{"id":16350,"date":"2017-10-23T08:40:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T07:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2017\/10\/23\/all-set-for-the-2017-fnb-wines2whales-route-r6940\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T06:21:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T06:21:55","slug":"all-set-for-the-2017-fnb-wines2whales-route-r6940","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/all-set-for-the-2017-fnb-wines2whales-route-r6940\/","title":{"rendered":"All set for the 2017 FNB Wines2Whales route"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first of the three FNB Wines2Whales races kicks off this weekend at Lourensford finishing three stages later in Onrus passing through spectacular mountain biking trails along the way. If you’re taking part in the Adventure, Ride or Race, it might be worth getting to know what lies ahead.<\/p>\n

Stage 1: Lourensford to Oak Valley<\/h2>\n

The 2017 FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Events will kick off at the picturesque Lourensford Wine Estate on Friday, 27 October 2017 with Stage One of the FNB W2W MTB Adventure.<\/p>\n

The first of three stages, Stage One boasts a spectacular 68km route that features an impressive 1650m ascent.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-76375700-1508746927.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIconic sections will include the Lourensford and Vergelegen climbs, the PERI Vergelegen Bridge, the portage over Gantouw Pass and the A2Z single tracks,\u201d says Johan Kriegler, FNB W2W MTB Director. \u201cThe Lourensford climb with downhill is the best gravel highway in South Africa. Expect good gravel roads, jeep tracks and single tracks. The good news is that the Gantouw Pass is the only portage section on the FNB W2W route and it features on Stage One. It is rocky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-44791800-1508746924.jpg\"<\/a>Riders tackling the Lourensford climb. Photo credit: Tobias Ginsberg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve made some changes to the A2Z trails,\u201d continues Kriegler. \u201cSections B and C are more flowing, while W has been excluded due to it being too technical. Instead we\u2019ve extended V, adding a more flowing downhill exit. We\u2019ve also included three new single tracks in Molteno. The rest of Molteno however has changed, as not to interfere with farm activities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy advice to first time riders is to pace well. Stage One starts with the 8km Lourensford climb. Don\u2019t get pulled into the hype and frenzy of other riders. Cycle your own pace. Remember there is still another 60km to go. Be careful at the Lourensford downhill after the climb, it\u2019s very fast with sharp turns and occasional ruts. Most importantly savor the moment. Enjoy the route, the scenery and the experience. We look forward to welcoming you to your race village at Oak Valley Wine Estate, your home for three days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nStage One information:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start Venue: <\/strong>Lourensford Wine Estate
Finish Venue: <\/strong>Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Distance:<\/strong> 68km
Ascent:<\/strong> 1650m
Water Points: <\/strong>
WP1 \/ Lourensford Wine Estate on 20km
WP2 \/ Idiom on 36km
WP3 \/ Grabouw Forest on 50km\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Stage 2: Play day<\/h2>\n

Stage Two \u2018Play Day\u2019 of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Events promises to live up to its reputation.<\/p>\n

The only Stage to start and finish at the same location, Oak Valley Wine Estate, Stage Two features a fun 71km route with a 1350m ascent.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-58386400-1508746928.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis stage has changed slightly since 2016,\u201d says Johan Kriegler, FNB W2W MTB Director. \u201cOak Valley has added a new section named \u2018Sounds of Silence\u2019. There is a new link over to Paul Cluver. Paul Cluver has added Rietvlei, Witklippies 1 and Oak Valley added the last 6km on the fast and flowing River Run. Iconic sections to look out for include single tracks and bridges with names such as Waterfall, Vissie\u2019s Magic, JK\u2019s Edge, Sounds of Silence, Rietvlei, Witklippies 1 & 2, Raka, Swing, Ark, Cobra, Mamba, Boomslang, Pofadder, Jakkels, River Run and the much loved PERI-KROMCO Playpark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-70465000-1508746926.jpg\"<\/a>The KROMCO-PERI Bike Park. Photo credit: Tobias Ginsberg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have many stories to share about this stage,\u201d continues Kriegler. \u201c\u2018Sounds of Silence\u2019 is the name of one of Oak Valley\u2019s wine ranges. This single track section was originally built by late Oak Valley winemaker\/viticulturist and W2W friend, Pieter Visser (Vissie). It hasn\u2019t, however, been used for a decade. We\u2019ve redirected the last part, creating a scenic and fun flowing single track via a pine forest, over a dam wall and along the dam. Paul Cluver has increased the height of the Rietvlei Dam with 9 meters, creating a new and interesting contour link with many new single track opportunities. \u2018Sounds of Silence\u2019 was built in partnership between Cape Trails and the Oak Valley team, as was Rietvlei between Cape Trails and the Paul Cluver team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to enjoy \u2018Play Day\u2019 to its fullest, I advise riders to improve their single track skill by attending coaching classes. If however, they are afraid of heights, best they attend some hypnotherapy treatments as well,\u201d laughs Kriegler. \u201cStage Two is a lot of fun. It is called \u2018Play Day\u2019 for a reason. Riders are in for a real treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nStage Two information<\/strong>
Start Venue: <\/strong>Oak Valley Wine Estate
Finish Venue: <\/strong>Oak Valley Wine Estate<\/p>\n

Distance: <\/strong>71km
Ascent: <\/strong>1350m
Water Points: <\/strong>
WP1 \/ Oak Valley Wine Estate on 18km
WP2 \/ Paul Cluver Amphitheatre on 36km
WP3 \/ Lebanon on 52km (water only)
WP4 \/ The Hickory Shack on 60km\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Stage 3: Oak Valley to Onrust<\/h2>\n

The third and final stage of the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) Events will guide mountain bikers on a 71km journey from Oak Valley Wine Estate to Onrust Caravan Park where the finish line awaits.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-68587100-1508746929.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe second destination stage of the FNB W2W MTB Events, Stage Three perfectly rounds off three days of spectacular mountain biking,\u201d says Johan Kriegler, FNB W2W MTB Director. \u201cIconic sections to look out for on route will include passing the Houw Hoek Inn, the oldest hotel in South Africa, meandering through the quaint town of Botriver past the Botriver School, experiencing the magnificent Wildekrans and Hermanus Trails, Gaf-se-Bos, the Fruitways-Onrust Beach Crossing and the PERI-Onrust river crossing to name just a few.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ccs-62657-0-62561500-1508746925.jpg\"<\/a>Riders pass through Botrivier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRiders can look forward to varied terrain which will include gravel sections, jeep track, single tracks and even a pallet beach crossing,\u201d continues Kriegler. \u201cMy advice is to pace well. The first 38km up until the SteelBridge is fast and fairly easy. The real race starts after this section. On a high note, riders will finally be greeted by spectacular ocean views before crossing the finish line at Onrust Caravan Park.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nStage Three information:<\/strong>
Start Venue: <\/strong>Oak Valley Wine Estate (Elgin-Grabouw)
Finish Venue: <\/strong>Onrust Caravan Park
Distance:<\/strong> 71km
Ascent:<\/strong> 1200m
Water Points: <\/strong>
WP1 \/ Botriver School on 24km
WP2 \/ Art House on 42km
WP3 \/ Plaaskombuis on 61km\n<\/div>\n
\nEVENT INFORMATION: FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events <\/strong>
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!<\/p>\n

Event Dates:<\/strong><\/p>\n