The Towns

Knysna – South Africa’s favourite town
Registration and Race Start: 23 â€“ 24 March 2007
Last Year Visited: 2006
Number of Previous Visits: 3

Welcome to Knysna, the first stage of the Absa Cape Epic! This location is a perfect starting point for the race with its striking scenery, serene beaches and flourishing Knysna Forest, which is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa. Be prepared to ride alongside small antelope, a wealth of colourful birds and maybe even the Knysna elephant that still roam wild in the forest. This vibrant town is alive with outdoor enthusiasts and is regarded the mountain biking Mecca of South Africa. Knysna town is famous for its delicious oysters and maintains its colourful diversity through its unique coffee shops, restaurants and craft shops. Try to catch a glimpse of the colorful Knysna Loerie while riding through this charming seaside village.

Official Website	:	www.visitknysna.com
Tourism Info	:	knysna.tourism@pixie.co.za or +27 (0)44 382 5510
Accommodation booking	:	booking@mweb.co.za or +27 (0)44 382 6960

Uniondale – Uniting our people through tourism
Stage location 1 â€“ 24 March 2007
Last Year Visited: –
Number of Previous Visits: 0

This mountain paradise is situated between the Baviaanskloof, Langkloof and Kammanassie mountain ranges and provides an unspoiled gateway to these areas. Follow the awe-inspiring Prince Alfred’s Pass through indigenous forest and past waterfalls cascading into crystal clear rock pools. The pass was designed and built by Thomas Baines and still has the original hand packed stone retaining walls. At the top of the pass you reach the Langkloof area at Avontuur well know for growing export quality apples. A ride through the scenic Uniondale poort with magnificent rock formations and ancient San rock art will bring you to the quaint Klein Karoo town of Uniondale. Through the efforts of a group of committed Uniondale townsfolk, who are prepared to put shoulder to the wheel, they are managing to turn the tide of change and unite all their people. Celebrate this diversity, enjoy and experience their unique country hospitality, quaint restored buildings and local arts and crafts.

Official Website	:	www.uniondale.co.za
Tourism Info	:	tourism@uniondale.co.za
Accommodation booking	:	tourism@uniondale.co.za or +27 (0)44 752 1266

Oudtshoorn – Big bird country
Stage location 2 â€“ 25 March 2007
Last Year Visited: –
Number of Previous Visits: 0

Oudtshoorn is the Ostrich capital of the World and home to the spectacular Cango Caves. The town is the commercial hub of the great Klein Karoo region and is situated in a beautiful wide valley between the Outeniqua and Swartberg Mountains. Besides mountain biking the surrounding area offers many outdoor attractions including hiking trails, caving, abseiling, rock climbing, quad biking, hot air ballooning, eco tours, driving across historical passes, birding, to mention but a few. Oudtshoorn now also offers unique bush safaris experiences and game viewing at a number of up-market game lodges situated just outside the town.

Official Website	:	www.oudtshoorn.com
Tourism Info	:	www.oudtshoorninfo.com or +27 (0)44 279 2532
Accommodation booking	:	www.oudtshoorninfo.com +27 (0)44 279 2532

Ladismith – â€œLadyâ€ of the Klein Karoo
Stage location 3 : 26 March 2007
Last Year Visited: –
Number of previous visits: 0

Ladismith, is situated at the foot of the Klein Swartberg mountain range, with the split peaked Towerkop looming above the town. It lies in the very core of an area housing all three biodiversity â€œhotspotsâ€ in South Africa (Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Subtropical thicket biomes). This picturesque town boasts a variety of architectural styles and is the centre for a prosperous farming community. Its unpolluted air, blue skies at day and bright stars at night will ensure a well-deserved rest after the grueling stage from Oudtshoorn.

Official Website	:	www.ladismith.org.za
Tourism Info	:	visit@ladismith.org.za or +27 (0)28 551 1378
Accommodation booking	:	visit@ladismith.org.za or +27 (0)28 551 1378

Barrydale – An artistic community
Stage location 4 : 27 March 2007
Last year visited: 2005
Number of Previous Visits: 2

We would like you to have lasting memories of your Barrydale experience â€“ perhaps an unforgettable hike into the surrounding mountains, or a drive into the awe-inspiring Tradouw Pass, or after a stroll around the village to see the wonderful gardens, sitting outside at sunset listening to the calls of the Hadeda Ibis as they return to their roots, and admiring the view of the surrounding hills â€“ possibly accompanied by a glass of one of the excellent local wines. As a refuge from our increasingly strident urban life, Barrydaleâ€™s peace is bound to restore your spirits.

