The X Mountain Bike Expedition
Sun 22 Sep 2019 @ Alicedale, Eastern Cape


Organiser
Quantum Adventures

Sunday, 22nd - Saturday, 28 September 2019

This is not a race. It's a gps/self-guided expedition/adventure.

Also check out the FB page - The X - Mountain Bike Expeditions. Plenty images from previous rides. We change/add new riding options every year which means that you have 2-3 options [ currently] every day, to choose from. All available as a GPS track.

Riders who enter will receive gps tracks for each days' ride including optional routes for each day. This area of the Eastern Cape is remote. The emphasis is on excellent mtb riding, pristine Nature and Adventure experiences. Overnight accommodation is fantastic!
All you need is an open mind, have a passion for Nature, acceptance of the daily challenges that comes with an Adventure like this and be fit enough to ride an average of 60-70km per day. The riding is on a variety of tracks - single track, jeep track, servitude tracks, animal tracks and some dirt/gravel road.

16 Riders only. 

To view the images, maps and other interesting facts about this MTB Adventure/Expedition, visit the FB page; The X - Mountain Bike Expeditions

2019 PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE - The "sequence of the overnight stays may change.

Sunday, 22 Sept:

Bushman Sands, Alicedale. This is where we start and finish. Vehicles are safe here. 24 hour security. An awesome place. Bar, pool and golf course.

Monday, 23 Sept: Bushman Sands > Wilton Guest Farm

Breakfast at around 7am. Leave when you ready - not later than 8h30. Various farm, dirt, jeep, mtb animal, railway service, and no tracks on route to Wilton Guest Farm.

72km
1167m altitude gain
845m altitude loss

Tuesday, 24 Sept: Wilton Guest Farm > Glen Avon Guest Farm

An awesome, entirely new off road route for almost the entire ride to Glen Avon Guest Farm with the only section of dirt road that remain - about 3km before crossing over the tarred road and the last 5km or so to finish at Glen Avon. Some of the older routes are still optional. Some short portages and rough riding on the new route to link up section of trail. Fantastic hospitality here - always!

47km
971m altitude gain
806m altitude loss

Wednesday, 25 Sept: Glen Avon Guest Farm > Cavers Country House

A steep-ish 10km climb up the dirt road pass to the highlands above. Followed by a riveting 20km down hill ride on a disused, old servitude [Glenburnie Valley] toward the Great Fish River. After crossing the river, eventually into the Baviaans River Concervancy, towards Tarkastad and Bedford. [no, not Baviaanskloof] Today is a longish ride but the accommodation at Cavers Country House will be worth the extra km in the saddle. Not before you've climbed over Cowies Neck and finishing the ride off with another, classic downhill ride on a narrow dual single track through the dense. indigenous, Eastern Cape bush! Plenty game on this section. If you have time, go and check out the historical MCG Cricket ground where Bedford played against Bangladesh in the 90s. Historical, old mill and old stone building here is worth a visit. Laird Lochard Ainsley is one of the proprietors here.

75km
1616m altitude gain
1686m altitude loss

Thursday, 26 Sept. Cavers Country House > Thornkloof Safaris

A quick visit to Adelaide for a mid morning snack is worth it - before you head for Thornkloof Safaris. Classic riding in a very remote part of the Eastern Cape. Riders in 2017, raved about this section. KUDU DROL spitting contest for those who had enough dop by then... Courtesy bar and swimming pool.

55km
791m altitude gain
866m altitude loss

Friday, 27 Sept: Thornkloof Safaris > Bushman Sands

Breakfast and depart at 8h00 via the ridge line, farm tracks. Descending from the plateau for several km into the Great Fish River valley. Crossing the river - there is no bridge.

The route then continues to Riebeeck East, around early afternoon - around mid day if you are in a hurry. There's a shop In Riebeeck East. From here to the top of Highlands and down the old dirt pass towards Alicedale and Bushman Sands.

63km
1286m altitude gain
1667m altitude loss

Saturday, 28 Sept: Breakfast at Bushman Sands. Check-out of rooms by 10h00.

ENTRY FEE: R9,200.00 per person. 

Included in the entry fee:

Accommodation for 6 nights. Country Accommodation / Game Lodges

Transport of overnight tog bag x 1 [120 liter max] – supplied by you.

6 dinners – Incl Sunday eve arrival dinner, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
5 lunches. 4 are packed lunches for “on-the-trail” consumption. Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
6 breakfasts. Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Stunning riding through game reserves and private land, not open to the public.
Branded top.
Adhoc cold drinks on route
Stunning images at the end for free download
Discovering unique places and meeting Eastern Cape Legends – true pioneers!
a Transformed you - guaranteed!

I rode all the routes - and many more others - myself. If I did not thoroughly enjoy a section or if it did not take me to another awesome section, I canned it! 


This is what mountain biking should be about!

New friends made. New experiences gained. Bonding with Nature.

END

More information: www.quantumadventures.co.za/2013/09/12/the-x/

The X Mountain Bike Expedition

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Classes and pricing
Available classes for the event

Class Distance Start Time Price (pp)
Open category 300 km 5 days 18:00 R 9,200.00

Event location
Bushman Sands, Alicedale, Alicedale

Route information

Turn off the N9 between Cradock and Port Elizabeth, to Alicedale - signposted. From here it's 15km.

Coordinates -33.3156088, 26.0817345
Address Bushman Sands Golf Club Alicedale 6135 South Africa
City Alicedale
Province Eastern Cape


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Registration Number: 2015/141112/07