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Best rides in South Africa?


Tycho

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For those that did not see my previous thread, I am a backpacker across Africa that decided to buy a bike while in South Africa.

 

So far I have been only in Cape Town. Done almost every route there is in town. Now is the time to rent a car and see the rest of the country. My idea is to take 3-4 weeks, but I have no idea where. One idea is to travel to Joburg, sell my bike and fly out from there. The other idea is to not travel too far and come back to Cape Town.

 

I want to primarily see the outdoors, not just cycling, but also hiking and just hanging out on beaches. Camping or staying in hostels.

 

Looking for picturesque roads and climbs. Found a great website for climbs, but not sure which ones are ridable.

http://www.dangerousroads.org/africa/south-africa.html

 

One idea is to look at existing cycle tours and follow some of their itinerary:

http://www.biketours.com/South%20Africa/garden-route-cape-town

http://capecycletours.com/tours/road-biking/cape-town-and-surrounds/

http://capecycletours.com/tours/road-biking/the-big-guy/

http://www.exodus.co.uk/south-africa-holidays/cycling/cycling-cape-winelands/mzc

 

Any suggestions? Would love to do group rides. Wish South Africa did gran fondos, but everything here is a race. I will only be road biking.

 

To complicate things, I am considering moving to Cape Town. Do not really need to see the country if I move here, but that decision is months away.

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You could do the garden route, but the N2 is not great for riding and probably better for hitching?/Baz bus.

 

Some will say route 62,but i think it's eeven worse for riding with no shoulder

 

What about mpumalanga

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Come see the Natal Midlands. Hundreds of km's of trails with the Drakensberg an hour away. Bit of drive but well worth it.

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You could do the garden route, but the N2 is not great for riding and probably better for hitching?/Baz bus.

Some will say route 62,but i think it's eeven worse for riding with no shoulder

What about mpumalanga

I am not planning on touring. I will drive from place to place and ride wherever there are nice spots. I will not necessary go where there is good riding.

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Mikes Pass near Catherdral Peak. Sani Pass is also an amazing ride. You really earn your descent on that one.

 

Sorry I assumed MTB. Is that an issue?

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If you're driving:

 

  • Route 62
  • The Garden Route
  • N2 to George then cut into the Karoo - that is an amazing drive.
  • Drive as much gravel as you are able to in your vehicle -  Thats where the truly amazing spots are
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I am not planning on touring. I will drive from place to place and ride wherever there are nice spots. I will not necessary go where there is good riding.

Get someone to drop you off at Victoria West with your road bike

Pin your ears back and put your foot down and let them pick you up in 3 Sisters

Amazing scenery and road.

Another cool ride on a road bike is from Calvinia to Clanwilliam.Same thing wind from behind in the morning and *** weg

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Knysna trails esp Harkerville and Draakensberg - fantastic riding and great natural beauty.

 

Man we are spoilt in this country!

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