About

EcoBound is a family of enthusiastic individuals that are passionate about mountain biking and the outdoors! They share a united love for all aspects of this sport. While some might say that running a family ‘business’ is taboo, they somehow make it work and produce some of SA’s top rated MTB events, bearing in mind – that most of them have day jobs!

The creator, Wikus van Der Walt, started EcoBound in 1996 from his combined love for cycling and the outdoors. Since then Wikus and his family have organized prestige events like South Africa’s first Mountain Bike Stage race; The To Hell and Back. This event forms an important part of the history of mountain biking in this country and is over two decades old.

The Trans Baviaans 24Hr MTB Marathon is well known in the mountain biking fraternity. Known as the toughest single stage race in SA, it attracts so many riders that a second event follows on the subsequent weekend.

EcoBound’s success is attributed to all of the combined ideas and input of each member. They strive to create unique and extraordinary events, always maintaining that personal touch. They are known for their one-of-a-kind events and their passionate attitude for this lifestyle.

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Active Events

To Hell & Back MTB

Die Hel (The Hell) is the colloquial name for a remote green valley in the Swartberg mountains. Twenty-five kilometres long and half-a-kilometre wide, the valley was once home to a thriving community of self-sustaining farmers whose only access to the outside world was a sketchy bridle path on the western end of the Gamkaskloof and the rugged Gamkapoort itself. It was only in 1962 that the first “real” road, and the one used currently, was built into the valley. It remains the only road, and its twisty hairpins form the route for the infamous there-and-back two-day sojourn that is the To Hell & Back Extreme MTB Tour.

Leopard Run

The Leopard Run is a three day trail run through the remote Kouga Mountains in the heart of the Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve. Expect technical mountain running, hearty food sourced from the local Baviaans farms and a long weekend without the distractions of technology.

Bikamino

A Spiritual bicycle journey in the most sparsely populated but exceptionally hospitable region of South Africa – the Namaqualand. There are easier ways to traverse a region, but besides hiking there isn’t a way that immerses yourself in the landscape quite like cycling. Now throw everything you need on your bike and you’re bikepacking.

George MUT

Endless gravel roads and footpaths – many of them linked to the legendary Outeniqua Hiking Trail system offer unfettered access to the rugged surrounding peaks, and to the indigenous forest that blankets the foothills. George is a true trail running destination nestled in the middle of the Garden Route.

Trans Baviaans

The Trans Baviaans is a 24hr mountain bike marathon single stage race of 230km from Willowmore in the heart of the Eastern Cape Karoo through the world heritage site and remote Baviaans Kloof and finishes in Jeffreys Bay the surfing capital of South Africa. Simply put, it is the original and toughest single stage race in the world!

Past Projects

Ride the Rail MTB Stage Tour

This ‘Bike Train’ will be all about olde-worlde travel, and having the best of times with your mates (and your bikes, of course). The Premiere Classe train has been specifically selected for this journey, and will allow you to explore mountain biking routes in five of South Africa’s nine provinces.

Big MTB Year 2015

The Big Year is an informal MTB event in the sense that there is no start or finish line with grand displays of banners and flags. The event that takes place all over SA and consists of carefully selected mountain bike trails in each province. The aim for riders is to see how many of these trails they can ride in ONE year. You decided when you would like to start and how fast or slow you want to go. It is a one of a kind event suited for everyone.

George MTB

The local Khoi tribes referred to this rich valley as the Outeniqua, or land of milk and honey. Majestic mountains, rugged peaks and fantastic fynbos slopes are a dime a dozen in and around George. Purpose built single track traverses the indigenous forests and plantations beckoning mountain bike exploration.

To Hell and Back Trail Run

This trail run will take you along routes long forgotten by the modern world. Many years ago these paths were only known by tradesmen, using donkeys to carry their produce to the inhabitants of the valley called ‘the hell’.

Sponsors

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P.O. Box 12154
Garden Route Mall
George
6546

If you would like to contribute to any of the Ecobound Events, please contact the EcoBound Team today!