Winter Warmer Outride: Ride for a Reason
This Saturday, 30 May, cyclists from across the Winelands will gather at Bidvest McCarthy Novel Ford Paarl for a morning of riding that gives back. The Winter Warmer Outride — driven by the Hero Legacy Project and Paarl Trails — is a ride for every kind of cyclist, with a simple, warm-hearted purpose at its heart: help us keep families across our valleys warm this winter.
Here’s the story behind it, and everything you need to know to be there.
More than a trail network
Paarl Trails is one of the Cape Winelands’ premier outdoor destinations — part of the wider Wine Lands Trails network, with 450km and more of marked routes for mountain biking, gravel, road riding, running and hiking, all set against the vineyards and mountains of the Paarl valley.
But Paarl Trails has always been about more than singletrack. Every one of its community initiatives is housed under the Hero Legacy Project — a registered non-profit (the Winelands Legacy Project NPC) built on a belief that the energy around the trails should translate into real upliftment for the people who live alongside them.
The family behind it
The Hero Legacy Project is founded and driven by Darren and Yolandi Herbst, together with Duan Stander, the project’s Trail Maestro.
For the Herbst family, this work started close to home — in the search for ways to support their son, Tane, and, in time, other children too. That same instinct to help where help is needed has grown, year after year, into something far bigger than one family. Today it reaches across the Winelands through three clear pillars.
Skills Development. The Hero Legacy Project equips people with real, marketable skills — trail design, construction and maintenance, as well as event management, tour guiding and bike support. Participants train hands-on, earn a certificate, and many go on to employment within trail-building teams, with local event organisers, or on nearby farms. It’s practical training that builds confidence and lasting job security.
Foundation Classes. In partnership with Specialized Paarl and Spice Route Destination, the project runs free cycling lessons for children of all ages, from toddlers to teens. For many of these kids, it’s their very first time on a bike — a sport that might otherwise be well out of reach — taught in a safe, supportive space by the Hero Legacy team and experienced coaches.
Community Support. Beyond the trails, the Hero Legacy team runs ongoing outreach — food and essentials drives, school visits, and support for families in need. The Winter Warmer Outride is part of exactly this work.
Why a Winter Warmer
Winter in the valleys is genuinely tough for many families — especially for those who have lost their homes or possessions and are facing the cold season with very little. The Winter Warmer drive exists to meet that need head-on: gather as much warm clothing, blankets and essentials as possible, and get them directly to communities across Rawsonville, Worcester, Citrusdal and Paarl.
That’s where you come in. All we ask is that you bring something warm to donate — a blanket, a jacket, a beanie, anything cosy. Every item helps, and because it goes through the Hero Legacy Project — a registered NPO — you can be sure your contribution reaches someone who truly needs it. Can’t ride on Saturday? You’re just as welcome to come and drop off a donation.
A ride for everyone
Whatever you ride — road, gravel, e-bike or mountain bike — there’s a route and a distance suited to you:
- Mountain Bike: Short 20km (easy gravel and tar) · Medium 35km (intermediate with single track) · Long 45km (experienced with single track). E-bikes welcome.
- Gravel: Short 20km (easy gravel) · Long 60km (intermediate)
- Road: Short 40km (relaxed ride) · Long 65km (experienced)
It’s a relaxed, welcoming outride with great company on every route — beginners and seasoned riders alike will find their pace.
R20,000 in giveaways, coffee and cold ones
To say thank you to everyone who shows up, there’s over R20,000 in giveaways up for grabs on the day. To enter the draw, simply RSVP on the Wine Lands Trails app and be present on the day — RSVP and be there to win.
And once the riding is done, the good vibes carry on. Every cyclist can enjoy a complimentary Monarch coffee, courtesy of Ford Paarl and Monarch Coffee Cartel, and/or a refreshing CBC beer — the perfect excuse to stick around, swap stories and soak up the morning.
How to be part of it
- Download the Wine Lands Trails app and RSVP for the Winter Warmer Outride — this also enters you into the prize draw.
- Pack something warm to donate — a blanket, jacket or beanie for the donation bundle.
- Arrive at Ford Paarl on Saturday morning — meet-up from 7:30am.
- Pick your route, ride out at 8:00am, and be back by around 12pm for coffee, a beer and the giveaways.
📅 Date: Saturday 30 May 2026 ⏰ Time: Meet-up 7:30am · Rides start 8:00am · Wrapped by 12pm 📍 Venue: Bidvest McCarthy Novel Ford Paarl, 360 Main Road, Paarl 🎟️ Entry: Free — RSVP on the Wine Lands Trails app 💬 Questions: Chat to the Paarl Trails team on WhatsApp — 071 157 5976
Thank you to our partners
The Winter Warmer Outride wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Bidvest McCarthy Novel Ford Paarl, Monarch Coffee Cartel, CBC (Cape Brewing Co.), Kroff Cycles, Specialized Paarl, Cycle Lab, the Trail Warriors and Wine Lands Trails.
This is one of those rare mornings where simply showing up is the contribution. Come for the trails, the prizes and the coffee — leave knowing that a family somewhere in our valleys will be a little warmer because you rode.
We’ll see you on the start line. 🚲
The Winter Warmer Outride is driven by the Hero Legacy Project and Paarl Trails — founders Darren and Yolandi Herbst, together with Trail Maestro Duan Stander. The Hero Legacy Project is a registered NPO (Winelands Legacy Project NPC). Follow @herolegacyproject and @paarltrails for updates, and RSVP today on the Wine Lands Trails app.
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