WHEELS OF TIME CYCLE TOUR

Description

Take a mountain bike ride through time as you explore the secondary roads of the West Coast. This ride is not aimed at adrenalin junkies or Absa Cape Epic trainees, but rather recreational cyclists who are keen to experience the back roads and beauty of the West Coast, from the seat of a bicycle. Destinations and overnight stops vary greatly and the journey in between is filled with some awesome scenery, and fun riding. A support vehicle provides you with food and refreshments en route and you can hop aboard anytime if you feel like taking it easy.

Itinerary

Day 1: Atlantis – Darling (45km)

Rise and shine with the birds for an early rendezvous with your guide and support vehicle at the Atlantis Environmental Co-operative and Tourism Information Centre. Choose your bike and kit and head out. Following the wheels of time the first “Mission to Modern” leg of your journey takes you from Atlantis, along “Blue Gum Avenue” to the Moravian Mission Station at Mamre, across historic farmsteads to Darling, home of eclectic artists, wine, olives and flowers. A welcome dinner and guesthouse of your choice await you in Darling.

Day 2: Darling – Elandsfontein (35km)

An early breakfast and your’e back on the road. The second leg of your journey takes you along the gravel roads of the Eastern Darling Hills past the Hildebrandt Monument, onto a cyclable but rather soft, sandy road to Elandsfontein Game Farm. Elandsfontein dunes are the resting place of three-toed horse and short necked giraffe fossils that are millions of years old. The farm entrance brings an end to the days cycle. At the entrance you will be met by an off road vehicle and driven to the lodge, where a warm welcome awaits. After settling in, take a short drive to pick up your quad bike. A quick lesson and its off to the dunes to search for fossils. A sunset game drive returns you to the lodge in time for pre-dinner drinks and a well earned dinner.

Day 3: Elandsfontein – Duinepos, West Coast National Park (30km)

After breakfast, grab a lift to Elandsfontein’s western gate, where your support vehicle will meet you as you embark on the “Fossil to Footprint” leg of your journey. Cycle down to the R27 and across into Gate 2 of the West Coast National Park. Enjoy a beautiful cycle past Soutpan Farm, Mooimaak Farm to Seeberg and finally Duinepos, where your days cycle comes to an end. After lunch and a rest, take a walk to the nearby dunes to look for plant fossils from an ancient marsh, or get a lift to Kraalbaai, the site where ancestral Eve’s footprint were found and also a great spot for swimming in the tranquil waters of Langebaan lagoon. Of course if you are feeling fit, it’s a lovely cycle to Kraalbaai. What ever you choose, end the day with a fish braai and good company around the pool at Duinepos Chalets, where you spend the night.

Day 4: Duinepos - !Kwha Ttu San Cultural Centre (36 km)

After breakfast, embark on the final leg of your journey that takes you forward in time from Eve to the San. Head south through the West Coast National Park, keeping an eye out for wild ostrich, snakes and tortoises. Exit the Park, where you turn right to Yzerfontein. Make your way through Yzerfontein to a sandy track running parallel to the beach all the way to Tygerfontein Farm. From the homestead follow the track inland, crossing the R27 to head up to !Kwha Ttu, where your cycle comes to an end. Explore the San Cultural Centre at your leisure, especially the great photographic museum. After a lovely lunch at the restaurant, join a guided tour at 2pm to experience how San live and track game, or if you prefer, your support vehicle will transport you straight back to Atlantis and your car.

Price

The trail has not yet been developed but the itinerary described above is 70% of the way there and already a great experience. If you have a group of people interested in doing the trail as it currently is, we can arrange for you to do a Trial Run at cost and according to your tailor-made choice of itinerary, accommodation and catering. Interested? Contact Janette du Toit at jdutoit@capebiosphere.co.za