milky4130 Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 Those are big days if you are carrying a pack, but I suspect that you are stronger than me yeah big days based on the strava segments above & my proposal, that 1st day will be 241kms & +-4500meter elevation. Donovan Le Cok 1
Tim Brink Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 That's for a power rider! I think it would work if you had a support vehicle so you could ride lite. A group on Strava did it recently, they used the suggested schedule other than stages 4 - 6, where they basically drove right through Calitzdorp, slept at Rooiberg Lodge then rode right through Riversdal to Swellendam. So basically 1.5 stages on those two days. https://www.strava.com/activities/982749149 https://www.strava.com/activities/984300702 https://www.strava.com/activities/985871546 https://www.strava.com/activities/987621584 https://www.strava.com/activities/989622156 https://www.strava.com/activities/992358179 https://www.strava.com/activities/994204282We had time constraints, hence the silly long day. Personally, I think this is a twelve, or more, day tour if you really want to experience it properly - stop and enjoy local food and hospitality, etc. Here is how I would tackle it as the shortest number of days, unless you want to ride monsters: Plett-Knysna 80km ish, including Kom se Pad Knysna-George 80km ish on the 7 passes road with coffee at the Bike Park George-Oudtshoorn 80km ish, including Montagu pass and many ostriches Oudtshoorn-Calitzdorp 90km ish - the last buggery bit of the 36One, in reverse. beautiful Calitzdorp-Rooiberg lodge (wonderful spot, the 'cycling' group with a braiing habit that passed through the week before drank all their gin, so call ahead) 45km ish but with a monster climb over Rooiberg. In summer, this will be a longer day than it looks on paper Rooiberg Lodge to Riversdale 80km ish, lots of flat Karooness, a fast tar climb, and a cracking tar descent Riversdale to Swellendam 90km ish, through Grootvadersbosch and Suurbraak (last bit on tar, including a special 'road' built for cyclists parallel to the N2) Swellendam to Greyton 115km ish, make sure you get there on a Wednesday for the craft beer happy hour - the N2 stretch into Riviersonderend also has a dedicated cycling portion, specially rehabilitated from the old road, next to it thanks to the Cross Cape Greyton to Stellenbosch 110km - lots of tar, including Franschhoek and Helshoogte, but a lekker ride anyway.A gravel bike or a monster cross bike is ideal, but an MTB also works With a light load, each of these days is manageable, between six and seven hours riding at a moderate pace. One set of casual kit, one set of riding kit (wash it each night, it will be dry in the morning and a lot of the accommodation along the way is really geared up for cyclists now and will be happy to help), some warm kit for the early mornings and you are sorted. I am still awestruck at the variety of terrain we traversed, and we rode much of it in the first Epic. To tackle it without bleeding through the eyeballs was surreal. We are so spoilt. Would I even consider trying it in four days? Not even worth contemplating. <OK, the missus isn't reading over my shoulder, so count me in... shhhhhh> Heel Drop, milky4130 and nonky 3
Dicky DQ Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 Last year after the K2C we did an easy ride to Brackenfell. Well sort of easy. the plan was for a longer route than the eventual route (Km and days), but we had time constrainrs, so we cheated. but we did in in 3 days and slow as I was sleg, good and propper, 100+kg and been off the bike with 4 weeks training. You just need to pace yourself!! We were unsupported so we took everything along with us. We stayed in Back Packers, super cheap and cheerfull. Accommodation for the trip was about 400 ZAR each and we booked at lunch time when we knew where we would be stopping. This was:Day 1 - Knysna to Karlitzdorp via 7 passes and the old Outeniqua pass. Breakfast in George, lunch id Oudshoorn and dinner in karlitzdorp Eish 200km+Day 2 - Karlitzdorp to Montague via R 62. This is easy as there is a huge gravel shoulder all the way except for Huis River Pass and the block wind, grrr. Breakfast in Ladysmith, lunch in Barrydale and dinner in Montague.This we will change this year and take in Rooiberg and a few other.....Day 3 - Montague to Brackenfell via Veliersdorp and Franschoek. Brakfast in VD, and home. This year we are planning a 4 day trip will allow for a nice 800ish km trip.
City Cycling Athletic Club Posted May 30, 2017 Posted May 30, 2017 i use to organise a road ride back from the Knysna funride. we rode various routes for about 5 years in a row.good fun
PhilipV Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 (last bit on tar, including a special 'road' built for cyclists parallel to the N2) - the N2 stretch into Riviersonderend also has a dedicated cycling portion, specially rehabilitated from the old road, next to it thanks to the Cross Cape >[/size]I'm excited about the road next to the N2. My MIL lives in Riviersonderend and every decentralized there started with the las of the N2. Already planning on incorporating some of the route into my holiday plans.
