#explorersgardenroute

[jacquesmarais]

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So cool to collaborate with @ozone.africa & @mtbroutes on this new series of regular #mtbroutes #TrailBlogs. This week's post focuses on one of my favourite #backyardrides, the @gvbconservancy 🚲💙 . . | MTBROUTES |#GVBCONSERVANCY . . Go get some #VitaminG(VB)! Here's a huge #High5 to the fabulous #singletrack traversing the @gvbconservancy near #Heidelberg in the untamed #ExplorersGardenRoute. This means less crowds and way more kickass riding; this is why I often head to @strawberryhillfarm on my @giantlivrsa #Anthem to plug into their 140km of purpose-built #MTB trail network 🙌 . . Not many spaces in #SA can compete when it comes to land access, safety & riding stoke, not to mention #acrossthebars views! If you’re not sure where to ride, get in touch with @aileenoutside, a local #mountainbike guide, or just hit the well-marked trails for a solo #adventure of note. . . Easy access to a range of great accommodation establishments – such as #StrawberryHillFarm & Grootvadersbosch Farm – means you can #bikepack, go #XC on shorter cross-country jaunts, or get stuck into a serious mountain #enduro session. Follow the Links in post for more info on #grootvadersbosch & Hessequa. . . #mountainbiking #GiantLivRSA RSA #GiantBikes #RideGiant #LIVGIANT #LivRide #RideLife #oZoneAfrica #AndBreathe (at Grootvadersbosch Conservancy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGRucqeJT6W/?igshid=1jilmjtnc4h5h

[jacquesmarais]

Hello, #Hessequa! Yup, the term 'done and dusted' rang true today on #Stage3 of TransCape MTB Encounter, driven by #volvocarsa, as the riders hammered back roads all the way from the remote and tranquil Rooiberg Lodge to the glorious little dorp of #Riversdale, set within the temperate and mountainous Cape grain-belt. This hide-away section of the #gardenroute is not touristy at all, which is why it is known as the #ExplorersGardenRoute 🏞️ Again, there were no easy kilometers along a gnarly off-road track that rambunctiously rollicked amidst rugged #Renosterveld ridges and scrubby plains. A herd of at least 30 massive eland tracked me through a lonesome valley, while a handful of giraffes kept watch from the ridgeline. And on one descent, three kudu bulls nearly knocked the leading peloton of their bikes. Truly amazing 👌 A warm welcome awaited the sharp end of the peleton in town, but many riders took a bit of strain today as this 'Bike Journey across the Cape' continues along its incredible way. Yes, they once again had to cope with testing terrain and the merciless sun, but in the end, the rewards are memories for life. Four days of riding remains en route to #franschhoek, with top riding tomorrow to sumptuous #swellendam, via the stunning @gvbconservancy #singletrack. Tough cal, but this has to be my favourite stage (and yes, I've done Transcape 5x now)! Even better, it's bound to be way, way cooler 👌😊 #TransCape2020 #TransCapeMTBExperience #YourJourney #HardcoreLuxury #SevenDays #MountainbikeJourney #IndigenousForest #AridPlains #IconicMountains #volvocarsa (at Rooiberg Lodge) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8LFaqSJKxO/?igshid=1c38f71n43vvc

[jacquesmarais]

  #BackYardRide: Hit Play at #Jakkalsvlei!   Discover a great new #mtb playground in the back-country biosphere near the small village of #Herbertsdale. Go big on your bike at @jakkalsvleiwine, a family-owned private cellar and estate producing award winning wines. If you have a #gravelbike you will be in heaven, with dozens of remote gravel roads meandering into the hinterland. And the good news is that you have 4km of purpose built #single-track on #Jakkalsvlei to look forward to.   The annual #Jakkalsvlei @aramexsouthafrica MTB Challenge is a superbly executed event with 3 #MTB distances and 2x #Trailrun options. The 60km ride is challenging and the shorter events can be enjoyed by the whole family. Afterward, relax on the lush lawns and enjoy great wine, delectable pizzas and burgers.   #ExplorersGardenRoute #JakkalsvleiWines #GiantLivRSA #GiantBikes #RideGiant #LIVGIANT #LivRide #RideLife #livforward #mountainbike (at Jakkalsvlei) https://www.instagram.com/p/B22TwEepXrW/?igshid=1x13oc4pqq5vh

