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History | 2008 Race
The Towns
2008 Absa Cape Epic Towns
Cape Town & Western Cape is the official destination marketing partner of the Absa Cape Epic. To plan a vacation in the Western Cape before or after the event, or to assist with travel information to the Absa Cape Epic, please visit
www.tourismcapetown.co.za
Knysna
Registration, Prologue and Race Start: 27 – 29 March 2008
Last Year Visited: 2007
Number of Previous Visits: 4
Welcome to Knysna, the first stage of the Absa Cape Epic! This location is a perfect starting point for the race with its striking scenery, serene beaches and flourishing Knysna Forest, which is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa. Be prepared to ride alongside small antelope, a wealth of colourful birds and maybe even the Knysna elephant that still roam wild in the forest. This vibrant town is alive with outdoor enthusiasts and is regarded the mountain biking Mecca of South Africa. Knysna town is famous for its delicious oysters and maintains its colourful diversity through its unique coffee shops, restaurants and craft shops. Try to catch a glimpse of the colourful Knysna Loerie while riding through this charming seaside village.
George
Stage location 1: 29 March 2008
Last Year Visited: 2006
Number of Previous Visits: 3
George is located in the Cape Wildflower Floral Kingdom next to the coast at the eastern end of the Western Cape Province and has a low rainfall Mediterranean type climate with activities to keep you busy all year round. George is at the centre of Nature’s `Garden Route´ and nestles at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.
George boasts 4 of South Africa's best golf courses, including Fancourt - host to the 2003 Presidents Cup. You will ride through magnificent scenery which includes fresh flowing ravines and tall mountain ranges. Our race village will be on the grounds of the magnificent Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Calitzdorp
Stage location 2: 30 March 2008
Last Year Visited: 2004
Number of Previous Visits: 1 In the Little Karoo situated in the Western Cape, the land of ostriches, wild flowers and birds, the land of majestic sandstone mountains cleft by spectacular ravines, vineyards and orchards, lays elegant Calitzdorp that is 432km from Cape Town. During the pioneering days hunting was good in the Little Karoo and soon homesteads were built and by 1845 a community centre was established. The town enjoys a mild climate, especially in winter, and its mineral rich spring waters are a great attraction.
Riversdale
Stage location 3: 31 March 2008
Stage location winner: 2006
Last Year Visited: 2006
Number of Previous Visits: 3
Friendly folk and fabulous weather awaits you when you arrive in the thriving country town of Riversdale. Situated between the Langeberg mountain range and the sea it promises a variety of floral rainbows, fascinating places and charismatic 19th century refurbished houses. If this doesn’t tickle your fancy then magnificent mountain scenery with activities such as abseiling beside waterfalls, fishing and hang gliding might catch your interest. This lovely town is snuggled beneath the Sleeping Beauty Mountain and is definitely a place that will never leave your mind.
Swellendam
Stage location 4: 1 April 2008
Last Year Visited: 2006
Number of Previous Visits: 2
You’ll be thrilled to know that Swellendam seldom has wind, so don’t worry about being blown off your bike! This “full of go” settlement is the third oldest town in South Africa and prides itself on its Cape Dutch and Victorian Style buildings which have endured and conserved the town's valuable history. Swellendam is surrounded by gentle rolling farmland with the Breede River winding cautiously through the middle. The National Park is situated only 6km outside Swellendam so look out for the Mountain Zebra and the Bontebok!
Bredasdorp
Stage location 5: 2 April 2008
Last Year Visited:
Number of Previous Visits: 0
Bredasdorp is an agricultural town in the midst of a peaceful landscape of sheep farms and wheat fields at the southern-most region of Africa. The town of Bredasdorp is clean and pleasant, situated on the slopes of a 368 m high hill called the Preekstoel (pulpit), on the ridges of which grow a profusion of giant proteas. Wheat, wool and wild flowers are the principal products of the Bredasdorp district.
Please note, Bredasdorp schools have beds available for sale in their hostels Bredasdorp High School (Heldersig Koshuis)
Contact: Muller Retief on +27839623456
E-mail: brdh@telkomsa.net
Address: Van Riebeeck Road, Bredasdorp Bredasdorp Primary School (Huis Eloff Koshuis)
Contact: Mrs. Swart on +27284241320 or Sas du Plessis on +27827844471
E-mail: sas@lbps.co.za
Address: 30 Park Street, Bredasdorp Hermanus
Stage location 6: 3 April 2008
Last Year Visited: 2006
Number of Previous Visits: 1 Hermanus is renowned for its champagne filled air, its long, gorgeous beaches and its beautiful whales. This fine coastal town offers the best shore-based whale watching in the world. These magnificent creatures are incredible and seeing them only metres away makes the sightseeing in Hermanus extremely worthwhile. Hermanus is the only place in the world to have its own whale crier. So, if you ride past a man with a peculiar feather in his hat, patrolling the streets and blowing a strange looking kelp horn, it is the whale crier notifying everyone to the location of the whales. An inimitable cliff path clasps the coast from one side of town to the other and the views of both the sea and the mountains are dazzling. Hermanus is also considered as the reigning heart of the “perlemoen” industry, otherwise known as mother-of-pearl. These beautiful shells can be bought in the pretty boutiques, markets and shops that are scattered all around Hermanus.
Elgin / Oak Valley
Stage location 7: 4 April 2008
Last Year Visited:
Number of Previous Visits: 0
Oak Valley, the NEW finish location for stage 7, is located in the cool climate of Elgin Valley and has been in the Rawbone-Viljoen family since 1898. The property, with its 4000 plus Oak trees, is steeped in history and is renowned for its top quality apples and pears, its greenhouse cut flowers, its free range pasture reared beef and, more recently, for its range of ultra premium wines made from grapes grown in own vineyards situated up to 600m above sea level. One of the most beautiful farming properties in the Cape, Oak Valley is also located within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, a world heritage site, which forms the epicentre of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Lourensford Wine Estate
Stage 8: Race Finish 5 April 2008
Last Year Visited: 2007
Number of Previous Visits: 1 Lourensford Wine Estate, established in the year 1700 is arguably one of the most beautiful wine estates in the world. Steeped in history and heritage, the estate also boasts an ultra-modern winery utilising technology unique in the Southern Hemisphere. The magnificent soils and diverse microclimates create the ideal terrain for awarding winning wines. Lourensford Wine Estate is fast becoming one of the biggest wine estates in South Africa, with over 300 hectares of vines already planted.
Lourensford Wine Estate's scenic splendour has made it a popular location for many local and international film shoots, starring some of Hollywood's top actors. The estate hosts annual sporting and cultural events with thousands of participants and spectators, it is also a sought after venue for wedding receptions and corporate functions. There's a sizeable equestrian establishment on the estate, with stabling as well as one of the only two polo fields in Cape Town, it is here that the sport of kings is practised and enjoyed.
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