MID-YEAR MTB MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL
It’s that time of year! You can now get your mid-year MTB permit online (www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za) for only R420 and enjoy the diverse 130km Bottelary Hills trail network. Annual permit holders also have access to the family friendly Polkadraai Bike Park until 31 December 2022. The bike park offers a kiddies track, pump track, flow, skills trails and fun line. The venue is also available for birthday parties at R70 per person. Guests can bring their own refreshments. Bookings via Tania on 064-0060569.
Please take note that the BHRC trails are unfortunately not part of the Wine Lands Cycling Club regional permit at this stage and that day permits are still required to access the trails.
MTB day permits (R70) are available at the security kiosk at ASARA, Bellevue Wine Estate tasting room, Crest Coffee kiosk at Devonbosch, Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate Pro Shop, Fort Simon tasting room, Babushka deli at Hazendal Estate, Karibib Wine Craft, 18Coffee at Neethlingshof Wine Estate, the Cellar Door at Jordan, Zevenwacht Wine Estate security and Hellsend Bike Compound in Stellenbosch. Engen Soneike, Shell Kruispad and the security gate at Dwars in die Weg on Devon Valley road are open 24/7, but please check trading hours for the various park and ride starting points. Access points operate on a cashless Zapper payment system.
Find the latest trail map on the Trailforks app.
TRAILRUN SERIES LAUNCHED
The Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy is collaborating with TrailFun to host a series of trail runs in aid of community development. Join us for the upcoming winter series and explore the beautiful Bottelary Hills in a safe environment: Mooiplaas (4 June), Kaapzicht (25 June), Zevenwacht (9 July) and Middelvlei (23 July).
Choose between an entry level 5km or more advanced 10km run. Runners looking for longer routes can run both or loop for 21km.
Participants can opt for race starts with prizes for podium winners or enjoy an individual start at leisure for a relaxed run with no groups, no crowds – just solitude in nature. The 15km and 21km routes are individual starts only and are ideal training runs. Runners receives a timing card and medal. Loads of fun lucky draw prizes up for grabs. Entry fees are between R70 and R210 and include your medal, water and the option to include a bottle of wine from the estate. TrailFun will donate a percentage of all entry fees to the BHRC community development fund.
Enter on https://entries.trailfun.co.za.
MOBILE MAINTENANCE CREW
It took some time, but our two local lads – Alfonzo Williams of Goedehoop Farm and Fernando De Jongh of Welgevonden Farm are mobile. Thanks to funds raised through the sale of special annual permits, generous donations and the support of Adrenalin Bikes, Trailfun, Agrimark, Flandria, Merida SA, TrailBlazers and our amazing marshals, we were able to kit out the team with mountain bikes and gear. The team will attend to light maintenance and route patrols. These two youngsters are super excited to spend more time on the trails. This project is part of the BHRC social development programme focussing on the families living and working on farms in the Bottelary Hills.
CHENIN SAFARI TIME
The Chenin Blanc Association is celebrating what makes the Cape Winelands so special – Chenin Blanc and being outdoors! Participants have six weeks to visit at least six Chenin Safari stops and upload a photo of their visit, tagging @cheninblancsa, @the_winery_name, #DrinkChenin and #CheninSafari. If you complete the challenge, you earn a free #DrinkChenin cycling shirt. The Chenin Safari kicks off with a fun ride on 18 June hosted by the Wine Lands Cycling Club, ending at Ken Forrester Wines with a Chenin festival. Participating BHRC member farms include De Morgenzon, Hazendal, Jordan and Zevenwacht. Bookings and more details on https://www.drinkchenin.co.za/cheninsafari. The six-week celebration of all things Chenin will conclude with a fun ride (weather permitting) on 30 July, hosted by the Bottelary Hills MTB Trails. The ride will start and finish at Jordan Wine Estate. Annual or day permits (R70) are required to access the Bottelary Hills Conservancy MTB trails. When you support the MTB trails, you support conservation #ride4renosterveld.
CELEBRATING BIODIVERSITY
International Biodiversity Day was celebrated on 22 May 2022. Click on the link to continue playing your part by selecting 22 actions in support of biodiversity https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day/activities/22 .
The BHRC currently has 50 landowner members that work together to promote conservation through sustainable farming practices, alien invasive clearing and Renosterveld regeneration. Less than 4% of the original Renosterveld in the Western Cape remains and only grows in very rich fertile soils, often replaced with commercial crops. The BHRC is mandated to care for, expand and sustain the large tracts of the estimated remaining 1500 hectare Renosterveld in its area that covers approximately 10 000 hectares. This is located at the core of the Cape Floristic Region, referred to as the world’s ‘hottest hot-spot’ for plant diversity and endemism.
Apart from stunning views, visitors could also sight game such as caracal, grysbok, grey duiker, porcupine, bat-eared foxes, Cape foxes and otters or the many bird species that are still prevalent in the Bottelary Hills.
BE SAFE
We are fortunate to have the support of the local Bottelary Rural Warm Watch who has a sound disaster plan in place. They have assisted us with a number of evacuations in the Bottelary Hills. Although we understand the joy in the solitude of riding solo, we strongly advise cycling with a friend in case of emergency. Take note of the numbers on the back of the annual permit of save one of the following on your cell phone: 072 4308899 (Bottelary Watch) or 083 4480810 (Bottelary Hills Conservancy). It is also vital to send a pin drop of your location when help is required.
GROUP RIDES
If you’re new on the trails or enjoy riding with other MTB enthusiasts, send your details to marshal Michael Green (0835757413) to add to the WhatsApp group for organised group rides. Our Facebook page @BottelaryHillsConservancyMTB is also a valuable source on the latest news and special offers.
KOOPMANSKLOOF HIKING TRAIL
Make the most of the beautiful winter days and explore the Koopmanskloof Private Nature Reserve hiking trail. The 5km hiking trail has a 282m elevation with spectacular views. Koopmanskloof is synonymous with great wines and its contribution to conservation. The Koopmanskloof has been in the hands of the Smit family since 1895. The late Stevie Smit bought the farm from his father and it remained in his ownership until he passed away at the age 82. Oom Stevie was very passionate about the preservation of our natural vegetation and in 1980 proclaimed 98ha of the 220ha farm as private nature reserve. “Koopman” is the Dutch word for trader and “kloof” is a ravine, thus the direct translation is Trader’s Ravine.
Hikes must be booked in advance with christel@bottelaryconservancy.co.za or on 0834480810. Permits are R50. No dogs allowed. Funds go towards community development.