17th to 19th November 2023
Montagu Gravel & Grit Festival
Makadas Adventures in cooperation with MATA (Montagu Ashton Tourism), Flying Feet, Montagu Trails & Glen Eden Guest Farm is bringing you a fun filled weekend in the great outdoors. The aim is to get the whole family out here in Montagu to enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and trail running. We have pulled together a group of skilled riders and trail runners to make this something truly special, it will be one for the books.
Activities for the kiddies, wine tasting for the non riders, lots to drink and eat. Saturday night prize giving party and a getaway weekend in the Klein Karoo not to be forgotten soon.
Night ride
san adventure awaits….. expect the unexpected. 30 km of Montagu’s finest gravel roads. Prize for best “dressed” riders. Hosted by Montagu’s famous Flying Feet
Trail run
set on stunning trails with magnificent views. The event is hosted by Patti van Dyk who has done numerous trail runs all over the globe.
MTB Circuit Race
this event is brought to you by Montagu Trails. Challenge your friends to see how many laps you can complete in 2 hours and stand a chance to win an Archery session.
100 Miler Gravel Race
as part of the Klein Karoo Gravel Corridor Series. Montagu has stunning gravel roads and we have found 100 Miles of smiles..don’t miss out on this Out of Africa experience.
WHERE | HOW | WHAT
VENUE
Glen Eden Guest Farm
Has all types of accommodation with 5 luxury cottages, 3 unique glamping options and a small upmarket camping site we have something to offer everyone.
Glen Eden can sleep 68 people…limited space so make sure you book well in advance for this very special weekend.
The campsite has a play area for the kiddies, plus swimming pools and hot tubs
TO ENJOY
Beany Peanut Pizza & Coffee Bar
Beaney Peanut a licensed bar is situated at the recreation area, serving gourmet pizzas, bootlegger coffee plus milkshakes & ice creams.
Gourmet hamburger & chips with a beer or cider will be part of this Friday night’s special. A Spitbraai is on the menu for Saturday eve with the lucky draw prizes and raffle draws.
ACTIVITIES
Archers of Eden & Touch Farm
We have a touch farm with donkeys, alpacas, sheep, cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, geese, peacocks and pheasants. We feed the animals twice a day and invite guests to join us. There are lots of hikes on the farm, a dam for fishing, and a smaller dam with a rowing boat.
Archers of Eden archery range accepts archers from 7 years. We have genesis compound and re-curve bows, guests can pay for an hours instruction, all equipment is included. The range has Olympic and smaller targets as well as life size animals to aim for, the range can take up to 6 archers, there are benches for spectators.
Food & Beverages available at Glen Eden
Friday
food served all day up till midnight at the Farm’s licenced bar. Woodfired Pizzas or Burger & Chips will be available. Beany Peanut also serves alcohol, bootlegger coffee, milkshakes, and snacks.
Saturday
Danishes & pancakes are available with coffee/tea from 5 am, before the race starts. Lamb spitbraai with potatoes is available for the evening (must be pre-booked) Pizzas and burgers will also be available. From 5 pm there will be Live Music, Pop up Gin Bar & Loxtonia cider on draught, in partnership with Van Loveren & Natures Own Book your spitbraai meal directly at Glen Eden: 071 100 2782 or mail glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com. Prize giving done Saturday eve at Glen Eden
Sunday
Danishes & pancakes with coffee or tea are available from 6am before the race starts. Beany Peanut will be open all day serving pizzas.
Bookings done directly with Glen Eden Guest Farm: glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com or 071 100 2782
Additional for the Non Riders
Wine Valley Safaris: will pick you up 10am for a tour around the Wine Valley. Visit three wine farms plus bottle and blend your own wine at Excelsior. Deli’s available at the Wine farms. You will be dropped off at 3pm. Cost is R550 pp. Booking is essential as seats are limited, book directly with Wine Valley @ 081 740 0145
Montagu 100 Miler 18th Nov
Montagu now has its own 100 Miler Gravel Race!!
The 2nd and last gravel race for the Klein Karoo Gravel Corridor Series is starting and finishing in the picturesque town of Montagu.
There are two distances to choose from: a round 100 miler or a round 100 kilometers.