Official Website	:	www.barrydale.co.za
Tourism Info	:	info@barrydale.co.za or +27 (0) 28 572 1572
Accommodation booking	:	info@barrydale.co.za or +27 (0) 28 572 1572

Montagu – Oasis of the Western Cape
Stage location 5: 28 March 2007
Last year visited: 2005
Number of Previous Visits: 1

A hearty welcome to Montagu – SA’s favourite Village, stage location winner of the 2005 Absa Cape Epic and the Jewel of the Klein Karoo! With superb mountain scenery, fresh Karoo air, friendly atmosphere and perfectly situated halfway between Cape Town and the Garden Route, Montagu is ideal for a breakaway. Together with their famous hot springs and tractor rides, Montagu offers many outdoor activities including rock-climbing, mountain biking, 4X4, fishing, kloofing, plus history, art and culture. Not to mention our splendid wines and food! Relax and enjoy great Karoo hospitality!

Official Website	:	www.tourismmontagu.co.za
Tourism Info	:	manager@montagu-ashton.info or +27 (0)23 614 2471
Accommodation booking	:	info@montagu-ashton.info or +27 (0)23-614 2471

Villiersdorp – A tranquil town
Stage location 6: 29 March 2007
Last year visited: 2005
Number of Previous Visits: 1

Villiersdorp is known as the Pearl of the Overberg. It nestles in a rich valley surrounded by lush farmlands, spectacular mountains and the magnificent Theewaterskloof Dam. The 9-hole golf course is situated next to the dam, while on the water one can enjoy pleasure cruises, fishing and most other water sports.

Villiersdorp also offers tractor tours, camping, B&B and self-catering facilities, restaurants, and wine tasting. For the more adventurous, there are wonderful 4×4 routes and hiking trails in the surrounding Blokkop, AasvoÃ«l and Sneeukop Mountains. The town was established in 1843 by field-cornet Peter de Villiers and when a request was made to the Governor of the Cape for a name to keep the French origin, he called it De Villiers Dorp..

Official Website	:	www.overberg.co.za
Tourism Info	:	no Tourism Office
Accommodation booking	:	no Tourism Office

Kleinmond â€“ Where the whales play and wild flowers bloom
Stage location 7: 30 March 2007
Last year visited: –
Number of Previous Visits: 0

Nestling in this unique area of Hanglip-Kleinmond lie the towns of Rooiels -where you can catch the sun setting over False Bay while enjoying “sundowners”, Pringle Bay – which hosts a Craft Market the first Saturday morning of each month and where you can bodysurf at the beach before feasting on fresh fish or joining the locals for a drink and Bettyâ€™s Bay where you can go and visit the penguin colony around sunset. With visiting and inhabiting this Biosphere area come responsibilities and the principles of sustained development are followed, while still offering a host of adventures as well as relaxing holidays.

Official Website	:	www.kleinmond.com
Tourism Info	:	www.ecoscape.org.za
Accommodation booking	:	info@ecoscape.org.za or +27 (0)28 271 5657

Lourensford Wine Estate
Stage 8: Race Finish 31 March 2007
Last year visited: –
Number of Previous Visits: 0

Lourensford, established in the year 1700 is arguably one of the most beautiful wine estates in the world. Steeped in history and heritage, the estate also boasts an ultra-modern winery utilising technology unique in the Southern Hemisphere. The magnificent soils and diverse microclimates create the ideal terroir (a sense of place) for world-beating wines. Lourensford is fast becoming one of the biggest wine estates in South Africa, with over 300 hectares of vines already planted.

Lourensford’s scenic splendor has made it a popular location for many local and international film shoots, starring some of Hollywood’s top actors. The estate hosts annual sporting and cultural events with thousands of participants and spectators, itâ€™s also a sought after venue for wedding receptions and corporate functions. There’s a sizeable equestrian establishment on the estate, with stabling as well as one of the only two polo fields in Cape Town, it is here that the sport of kings is practiced and enjoyed.