Cross Cape Cycle Route launched - Plett to Stellenbosch

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Prince Albert is out of your direct route to Stellies from Knysna but we will welcome you..

Knysna Uniondale

Uniondale to de Rust

DeRust to Prince Albert via Meiringspoort and Middelwater

Prince Albert to Calitzdorp via Swartberg pas and Kruisrivierroad 

Calitzdorp to van Wyksdorp via Rooiberg Pas

Rooiberg LOdge to Riversdal

Swellendam

Greyton

Stellies.

Something like that

Great option above and not going to Prince Albert and missing the Swartberg pass would be a shame

 

you could still go knysna to george - oudtshoorn - PA - calitzdorp - that's a mix of my route below but incorporates PA

 

But if you do decide to go the more direct route I can provide you with the GPX route that is slightly different to Cape Cross

 

something like this .......

Knysna to Wilderness - a nice 75km along the 7 passes

Wilderness to Volmoed (Oudtshoorn) 100km over Montegu pass and a good day out

Volmoed to Van Wyksdorp over the rooiberg pass, a pretty hard 80km loaded up

Rooiberg lodge/van vyksdorp to Riversdale a fast fun 75km over the beautiful Garcia pass

Riversdale to Swellendam, a very pretty 100km and the hills will make you lose your sense of humour.  It's a tough one and I quit at the end of this but in April conditions would be less brutal

Swellendam to greyton 110km 

greyton to stellenbosh 106

[Mountain Goat]

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing the Cape Cross route but the logistical challenge is quite tricky. Any suggestions?

[eddy]

 

something like this .......

Knysna to Wilderness - a nice 75km along the 7 passes

 

 

Sounds nice. Perhaps I should do this on the weekend. Out on Saturday and back on Sunday....

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Sounds nice. Perhaps I should do this on the weekend. Out on Saturday and back on Sunday....

great idea, I'll join you

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing the Cape Cross route but the logistical challenge is quite tricky. Any suggestions?

what's the logistical problem ?  The only problem is budget and time, everything else is easy

 

If you live in JHB fly to George and out of Cape Town (plenty people will collect and drop off)

 

Plenty places to stay along the way at very reasonable rates if you are soft like me and don't tent

 

On a budget?  Ride to the start with a tent, ride home

[Slowbee]

what's the logistical problem ?  The only problem is budget and time, everything else is easy

 

If you live in JHB fly to George and out of Cape Town (plenty people will collect and drop off)

 

Plenty places to stay along the way at very reasonable rates if you are soft like me and don't tent

 

On a budget?  Ride to the start with a tent, ride home

I object your honour !!

 

Using the word soft to describe experience and wisdom on daily recovery methods is objectionable

[Skubarra]

Great option above and not going to Prince Albert and missing the Swartberg pass would be a shame

 

you could still go knysna to george - oudtshoorn - PA - calitzdorp - that's a mix of my route below but incorporates PA

 

But if you do decide to go the more direct route I can provide you with the GPX route that is slightly different to Cape Cross

 

something like this .......

Knysna to Wilderness - a nice 75km along the 7 passes

Wilderness to Volmoed (Oudtshoorn) 100km over Montegu pass and a good day out

Volmoed to Van Wyksdorp over the rooiberg pass, a pretty hard 80km loaded up

Rooiberg lodge/van vyksdorp to Riversdale a fast fun 75km over the beautiful Garcia pass

Riversdale to Swellendam, a very pretty 100km and the hills will make you lose your sense of humour. It's a tough one and I quit at the end of this but in April conditions would be less brutal

Swellendam to greyton 110km

greyton to stellenbosh 106

I think the stunning scenery on the backroads between Riversdale and Swellendam is one of the better kept cycling secrets in the WC, awesome roads to cycle on (but yes the rolling hills make you work for it)

 

Cycling from Van Wyksdorp to Montagu via Ouberg pass on the backroads a decent alternative, scenic in its own way with less climbing.

Edited February 23, 2021 by Skubarra

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I think the stunning scenery on the backroads between Riversdale and Swellendam are one of the better kept cycling secrets in the WC, awesome roads to cycle on (but yes the rolling hills make you work for it)

 

Cycling from Van Wyksdorp to Montagu via Ouberg pass on the backroads a decent alternative, scenic in its own way with less climbing.

I’m going back to ride riversdale swellendam but without baggage and maybe a buddy - it’s an epic ride

[ChrisF]

Wayne look at the gravel routes North of Heidelberg ....

 

There is a long gravel road meandering through the koppies, linking all the farms.

 

And then this beast starts climbing, and climbing .... over the mountain. It links to the R62 just on Barrydale side of Ronnies s3x shop.

Edited February 23, 2021 by ChrisF

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Talking of best kept secrets . From van Wyksdorp avoid Garcia Pass instead take Gysmanshoek Pass and stay at Oubebosch farm accommodation. Beautiful road from there to either Heidelberg or Swellendam via Zuurbraak .

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Talking of best kept secrets . From van Wyksdorp avoid Garcia Pass instead take Gysmanshoek Pass and stay at Oubebosch farm accommodation. Beautiful road from there to either Heidelberg or Swellendam via Zuurbraak .

I was looking for this road but couldn’t find it at the time

[Baracuda]

I have been looking at a similar route, just Prince Bertie to Stellies though.

There is dirt road from Prince Albert south of the N1 to WagenDrift Lodge. In general, if you have a look on Lekkerslaap, there is a farmstay about every 100-120km on the route.

[Shebeen]

I think the stunning scenery on the backroads between Riversdale and Swellendam is one of the better kept cycling secrets in the WC, awesome roads to cycle on (but yes the rolling hills make you work for it)

 

Cycling from Van Wyksdorp to Montagu via Ouberg pass on the backroads a decent alternative, scenic in its own way with less climbing.

I could show you some routes, but let's go to the source rather. Speak to Aileen at strawberry hills. she's hardcore and this is her playground

 

https://www.strawberryhillfarm.co.za/mtb.html

 

but I'm with you on the untouched secrets thing. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I was looking for this road but couldn’t find it at the time

I will have to go and show you...

[Skubarra]

I could show you some routes, but let's go to the source rather. Speak to Aileen at strawberry hills. she's hardcore and this is her playground

 

https://www.strawberryhillfarm.co.za/mtb.html

 

but I'm with you on the untouched secrets thing. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

Cool, actually saw some of the route boards when cycling through the area in December. Had no idea there is such an extensive network of trails, must make a plan to ride it next time Im in the area

[Skubarra]

I have been looking at a similar route, just Prince Bertie to Stellies though.

There is dirt road from Prince Albert south of the N1 to WagenDrift Lodge. In general, if you have a look on Lekkerslaap, there is a farmstay about every 100-120km on the route.

 

Did a very similar route to yours few years back 

 

Enjoyed cycling through the wide open spaces of the Karoo

 

 

but if you haven't cycled in the area before I would suggest going a bit south and take the R323 to Wagendrift ( through the valley just north of Seweweekspoort), some nice mountain scenery and a looong gradual downhill to Wagendrift from the top of the valley.

 

Just not sure about the first part from Prince Albert to the Gamkapoort dam, but maybe @"Prince Albert Cycles" can help with that...