{"id":72289,"date":"2025-05-19T13:07:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T11:07:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=72289"},"modified":"2025-06-04T18:02:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T16:02:18","slug":"exploring-the-cradle-of-humankind-with-the-all-new-mercedes-benz-vito-select","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/exploring-the-cradle-of-humankind-with-the-all-new-mercedes-benz-vito-select\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Cradle of Humankind with the all-new Mercedes-Benz Vito Select"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When we got our hands on the all-new Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto Select<\/a>, we knew exactly where we needed to take it. The Cradle of Humankind is the most popular road cycling destination for Johannesburg cyclists. As Cape Town locals, we simply had to see what all the fuss was about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No ride in the Cradle is complete without catching the spectacular highveld sunrise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Launched a month ago, the Mercedes-Benz Vito Select\u2014available as either a Mixto or Tourer\u2014is the second van, alongside the V-Class, to join Mercedes-Benz\u2019s passenger car lineup. The Mixto offers space for up to five passengers, while reserving a generous 4.1 cubic metres of load volume in the back. This makes it ideal for cyclists looking for a practical and stylish way to transport bikes and gear. The Vito Mixto also offers a range of useful features like electronic sliding doors, and an easy-to-clean interior that makes it ideal for the outdoor-inclined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Located just 50 kilometres northwest of the city, the Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world\u2019s richest paleoanthropological areas. It holds the largest concentration of early human ancestral remains ever discovered, making it a place of profound scientific significance. The quiet roads also feature generous bike lanes, making them ideal for those seeking a safe escape from the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The diversity of the landscape and vegetation was a welcome surprise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rides should expect low temperatures and mist early in the morning, especially in the low-lying areas close to the river.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We teamed up with the friendly folk at Trek Bicycles<\/a>, who were delighted to show off their backyard. We began our day at Bidon<\/a>: a popular meeting point for cyclists. It is the ideal starting point for those not keen on riding out of the city or looking for a shorter, more manageable route. They have ample parking, and also happen to make excellent coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hot air balloons are a regular sight on weekends<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As vehement Capetonians, we were blown away by the beauty of the Cradle and the variation in scenery. The route takes you through everything from typical Highveld bush and grassland to shaded, tree-lined hollows. It\u2019s worth an early start just to catch the sunrise on the bike: the flaming red Highveld sunrise hits different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The basic loop from Bidon is around 30 kilometres. This can be extended to 50 kilometres by including a trip out to the Sterkfontein Caves. Many riders opt for an out-and-back route instead of the full loop to stick to quieter roads, while experienced athletes choose to do multiple iterations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meeting Skye the Giraffe at Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve<\/a> is a must for out of town visitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We spotted a variety of game, from a magnificent kudu bull to giraffe and bushbuck. For out-of-town visitors, we highly recommend a lunch stop at the Bothongo Lion & Rhino Reserve: if only to meet Skye, the resident giraffe. Not something you\u2019ll ever encounter on a coffee ride over Chappies and it’s very special to see this unique creature at such close quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A standout feature for us was being able to fit two bikes in the car easily while still having seating for five. It made moving riders around quickly a seamless experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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For out-of-town visitors, there is a range of accommodation in and around the Cradle to suit all budgets and tastes. It\u2019s also just a stone\u2019s throw from Lanseria Airport. We highly recommend a trip to the Sterkfontein Caves to appreciate the scientific significance of the region, and for a crash course in human evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whether you\u2019re a Joburg local or a visiting cyclist from out of town, the Cradle of Humankind offers a riding experience that\u2019s hard to beat. It\u2019s scenic, serene, and rich in natural and historical wonder. The Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto Select proved the ideal partner for this cycling adventure, making every stage of the journey both comfortable and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can view our route on STRAVA here<\/a>. While there is a dedicated bike lane, always take care and respect fellow road users. In addition, the road surfaces may change, so always be vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About the Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto Select<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto Select<\/a> blends everyday practicality with premium comfort, making it the ideal vehicle for cyclists with an active lifestyle. Whether you’re shuttling to a race, heading out for a group ride, or loading up for a weekend adventure, the Vito Tourer Select delivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexible Seating & Storage<\/strong>: Seats up to 5 passengers with optional rear seat removal, allowing ample space for transporting bikes, gear, and luggage\u2014perfect for group rides or adventure weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric Sliding Doors & Tailgate<\/strong>: Easy loading and unloading of bikes and gear, even in tight parking spots or with your hands full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powerful & Efficient Engine<\/strong>: 140 kW and 440 Nm torque paired with a 9G-TRONIC transmission offers smooth, efficient driving: ideal for long road trips or hilly terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integrated Tech & Charging<\/strong>: Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto, and MBUX infotainment keep riders connected, entertained, and navigated on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comfort After the Ride<\/strong>: Electric memory seats, heated steering wheel, and faux leather upholstery offer comfort and easy clean-up after muddy or sweaty rides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Driver Assistance & Safety<\/strong>: Features like Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and the Parking Package with a reversing camera reduce stress during travel and parking in busy areas or trailheads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vito Mixto Select retails from R1,264,200.00<\/strong> including VAT. For more details check it out here<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When we got our hands on the all-new Mercedes-Benz Vito Mixto Select, we knew exactly where we needed to take it. The Cradle of Humankind is the most popular road cycling destination for Johannesburg cyclists. As Cape Town locals, we simply had to see what all the fuss was about. Launched a month ago, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":72356,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5329,8],"tags":[5353],"featured_location":[337],"class_list":["post-72289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sponsored","category-adventure-and-travel","tag-mercedes-benz","featured_location-top-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72289"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72585,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72289\/revisions\/72585"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72289"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=72289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}