Namaqualand Trail - Reviewed in TREAD Issue 3

REGION: Northern Cape
CLOSEST TOWN/CITY: Springbok
Description: Okay, so it wasn’t easy just finding a mountain bike trail you can go and ride in the Northern Cape. But we sent contributing photographer Greg Beadle to follow the Namaqualand Cycle Challenge to see just what kind of riding there is in the Northern Cape. The Namaqualand Cycle Challenge is an annual five-day event from Springbok to Lamberts Bay timed to take place during the blooming of the semi-desert region’s famous flowers, the largest natural wild flower display in the world. Because it’s a ride, not a race, it’s suitable for all levels of relatively fit rider, with daily stages ranging from 60-84km in distance. Terrain ranges from gravel roads to jeep tracks with some singletrack. There are compulsory lunch stops, so each day is broken into two legs, giving riders a chance to replenish and recover and minimising pressure on a specific finishing time.
DISTANCE: 339km or 392km (depending on fitness)
NOVICE: 4/10
INTERMEDIATE: 9/10
ADVANCED: 7/10
TYRES: Preferably tubeless to minimise the chance of pinch flats on the more rocky surfaces. But any tyre that rolls well due to the distance.
BEST THING: The silence and the long stretches of beautiful Namaqualand Daisies and other wild flowers coming into bloom, the local hospitality, the camaraderie among the cyclists and the sense of accomplishment at the end
WORST THING: It’s a long way to get to from most of South Africa.
BEST SEASON: Duh, when it’s bloom time! Late August/early September (beginning of spring)
GET THERE: Springbok is 550km from Cape Town. The scenic route is recommended. Follow the R27 (coastal road) from Cape Town to Melkbosstrand (beach walks), Yzerfontein (whales and flowers), Darling (flowers, wines and Tannie Evita’s Theatre), the West Coast National Park and Langebaan, Vredenburg (golf), Saldanha (flowers and whales), St Helena Bay (whales, fishing and flowers) and Velddrif (birds). From there, head along the N7 to Springbok.
SECURE PARKNG: Not really applicable if you’re part of the Namaqualand Cycle Challenge as D-Tours provides transport for clients and their bikes from Somerset West to Springbok and back.
BE CAREFUL OF…the same things as the rest of the country – erratic drivers and criminals. Even though it’s more remote, it’s still part of South Africa.
BE SURE TO…Try and catch a glimpse of whales at Lambertsbay and Evita Bezuidenhout on your way through Darling, darling.
CONTACT: D-Tours on 028 572 1845; www.d-tours.co.za