05 Mar 2011 New Schapenberg MTB trails open in April
The new Schapenberg MTB trails near Somerset West are fast approaching completion. Once finished, the trails offer several hours of great off-road riding to cyclists of all skills levels.PPA members will be able to ride the trail at half-price, due to PPA funding the project.
In 2010, Johan Kriegler, the founder of the Wines2Whales (W2W) events, applied for and received project funding to build these trails from the Pedal Power Association.
Steve Hayward, Chairman of the PPA, explained that the PPA and the Rotary Club of Claremont are the beneficiaries of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, who organises, amongst others, the annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The PPA uses profits received in this way to run the Association and for specific cycling projects.
In 2010-2011, the PPA will plough over R1.6 million back into some 36 cycling projects, with the Schapenberg MTB Trail being one of them. “We are delighted with initiatives such as this one and wish cyclists many happy hours of riding on these trails,” Steve said.
The funding partner for these mountain bike trails is Wines2Whales (Pty) Ltd, which is also committed to support the development of MTB in the area.
The Trail starts and finishes at Ongegund Conference Centre in Sir Lowry’s Town (Click www.ongegund.com for location and contact details) and consists of four routes; Black – 27km, Red – 23km, Yellow 15km and Green 4km. The Black Route offers three additional loops (two serious climbs and two technical single tracks) to the Red route. The Red route includes technical single tracks, but has fewer climbs than Black. The Yellow route has fewer climbs than Red and the single track is easy. The green route has no single tracks and easy climbs.
The trails will be open to the public seven days a week from 08h00 to 17h00. Cyclists will pay a day permit of R40 per entry which allows you unlimited access to the trails for the day. PPA members will pay a discounted fee of R20 per permit. Permits can be obtained at Ongegund Conference Centre and the fees will be ploughed back into the trails for trail maintenance and extension.
You are invited to attend the official opening of the trails at 08h00 on Sunday 17 April 2011, at Ongegund, on which day any MTB can explore the new trails for only R20. On the opening day there will also be a Farmer’s Market with various vendors, including something cool for the thirst and additional showers to celebrate your first Schapenberg ride.
From May 2011, riders can join (on-line) the new MTB Adventure Club and pay an annual permit fee of R300 (R150 for PPA Members) to cycle the Trails as often as you like. Additional information will soon be uploaded on www.schapenberg.co.za .