Link to the 2024 Results: https://www.mobiielite.com/results/RaceID/ebf1c61b-6c83-4828-9565-1118d8d8230f

2024 images: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BQjonHQ5imRUEkvK8

2024 images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X6TgJgyJYCsvYxGVYzHgYgqhhs-fV5QH?usp=sharing

The HOUW HOEK GRAVEL RACE is a one-day, timed event and part of the Western Cape Gravel Series. It’s scheduled for Saturday 4 May 2024 and offers a choice between 2 distances: 133km and 78.2km. The Gravel Race starts before the first stage of the HH MTB Tour on Saturday morning. See the route descriptions below.

Check out 2024 Houwhoek Gravel Route on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/vr63QrZVKdv

ROUTE FILES:

Short Route KMZ

Short Route GPX

Long Route KMZ

Long Route GPX

Event Date          4 May 2024

Start times          7h45 start from the lawn at the back of the Hotel

Registration        14h00 – 19h00 on 3 May at the Houwhoek Hotel & 6h30 – 7h30 on 4 May at the Houwhoek Hotel

New entries will only be allowed on Friday afternoon, 3 May and NOT on Saturday morning, 4 May 2024.

Start venue         The Houw Hoek Hotel

Finish venue       The Houw Hoek Hotel

Please note that E-Bikes are allowed.

Distance                                       Price (pp)

133 km with 1912m climbing       R 800.00 (Water points on 26km, 63km, 103km and 123km)

78,2 km with 1280m climbing      R700 (Water points 26km, 48km, 68km)

Entry fee (individual entries) includes a Hamburger and chips on Saturday, at the Hotel, when returning your bike board. It excludes accommodation.

HOUW HOEK GRAVEL RACE LONG DISTANCE 133KM & 1912M CLIMBING

Route description:

• The start and finish are at the Houw Hoek Hotel
• First 5,5km down the historic Katpass. The road surface on the pass is intermediate; 80% of the surface is in good condition, but for 20% you need to navigate the right line. This is the only section where a mountain bike will be able to go faster than a gravel bike.
• Exit Katpass and onto a short stretch of the VD Stel pass, crossing the Botriver after 10km. Following the farm river crossing there is a steep short section (300m), which you might consider walking.
• From 10km to 125km you can enjoy a combination of beautiful farm and public gravel roads, with scenic views of the Overberg.
• At 35km on Rietfontein farm, the route turns upwards and staight to heaven. Hold your breath and check your heartbeat, for one of the most iconic gravel climbs in SA. Within 3 kms the route shoots 244m upwards. The surface is pristine, hard smooth gravel, a unique privilege to experience and a "knakker" of a climb. At the top, take a glimpse backwards to contemplate your achievement and relish the moment. If you’ve managed to climb the Rietfontein Riet to the top, you can consider yourself King or Queen of the Greyton Mountains.
• Be extra careful when going downhill after the climb, the road surface is good, but it is exceptionally fast with a difficult water crossing towards the end of the downhill. You will need to reduce speed to cross safely.
• AT 44km the route runs onto the Helderstroom tar and gravel road, with a long fast section along the Riviersonderend river and at 58km, it turns left towards the Voorstekraal and  Bereaville hamlets.
• At 68km, next to Genadendal you will start to journey back via the Middelplaas and Donkerhoek gravel roads.
• At 98km the route heads back on a 15km bi-directional section via Langhoogte farm, one of the best gravel sections in the Cape considering the surface, gradient and views.
• After WP 3 at Wildekrans, the route heads back via Botriver Town and a short single-track section (500m) onto Katpass, climbing back to the Houw Hoek Hotel.

Cut Off Times - Long route 133km:

1. WP 1 & 3 on 32km and 98km. Riders on the Long distance (133km) will be instructed at WP 1 from 10h to re-route to the short distance (78km) the turnoff is at 35km. Any rider that arrives at WP 1 after 10h30 will be instructed to short cut the route by making a U turn back to the last WP and then to the finish.
2. WP 2 on 60km. Riders will be instructed at WP 2 at 11h30 to short cut the route with 20km.
3. WP 4 on 120km. All riders will be cut off at WP 4 at 15h30 and be transported back to the finish.

HOUW HOEK GRAVEL RACE SHORTER DISTANCE; 78,2KM & 1280M CLIMBING.

 Route description:

• The start and finish are at the Houw Hoek Hotel
• First 5,5km down the historic Katpass. The road surface on the pass is intermediate; 80% of the surface is in good condition, but for 20% you need to navigate the right line. This is the only section where a mountain bike will be able to go faster than a gravel bike.
• Exit Katpass and onto a short stretch of the VD Stel pass, crossing the Botriver after 10km. Following the farm river crossing there is a steep short section (300m), which you might consider walking.
• From 10km until 70km you can enjoy a combination of beautiful farm and public gravel roads, with scenic views of the Overberg with a loop through Rietfontein, Middel plaas- and Donker hoek roads.
• The route then heads back on a 15km bi-directional section via Langhoogte farm, one of the best gravel sections in the Cape considering surface, gradient and views.
• After WP 3 at Wildekrans, the route heads back via Botriver Town and a short single-track section (500m) onto Katpass, climbing back to the Houw Hoek Hotel.

Cut Off Times - Short route 78km:

1. WP 1 & 2 on 32km and 43km. Any Gravel Race rider that arrives at WP 1 after 10h30 will be instructed to short cut the route by making a U turn back towards WP 3 and then to the finish.
2. WP 3 on 65km. All riders will be cut off at WP 3 at 15h30 and be transported back to the finish.

MASSAGE RECOVERY ZONE:

EPT THE ULTIMATE SPORTS RECOVERY EXPERIENCE 

Young or old, a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, our full range of services and products will help you recover and ultimately perform at your peak.

All athletes universally need recovery for sports performance, so recovery must be treated with the same respect and effort as the principles of training. Maximizing the recovery processes after sporting events is important as it maximizes performance, accelerates training efforts, minimises fatigue and reduces the risk of injury.

Play Hard + Recover Well = Best Performance

BOOK A RECOVERY MASSAGE FORSATURDAY 4 MAY, AT THE HOUW HOEK HOTEL

Book a 30-minute massage: https://bit.ly/HouwHoekMTB-2024-30min

Book a 60-minute massage: https://bit.ly/HouwHoekMTB-2024-60min

EVENT RULES:

https://www.mtb-adventures.co.za/rules

The Houw Hoek Gravel Rave is sanctioned by Cycling SA