Your opinion - cycling town in Western Cape

[dev null]

Some links:

 

http://www.pvallei.co.za/home/af

 

http://www.fairhavenestate.co.za/

 

http://www.beaumont4u.co.za/

[majoubert@mweb.co.za]

Hey all

 

I am thinking of making a big change in my life.  Looking at moving from the big smoke.  

 

I don't want to move to Cape Town itself.  But looking to find a place that fits these requirements:

• Within 1 to max 2 hours drive of Cape Town
• Awesome cycling in the area.  I am thinking specifically off road but also on road would be great
• On the tourist trail would be great
• Town that has the basics including decent schools for kids
• Happening place with happening people!  

Suggestions most appreciated!

Cheers

Durbanville or Stellenbosch both great schools and both off and on road riding friendly enjoy making your choice , maybe rent in a certain area first and see if you and your family are happy !

[Big JD]

Traveling from SSW, Stellenbosch or Paarl to CBD will take min 2 hours in and 90 minutes home unless you can work serious flexi time. My wife travels 90 minutes mornings from SSW to Pinelands. She leaves at 5:45am and drops our son off at creche in Pinelands at 7:15am. If you can find something where you work from 6am to 3pm traffic will be ok-ish (afternoons start backing up from 2pm some days). Work in Northern subs, Southern subs or Boland, and peak times reduce to about 60 to 90 minutes for a 20km commute.

In my experience SW to Pinelands is only 45mins (I have been doing it for 15 years now). I leave SW at 07:15 and 95% of the time in my office by 08:00.

[GLuvsMtb]

Thanks; crazy!! Sounds like PTA to JHB

What about staying in Bellville/Durbanville and travelling to CPT CBD? Also as bad??

Here your biggest challenge is getting through the burbs onto the N1 and same when going home. I used to live in Brackenfell and commuted to CT in the mornings. 10 years ago you could still hit the N1 at 5:45 and be in CT by 6:30. Not these days.

[ACM]

Thanks for all the replies; more replies welcome!!

[GLuvsMtb]

In my experience SW to Pinelands is only 45mins (I have been doing it for 15 years now). I leave SW at 07:15 and 95% of the time in my office by 08:00.

Do you have a Siyaya and do some yellow line / Taxi lane driving?!

[Big JD]

Do you have a Siyaya and do some yellow line / Taxi lane driving?!

Nope, stock standard legal driving.

[GLuvsMtb]

Nope, stock standard legal driving.

If I leave at 7:15, I often take 45 minutes just to get to the R300 turn-off. This year in particular seems very congested. Not sure if the road works contributes currently.

[Big JD]

If I leave at 7:15, I often take 45 minutes just to get to the R300 turn-off. This year in particular seems very congested. Not sure if the road works contributes currently.

Fair enough, current roadworks have slowed things up a bit but generally it is 45 mins to Pinelands via Jan Smuts. Leaving around 6 quite a bit longer. Still worth it to live in the West.

[GLuvsMtb]

Fair enough, current roadworks have slowed things up a bit but generally it is 45 mins to Pinelands via Jan Smuts. Leaving around 6 quite a bit longer. Still worth it to live in the West.

I wouldn't move anywhere else to be honest. I leave 5:45 for Tyger Valley area and get to the office at 6:20. Leave at 3:20 and is home by 4

[PhilipV]

I live in Somerset West, and I used to work in the CBD, and I won't do the commute again. Paarl , Stellenbosch and Somerset West are definitely the best towns ito riding and platteland feeling, but the commute will kill it. Thus I would suggest you look at the Northern Suburbs. Durbanville/Bellville and Plattekloof. Plattekloof will be the best ito getting into town for work. The Tygerberg Mtb club has super lekker trails, so you are sorted riding wise.

[DJR]

Don't forget the West Coast, Blouberg, Melkbos, Philadelphia

[Wannabe]

If you are going to be working in the CBD, any commute from the Northern Suburbs or towns will be a huge mission, unless you can work flexi hours and go in after the rush, and go home again after the rush.

Or alternatively use the trains, but that brings it's own set of challenges.

[Amberdrake]

Going to CBD not great no matter from where. Mostly your gonna get stuck coming out of the burb's then once your on the highway you get stuck going into town again. I travel to Bellville some days from somerset and even that sucks. Either i goto tygervally side for office or lower down in Belhar for class. The travel is long and road rage can be rampant everyone fears the N2/R300.  I would still not move if i had a choice the area is perfectly located to get most things easily.

[DJR]

If I had to work in the Cape Town CBD, I would seriously look at living in Oranjezicht or Tamboerskloof. Maybe even Green Point or Mouille Point? Vredehoek also? Jan Van Riebeeck High School is a very good school, and dual medium, with a very old tradition for excellence. Just keep in mind that it is colourful city living, mostly English, but with great cycling from your doorstep, both mtb on the front of Table Mountain, or on the road along the Atlantic coast towards Chapmans Peak. Traditional security estates will be scarce, but it is a plenty safe area and most properties are well secured. There are some security type developments, but very expensive, at the top end of Oranjezicht.

[HeadDown]

If you are going to be working in the CBD, any commute from the Northern Suburbs or towns will be a huge mission, unless you can work flexi hours and go in after the rush, and go home again after the rush.

Or alternatively use the trains, but that brings it's own set of challenges.

The Durbanville - CT commute in the morning must be the worst in the country. I commute in the opposite direction and during the normal morning peak the N1 resembles a 8 km long parking lot.