Named for a man who is said to have lived to be 969, Methuselah is a sweeping Simonsberg singletrack in a day dedicated to Stellenbosch trail riding. The Toyota Tough segment encapsulates much of the essence of the stage’s challenges and rewards, condensing what makes singletrack racing both fun and testing.

Steadfast in the UNTAMED

After a transfer to Stellenbosch allows for two full days of singletrack racing. Though teams should be warned, they will need to be steadfast in their resolve if they are to conquer the untamed. Stage 6 is no play day on the Simonsberg, it presents climbs aplenty across Rustenberg, Quoin Rock, Mauratie, Uitkyk, Knorrhoek and Morgenhof. It does however also boast singletracks, both uphill and down, on most of those famous estates. Passing through Mauratie twice the bulk of the trails come back-to-back in a feast of Dirtopia’s best riding, before heading for Stellenbosch along Morgenhof’s new singletracks. The Ida’s Valley trails provide a penultimate treat, followed by the stick of climbing Botmaskop and the carrot of The Doctor descent towards home. A final test of riders’ steadfast resolve, on the Berg Pad, ensures that Stage 6 is no easy day.

Don’t think you’ve done it all in Hermanus. We made the stage a little shorter but that’s so we could add more of the good stuff in the Hemel en Aarde valley – some superb singletrack awaits the riders. Some familiar, some fresh. They’re linked with some ‘Absa Cape Epic-specific’ trails that are unrideable outside of the event. Take note… steep climbs and long, technical descents.