{"id":74800,"date":"2026-01-29T11:53:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T09:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=74800"},"modified":"2026-02-04T11:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:25:56","slug":"the-pros-and-pros-of-the-original-and-switchback-routes-at-fnb-wines2whales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/the-pros-and-pros-of-the-original-and-switchback-routes-at-fnb-wines2whales\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Pros of the Original and Switchback Routes at FNB Wines2Whales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2026 FNB Wines2wWhales returns to the original Lourensford to Hermanus route. Racing east over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains from the Somerset West Winelands into the Elgin Valley, home to some of the best singletracks in South Africa, and down the Katpas into the Overberg, where wheatfields ripen in the warm sunshine, and the finish line awaits. What, though, of the differences between the Original and the Switchback route? Which is best? Entries are open, and the best way to decide is to ride, but in the meantime, read this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There\u2019s no doubt that the FNB Wines2Whales route is very special. The amount of work the Cape Trails team puts into the singletracks ensures that the riding is spectacular, regardless of the direction you are going in. Every winter, with race founder Johan Krigler\u2019s guidance, they build new trails and renovate old favourites. The spectacular bridges often get the attention, especially in photos and videos, but it is the consistency of the high-quality tracks that keep riders coming back to experience the Serious GEES of world-class mountain biking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But which is best, the OG or the Switchback route? Read on, then enter to make an educated decision from your own experiences\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OG Pro: Starting in Lourensford<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy logistics, close to the airport, and with Somerset West right there, it\u2019s easy to grab forgotten items from the bike shop or supermarket the day before the race starts. Starting in Lourensford also means you get to ride the incredible Lourensford trails with the freshest legs you\u2019ll have all race!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Matt Lombardi and Jason Boulle during stage 3 of the FNB Wines2Whales Pinotage. Photo by Dom Barnardt \/ Wines2Whales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Dom Barnardt \/ Wines2Whales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Switchback Pro: Starting at Benguela Cove<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling out to Benguela Cove, near Hermanus, makes it feel like you\u2019re setting out on an adventure. The gentle climb out of the estate and up to the summit of Karwyderskraal road is about as easy as any stage race can start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OG Pro: Portaging up Gantouw Pass<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it\u2019s because a bike race isn\u2019t complete without some Type 2 fun, but portaging up the Gantouw Pass is a definite highlight. It really gives you an appreciation for how tough the pioneers who trekked up the pass with their ox wagons were, and once it\u2019s conquered, the rest of the FNB W2W route is a cinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switchback Pro: Portaging down Gantouw Pass<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going up is Type 2 fun; portaging down Gantouw is Type 1. It\u2019s so much faster and its almost over before you know it. Unless you stop to take in the views, which you definitely should do, because they\u2019re spectacular. On a clear day, you can easily make out Devil\u2019s Peak and the eastern profile of Table Mountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Dom Barnardt \/ Wines2Whales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OG\/Switchback Pro: The Oak Valley Race Village<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So many of the best things about FNB W2W can be grouped under the headline, Oak Valley. Rider dining, the FNB rider lounge, the Devil\u2019s Peak Chill Zone, Plat\u014d coffee, the new bigger canvas tents, the showers with gas geysers and lots of hot water, the vibe, the stories, the catch-ups, and the Springbok games. Anyone who witnessed the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals, in the Oak Valley Race Village, will need no extra prompting to join again for 2027. This year, there\u2019s the inaugural Nations Championship to take in. The Boks play Italy during the Chardonnay race, and France during the Shiraz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Sam Clark\/ Wines2Whales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Sam Clark\/ Wines2Whales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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OG\/Switchback Pro: Play Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 2 is play day, and regardless of the OG or Switchback format, you know you\u2019re in for a great day on the bike. The trails are prime, manicured and smooth in places, a little rocky and raw in others, there are bridges aplenty, and Cape Trails will be building more before the 2026 race \u2013 because they always do. It\u2019s the perfect day, tough enough to be a challenge, but fun throughout, and will so many trails to choose from JK can always mix it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OG Pro: Descending Katpas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katpas is the old dual track pass that links Elgin with the Overberg. It has steep sections to build up speed, and pedally bits too. Then, near the bottom, you divert into singletrack and fly down toward Botriver. On a day with more descending than climbing, Katpas is the longest downhill and provides a great reset before an undulating 35-kilometre run to the finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Switchback Pro: Houw Hoek Hotel Water Point<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Switchback, you climb Katpas, which isn\u2019t an alpine col, but it still takes its toll. At the summit, the oasis of the Houw Hoek Hotel Water Point awaits. For those who like to linger at water points, there\u2019s Blaauwklippen wines to taste, while for the more hurried members of the field, a quick refuel with USN Sports Nutrition or a Peragine chocolate brownie will see you up the last of the climbs to the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre and the last water point of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OG Pro: Finishing near Hermanus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finishing at Benguela Cove is great because the food trucks and restaurants there are already so welcoming, but if your loved ones have come down to see you finish, you can also break away and go exploring. The Hermanus wine region is full of gems, and the town itself is a must-visit destination. Treat yourself to a second, post-stage race, lunch. You deserved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switchback Pro: Finishing at Lourensford  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finishing at Lourensford is undoubtedly easier, logistically. The big drive was done on the morning of Stage 1, so after Stage 3, you are closer to home and closer to the airport. If feels like mountain biking has seeped into the soil in Lourensford, so a welcome across the final finish line there is just a little different. A bit special in a way that cannot quite be put into words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Your Favourite?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you cannot decide which is your favourite, between the Original and Switchback routes, you\u2019ll have to ride the 2026 edition to make an educated assessment. If you missed the 2025 Switchback edition of FNB W2W\u2026 well then you\u2019ll have to ride 2026 and 2027 to judge for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entries to the 2026 FNB Wines2Whales are open. Visit www.epic-series.com\/races\/wines2whales<\/a> to secure your spot and follow @wines_2_whales<\/a> on Instagram or like FNB Wines2Whales<\/a> on Facebook to keep your GEES high from now until November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 FNB Wines2Whales<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Start and Registration:<\/td>Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Race Village:<\/td>Oak Valley Wine Estate, Grabouw<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Finish:<\/td>Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, Hermanus<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Distance:<\/td>190km with 4 500m of climbing<\/td><\/tr>
FNB W2W Chardonnay:<\/td>6-8 November 2026<\/td><\/tr>
FNB W2W Pinotage:<\/td>9-11 November 2026<\/td><\/tr>
FNB W2W Shiraz:<\/td>13-15 November 2025<\/td><\/tr>
Website:<\/td>www.epic-series.com\/races\/wines2whales<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Instagram:<\/td>@wines_2_whales<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Facebook:<\/td>FNB Wines2Whales<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
YouTube:<\/td>Epic Series Race the World<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The 2026 FNB Wines2wWhales returns to the original Lourensford to Hermanus route. Racing east over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains from the Somerset West Winelands into the Elgin Valley, home to some of the best singletracks in South Africa, and down the Katpas into the Overberg, where wheatfields ripen in the warm sunshine, and the finish line […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":74803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,3],"tags":[15],"featured_location":[338],"class_list":["post-74800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","category-events","tag-wines2whales","featured_location-bottom-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74800","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\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74800"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74819,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74800\/revisions\/74819"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74800"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=74800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}