West coast solo mtb tour

[Wilka1975]

I am planning a unsupported cycle trip in December up the West coast departing from Grotto bay to Strandfontein. I noticed on Google earth that there is a gravel road just past Dwarskersbos along the railway line all the way up to Strandfontein. I have purchased panier bags and intend on staying over in geust houses. The panier bag system is fine for tarmac but I would prefer to stick to dirt roads as far as possible. Does anyone on the Hub know or have ridden the dirt road next to the rail road?

 

[Shebeen]

http://johannrissik.blogspot.com/2008/10/sishen-saldanha-ride-i-am-sharing-this.html

 

sishen saldanha line.

 

as far as i know it is tolerated by transnet, just be courteous

[Sepia]

Ping Dusty on the Hub.  He has done the Sishen-Saldanha recently.

[JAVSA02]

Long time ago. Varsity students around 1885/6, we used to ride the "railway" road on scramblers. XT500's DR 500 amongst others. Elands Bay hotel a favourite overnite spot. Was a blast until I went through a closed gate into a setting son.

Edited November 26, 2018 by JAVSA02

[Dusty]

I am planning a unsupported cycle trip in December up the West coast departing from Grotto bay to Strandfontein. I noticed on Google earth that there is a gravel road just past Dwarskersbos along the railway line all the way up to Strandfontein. I have purchased panier bags and intend on staying over in geust houses. The panier bag system is fine for tarmac but I would prefer to stick to dirt roads as far as possible. Does anyone on the Hub know or have ridden the dirt road next to the rail road?

We rode that section in August and the road condition is great. Beautiful part of the country. Shout if you want any more deatils, gpx files etc.

[tubed]

I am planning a unsupported cycle trip in December up the West coast departing from Grotto bay to Strandfontein. I noticed on Google earth that there is a gravel road just past Dwarskersbos along the railway line all the way up to Strandfontein. I have purchased panier bags and intend on staying over in geust houses. The panier bag system is fine for tarmac but I would prefer to stick to dirt roads as far as possible. Does anyone on the Hub know or have ridden the dirt road next to the rail road?

Great idea, going to be loads of fun - the road is fine, access no problem on a bike.

 

Some things to be aware of:

• very hot and minimal shade - need lots of water, ie dont miss an opportunity to keep the bottles topped up
• guesthouses will be very busy in Dec - you might need to secure upfront or have other options such as a tent, campsites can also be full and hectic - I assume you are trying get away from noise and crowds - so if you have a small tent, it gives you lots of options
• Ranger drivers and less so, but included in there are Fortuna drivers can be idiots on gravel roads, just keep your ears open and if needs be move to the side - holiday mindset driving on the West Coast is a bit silly
• Stop and talk to the locals - they are very friendly, especially if you are on a bike - it opens up options of camping on lawns and sharing a braai

Enjoy and be lekker

[Wilka1975]

Great idea, going to be loads of fun - the road is fine, access no problem on a bike.

 

Some things to be aware of:

• very hot and minimal shade - need lots of water, ie dont miss an opportunity to keep the bottles topped up
• guesthouses will be very busy in Dec - you might need to secure upfront or have other options such as a tent, campsites can also be full and hectic - I assume you are trying get away from noise and crowds - so if you have a small tent, it gives you lots of options
• Ranger drivers and less so, but included in there are Fortuna drivers can be idiots on gravel roads, just keep your ears open and if needs be move to the side - holiday mindset driving on the West Coast is a bit silly
• Stop and talk to the locals - they are very friendly, especially if you are on a bike - it opens up options of camping on lawns and sharing a braai

Enjoy and be lekker

 

Great idea, going to be loads of fun - the road is fine, access no problem on a bike.

