!Khwa ttu,  San Cultural and Educational Centre, on the West Coast officially opened a mountain biking trail on November 17.
The trail consists of a 10km and 30km mountain bike route and its many bridges, crossings and single tracks were built by the local community in co-operation with farmers and local businesses. In celebration of the launch, members of the community participated in the inaugural 30km ride on Saturday.

Michael Diaber, General Manager of !Khwa ttu, said: “One major benefit of cycling tourism is that it equates to money spent in rural towns and in more economically disadvantaged areas. Many of the people travelling to a trail spend one or more nights in the area. !Khwa ttu believes that a great mountain bike trail does not just satisfy local riders, it can also attract tourists from far and wide, revitalise local economies and put a destination on the map.” !Khwa ttu had an average of about 12 000 visitors a year, mostly day visitors, he said. 
Speaking at the launch, Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde said: “The !Khwa ttu mountain bike route has it all – single track, jeep track, farm roads, relaxed riding, technical sections, fast moving terrain, game viewing and beautiful scenery. This is a great addition to the growing number of quality routes in our province.”. 

Andre Vaalbooi, a San from the Khomani tribe and tour guide working at !Khwa ttu helped to build the trail and bridges that cross the barb wire fences between the farms.  Vaalbooi said: “I am happy to have learnt a new skill. At least, now riders are not going to leave the gates open. Mountain bikers have never learned to properly close these homemade barbed-wire gates that the farmers use.”