Oak Valley Mountain Bike Trail
Excellent ride today at Oak Valley (one of the overnight stops for the Cape Epic.
The ride is in the Grabouw valley and up onto the hills below Groenlandberg mountain. There are 3 trails. Green 14km, Red, 21km, Black 25km. Each for each increasingly more experienced riders.
The major advantage is the hot showers and bike wash at the end. In winter, what a bonus! There was a large percentage of single track on the black route as well as a new black section that has been opened up (2.8km single track) so overall a great ride.
There were a few weird moments on the A-frame wooden stys over the fences and I managed to smash my head on the overhead bar (it was really low – i checked) – so beginners watch out – hit them head on or you will slide, especially if its wet.
Ride Stats:
Distance: 25km (Black Route)
Time: 1:30-2hours
Location: oak Valley, Grabouw, Cape Town
Difficulty: Intermediate (but good for beginners)
Notes: Showers, Bike Wash, Secure Parking
Cost: R30/rider
Overall Rating: 4/5
Tags: grabouw, mountain bike, mtb trail, oak valley
Well, an enjoyable ride, but I would not say a very challenging ride. Its just nice…nice scenery, a slight hum of the N2, its really like “farm riding” as opposed to “Mountain biking”. Some technical skills needed for the nasty A frames that take you over river beds and fences – your pedals MUST be level as you go over the apex – trust me! Some racey dug-outs that give you the feeling of a bobsled run.
On a wet day you;ll have plenty tyre clinging mud as you cross cow pastures and sloping fields.
Total bonus is loo and shower at the end, you can leave Oak Valley to enjoy a coffee and meal at Peregrine Farm stall in a dignified fashion, not mud slung and grease faced
I’ll go back there with my mum for another ride….not top of my list.
I did the layout of the trails so any comments to improve them will be appreciated and the trails deffinately ride better in drier conditions.