 

Some things to be aware of:

• very hot and minimal shade - need lots of water, ie dont miss an opportunity to keep the bottles topped up
• guesthouses will be very busy in Dec - you might need to secure upfront or have other options such as a tent, campsites can also be full and hectic - I assume you are trying get away from noise and crowds - so if you have a small tent, it gives you lots of options
• Ranger drivers and less so, but included in there are Fortuna drivers can be idiots on gravel roads, just keep your ears open and if needs be move to the side - holiday mindset driving on the West Coast is a bit silly
• Stop and talk to the locals - they are very friendly, especially if you are on a bike - it opens up options of camping on lawns and sharing a braai

Enjoy and be lekker

Thank you for all the advice. i did not expect any due to the remoteness of the area. I have already booked guest houses in Dwarskersbos and Lamberts bay and believe me it was a bit of a challenge. I will try out my panier bags on a gravel road in GP and see how they hold out.I would really try the dirt road as i am anticipating less vehicles. I also have a bottle on the frame and a  3l Camelback which i think should sort out the hydration bit.

[cat-i]

When you get close to Strandfontein, look out for singletrack on the left of the dirt road between Doringbaai and Strandfontein (between the dirt road and the sea).  Sometimes the road is corrugated and this was a lot more fun to ride than the dirt road (This was late 90s but the singletrack should still be there and road probably still corrugated) 

Edited November 27, 2018 by cat-i

[cat-i]

And when you ride through Dwarskersbos, notice the names of the streets from when you enter; then try to guess the name of the next street

[Wilka1975]

And when you ride through Dwarskersbos, notice the names of the streets from when you enter; then try to guess the name of the next street

Thanks i will keep i an eye out!

[Shebeen]

When you get close to Strandfontein, look out for singletrack on the left of the dirt road between Doringbaai and Strandfontein (between the dirt road and the sea). Sometimes the road is corrugated and this was a lot more fun to ride than the dirt road (This was late 90s but the singletrack should still be there and road probably still corrugated)

20 year old trail tips... Love it!

[Wilka1975]

We rode that section in August and the road condition is great. Beautiful part of the country. Shout if you want any more deatils, gpx files etc.

Thanks Dusty. I was just very worried that the Thule panier bag system was not going to hold up on the gravel roads.  I am going to try them on some GP gravel roads this weekend fully packed. They are fine on sealed roads. Would certainly prefer to stick to gravel roads on my trip as far as possible. My 3rd day would be a return trip form Lambertsbay to Strandfontein without luggage then i could go in search for the technical drop offs:)

[cat-i]

20 year old trail tips... Love it!

Feels like last week, but looking at the age of the kids (orf other people) who wasn't born t the time, it must have been a lifetime ago.

 

If the roads are still as corrugated as they were then, you'll be looking for an alternative singletrack on the side of the road anyway.

[NicoR]

Thank you for all the advice. i did not expect any due to the remoteness of the area. I have already booked guest houses in Dwarskersbos and Lamberts bay and believe me it was a bit of a challenge. I will try out my panier bags on a gravel road in GP and see how they hold out.I would really try the dirt road as i am anticipating less vehicles. I also have a bottle on the frame and a  3l Camelback which i think should sort out the hydration bit.

 

Would've loved to ride with you from Dwarskersbos.

My folks own a place there, but I will not be going there during the holidays.

 

That road is not as remote as you think and is a popular commute for guys driving along the coast on day trips.

 

Enjoy the fresh air!

[Sepia]

Thanks Dusty. I was just very worried that the Thule panier bag system was not going to hold up on the gravel roads.  I am going to try them on some GP gravel roads this weekend fully packed. They are fine on sealed roads. Would certainly prefer to stick to gravel roads on my trip as far as possible. My 3rd day would be a return trip form Lambertsbay to Strandfontein without luggage then i could go in search for the technical drop offs:)

Let us know how the Thule panniers hold out on the gravel.  I have not used mine on gravel as of yet so would love to know.

[Slowbee]

mmmm ride this route east to west or west to east.

 

Once direction has the south easter in your face but the sun at your back, the other has the south easter at your back and the sun on your face.