Maybe it’s time to take a break from the familiar routes and races and embrace something different. The De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience is exactly that. Three days of stimulating riding in one of the country’s most diverse coastal nature reserves that boasts incredible land and marine wildlife, birds, flora with affordable, luxury accommodation.
Paid partnership with Overberg MTB Events
Close to the southern tip of Africa and a three-hour drive from Cape Town is De Hoop Nature Reserve. Nestled between the Potberg Mountains in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a haven for animal and plant species all protected by the World Heritage Site status of the reserve.
Exploring the reserve on a mountain bike is the ultimate spoil for those who love the outdoors. The De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience is a three-day race or ride (your choice) that takes you through parts of the reserve you wouldn’t easily reach on foot or by vehicle. And it’s all designed around the premium accommodation and services of De Hoop Collection.
Tented race villages have their place. And that place is not here. De Hoop Collection is a range of refined accommodation to suit all budgets in stunning cottages, suites, lodges and homesteads, some of which were built in the late 1800s. There’s also a camp site and rondawels for those seeking something more simple.
The event is designed to be physically challenging, but not exhausting. It’s a three-day mountain biking escape that’s guaranteed to allow you to reset and appreciate incredible natural diversity, enjoy comfortable accommodation, eat tasty food, sample fine wine and meet like-minded people.
Here’s a summary of what to expect on the bike:
- Friday 17 May: 12km Sunset Scramble
- Saturday 18 May: 50km with 850m ascent
- Sunday 19 May: 62km with 800m ascent
The routes are a combination of gravel road, jeep track and singletrack. Each day’s route takes you to a different part of the reserve where you can appreciate the rocky coastlines, large sand dunes, beautiful blue ocean (whale-spotting is a highlight), lowland fynbos and thriving wetlands. Game you’re likely to encounter include Eland, Cape Mountain Zebra, Grey Rhebok and Bontebok; with Caracal and Leopard spotted only by the lucky few.
While the riding is highly engaging, the organisers go to great lengths to ensure everything off the bike is special too. Activities include fantastic Old School Live Music, a Boma braai around an open fire with sunset views, sundowners on the deck, wine tasting, and fabulous food and hospitality from De Hoop Collection.
The De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience is organised by Overberg MTB Events, a company with significant experience in delivering high-quality bespoke events that are meaningful and memorable.The 2024 edition of the De Hoop Vlei MTB Experience is from 17-19 May. To ensure a premium experience, numbers are limited. To find out more, or to enter, click here.