Pure Savage Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 Over 4 days this is what I came up with, thoughts? Cross Cape -779KM over long weekend of the 21st -25th September 2017 Day 1 - 241kmPLETTENBERG BAY TO KNYSNA: TOTAL 79KMKNYSNA TO GEORGE: TOTAL 79KMGEORGE TO OUDTSHOORN: TOTAL 83KM Day 2 - 192kmOUDTSHOORN TO CALITZDORP: TOTAL 77KMCALITZDORP TO RIVERSDALE: TOTAL 115KM Day3 - 204kmRIVERSDALE TO SWELLENDAM: TOTAL 93KMSWELLENDAM TO GREYTON: TOTAL 111KM Day 4 - 142KMGREYTON TO STELLENBOSCH: TOTAL 107KMSTELLENBOSCH TO CY(BELLVILLE\GOODWOOD) 35KM This is what I was thinking
thisismyotherbike Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 We had time constraints, hence the silly long day. Personally, I think this is a twelve, or more, day tour if you really want to experience it properly - stop and enjoy local food and hospitality, etc. Here is how I would tackle it as the shortest number of days, unless you want to ride monsters: Plett-Knysna 80km ish, including Kom se Pad Knysna-George 80km ish on the 7 passes road with coffee at the Bike Park George-Oudtshoorn 80km ish, including Montagu pass and many ostriches Oudtshoorn-Calitzdorp 90km ish - the last buggery bit of the 36One, in reverse. beautiful Calitzdorp-Rooiberg lodge (wonderful spot, the 'cycling' group with a braiing habit that passed through the week before drank all their gin, so call ahead) 45km ish but with a monster climb over Rooiberg. In summer, this will be a longer day than it looks on paper Rooiberg Lodge to Riversdale 80km ish, lots of flat Karooness, a fast tar climb, and a cracking tar descent Riversdale to Swellendam 90km ish, through Grootvadersbosch and Suurbraak (last bit on tar, including a special 'road' built for cyclists parallel to the N2) Swellendam to Greyton 115km ish, make sure you get there on a Wednesday for the craft beer happy hour - the N2 stretch into Riviersonderend also has a dedicated cycling portion, specially rehabilitated from the old road, next to it thanks to the Cross Cape Greyton to Stellenbosch 110km - lots of tar, including Franschhoek and Helshoogte, but a lekker ride anyway.A gravel bike or a monster cross bike is ideal, but an MTB also works With a light load, each of these days is manageable, between six and seven hours riding at a moderate pace. One set of casual kit, one set of riding kit (wash it each night, it will be dry in the morning and a lot of the accommodation along the way is really geared up for cyclists now and will be happy to help), some warm kit for the early mornings and you are sorted. I am still awestruck at the variety of terrain we traversed, and we rode much of it in the first Epic. To tackle it without bleeding through the eyeballs was surreal. We are so spoilt. Would I even consider trying it in four days? Not even worth contemplating. <OK, the missus isn't reading over my shoulder, so count me in... shhhhhh> Sounds phenomenal! Planning on doing this with a mate next month. We'll probably stick to the suggested schedule as we have 9 days only. Apologies for the Strava stalking Tim, I was searching for others who had done it as part of my planning (not to mention checking out the difficulty relative to my own ability) Eddy Gordo 1
milky4130 Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 (edited) We had time constraints, hence the silly long day. Personally, I think this is a twelve, or more, day tour if you really want to experience it properly - stop and enjoy local food and hospitality, etc. Here is how I would tackle it as the shortest number of days, unless you want to ride monsters: Plett-Knysna 80km ish, including Kom se PadKnysna-George 80km ish on the 7 passes road with coffee at the Bike ParkGeorge-Oudtshoorn 80km ish, including Montagu pass and many ostrichesOudtshoorn-Calitzdorp 90km ish - the last buggery bit of the 36One, in reverse. beautifulCalitzdorp-Rooiberg lodge (wonderful spot, the 'cycling' group with a braiing habit that passed through the week before drank all their gin, so call ahead) 45km ish but with a monster climb over Rooiberg. In summer, this will be a longer day than it looks on paperRooiberg Lodge to Riversdale 80km ish, lots of flat Karooness, a fast tar climb, and a cracking tar descentRiversdale to Swellendam 90km ish, through Grootvadersbosch and Suurbraak (last bit on tar, including a special 'road' built for cyclists parallel to the N2)Swellendam to Greyton 115km ish, make sure you get there on a Wednesday for the craft beer happy hour - the N2 stretch into Riviersonderend also has a dedicated cycling portion, specially rehabilitated from the old road, next to it thanks to the Cross CapeGreyton to