Hermanus R44 and R43

[osiris]

Hi all,

I'm going to be in Cape Town, Gordons Bay this coming weekend and want to ride from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus.

Looks like an awesome route, even saw Nino take a selfie on that road when he was here beginning of this year.

I'll be bringing my MTB with and will have the family meet me in Hermanus.

I'll be riding alone, is this route safe? How are cars on this route? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Nibali]

Hi all,

I'm going to be in Cape Town, Gordons Bay this coming weekend and want to ride from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus.

Looks like an awesome route, even saw Nino take a selfie on that road when he was here beginning of this year.

I'll be bringing my MTB with and will have the family meet me in Hermanus.

I'll be riding alone, is this route safe? How are cars on this route? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

Indeed a beautiful route to ride! I did it over December holidays, went the other way round though (all the way to top of Helshoogte). Left at 5 and didn't see many cars on the road. On the section coming into Gordons Bay the cars were very patient with overtaking, so felt safe all the way. 

A local will probably have a better idea of safety and traffic at this time of year.

 

Enjoy the ride and take lots of photos!

 

[ChrisF]

VERY popular route with cyclists.

 

As safe as any other road ....

 

There is NOT much a yellow line, and obviously strings of blind corners ....  

 

Mostly cars are aware of cyclists along this route.

 

 

Only thing to check closer to the time - unrest in Kleinmond .... seems it is better now.

 

 

to add a nice twist to your route, consider the following :

 

- where the R44 joins the R43, turn LEFT (back to Botriver side)

- a few kilometers further turn RIGHT onto the Karwyderskraal road. (looking at the map it may be a shorter stint to turn right onto the R43, then left onto Karwyderskraal)

- a good few kilos further there is another board showing a LEFT turn onto the Karwyderskraal gravel road over the mountain.

- this road links back to the Hemel-and-Aarde road.

- Pactically - about 1km down this road you get to "Die Plaaskombuis" padstal.  Join the Hermanus trail back to Hermanus (pay your trail fee when you get to Auodia cycles.

 

[Nibali]

to add a nice twist to your route, consider the following :

 

- where the R44 joins the R43, turn LEFT (back to Botriver side)

- a few kilometers further turn RIGHT onto the Karwyderskraal road. (looking at the map it may be a shorter stint to turn right onto the R43, then left onto Karwyderskraal)

- a good few kilos further there is another board showing a LEFT turn onto the Karwyderskraal gravel road over the mountain.

- this road links back to the Hemel-and-Aarde road.

- Pactically - about 1km down this road you get to "Die Plaaskombuis" padstal.  Join the Hermanus trail back to Hermanus (pay your trail fee when you get to Auodia cycles.

 

Karwyderskraal.jpg

 

Now this sounds like a fun ride   Do it!

[ChrisF]

a teaser of the scenes along the Hermanus trails -

 

 

 

 

 

okay, this one is not on the loop you will do, but what a nice trail -

 

[Boerklong]

Not a big fan of the road between Rooiels and Bettiesbay.

 

There is a nice wide shoulder

[ChrisF]

Not a big fan of the road between Rooiels and Bettiesbay.

 

There is a nice wide shoulder

 

Pity the sand closed the road past Hangklip ... back in the 70's you could bypass that section of tar.

 

At least it is only a few kilometers.  The rest of the trip surely makes up for this short stint.