- Compiled by YBIKE
Explore the great outdoors with the kids this Spring! Pack your YBIKE balance bikes and feed the appetite of your young rider as you spend time in nature.
What better way to enjoy the season than to explore a bike track every weekend? Whether you are a downhill junky, or just like cruising, there is a bike track near Cape Town just for you. YBIKE's balance bike helps even the really little ones share in the fun while developing valuable motor skills. Here are four hot spots to try out as a family.
True Grit Bike Park, Knorhoek Road, Sir Lowry's Pass
Ages 1-5, 5+ and experienced riders
Website: http://www.truegrit.bike
This dog-friendly park offers a YBIKE skills track for the 1- to 5-year olds and an easy circular trail of 1,5 km which the kids will love. Longer trails are marked out from 5 km. Enjoy a good cup of coffee while you watch the kids ride, if that's what you prefer. Pack your own picnic or hire a braai area, bring a chop and some friends and make the most of your time there.
TIP: Bring extra cash to buy fresh produce and yummy treats from the Farmers' Market every Saturday.
The Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig
Ages 1-5, 5+ and experienced riders
Website: https://bikeparkatuitsig.co.za/
An extremely popular bike park buzzing with riders of all ages, ideal for popping in after school or over a weekend. A small riders' fee is charged for the day. There is something for all ages: keep the little ones busy on smooth winding tracks with wooden features, and the already confident riders can enjoy the rock gardens and drop offs.
Also: bike shop that sells cycling items and YBIKEs; bicycle workshop; coffee shop and shaded areas where parents can relax while the kids ride.
Bloemendal Wine Estate, Durbanville
Ages 1-5, 5+ and experienced riders
Website: http://www.tygerbergmtb.co.za/trails/bloemendal-trailpark.html
Bloemendal Wine Estate offers mountain biking for the whole family. Besides adult trails, this exciting bike park also offers:
The Incubator: 1-km dirt trail snaking its way through the trees with obstacles, dips berms and other fun features.
B-Kids: a purpose-built YBIKE skills track for the 1- to 5-year olds, fenced to keep kids safe. It boasts a number of obstacles to help encourage the art of balance and to create a safe but fun experience for the little riders.
B-Fever: two dirt pump tracks for all age groups, but younger riders should be supervised. Full off berms, jumps and rolls and a great place for balance bikes and young kids on a pedal bike to hone their skills
B-Spot: 3,2-km track with berms, rollers, jumps, rock gardens and bridges. It is a great place for more experienced balance bikers and kids on pedal bikes to increase their skills without going out on trails. Smaller kids should be supervised as this trail is used by other riders.
Hazendal Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Ages: 1-5, 5+ and experienced riders
This is a fairly new mountain-bike skills park and boasts multiple trails: YBIKE skills track for the 1- to 5-year olds; a skills trail for up to 8 years old on pedal bikes; a longer skills and flow trail for all ages; a pump track, and shorter trails for the older riders.
Also: a great picnic area with benches right in front of the YBIKE Skills track under shady trees. The main winery buildings are currently being renovated and are not open to the public yet. Follow the progress on their Facebook page.
