By Mimi Finestone
Image this: 20 individuals of all health ranges, a few of whom had not been on a bicycle since college, took on what might be thought-about their most bold problem but – three months of coaching culminating in biking by means of 14 passes, over 400 kilometres of among the hardest terrain, in simply 9 days alongside the Backyard Route.
Lockdown has been a protracted, troublesome street for a lot of. It has compelled us to consider what makes life value residing, inspired us to reconnect with family and friends and pushed us to rediscover the nice open air. However how do you mix all these items?
Gerhard and Sandra de Clercq got here up with the thought of doing a bicycle tour with associates by means of the Backyard Route. It will be a special kind of journey – ten married {couples} of all sizes and styles, all of their fifties, a lot of them not having used a bicycle in years. The purpose? To combine bodily train with luxurious and plenty of enjoyable. If something, it might be fascinating!
To make sure that everybody within the group might take part within the tour, they made use of e-bikes. An e-bike is a bicycle that has a small electrical motor powered by a battery to help the rider when pedalling. So long as you will have battery energy left and you’ll nonetheless transfer your legs, you will have a serving to hand to help you as you go.
The Backyard Route was chosen as a result of its fantastically maintained mountain bike trails, making it a great place to discover with associates. The tour was based mostly on the majestic mountain passes discovered throughout this space, a lot of them constructed by Thomas Bain.
A round route was picked – George to Oudtshoorn (80.61km) by way of the Montagu Move, Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert (56.43km) by way of the Swartberg Move, Prince Albert to De Rust and De Rust to Uniondale (76.76km) by way of Meiringspoort, Uniondale to Knysna (92.64km) by way of the Prince Albert Move and Knysna again to George (94.48km) by way of the Seven Passes Highway. In complete, 14 passes could be crossed.
“The Southern Cape is without doubt one of the most stunning components of our nation. It’s secure and principally unspoilt, with probably the most thrilling biking alternatives one can want for. All these roads are accessible by automotive, simply in case you want some additional assist!” mentioned Gerhard on their determination to journey by means of the Backyard Route.
For 3 months, the chums ate, drank and slept mountain biking, coaching at any time when they might. Lastly, on 27 March 2021, the adventurers set off. Some days had been extremely arduous, with a whole lot of ascending, and the climate wasn’t all the time at its most interesting. The journey was an emotional one too – many needed to dig deep and push themselves more durable than ever earlier than.
“Using 95 kilometres or ascending heights of 1 800 metres in a day is a problem, even on an e-bike. You should put within the effort,” Gerhard mentioned.
There have been additionally some spectacular days spent off their bicycles. Between rides in addition they hung out having fun with olive tastings, cooking courses, spa remedies, sundowner cruises and plenty of wining and eating – to maintain morale excessive, you perceive.
The staff completed their loop on 4 April 2021, 9 days after setting off.
“Ending one thing that appeared unimaginable on the time is an incredible feeling. All of us achieved what we got down to do and we problem anyone on the market to rise up and go, begin using… there’s a complete new world on the market!” says Gerhard.
Photos: Tanja van der Walt