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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The second annual Roof de Karoo - a stunning two-day 200km mountain bike traverse – was held this past weekend, 5 to 7 April.
This cycling challenge, a proud product of the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE), explores parts of the 268 000 hectares of stunning natural beauty of the Protected Environment.
[The MZCPE was created to protect the critical biodiversity of the area that lies between the Mountain Zebra National Park and the Camdeboo National Park. The adventure trail is held in partnership with SANParks and was held in 2017 for the first time. ]
This mountain biking adventure journeys over plateaus grazed by herds of antelope, cross desolate stretches of dramatic Karoo landscape with a unique diversity of fauna and flora and navigate mountain ridges revealing natural amphitheatres to where earth meets sky.
The traverse presents awesome panoramic views stretching for miles on end.
Click here for a photo gallery.
On Friday morning, Day 1, 25 participating teams of two, departed from the Mountain Zebra National Park campsite in the crisp Karoo air and ended the day under the shadow of the imposing 2430m high Nardou mountainpeak.
After 98 kilometres and an elevation gain of 1260m, the cyclists could relax and while away the evening under poplar trees.
Day 2 started with a climb and descent over Nardou on the old ox-wagon track.
Cyclists were rewarded with a downhill gradient criss-crossing the Sundays River through private game farms, finishing at the Winterhoek campsite 102km later in view of the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo National Park.
With stunning views to marvel at while on the bike, an opportunity to camp out under the Karoo star-studded skies and experience true Karoo hospitality and cuisine prepared by the local farmers, this event is as special as the area where it takes place.
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