2017 Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB Challenge

Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB Challenge takes place on 30 September 2017 and promises to be the best yet.

The Karoo town of Ladismith relies on cheese, agriculture and tourism for its subsistence and the Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB Challenge incorporates all three of the region’s keystones. Not only does accommodation in and around Ladismith sell out over the weekend of the race, but the event also showcases some of the region’s premier attractions such as the magnificent Seweweekspoort. For the more adventurous, hiking around the town includes routes up to the famous Towerkop and Seweweekspoort Peak.

Agriculture is one of the main employers in the region and first time visitors are often surprised at how lush the vegetation in the valleys are when contrasted to the dusty Karoo shrubs and thorn trees which populate the foothills of the Klein Swartberg mountain range.

The Ladismith Cheese 7Weekspoort MTB Challenge offers a distance for every mountain biker in the family, with the 82 kilometre main race taking in a challenging 1 750 metres of vertical ascent as it climbs the Seweweekspoort, loops into the rugged Great Karoo and traverses the Hoeko Valley to sneak back into Ladismith along a little used back road. The 82 kilometre and 40 kilometre routes take in the spectacular Seweweeks-poort before exploring the orchards of the Hoeko Valley.

The 40 kilometre distance is perfect for the older children in the family or less fit riders. The shortest distance of the event is the 26km route, which heads directly from the start in Amalienstein towards Ladismith, via the Hoeko Valley.

For more information visit www.7weekspoortmtb.co.za