Hello. I'm visiting from Joburg and staying in Sea Point for the month. I'm quite happy riding on my own - in the short time I've been here I've been over Chappies and to Hout Bay and back for a couple of shorter rides. But I don't want to do the same route all the time. In the past I've gone up the West Coast cycle route, getting on at Marine Drive. I've done it with two male friends and once on my own, and didn't feel any apprehension. However, I read recently that it is not particularly safe, and there are areas getting out of town where vagrants sometimes attack cyclists. I'm pretty fearless, but as a woman on my own I know I should probably be more careful. Those of you with local knowledge - will I be all right to do this route on my own or should I rather drive up to e.g. Milnerton and then get on my bike? I far prefer to ride from home, but don't want to be an idiot. The west coast route is lovely once one gets past Parden Eiland . Also, is it safe from a traffic point of view to go over Constantia Nek from Hout Bay? I've come down it once but that was in a very large, supported group. I remember it as being quite narrow and full of traffic. Otherwise, how does one get from this side of the mountain to the other side? Noordhoek? Any and all route suggestions that don't involve me driving to a start point welcome! I can't ask to join local club rides because I'm recuperating from a bad accident a few months ago and I'm very slow! No one would want me on their ride :-D. Many thanks.
