoming increasingly popular with winter-weary Europeans.
Anyone exploring South Africa's hinterland on their own will quickly be slowed down by fences. The best trails are hidden in the nature parks and on private wine estates. We show you the six best spots around Stellenbosch:
1 Jonkershoek
The nature reserve with its impressive mountain backdrop is one of the best spots in the area. A few years ago, a large forest fire destroyed many of the trails. But since then, the area has been busy building. Before you set off, you should take a look at a map, as the network of gravel tracks and trails is sometimes confusing. However, the signposting has recently been renewed and improved. From the three trail entrances, you can ride ten trails of all levels of difficulty. The best trails are called Canary, Firehut, Neverending Story, Zululand and Armageddon. They cover between 180 and 500 metres in depth. A day pass costs three euros and can be purchased at the gate to the nature park.
2 Helderberg
This trail park is located on a private farm between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. The well-signposted routes were built by Jan Van Schalkwyk and former downhill racer Andrew Neethling. The day ticket (60 Rand) can be purchased in their bike shop at the entrance to the car park. The six different loops appeal to beginners as well as experienced enduro bikers. The 600 metres in altitude to the highest point can be cranked up on varied single trails. From the transmission mast at the top, you can enjoy a fantastic view of False Bay, Table Mountain and Cape Town. Depending on your riding ability and stamina, you can combine different sections, from technical, blocked enduro trails to fun jump lines and beginner trails. www.helderbergplaas.co.za
3 G-Spot / University Trails
The G-Spot is the best-known and oldest bike trail in Stellenbosch. It is located right on the edge of a residential area and does not cost an entrance fee as it is maintained by the Stellenbosch Trail Fund. Although the trail only consists of two downhill lines that intersect again and again, you can't get enough of it. The berms, jumps, waves and steps are so perfectly modelled in the dry, red soil that you can get the maximum amount of riding fun out of it even with little suspension travel. There are bypasses or several variants for most of the jumps. If you've had enough, you can combine the nine-kilometre G-Spot loop with three adjacent loops of the Trail Fund. The longest of these cross-country trails is 30 kilometres long and covers almost 1000 metres in altitude. Right next to the G-Spot is Coetzenburg, where the first CC World Cup will be held in March 2018. www.stellenboschtrailfund.co.za
4 Bottelary Hills
Several wine estates west of Stellenbosch have joined forces for this trail network. This means that the trails can be accessed from a wide variety of locations. An overview map is available when paying for the day ticket (50 Rand) at one of the seven starting points. The trails are marked with different colours and are a mixture of dusty farm tracks through vineyards and fast, not too technical single trails. The best trails follow the colours green and purple. Signs warn of Cape cobras or lynxes that you may encounter on the trails through the hilly landscape. From the highest point, there are great views of Table Mountain. If you start from Stellenbosch and do a long loop, you will quickly gain 1000 metres in altitude. www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za
5 Simonsberg
The Muratie wine estate is located around ten kilometres northwest of Stellenbosch. At the restaurant, you can buy a day ticket (50 Rand) for the trails that criss-cross the slopes of the farm grounds. In 2016, a major forest fire destroyed large parts of it, but they were painstakingly repaired. On three of the four signposted loops, you mainly ride on easy trails, without stone fields or jumps, which are very dusty. In total, the four loops cover almost 32 kilometres, and you can also combine individual sections. The fourth lap is not only the most demanding in terms of riding technique, but also in terms of fitness. You climb a total of 530 metres in altitude over eleven kilometres up the Simonsberg. www.dirtopia.co.za
6 Rhebokskloof
This private wine farm is located around 25 kilometres northwest of Stellenbosch near Paarl. The wine estate is more than 150 years old and many of the trails have been around for a long time. However, the trails for bikers have only recently been extended. The five loops between three and 25 kilometres are well signposted. Even the uphills are so attractively built that you are happy to accept the metres in altitude. The surface is extremely sandy compared to Jonkershoek or
G-Spot, the ground is extremely sandy and the trails meander past metre-high granite boulders. Day ticket: 60 Rand. www.rhebokskloof.co.za
GENERAL INFORMATION STELLENBOSCH
The place
The university town lies just under 30 kilometres east of Cape Town and is a popular tourist destination due to its many wine estates. But Stellenbosch is also deeply rooted in the international bike scene. In 1997 and 1998, the Botmaskop hosted downhill races of the Grundig UCI World Cup. The South African headquarters of Specialized are located in the centre of the town of 80,000 inhabitants, Olympic and world champion Nino Schurter has bought his own flat there for his training stays, and in 2018 the first cross-country World Cup of the year will take place there a week before the Cape Epic.
Climate
For Europeans, the months of December to early April are particularly suitable. The best time starts at the end of February and rainy days are very rare. Temperatures average around 20° Celsius, although the thermometer can quickly reach 30 degrees at midday.
Food & Drink
The selection of first-class restaurants, cafés and bars in and around Stellenbosch is huge. Here are our tips: The Open Kitchen (café), Boschendal at Oude Bank (bistro), Ya-Ya Cafe (café), Greengate Eatery (lunch buffet with self-service counter), Caveman Café (café in the Specialised shop), Fat Butcher (more upmarket place for meat lovers), Genki Sushi.
Arrival
The flight time from Germany to Cape Town (CPT) is around twelve hours. In November and December you can get flights from 700 euros, direct flights from 900. In February, March and the holidays, prices are usually 100-200 euros higher. Tip: Bike transport is free with South African Airways.
Bike shops
Specialised shop in Stellenbosch, www.specialized-stellenbosch.com
The Hanger Bike Co. in Helderberg, www.thehangerbikeco.co.za
BMT Bike Marathon Triathlon in Stellenbosch, www.bmtsa.co.za
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