The Stanford MTB Classic is positioned as the flagship event in the Overberg MTB portfolio for 2023 and forms part of Stage 2 of The Absa Cape Epic 2023. This one-day race includes all the routes and trails in the Stanford region established as the Ultimate Southern pass trail network a few years ago surrounding the Kleinrivier, Akkedisberg, and Paardenberg mountains. The exclusive and untamed mountain bike trails between Stanford Valley Guest farm and Paardenberg boast approximately 50km of single track and form part of the 55km and 86km routes. The perfect training event for the ABSA Cape Epic. Prepare for conquering natural steps and challenging territory in this beautiful part of the Overberg region.
All distances of the Stanford MTB Classic start and finish at Stanford Valley Guest Farm.
The first 25km will take riders up Lucern hill and across to Vaalvlei and then Klein Modderrivier where the first water point will be at 13km. Riders will cross the R326 under a culvert and head across to jeep track and trails passing White Water and Bluegum guest houses. Another culvert crossing will take riders back to Stanford Valley where the 25km ends, and the 55 and 85km continue after water point 2 at 23km.
A magnificent fynbos single-track route follows up from Stanford Valley to the very top of the View Point overlooking the Akkedisberg mountains, Hermanus and as far as Franskraal. An exhilarating descent takes riders to the beautiful water point 3 at Beloftebos at 45km.
Both the 85km and 60km routes will include all the single tracks from Stanford Valley Guest Farm to the Beloftebos trails.
The 60km riders will return to Stanford Valley with predominantly 95% single track up and over.
The 85km will take riders further in the direction of Salmonsdam up a steady climb to Hermanus Pietersfontein and the top op Arends Nes at waterpoint 4.
The descent will take riders out of Hermanus Pietersfontein on a gravel road before they meander through another section of single track until they reach the top of Withoogte. From there, a fast descent back to Beloftebos and through the bush single track and towards Beloftebos water point for the 2nd time (water point 5), before they return on marked trails and follow mostly the same single track back to Stanford Valley as the 60km riders.
RIDER EFFORT:
25km: Intermediate
60km and 85km: Intermediate- Advanced
Riders require a reasonable amount of skills and endurance to complete the 60km and 85km trails.
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