Personal Invitation
You are cordially invited to attend the official reopening of the OVERBERG MEANDER Route, starting from Trail’s End Bike Hotel at 10h00, on November 30, 2024.
Bring your bike and celebrate the opening of new bridge with us this coming Saturday! Join us on an easy 2.5km cycle from Trail’s End to the Elgin Railway Market, while accompanied by the iconic Ceres Rail steam engine steaming alongside you on the railway line.
Please note:
- Bring your own bicycle, preferably an off-road bike (gravel or mountain bike).
- Wear appropriate clothing for cycling.
- We will cross the level crossing opposite Oude Molen at 11:00 am where the Ceres Rail Steam Engine will meet us.
RSVP: Please RSVP to pieter@trailsend.bike or contact Trail’s End Bike Hotel on TEL: (021) 859 5193 before 28 November, 2024.
Background
The Overberg Meander has become increasingly popular with bike-packing groups from around the world, providing a much-needed economic boost for local establishments in the area. The increase in international cycling tourists since late 2023 is expected to boom, based on the global post-COVID19 growth in world-wide outdoor tourism.
Cyclists attempting this two-way route would either start their journey in Elgin or Swellendam, and then pedal for anything from two to five days to the finish. Riders who are up to the challenge might decide to tackle a return ride, or could opt to shuttle back to the start by vehicle.
Traditionally, the start in Elgin will be from Trail’s End Bike Hotel, along a route navigating the busy roads through the town. The good news is that a new bridge has been constructed a couple of kms into the route, providing riders with a safer and more scenic route.
This enhanced cyclist experience not only promotes sustainable transportation, but also links Trail’s End to the popular ‘Elgin Railway Market’. Additional benefits include scenic orchard views and easy connections to popular MTB destinations such as the Grabouw Forest Trails and Oak Valley Trails.
The extension of the route to the Rooidakke settlement will also create a safe cycling and pedestrian pathway for local workers commuting between nearby farms and packhouses. This also seamlessly aligns with the ‘Healthy Lifestyle Project’ pioneered by ‘Two-a-Day’, a major employer in the region, and hopes to encourage employees to adopt active transportation.
The Overberg Meander offers a unique way of exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Overberg as a whole. Riders will pedal via verdant vineyards, rugged gravel passes and rolling hills, to the scenic beaches of Cape Agulhas on the southern-most tip of Africa.
Key Features of the Overberg Meander
- Stunning Scenery: Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Overberg region.
- Challenging Terrain: Everything from meandering gravel roads to technical singletrack.
- Diverse Accommodation: Choose between luxury hotels, cozy guesthouses and campsites.
- Country Hospitality: The region is renowned for great wines and delectable cuisine.
- Nature Immersion: Connect with Mother Nature to recharge mind, body and soul.
THANK YOU: We are grateful for the support of Two-a-Day, Fruitways Farms, and Oak Valley who have partnered with us on this project as part of their employee Healthy Lifestyle Programme. A significant portion of the bridge upgrade was funded by DEADAT’s Tourism Growth Fund.
