‘It’s a sign,’ he laughed, with his trademark mischievous giggle that’s so infectious you simply can’t help but get the pun—and realise how funny it all is. It was the year-end festive season holidays in the Eastern Cape, at our favourite resort where all cousins, known and unknown, congregate—some from out of town, others gathering more locally. Most people are related in some way or another, and if they’re not, they claim you anyway. They’re that friendly.
The ‘sign’—a person riding a bicycle—passed us just as we were bidding farewell after a great conversation about how Chris and I could dovetail our businesses. Chris founded a business in Stellenbosch called Casa Cerveza, which evolved from a cycling shop to a coffee shop, and now to one of the key destinations in the historic Western Cape university town. Living life to the fullest, Casa Cerveza is the embodiment of Chris’ persona—authentic, nurturing, honest, and most definitely assured of a fun time. This is the base from which Chris has expanded—not only as the founder of a restaurant and bike-rental business, but also as someone who provides people in the community with a chance to leverage opportunities created through endurance cycling and sport.
First off, Chris is an Oxford Blue, a sportsman, and an endurance nut. He has ridden and been well placed in the famous Cape Epic cycle tour too many times to count. He’s participated in numerous charity adventure tours held over several days across neighbouring countries—cycling through wildlife terrain with elephants, lions, buffalo, heat, cold, sleeping under the stars, and enduring conditions that push both muscle and mind to the limit. He loves it. Age and wisdom aren’t stopping him—but what they have done is transform his passion into a project. Chris has championed the development of young riders from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them become accomplished athletes. When not representing South Africa or the Western Cape at national and international events, these young, talented riders guide guests on carefully curated cycle trails. These trails wind like arteries in and around Stellenbosch, flowing up, down and around the picturesque mountains, with Casa Cerveza at their heart.
International travellers from around the world, as well as many local and regional enthusiasts, come to enjoy the beauty, challenge, and hospitality of Casa Cerveza and the Fairtree DP World Cannondale racing team—usually incorporating trail riding with historic tours, art, museums, wine tasting, and making memories.
Imagine if you paired all that adventure with a trip into one of the magical wildlife destinations we have in South Africa—or any of our neighbouring countries to the north. And that is where my world touches Chris’ world.
That’s what we were discussing at length just before the ‘sign’. The Myers Portfolio is the culmination of a lifetime my husband, Mike Myers, and I have spent in hospitality and safari tourism across iconic wildlife areas in southern Africa. We’ve joined forces to offer guests travelling to Stellenbosch to ride with Chris and his team an add-on opportunity to explore wilderness destinations that showcase iconic wildlife—and, in doing so, support communities and conservation.
View our Suggested Itineraries and read more about Casa Cerveza mountain biking in Stellenbosch here: https://www.casacerveza.co.za/pages/mountain-bike-tours
