walkerr Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Group of us planning on riding out that way in April and were thinking of the R62/N12 which goes from Oudsthoorn and then joins N9 to go over Outeniqua pass to George. One of our guys has been doing a route check and concerned about that section - specifically the bit from Oudsthoorn to the N9 junction (left Uniondale, right George). Anyone actually ride that route either occasionally or regularly and able to comment what it's like? Also planning to call Ton's tomorrow to get their view - although have a feeling our chap may already have spoken with them. Just trying to gather as much background/evidence as possible to make an informed decision. Obviously we know about the tragic accident on Outeniqua itself a few years back - and also the extent of that descent into George which one needs to be careful of. Couple of our guys have ridden that a few times themselves though, so it's more of a known quantity.
walkerr Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 Also interested in general info - for which I created a ride topic: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/157512-info-to-help-out-cape-1000km-audax-riders/ but figured the Safety forum may have specifics about this one section.
eddy Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Road or MTB ? The R62 stretch is very narrow, twisty and busy. I don't even like driving it. I would be hesitant doing it on a road bike as I'd feel very exposed. On a MTB, on the other hand, nothing could ge better. From Oudtshoorn, take the road through the Kammanassie, go almost straight across the R62 and on to the Montagu pass. Brilliant !!!!
Smartie Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Hi. Me and a friend did the Mossel Bay-Oudtshoorn-George-Mossel Bay loop two years ago, about 200km. We left at 4 am on the Sunday. That section you are referring to we did at about 7-8am. It was ok, but was narrow. Need to cycle single file. There was not much traffic, but had one or two 'close calls' with cars passing a bit too close for comfort. The biggest obstacle was the heat though! I think the more tricky section is the one just past the intersection of the R62 on to the N9. That felt narrower and was quite busy (trucks and buses). Not sure if the road has been widened since then. It is only a short stretch though as the road widens when the pass starts. There is a small restaurant on that stretch that was a lifesaver - nice cold drinks! My advice is to do it early the morning. Should not have issues then, but pay attention to the traffic. The descent of the pass is great. Nice and wide, no worries and a good road. Drop me a pm and I will forward my contact number if you have any questions.
walkerr Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 Road or MTB ? The R62 stretch is very narrow, twisty and busy. I don't even like driving it. I would be hesitant doing it on a road bike as I'd feel very exposed. On a MTB, on the other hand, nothing could ge better. From Oudtshoorn, take the road through the Kammanassie, go almost straight across the R62 and on to the Montagu pass. Brilliant !!!! Thanks, and yes road, and that was very much the concern raised also. Always hard to judge by car though - quite a few roads we ride locally here to S'West seem bad in a car but we ride them often without issue. So felt it worth looking for local opinion from those who would (or wouldn't!) ride them
walkerr Posted February 22, 2016 Author Posted February 22, 2016 Hi. Me and a friend did the Mossel Bay-Oudtshoorn-George-Mossel Bay loop two years ago, about 200km. We left at 4 am on the Sunday. That section you are referring to we did at about 7-8am. It was ok, but was narrow. Need to cycle single file. There was not much traffic, but had one or two 'close calls' with cars passing a bit too close for comfort. The biggest obstacle was the heat though! I think the more tricky section is the one just past the intersection of the R62 on to the N9. That felt narrower and was quite busy (trucks and buses). Not sure if the road has been widened since then. It is only a short stretch though as the road widens when the pass starts. There is a small restaurant on that stretch that was a lifesaver - nice cold drinks! My advice is to do it early the morning. Should not have issues then, but pay attention to the traffic. The descent of the pass is great. Nice and wide, no worries and a good road. Drop me a pm and I will forward my contact number if you have any questions. Ok, that is awesome feedback thanks - just what we're looking for. Think I know the restaurant you mean, I remember an epic roadside pizza place somewhere along that piece of N9. Interestingly, due to our start time I think most if not all of us would be travelling towards George either in the late evening or early morning - the way back though would be more likely during daytime. In fact, our other option was possibly the R328 down to Hartenbos - which I think would be the other half of your loop. Will drop a PM now
Underachiever Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Ok, that is awesome feedback thanks - just what we're looking for. Think I know the restaurant you mean, I remember an epic roadside pizza place somewhere along that piece of N9. Interestingly, due to our start time I think most if not all of us would be travelling towards George either in the late evening or early morning - the way back though would be more likely during daytime. In fact, our other option was possibly the R328 down to Hartenbos - which I think would be the other half of your loop. Will drop a PM nowThe pizza place is legendary. Stop there every year. Great food, great beer!! 4 km from the turn-off to Oudtshoorn.