Putting this route together has had many challenges and I thought my idea was going to be hard to pull off BUT I received such favor from landowners. Makadas Adventures, MATA & Africa Game Lodge presents a route….. that is truly out of Africa. Magical, special, unique, and diverse are words that come to mind. This will be the first time that sections of private land will be opened to cyclists and only as a once-off for this event. Africa Game Lodge truly captures a bit of the essence of Africa.
There is enough time..train for this one as you do not want to be the one that misses out on this very special opportunity. On both these routes Game such as: Giraffe, Gemsbuck, Eand, Kudu, Zebra, and Springbuck might be seen.
Medals to all Finishers.
E bikes are welcome on the 100km but only one battery is allowed, you can also rent an e bike from: Francois @ Manic Cycles 082 413 8935
Terrain: Choose your weapon wisely…
Tar: 10km
District Road Gravel: 60km/120km
Private land hard-pack gravel: 10km (excellent condition)
Jeep track: 3km (easy, flat non-technical)
Various: 17km (1 x 100m rocky climb) better suited for mtb, non-technical though.
Water points 100mi: 44/65 & 116km
Water points 100km: 37 & 58km
Registration Times at Glen Eden Guest Farm:
Friday 3pm to 6pm
Saturday: 5am to 5:30am
Late entries an additional R100
Distances:
100km with 1187m ascent
100mi with 1699m ascent
Start times: 6am
Cost: R650 and R550
Kapokbos Trail Run 19th Nov
Eriocephalus africanus L./Wild Rosemary or Kapbokbos the name was chosen for this very special shrub that grows where the run is held and you will recognize it by its sweet vanilla smell.
Terrain: hilly single track with magnificent views of the Langeberg mountain range. This is the first time that an event is held here on Glen Eden and Rietvlei Holiday farm and you will wonder why, as the trails have existed for +/- 20 years. The event is set on stunning trails with magnificent views and scenery. The event is organized by Patti van Dyk, a nature guide of the profession and an experienced ultra runner, with big event names such as Comrades and Two Oceans behind her name. Patti has also tapped into trail running since a few years ago. Patti’s passions in life include nature and living a healthy lifestyle. Stunning prizes to the value of R12 520! Medals to all Finishers!
Distances: 7.5 with 144m ascent
Cost: R150 (late entries additional R50)
Start time: 7 am
Distance: 14km with 273m ascent
Cut off: 3 hours
Cost: R250 (late entries additional R50)
Start: 6:30 am
Prize giving: 10 am
Registration & Late entries: Friday from 3pm to 6pm/ Sunday: 5 am to 6 am @ Glen Eden Guest Farm
Flying Feet Night Ride 17th Nov
a 31km Gravel night ride adventure with your local host and guide Marchelle van Zyl from Flying Feet.
Flying Feet offers guided town tours which include historical and art tours. Marchelle will be taking you on one of Montagu’s finest gravel road loops for some fun and adventure. Dress up for this fun occasion and stand a chance to win leka prizes.
Distance: 30km
Ascent: 451m
Cost: R150 (extra R50 for late entries)
Registration & Late entries: 3 pm to 6 pm Friday 17th Nov @ Glen Eden Guest Farm
Start time: 6:30 pm
Gravel & Grit Circuit Race 19th Nov
Come and test your abilities on a 7.5km lap. How many laps can you do in 2 hours? Every time you pass Start you collect a sticker on your number board and the rider with the most stickers wins. This is a solo event but you can challenge your mates, school, or club and come and experience a very scenic private trail in Montagu. Proceeds of this event go to Montagu Trails for maintenance and development of new trails.
Distance: 7.5km loops
Cost: R200 for solo riders and R800 for a team of four (which includes a gazebo plot for advertising and team spirit)
Start: 9am
Finish: 11am
Categories: Male, Female and high school riders. Teams: Towns, Bike Shops & Schools
Archery session for the team that wins this fun event sponsored by Archers of Eden
Saturday Night Prize Giving Party
5pm on Saturday evening there will be a jol on at Glen Eden with Live music, Spitbraai, Gourmet burgers and pizzas. This is the Prize Giving evening but also just a leka kuier with a popup Gin Bar, Loxtonia Cider on Draught in partnership with Van Loveren & Natures Own.
It is essential to pre book for the Spitbraai directly with Glen Eden glenedenfarmmontagu@gmail.com or +27 71 100 2782
Many Fantastic, Huge Lucky Draw Prizes will be drawn Saturday eve….but you have to be there in person to collect otherwise your prize might fall into someone elses lap.
