Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 1, September 2014 | Page 22

MC mtb trails

Trailing Avianto
Known simply as Avianto in the cycling

world, this Muldersdrift facility recently
revamped its trail network to include a
further 15 kilometres. Modern Cyclist has
regularly visited Avianto and found the
new sections superb.

A sharp ascent, then a hard left into another fairly steep section, then it tops out.
With the valley and its riverine bush and forest on your right shoulder, you approach a
building.
Yes, you read correctly. A building. A ramp gets you into what was probably a lounge,
complete with fireplace, and you continue cycling. It’s a weird feeling, cycling through
a house. Even if there isn’t a roof! A few rooms later, you get to a super sharp, right hand
corner. A drop off, complete with a few stone stairs, takes you to the rest of the trail.
It then drops off again, towards the river that only a moment ago you viewed from “up
there”. More single track leads you to what looks like a quarry. And with the soundtrack
of nearby Syringa MotoX circuit ringing in your ears, you ride on a hectic piece of
pleasure that mixes pure exhilaration with pure maxed out effort.
Push on, and the trail leads you into an eerie little forest that feels a bit like a fantasy
novel. A rather hectic, semi-camel hump and you head into a tunnel. Keep your head
low as this tunnel takes you to the other side of the R114.
After a short ride on the shoulder of this road and on a farm’s approach road, you
turn back onto single track. Now if this trail seems a bit cross country-“esque”, it should

22

ISSUE 1 SEPTEMBER 2014 / www.moderncyclist.co.za