To Hell And Back Mtb Stage Race


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17th Nov 2018 to 18th Nov 2018
 Garden Route & Klein Karoo

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This race is proudly the first MTB stage race in South Africa. The views while riding on these historic roads are extraordinary, jaw dropping and nail biting all in one. It is known as the longest mountain pass in South Africa.

CS Lewis said that ‘the road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.’ In this case, the road to the Hell is a rocky dirt road with steep slopes, sharp switchbacks, ups and downs, dropping a hair raising 3000 feet down into a valley.

The overnight stop in The Hell means everybody stays together, which makes for a great atmosphere. The uniqueness of the race village is ‘captured’ within the shear remoteness of Gamkaskloof, no electricity, no cell reception, no TV, not even radio reception.

It was in 1995 that the first To Hell and Back took place. It came about from the love of riding and to popularise The Hell. Due to limited accommodation and facilities in The Hell, only 500 participants are allowed.

The first ± 4km is tarred road whereafter participants turnoff onto a gravel road snaking through the farms in the Cango valley. After a steep climb this road links up with the main road at the base of the Swartberg Pass (860m). From here the route follows the Swartberg Pass to the top (1560m) where the Gamkaskloof turnoff is taken 3km further. The route follows this road to Gamkaskloof where the first day’s riding end at the base of Elandspad (560m) at the camping site.

The second Day starts with the gruelling 4km climb up Elandspad. Riders will follow the same route back to De Hoek, turning each awesome downhill from the previous day into climbs, changing the character of the route completely. The race will finish in the campsite of De Hoek.

Entries open 1 June 2018


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