Cape to Cape MTB takes participants along a challenging network of tracks through the diverse South West landscape including world-famous beaches, vineyards, rocky outcrops, farmlands, national forest, caves and sand dunes.
PLEASE NOTE: The majority of the Cape to Cape MTB course is on firm bush tracks, including compacted soil, mud and gravel. A very small portion of the ride is on soft sand tracks and bitumen roads.
Stage 1 – Cape Leeuwin to Hamelin Bay (32.6km)
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Cape to Cape MTB begins at Augusta with an afternoon stage starting at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, which is spectacularly situated at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. This stage takes in some of the most spectacular scenery, but also includes one of the most physically challenging sections of the whole event.
Following a 2km climb from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, riders make a sharp turn onto Skippy Rock Road for a long and thrilling downhill section. Adrenalin is quickly replaced by lactic acid as one of the toughest hills will test even the fittest and most skillful riders. The key is to not stop or come off on this long, gruelling uphill as it is near impossible to get started again.
Heading north along the coastal ridge, various dune tracks provide further challenges. A picturesque yet testing beach ride leads to a final climb that takes riders back to Caves Road. After 30km of tough bush and beach tracks, the bitumen is a welcome sight and soon brings riders to the overnight stop at Hamelin Bay.
Stage 2 – Hamelin Bay to Margaret River (55.5km)
Thursday, 23 October 2008
On the second day riders leave Hamelin Bay and head toward a network of trails that winds deep into the majestic Boranup Forest. On leaving the forest, riders ascend the cliffs overlooking Conto's Beach, continue past Lake Cave and cross to the east of Caves Road into the diverse range of vineyards south of Margaret River.
Riders will then experience the Leeuwin Estate Special Stage. For this day only, the world-renowned Leeuwin Estate will open the property to Cape to Cape MTB and riders will make their way through the private grounds and through the vines, passing the spectators viewing from the restaurant balcony.
The course continues on the Rails to Trails track off Gnaraway Road, taking riders into the heart of the Margaret River township where Stage 2 finishes. Although the longest of the four stages, this stage is probably the least physical with a lot of flat sections.
Stage 3 – Margaret River to Yallingup (54km)
Friday, 24 October 2008
Stage 3 begins back on the Rails to Trails track and heads north towards Cowaramup, passing through a diverse landscape of natural bushland and farmland and over river, creek and stream crossings. Don't be fooled by the flat start – overall, this stage is the toughest. The track slowly climbs through the Yelverton Forest before crossing back to the west of Caves Road to tackle the dune system of the coastal ridge.
Challenges come in the form of steep uphill, at times combined with soft sand. All but the fittest and most skilful riders are sure to be on their feet more than once. Continuing north, a system of bush and dune tracks takes riders to the Stage 3 finish at Caves Caravan Park in Yallingup.
Stage 4 – Yallingup to Caves House Loop (32.1km)
Saturday, 25 October 2008
The final stage begins with a ride past Ngilgi Cave and onto a network of tracks north over Wardanup Hill. The course heads over the fields across Mount Duckworth and into bushland bordering a number of farming properties in the region. This stage then works along a series of tracks across private land before the final climb toward Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.
Throughout this stage, there's a good variety of gradients to tackle and plenty of rocks and sharp turns to negotiate. The stage finishes with an incredible view of the Smiths Beach region and it's a finish that will thrill – a long, fast downhill to the welcoming grass at the bottom of the stunning gardens of Caves House.
