At times you can speak German and even Swiss dialect in Stellenbosch. The small student town near Cape Town has become a magnet for cyclists - especially mountain bikers - who want to escape the winter at home. It is summer in South Africa when winter sweeps across Europe. While many athletes used to head to Spain or Tuscany, South Africa, and Stellenbosch in particular, has now taken over the position.

One of these winter refugees is Olympic champion Nino Schurter. He even owns a small apartment in the center of Stellenbosch. "The lifestyle here is simply something special. Everyone in Stellenbosch is somehow enthusiastic about sport, you simply feel at home as an athlete," says Schurter, explaining his closeness to the region. There are times when he comes to South Africa up to three times a year. The consistently good weather, the beautiful landscape and, above all, the many bike trails contribute greatly to Stellenbosch's appeal.

The bike trails in particular have changed a lot. "I've been coming here regularly for twelve years and the opportunities have multiplied since then," says Schurter. The reason for this is not the Europeans who travel here, but the locals. Mountain biking is very important here, next year the World Cup will also make a stop here, and many top South African athletes come from the region. For example, the former downhill pro Andrew Neethling, who himself picks up his shovel and ice axe on the Helderberg Farm near Stellenbosch. His commitment is symbolic: the trails here are largely all created by and for mountain bikers.

One disadvantage of Stellenbosch's popularity is the increasing traffic. This has changed significantly, says Schurter. Nowadays you have to plan road bike training sessions more carefully, and certain routes no longer make sense due to the heavy traffic and not particularly considerate riding style. This is probably also why mountain biking is so popular, because it offers many options off the beaten track. Crime is also an issue, as it is throughout South Africa. He hasn't had any negative experiences himself, he says, but you hear stories all the time. That's why he doesn't go cycling alone if possible, not even on the trails. And yet: the advantages of the region outweigh these regrettable aspects. You can largely avoid the dangerous traffic and counter crime with a more cautious lifestyle. That's how Nino Schurter thinks; Stellenbosch has become a kind of second home for him. And this is how almost all European mountain bike pros think. And with them, more and more amateur mountain bikers. Almost all of them succumb to the magical attraction of Stellenbosch.

Schurter's favorite tours in Stellenbosch

• Bike: Jonkershoek - G-Spot, www.ride.ch/touren/jonkershoek-g-spot
• Bike: Muratie, www.ride.ch/touren/muratie
• Road bike: Four Passes, www.ride.ch/touren/four-passes-stellenbosch
• Road bike: Table Mountain Morning Ride, www.ride.ch/touren/table-mountain-morning-ride
• Road bike: Kogelberg Coastal Tour, www.ride.ch/touren/kogelberg-kuestentour

Schurter's trail tips for Stellenbosch

• Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, www.capenature.co.za/reserves/jonkershoek-nature-reserve
• G-Spot Trail, www.gspot-trail.co.za
• Bottelary Hills Conservancy & MTB Trails, www.bottelaryconservancy.co.za
• Muratie Wine Farm, www.muratie.co.za
• Helderberg Farm, www.helderbergplaas.co.za

Bike tip

If you are out and about on a mountain bike in Stellenbosch, it is best to use a cross-country or all-mountain bike. Enduro bikes are almost too much for the region, especially as there are only a few shuttle options. The trails are generally arranged in a dense network and are concentrated in parks or farms.

Schurter's restaurant suggestions for Stellenbosch

• Restaurant Bukhara, Indian food, www.bukhara.com, +27 21 8829133
• Genki Sushi Bar, sushi, www.genki.co.za, +27 21 887 5699
• Wijnhuis Wine Bar & Grill, www.wijnhuis.co.za, +27 21 887 5844
• Greengate Eatery, +27 21 886 6111
• Schoon De Companje, www.decompanje.co.za, +27 21 883 2187

Overnight stay

There are many bed & breakfasts in the center of Stellenbosch. Schurter recommends booking a B & amp; B within walking distance of the center, because then you can completely do without a car in Stellenbosch. The region is very popular with tourists (even without a mountain bike) and accommodation should be booked very early. In the high season between December and March, spontaneous bookings are difficult.

Flights

Edelweiss offers direct flights from Zurich to Cape Town twice a week. Prices vary between 800 and 1300 francs. If you choose wisely, you can fly twice in the night (departure on Monday in Zurich, return flight on Friday in Cape Town). Due to the maximum time difference of one hour, jet lag is not an issue.
Edelweiss transports bicycles free of charge. However, it is important to register your bike, as there are sometimes a lot of cyclists on the plane.

Overview map with the bike spots of Stellenbosch