Road cycling in Cape Town

[DJR]

Unless I'm very mistaken (known to happen) Chapmans peak should be open before December.

[Madlight]

And for a ride on the flat side and away from cars there is the cycle lane from the CBD to Bloubergstrand for a nice day trip.

[stefness]

That's it. Constantia Nek/Main Road down to Hout Bay is narrow so keep an eye out for trucks and buses. Its a steep downhill so take up the lane behind a convenient car. All cars have to brake on the way down so there is no aggro. On the way up, just keep left and let them pass.

 

Brilliant thanks! I meant to ask in my original post about the road condition. The roads in the UK are mostly terrible with bits of flint on them and massive holes caused by tractors and ice. At the moment, I'm riding Schwalbe Duranos as winter tyres - will I get away with nicer tyres like Michelin Pro 3s or will I end up puncturing all the time?

[stefness]

And for a ride on the flat side and away from cars there is the cycle lane from the CBD to Bloubergstrand for a nice day trip.

 

I have heard that it's nice up that way, I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Blackbeard]

Brilliant thanks! I meant to ask in my original post about the road condition. The roads in the UK are mostly terrible with bits of flint on them and massive holes caused by tractors and ice. At the moment, I'm riding Schwalbe Duranos as winter tyres - will I get away with nicer tyres like Michelin Pro 3s or will I end up puncturing all the time?

Brilliant thanks! I meant to ask in my original post about the road condition. The roads in the UK are mostly terrible with bits of flint on them and massive holes caused by tractors and ice. At the moment, I'm riding Schwalbe Duranos as winter tyres - will I get away with nicer tyres like Michelin Pro 3s or will I end up puncturing all the time?

 

The roads are generally in very good condition and the municipality does a good job of keeping the roads clean. The current mess and storm damage is being cleaned up so everything will be fine by December. I have never had an excessive amount of punctures (very few in fact). Your Michelins should be fine.

[Snytjie]

Good point, I'd forgotten about the wind out there. What about if we ride separately, or is that not advised?

 

I live in Noordhoek and always ride alone along the southern peninsula. Vehicles are no bigger problem than what you are used to. Might even be better here as many motorists cycle themselves and the shoulders that you get on most roads. I've heard one report in three years of a cyclist claiming that people tried to rob him at the settlement on Red Hill. Unconfirmed and he said that he turned around anyway when it looked that they tried to block the road on his approach. Apart from that I have never experienced anything which made me feel uneasy, let alone afraid.

 

I find the uphill side from Hout Bay over Constantia neck quite hairy: no shoulder for large parts, blind turns and it seems to me that people ride a little faster around there for some reason. Downhill is great as you ride the same speed as the cars.

[stefness]

I live in Noordhoek and always ride alone along the southern peninsula. Vehicles are no bigger problem than what you are used to. Might even be better here as many motorists cycle themselves and the shoulders that you get on most roads. I've heard one report in three years of a cyclist claiming that people tried to rob him at the settlement on Red Hill. Unconfirmed and he said that he turned around anyway when it looked that they tried to block the road on his approach. Apart from that I have never experienced anything which made me feel uneasy, let alone afraid.

 

I find the uphill side from Hout Bay over Constantia neck quite hairy: no shoulder for large parts, blind turns and it seems to me that people ride a little faster around there for some reason. Downhill is great as you ride the same speed as the cars.

 

Thanks so much, that's really informative and helpful. Do you perhaps have any routes that you'd be willing to share with me?

[ccc2]

i personally would avoid Constantia Nek both ways. its just too narrow to take a chance. you have sufficient options between Fish Hoek, S'town , Kommetjie. their are various loops with a nice climb on each if u do Ocean View / Kommetjie or the first section of OKW , left into silvermine Rd and left onto the Noordhoek rd or FHoek / Black Hill loop. enjoy the sun becos when u get back u won't.

[stefness]

i personally would avoid Constantia Nek both ways. its just too narrow to take a chance. you have sufficient options between Fish Hoek, S'town , Kommetjie. their are various loops with a nice climb on each if u do Ocean View / Kommetjie or the first section of OKW , left into silvermine Rd and left onto the Noordhoek rd or FHoek / Black Hill loop. enjoy the sun becos when u get back u won't.

 

Haha, yes. My ride on Sunday averaged 5C and it rained most of the way. Yay winter Thanks for the info!

[Blackbeard]

I agree with ccc2. I would not do Constantia Nek if Chappies is open.

[sluiper]

Thanks so much, that's really informative and helpful. Do you perhaps have any routes that you'd be willing to share with me?

 

My standard route when I want to do some climbing:

 

Ou Kaapse Weg -> Black Hill -> Red Hill -> Chappies -> SuikerBossie -> Constantia Neck (repeat until legs don't work any more).

[stefness]

I agree with ccc2. I would not do Constantia Nek if Chappies is open.

 

Constantia Nek frightened me when I was driving, I'll steer clear of that on a bike.

[stefness]

My standard route when I want to do some climbing:

 

Ou Kaapse Weg -> Black Hill -> Red Hill -> Chappies -> SuikerBossie -> Constantia Neck (repeat until legs don't work any more).

 

That sounds brutal, I will try some if it, leaving out the Constantia Nek bit

[DJR]

Constantia Nek frightened me when I was driving, I'll steer clear of that on a bike.

 

I never thought I would say this about Constantia neck, but here goes:

 

1. The road from Constantia up to the neck is wide enough to ride safely up it, especially if early in the morning before the traffic build up.

2. The road down from the neck to Hout Bay is narrow but you go fast enough to keep pace with the cars, again, it is OK early morning.

3. Going up from Hout Bay to the neck is too narrow even when it is quiet, too many blind corners, you climb too slowly and cars come up to you from behind too fast. I don't do that.

4 Up from Kirstenbosch side to the neck, or down that way, is too narrow with many blind corners and I don't do that, even early morning.

 

Hope that helps.

Edited November 20, 2013 by DJR