Wines2Whales will take riders on a 210km journey between the winelands of Somerset West, where the three-day event starts, and the final finish line in Hermanus.
The Adventure, which starts on October 27, is the first of the three events to take place. The Ride starts on October 30 and the Race brings all the action to a close when it starts on October 3.
Wines2Whales will feature 210km and 4 200m of climbing over three days. Photo: Tobias Ginsberg
Stage one
The 63km opening stage takes place between the Lourensford and Oak Valley Wine Estates.
Director Johan Kriegler warned riders would have to pace themselves through the Lourensford and Vergelegen climbs, the Vergelegen Bridge, the portage over Gantouw Pass and sections of single track if they hoped to survive the 1 650m of climbing.
“Don’t get pulled into the hype and frenzy of other riders. Cycle your own pace,” he said.
“Be careful at the Lourensford downhill after the climb, it’s very fast with sharp turns and occasional ruts.”
Stage two
Riders will start and finish at the and Oak Valley Wine Estate after the stage two ‘play day’.
The stage features a number of new changes, including the ‘Sounds of Silence’ section of single track on Oak Valley Estate.
“This single track section was originally built by late Oak Valley winemaker/viticulturist and W2W friend, Pieter Visser. It hasn’t, however, been used for a decade.
“We’ve redirected the last part, creating a scenic and fun flowing single track via a pine forest, over a dam wall and along the dam,” said Kriegler.
He said the route included single tracks and bridges and the playpark.
With more than 1 300m of climbing, the 71km stage, although fun, promises to be no ride in the park.
Stage three
A 71km stage, featuring gravel sections, jeep track, single tracks and a pallet beach crossing, will bring the event to a close.
The first 38km, fast and fairly easy, will ease riders into their third day of racing before the real racing starts.
Starting at Oak Valley Estate, the final stage will pass the Houw Hoek Inn, the oldest hotel in South Africa, meander through Botriver and includes a river crossing before finishing at Onrust Caravan Park in Hermanus.
Over the three days, riders will have traversed 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes and nature conservation areas.
