On Heritage day, Wednesday the 24th September , Leisure Cycle Tours and Adventures, The Baakens Valley Conservancy and Fat Tracks would like to invite all interested cyclists and their families for a fun ride in the Baakens Valley, starting at the Elliot Centre (Port Elizabeth). There will be routes suited for all levels of fitness.
There are 3 Rides to choose from
· Family Fun Ride: This circular route caters for families with young children (8 to 12 years) and is a very easy ride with no technical difficulty. Estimated duration of this ride is approximately 40 minutes.
· Down into the Valley Ride: This circular route takes riders down into the valley before looping back around to the start (for this ride you need to be reasonably fit and comfortable with handling a mountain bike). Estimated duration of this ride is approximately 1 hour.
· The Real Valley Experience Ride: This ride starts at the same place as the other two rides, but goes through the entire length of the Baakens Valley, Port Elizabeth. The route continues through the veld all the way around the Sherwood neighborhood, before ending at the Moth’s Clubhouse next to the railway line in the Beverley Grove area.
The clubhouse will be open when you arrive and you can buy something to eat or drink at very reasonable prices while you wait for the family to pick you up. To get there follow Kragga Kamma Road to Beverley Grove. Continue along past the Spar on you left, until just before the railway line. At the railway line turn right and follow the small gravel road for 300m to the clubhouse.
Although we will ride at a leisurely pace, riders need to be reasonably fit and comfortable handling a mountain bike. There will be a group for slower riders and a water point about 40 minutes into the ride near the Willow Academy. This will also be the turn-around point if you find the ride too demanding. We will have someone to ride with you back to the start if necessary.
Please note: THIS IS NOT A CIRCULAR ROUTE and you have one of two transport options:
a) Let someone drop you off at the start and pick you up at the finish later (we recommend this),
b) Park at the Moth’s Clubhouse (where the ride ends) and ride to the start. We will have someone available to ride with you to the start, showing you a safe route with the least traffic. It will take between 20 to 30 minutes to get to the start. If you want to follow this option, please meet at the Moth’s Clubhouse at 9H30 to depart at 9H45 sharp.
All rides will have two experienced riders looking after the group. Rangers will also be on the route to assist and help with safety.
Start Times
Date: Wednesday morning, 24th September 2008 - Heritage Day
Start: Elliot Centre
09H35 Family Fun Ride
Ride for about 40 minutes and end back at the starting point.
09H40 Down into the Valley Ride
Ride for about 1 hour and end back at the starting point.
10H30 The Real Valley Experience Ride
Ride between 1h30 – 2h30, depending on level of fitness.
General information
· It is unsafe to ride without a helmet and we cannot allow riding without helmets.
· Do not ride without water, especially when youngsters are taking part.
· Bring a pump and an extra tube, if you have one lying around, or share with a friend.
· If there is a problem we will assist and help you get back safely.
· In the event of there being a large number of riders, we will leave in smaller groups (which will affect the starting times).