Mountain biking stoke, fresh air and camaraderie. What more can you ask for? The fabulous scenery ain’t half-bad either.
When it comes to two-wheeled adventures, you might as well settle for one that uplifts from the moment you roll up. Well, Living Colour near Darling is a true mountain bike adventure playground. It caters for all – from beginners looking for casual rides to seasoned cyclists seeking thigh-burning technical challenges.
Leading the charge on all these rides is avid mountain bike rider Kevin Wood.
DAY RIDE
Arrive to a meet-and-greet, plus a splendid farm-style breakfast of your choice at the on-site Living Colour restaurant. Climb up Klipberg amid floral and wildlife scenery to gaze at the distant Groot Winterhoek mountains. Wheel it downhill into Darling and then into the hills and vineyards. At the top of the jeep track, take a breather with a cold one while gazing at the mighty Atlantic with Schaap Island on the horizon.
Then it’s back into the hills with some eina on a long climb, but riding through the vineyards with 360-degree ocean and mountain views makes it all worthwhile. Respite awaits with a long descent into the village and easy riding back to Living Colour to replenish fuel with Smoke House platters.
Although this is a 40-km ride of about 3 hours with a 710-m elevation, Kevin will tailor it as long or short as you and your group desire. E-bikes welcome too 😊.
BLACK HARRIER DIRT RIDE
Two nights and three days of views, culture and biking await on this route. Settle into your forest cabin at !Khwa-ttu San Park on arrival at 17h00. After breakfast at Living Colour on day 2, warm up for 45 km with an 825-m elevation into the hills behind Darling. Once you’ve enjoyed lunch at Living Colour, the afternoon is yours to kick around.
First, breakfast will beef you up on day 3 before tackling the 30-km Mina-Se-Klip ride with its 490-m elevation through parts of the last protected Renosterveld in the area. Yes, there are sandy stretches, but nothing too hectic. The ride finishes through beautiful coastal vegetation with a good chance of seeing springbok, eland, zebra and black wildebeest herds. The cherry on top would be a sighting of the endemic Black Harrier.
AMONG GIANTS DIRT RIDE
Surrounded by the stark, bristly Red Cederberg wilderness, this two-day adventure includes meals and accommodation at Cederberg Park, Kromrivier in safari tents.
On the first day, ride the 40 km with a 680-m elevation like you stole it along a gravel road with undulating long hills. Pedal between grandiose mountains, over shimmering rivers and through valleys with the towering Wolfberg Cracks above you. After shredding that fairly tough route, you’re rewarded with a fast descent back to base.
Next up on day 2, challenge your limits for 45 km with a 450-m elevation on a mostly hardcore single track through the dense Cederberg vegetation and vineyards to the Wolfberg Cracks. From the bottom of the Wolfberg Cracks, cruise along the Matjies river to the iconic Maltese Cross. Pause for a quick glass of vino at Cederberg Wines before pressing on to Kromrivier. All-in-all, it’s a ride for the books!
For prices and bookings contact Kevin Wood: 074 1419862; kevin@livingcolour.co.za; Wolwefontein Farm, Darling.
