Dream job … go recce the route for the upcoming Transcape MTB Stage Race through the forest of the Garden Route and along the back roads of the Klein Karoo for a couple of days.

Can’t say no to that, so I teamed up with Race Director Lenore Collett and Route Director Jeff Willcox, and cranked onto the single-track tripping from Knysna to George, before tackling the gravel passes winding over into the arid heartland of the gorgeous Klein Karoo.

Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp delivered their expected back road beautifulness, plus a few new trail surprises bombing into the rugged Swartberg foothills. All I can say is that riders can look forward to some challenging cranking on Day 3 within the Swartberg Private Nature Reserve, but that the herds of giraffe, gemsbok and other plains game are sure to make up for the suffering 🙂

If you’ve not heard about this exhilirating new stage race – due to hit the Knysna-to-Stellenbosch back roads in FEB 2015 – go check out www.transcapemtb.co.za or visit their Facebook Page.

Click here to view the pics