[jacquesmarais]

#BackYardRide #1 Go Get Yourself Some #VitaminG(VB)! How about some #TrailTuesday love? Starting from this week, I'm going to post at least one #InstaTrail #mtb Review every week in conjunction with a number of #trail owners and #outdoor destinations. The idea is to find the #Top100 backyard trails in #SA, so your comments and feedback will be most welcome 🙏😊 We start off with a huge #High5 to the fabulous#singletrack traversing the incredible @gvbconservancy, near #heidelberg. This area is also known as the #ExplorersGardenRoute, which means less crowds and more kickass riding space, which is why I regularly head to @strawberryhillfarm on my @giantlivrsa #Anthem to plug into their 140km-plus purpose-built #mountainbike trail network 🙌 Not many spaces in #southafrica can compete when it comes to land access, personal #safety and absolute #riding pleasure, not to mention the #acrossthebars views! If you’re not sure where to ride, get in touch with @aileenoutside, a superb local #mountainbike guide, or just hit the well-marked trails for a #solo #adventure of note.   Easy access to a range of great accommodation establishments – such as #StrawberryHillFarm and #GrootvadersboschFarm – means you can #bikepack, play #XC on shorter cross-country jaunts, or get stuck into a serious mountain #enduro session. Follow the #links in this post for more information on the brilliant #GVBconservancy and the #Hessequa Region. Now Go Ride! 🚲 🚲 🚲 👌   #GVBConservancy #giantlivrsa #GiantBikes #RideGiant #livgiant #giantbicycles #garminsa #beatyesterday (at Grootvadersbosch Conservancy) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0g2s3pJApT/?igshid=1cdnuvh5roem7

[jacquesmarais]

Four mind-blowing days discovering the magic of the #Hessequa Region, an area these days gaining recognition from adventurous travellers as the #ExplorersGardenRoute. Conservancies, nature reserves, thumping surf breaks, endless gravel roads, meandering rivers, quirky towns, larger-than-life characters ... Me and mate-from-way-back Mark Stuart ventured via @jakkalsvleiwines and #Heidelberg to the incredible #trails of Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, before tripping over the #Malgas pontoon to the coastal serenity of #Witsand. This watersport paradise is made for #SUP, #surf and all kinds of angling, with outstanding hospitality at #pilipili Restaurant 🙌🏻 @zaneschmahl pulled in just in time to experience the #jaegermeister excesses of #albertiniaddiction Hotel and the #KoringDraai Kroeg. Soos die locals sê: "Suip the Cape in Shape"... Ons het hittetitte heelhuids daar ontsnap ... Fortunately, a good T-bone steak, and some solid #outdoor action in the breathtaking @gourikwa Nature Reserve and #Gouritsmond restored our blood-alcohol levels to normal! This is a perfect playground to test out the @sawyersurfboards sticks, @giantlivrsa #mtb, @redpaddlesa #SUP, @fluidkayaks #DoItNow and the @frontrunnerza roof racks. And always great hooking up with legendary locals like @aileenoutside, @fleurvaneeden, @jantjiejonker, @hiryunel and the likes. Attached are a few #Gourikwa visuals that are sure to blow your mind 💙 #RedPaddle #RedPaddleSA #isup #exploreyourworld #standup #SUP #frontrunnerza #BornToRoam #toyota #fortuner #sealandgear #discovernewpaths #sony #sonyxperiaza #hellosonyza #sonyza #travel #africa #Hessequa #explorersgardenroute (at Gourikwa Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwJfnuDJPlS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7n2z0o1oi8o3

[jacquesmarais]

Two glorious #trail shoot sessions with @strawberryhillfarm @strawberryhillfarm on the superb @gvbconservancy #mtb and #trailrun routes here near #grootvadersbosch. Thank you for making this happen, @aileenoutside 🙏💙 This top #conservancy near #heidelberg is one of the #Hessequa Region's key #ecotourism destinations, with a myriad #outdoor activities to take part in. Look out for a feature article on the area in the upcoming #ToyotaConnect publication. #Hessequa #explorersgardenroute #grootvadersbosch #gvbconservancy #strawberryhillfarm #mountainbike #trailrunning #frontrunnerza #BornToRoam #toyota #fortuner (at Port Beaufort, Western Cape, South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwBU4FLhgm5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6tmdqkxqea2c