To Hell and Back MTB Stage Race 2023

To Hell and Back MTB Stage Race is een mountainbike evenement categorie rittenkoers in Zuid-Afrika, provincie West-Kaap en werd voor de eerste keer georganiseerd in 1995. De editie To Hell and Back MTB Stage Race 2023 vond plaats op zaterdag 11 november 2023 met startplaats in Oudtshoorn, distrik Tuinroute, West-Kaap.

To Hell and Back MTB Stage Race biedt keuze uit 2 routes (66, 66 km) voor mountainbike

Organisator: CS Lewis said that ‘the road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.’ In this case, the road to the Hell is a rocky dirt road with steep slopes, sharp switchbacks, ups and downs, dropping a hair raising 3000 feet down into a valley.

This race proudly is the first MTB stage race in South Africa. The views while riding on these historic roads are extraordinary, jaw-dropping and nail-biting all in one. It is known as the longest mountain pass in South Africa.

The overnight stop in The Hell means everybody stays together, which makes for a great atmosphere. The uniqueness of the race village is ‘captured’ within the sheer remoteness of Gamkaskloof, no electricity, no cell reception, no TV, not even radio reception.

It was in 1995 that the first To Hell and Back took place. It came about from the love of riding and to popularise The Hell. Due to limited accommodation and facilities in The Hell, only 500 participants are allowed.