KKK MTB Tour
In 2023 the 20 th and final annual KKK Tour will start and finish in Wildernes at the trusty fairy Knowe Hotel.
The Tour covers 500km through indigenous forests, crossing the Outeniqua and Swartberg mountains twice, covers 12 passes and a few poorts.
It started when Arno and a few friends decided to participate in the 2003 Karoo2Coast MTB race. Arno felt the journey from Pretoria to Uniondale was expensive and that there should be an " add on " after the race. So he tracked a perfect circle from Uniondale to Knysna , then George and Oudtshoorn and then Prince Albert ( where he now lives ) , to De Rust and back to Uniondale. The first KKK Tour started in Uniondale and that edition of Karoo2Coast was an extremely wet one so the bicycles gave a lot of trouble the rest of the Tour. So the next two years the Karoo2Coast was the last stage of the Tour but by then accommodation became a problem in Uniondale so the Tour was moved away from the race
The route is non-technical using graded dirt roads with breathtaking scenery, excellent accommodation, good food and even better company.
Riders arrive in George on Saturday 7 October to renew friendships and meet new friends. Unexpectedly, everyone is heard telling everyone how little they have trained.
EVERY RIDER WILL RECEIVE A CYCLING SHIRT WHICH IS A ONCE OFF. THIS IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR FEE .
Once the tour is fully booked an email will be sent to all regarding the cycling shirt and a sizing chart will be provided .
For the last number of years we did the route anti clockwise giving a rest day in Prince Albert after 4 days of riding., In 2019 there was a problem with a booking so we had to do it clockwise but in 2020 we reverted to the anti clockwise route.
The Tour fee includes accommodation and dinner for Saturday 7 Oct .
Transport from George Airport can be arrangend and those arriving with vehicles may leave those safely at the hotel for the duration of the Tour .
Saturday 7 October .
We convene at the Fairy Knowe Hotel where we have dinner . Vehicles may be left safely at the Hotel for the duration of the Tour .
Day One (Sunday 8 October )
We leave Wildernes after breakfast and cycle up in the beautiful Whites Road and then on with the 7 Passes road crossing beautid full rivers on old bridges . A welcome snack stop at Karatara and then to Knysna the last Pass being a descent of the Phantom Pass. We all stay at the Lagoona Inn where the Austrian chef/owner will treat ons his best cuisine . Be hungry !
Day Two (Monday 9 October )
Arguably the most difficult day of the Tour . 90 km of climbing from Knysna to Uniondale with a snack stop at Buffelsnek and a lunch stop at De Vlucht .
We stay at various BnB's and deserve a good dinner .
Day Three (Tuesday 10 October)
A much easier day , 80 km from Uniondale to De Rust . Very quiet roads , nice scenery and luxury accommodation and again a great dinner in De Rust .
Day Four (Wednesday 11 October)
Today is De Rust to Prince Albert .
Two options available.
Meiringspoort : 85km 1 100m or
Swartberg Pass : 86km 1 700m.
In Prince Albert we stay at various B&B's and will enjoy great hospitality and Karoo life at its best.
Day Five (Thursday 12 October)
Rest day in Prince Albert ride , walk do nothing. Go for a massage .Visit Gay's dairy and Cheese , the Museum , Karoo Art gallery , later in the afternoon drop in at the Green Prince Gin bar . Have a look at The Showroom , a modern art deco cinema theatre .
Another dinner awaits .
Day Six (Friday 13 October )
Today is a big day. Swartberg Pass is between us and Oudtshoorn our destination for today.
90 Km and some 1200 m of climbing.
We stay at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn where we have stayed for the last 18 years and will enjoy braai master Pine's food and stories.
Day Seven (Saturday 14 October )
And then it is the last day of the Tour. We ride out of Oudtshoorn to George via Perdepoort and down Montague pass and the via Saasveld back to Wildernes .
Rooms will be available at the Hotel to shower before we all depart . Anyone wishing to stay the night let me know and I will arrange at a better rate
And then it is over. Just some cleaning, loading of bikes, last minute farewells.