Underachiever Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 I'm also an Audax rider, so have a fair idea of night riding and such like. Know the R62 relatively well. Apart from the stretch being discussed, the road west from Ladismith up to Barrydale is very narrow, considering cyclists being tired doing a 1000km event. Understanding that the cyclists are quite spread out, where do you expect to do most of the night riding?
walkerr Posted February 23, 2016 Author Posted February 23, 2016 I'm also an Audax rider, so have a fair idea of night riding and such like. Know the R62 relatively well. Apart from the stretch being discussed, the road west from Ladismith up to Barrydale is very narrow, considering cyclists being tired doing a 1000km event. Understanding that the cyclists are quite spread out, where do you expect to do most of the night riding? We have such a spread of speeds it's very hard to say. Assuming we keep to the same route, which is under discussion, most will do Oudtshoorn through to George either into the first night or very early the next morning (we've a split of those planning to sleep in Oudsthoorn and Wilderness). As we start to head back there will be 100s of km and hours between front and back riders. I would say majority of the medium to slower riders will travel back across the Karoo at varying times during the 2nd day, with further rest stops varying between Barrydale and Robertson. And then back into more familiar Winelands from there home. Edit: Interestingly our guy checking the route was much less concerned over the Ladismith to Barrydale stretch - it is narrow, as noted, but generally lower traffic volumes and longer straighter stretches meaning cyclists should be visible from much further off. The main concern was it being an East/West road for riding around sunset or sunrise, which is something we'll discuss in terms of peoples travelling times
KarlvN Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 I lived in George for all my life before moving to CT 3 years ago. I would not ride the route you are suggesting. It is way too narrow, and there have been many accidents and incidents on that route. It is a dangerous stretch to drive in a car, and it usually has a lot of trucks on it, even in the early part of the morning. It is a beautiful route, but way too risky in my opinion. Unless you have an escort to drive behind you, but that actually increases the risks, as the car would be driving slowly in the lane, as there is no yellow line anywhere between Oudtshoorn and the start of the Outeniqua Pass.
walkerr Posted February 23, 2016 Author Posted February 23, 2016 I lived in George for all my life before moving to CT 3 years ago. I would not ride the route you are suggesting. It is way too narrow, and there have been many accidents and incidents on that route. It is a dangerous stretch to drive in a car, and it usually has a lot of trucks on it, even in the early part of the morning. It is a beautiful route, but way too risky in my opinion. Unless you have an escort to drive behind you, but that actually increases the risks, as the car would be driving slowly in the lane, as there is no yellow line anywhere between Oudtshoorn and the start of the Outeniqua Pass. Thanks for feedback Karl
KarlvN Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Another thing. The cars traveling between Oudts and George and visa versa usually try break the land speed record. That stretch is notorious for high speed crashes... The Outeniqua pass on the other hand is a lovely road with wide shoulders and is frequented by cyclists. Matthys Beukes is a frequent sight on the climb there.
walkerr Posted February 23, 2016 Author Posted February 23, 2016 Another thing. The cars traveling between Oudts and George and visa versa usually try break the land speed record. That stretch is notorious for high speed crashes... The Outeniqua pass on the other hand is a lovely road with wide shoulders and is frequented by cyclists. Matthys Beukes is a frequent sight on the climb there. Yeah - that's our routing dilemma really. Most of us are very keen to ride the pass. But if the Oudsthoorn to N9 section is too risky, we've no way to link through to there. Our options (assuming we don't do a major re-route) become the R328 down to Hartenbos/Mossel Bay and turn around, or out to De Rust and Uniondale to turn around.
eddy Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Have you considered going to Mosselbay via Volmoed and the Robinson pass from Oudtshoorn ? The road is wider and much, much quieter and IIRC you can get to George on a back road that comes in around the back of the airport.
Underachiever Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Have you considered going to Mosselbay via Volmoed and the Robinson pass from Oudtshoorn ? The road is wider and much, much quieter and IIRC you can get to George on a back road that comes in around the back of the airport.The Robinson pass on the Oudtshoorn side was also fairly narrow when I was there last. No issues on the Mosselbay side. Again trucks will be the issue.
walkerr Posted February 23, 2016 Author Posted February 23, 2016 Have you considered going to Mosselbay via Volmoed and the Robinson pass from Oudtshoorn ? The road is wider and much, much quieter and IIRC you can get to George on a back road that comes in around the back of the airport. Yes - that's the R328 mentioned above. But thanks, that is def one of our options.
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