Constantia Nek

[Bub Marley]

I need to collect something in Tokai so I thought instead of driving there let's take a nice cycle as I'm gonna be leaving the country soon and am trying to do one last ride around chappies, suikerbosssie etc.

 

I plan on parking in Green Point and then coming over Camps Bay, over Chappies, over Ou Kaapseweg into Tokai.

 

I then have two options, either go back over Ou Kaapse via the really steep end and back the same way or go via Constantia Nek and back over Suikerbosssie.

 

My question is, what is the best time to do this should I go via Constantia Nek to obviously avoid traffic or should I rather not chance it and go back over Ou Kaapse. I haven't been over Constantia Nek since I dunno how long so I can't even remember how narrow that road is.

 

And advice?

[Thomo]

Generally Constantia Nek isn't too bad as long as it's not peak traffic time.

An alternative would be Southern Cross drive (which carries less traffic) linking up with the Kirstenbosch section to top of Constantia Nek.

[bikebloke]

not at peak traffic time and you should be ok

ou kaapse weg is carrying a lot more traffic since the road works at kalk bay so just keep your wits about you and hold a solid line

id go ou kaapse weg to tokai and Constantia neck back

red tail lights a good idea too

[Bub Marley]

Okay awesome. Cheers.

[DJR]

I try to avoid Constantia Neck at busy times.

 

From Constantia Village to the neck is not at all bad early on a Sunday.  It is not too narrow and if you stay close to the edge, there is enough room for cars to pass you safely. You also have a hard dirt shoulder that allows for an emergency bail. Going down from the neck to Hout Bay is fast enough that you just go the same speed as the traffic. Watch out for oncoming idiots overtaking over solid lines. Visibility is essential. I use a flashing front and rear light, bloody bright ones too!

 

Avoid going up Rhodes drive from Kirstenbosch to the neck, it is much more dangerous. Avoid going up from Hout Bay to the neck, it is much more dangerous. Both are too narrow, no / little shoulder, sharp corners, great speed difference).