Stellenbosch 110km - lots of tar, including Franschhoek and Helshoogte, but a lekker ride anyway.A gravel bike or a monster cross bike is ideal, but an MTB also works With a light load, each of these days is manageable, between six and seven hours riding at a moderate pace. One set of casual kit, one set of riding kit (wash it each night, it will be dry in the morning and a lot of the accommodation along the way is really geared up for cyclists now and will be happy to help), some warm kit for the early mornings and you are sorted. I am still awestruck at the variety of terrain we traversed, and we rode much of it in the first Epic. To tackle it without bleeding through the eyeballs was surreal. We are so spoilt. Would I even consider trying it in four days? Not even worth contemplating. <OK, the missus isn't reading over my shoulder, so count me in... shhhhhh>Heehee ???? I see what you did there ???? Tim I see from Thamar's ride report you guys missed a turn on Day 6: Swellendam to Greyton, was this a mistake on the map or gpx route file supplied or did someone just genuinely missed the turn off? Edited May 31, 2017 by milky4130
milky4130 Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 This is what I was thinking I am savage like that Pure Savage 1
Tim Brink Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 Heehee I see what you did there Tim I see from Thamar's ride report you guys missed a turn on Day 6: Swellendam to Greyton, was this a mistake on the map or gpx route file supplied or did someone just genuinely missed the turn off?Not all of 'us' missed it. Four did, in one group. I think they were looking for hot farmers and/or their daughters. It was on the GPX file... clear as day. milky4130 and Pure Savage 2
hboli4 Posted May 31, 2017 Posted May 31, 2017 Only time available for us would be Dec/Jan holidays. Roads will probably be busier and the heat could be a killer. But would love to do it! Eddy Gordo 1
Bos Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 Over 4 days this is what I came up with, thoughts? Cross Cape -779KM over long weekend of the 21st -25th September 2017 Day 1 - 241kmPLETTENBERG BAY TO KNYSNA: TOTAL 79KMKNYSNA TO GEORGE: TOTAL 79KMGEORGE TO OUDTSHOORN: TOTAL 83KM Day 2 - 192kmOUDTSHOORN TO CALITZDORP: TOTAL 77KMCALITZDORP TO RIVERSDALE: TOTAL 115KM Day3 - 204kmRIVERSDALE TO SWELLENDAM: TOTAL 93KMSWELLENDAM TO GREYTON: TOTAL 111KM Day 4 - 142KMGREYTON TO STELLENBOSCH: TOTAL 107KMSTELLENBOSCH TO CY(BELLVILLE\GOODWOOD) 35KM All I know.. Day one will take you 10 hours plus, and If you get a headwind(winter) you will be looking at 12 hours plus. In fact.. they are all pretty tough, but I guess a group of 3-4 fit & focused riders will make it. nonky, Heel Drop and Pure Savage 3
milky4130 Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 All I know.. Day one will take you 10 hours plus, and If you get a headwind(winter) you will be looking at 12 hours plus. In fact.. they are all pretty tough, but I guess a group of 3-4 fit & focused riders will make it.yeah we were banking on 12 hours minimum. yes, 4 very focused & fit guys, plan is for Spring so we are expecting a tailwind. But some guys got cold feet so the itinerary has been revised
Skubarra Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 plan is for Spring so we are expecting a tailwind. Not sure how the wind work over different seasons, we have done a ride from Oudtshoorn to CT now 2 years in a row in middle May - both times we had a nice tail wind for most of the ride. In summer it might be the other way around? Given that the whole route is basically in one direction it's one of those things that your experience could either be bliss or hell depending on how you catch the wind? milky4130 1
PhilipV Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 My map arrived on the post yesterday. I'm lank amped to do some of the route over December holidays. It helps to have family living along the route. GLuvsMtb 1
milky4130 Posted June 1, 2017 Posted June 1, 2017 Not sure how the wind work over different seasons, we have done a ride from Oudtshoorn to CT now 2 years in a row in middle May - both times we had a nice tail wind for most of the ride. In summer it might be the other way around? Given that the whole route is basically in one direction it's one of those things that your experience could either be bliss or hell depending on how you catch the wind?I would imagine that would be the South Easter wind that blows all year round except when the rain comes in & as if Murphy has her way it will most likely be a head wind all the way home.
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