We burst from yet another leafy canopy, 20 rumbling tyres disturbing the peace in an otherwise pristine indigenous forest. The cool air is immediately leached by the sun’s heat as the gravel goes from clay to asphalt. The old Bloukrans Pass unspools; and we drop our chests to our handlebars, raise our bums and scythe down, pushing 70km/h. It’s hard not to scream with joy. 

Welcome to the inaugural Tour de Tsitsikamma, a brand-new mountain-bike experience from Bhejane Adventures. Bhejane normally offer guided, self-drive 4×4 holidays; but owner Frank Carlisle is a keen cyclist (and Garden Route local), and he’s been dreaming of a guided mountain-bike tour for years. Think of it as the Otter Trail on bikes – and in my opinion, set to become equally iconic.

The three-day experience starts at Storms River Mouth and ends in Nature’s Valley. Accommodation is in purpose-built ‘BioCamps’, where the structures have been designed to touch the earth as lightly as possible. Even so, you still get a proper bed (with white linen!), albeit in a tent, and ablution facilities far superior to what you’ll find at a stage race. 

All the food is prepared by Bhejane’s expert chefs. [If you’ve been on one of their 4×4 trips, you’ll know that the food is a highlight. – Ed.] Worried about your bags and other gear? Don’t be: Everything is transported from point to point, freeing you up to ride in comfort. 

At the end of each day, we banked new memories, cracked cold drinks, dived into rivers and indulged until the wee hours. But as good as life was in the BioCamps, it couldn’t compete with the riding: we ducked and dived along private trails that had never seen a bicycle tyre before. We only ventured onto tarmac to fly down high-speed mountain passes like the aforementioned Bloukrans, which has been closed to vehicles for years. 

Sweeping mountain views were interspersed with occasional sea views from cliffside singletrack, and we zipped through pine and indigenous forests where hiking paths (such as the slippery Stinkhout Trail) had been freshly converted for our mountain bikes. 

The best thing is that it’s not a race; it’s a tour. There are no number boards, and there’s no skin-tight lycra (unless that’s your vibe). The focus is on experiencing everything that this beautiful part of the world has to offer to cyclists, with plenty of down time in between. 

Gather a group of like-minded friends, and book your spot. It’s a blast.

THE DETAILS 

HOW DOES IT WORK? You ride from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley. All your gear is transported for you between stops. All your food is provided: snacks on the rides, and proper meals in the BioCamps – think braais, pot bread, salads… The camps have luxury safari tents and ablution facilities. 

WHAT BIKE DO I NEED? A mountain bike – be that a hardtail, trail weapon or XC bike. The trails are a bit hectic for a gravel bike. E-bikes are welcome.

WHAT ARE THE DAILY DISTANCES? Day 1: 50km/800m elevation gain. Day 2: 65km/800m. Day 3: 30km/400m.

RATES: Bhejane is offering an introductory special of R7 950 per person sharing. This includes three nights’ accommodation (two nights in the BioCamps, one night at Storms River) plus all meals and transfers. 

DATES: Tours depart on set dates but if you can get a group of 6 to 10 riders together, you can arrange your own dates. Smaller groups should contact Bhejane and they’ll place you accordingly. 

MORE INFO: 082 724 0442 (bookings); https://tourdetsitsikamma.co.za/

THE RACE OPTION 

The Glacier Storms River Traverse is a fun, three-day stage race through similar terrain and featuring some of the same trails. Stages are 50–60km in distance, each with 800-950m of elevation. Stay in tents in the race village, or book formal accommodation at Storms River. 

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