Few people who visit PE (yup, I still like to call it by the name I grew up with) ever get to truly experience the tiny villages dotting the coastline on the opposite side of Algoa Bay. It’s easy enough to get there: just cruise along the coastal road beyond Summerstrand, and you will discover a very different world.

Rural plots, small farms and nature reserves line the quiet back roads here, with tranquil and tiny settlements such as Schoenmakerskop, Seaview and Sardinia Bay nestling up against the rocky Indian Ocean edge. Horseback riders, fishermen, surfers, birders and mountain bikers are the people you will most likely encounter. And let’s be honest – this suits me just fine.

And probably you, too, if you’re trawling the MTB ROUTES site in search of trails … But before we get to the crank info, here’s a sneak peek into what’s happening in this little hidden gem of an area. Start jour journey in one of these two seaside villages …