Vale of Grace
The second day on the trails of Greyton wastes no time in introducing the teams to the region’s spectacular trails. A district road start provides a quick warm-up before the dual tracks into the mountains above Genadendal spread the field for the trails to come. The mission station’s singletracks are raw and rugged, requiring absolute focus at all times. Luislang, before Greyton, and Mad Dog, after, are free flowing. Bakenskop, meanwhile, is not.
A mountain biker’s mountain bike trail, worthy of entering Absa Cape Epic folklore, Bakenskop is a 9-kilometre-long ascent, ridgeline traverse and descent; all on shale singletrack. After the thrills of Bakenskop, the trail heads uphill once more, ascending the UFO climb before a last singletrack descent returns the teams to the Riviersonderend Valley floor and the grind back to the Elandskloof race village for the final time.
FAST FACT
Genadendal was built on the site of the oldest missionary site in South Africa, dating back to 1738.
Caledon’s wind-farms may be seen as teams traverse the hills of Greyton, though they won’t be passed as closely in 2022.
Teams navigating their way off the lower slopes of the Bakenskop descent during the 2017 Absa Cape Epic.
The flat opening kilometres of Stage 4 means that the pace will be high and the groups will be big. Until the trails head uphill.
The early morning light in Greyton is a spectacle to be appreciated the world over.
The 2022 Absa Cape Epic will be live broadcast and you’ll be able to watch the action from our helicopters, on-bike GoPros, and live from our media motorbikes.
Route Director's Tip
One of the shortest stages of the 2022 event, Stage 4 is packed with singletrack. Play Day comes to mind, but be aware, many of the trails will require high levels of concentration. While Genadendal and Greyton’s trails offer thrills aplenty, the major challenges of the day are Bakenskop with its exposed, neverending switchbacks, traverse and descent, followed swiftly by the UFO climb and descent. Switchbacks, both up and down, are the name of the game so practice your turns in both directions, on the ups and downs.
