Training routes near UCT

[porqui]

Swap your road bike out for a mountain bike which will give you a lot more safe options.

[babse]

Swap your road bike out for a mountain bike which will give you a lot more safe options.

would suggest the same thing.

 

I work in newlands forest. Trails are aplenty here and most times i train on my own. 

[Yo-Yo]

You need to do it as early as possible. It's a main route to the M3. I used to do it most week mornings after 5am and it was very quiet. Any later and you'd get the early birds going to work trying to beat the rest of the traffic.

I don’t know, that is a busy, narrow road and on the weekend 5am is full of drunk people coming back from a night out. I’ve ridden it a few times and stay well away but that’s just my experience.

[BigDaddySpilz]

Thanks everyone. I do own an MTB but I'm not a huge fan of MTB riding. I'll give the suggested road routes a try. 

[Schnavel]

Thanks everyone. I do own an MTB but I'm not a huge fan of MTB riding. I'll give the suggested road routes a try. 

 

As already mentioned, tie up with the UCT Cycling club. They often have rides leaving from lower campus and would also be able to point you in the right direction.

[BigDaddySpilz]

As already mentioned, tie up with the UCT Cycling club. They often have rides leaving from lower campus and would also be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks. I'll contact them on Facebook to see when and where they train.

[porqui]

Thanks everyone. I do own an MTB but I'm not a huge fan of MTB riding. I'll give the suggested road routes a try. 

 

If you saw the mtb routes available on your doorstep you may just change your mind.

Mountain biking is practice practice and some more practice.

You are really based in one of the worst areas to ride from in CT from a safety aspect for road riding.

[DJR]

I live virtually on the edge of lower Campus and I have been riding the area for decades. This is what I have learnt:

 

1. Road routes from UCT will always start with a dangerous stretch (traffic wise) no matter which direction you go.

2. The safest training option is on the MTB. From campus, past Rhodes Memorial and up to the blockhouse. Very good climb and will make you very strong very quickly.

3. MTB rides make you fit and strong, but does not make you fast on the road. For that you also need to train on the road. Hill repeats on the tar section from middle campus to Rhodes Mem is fantastic for that.

4. I would do MTB in the week

5. Do road on the weekend.

6. Road - along Main Road M4 towards town, then along the Atlantic, Suikerbossie, Chapmans Peak and as far as you like and back. Relatively safe and lots of other riders on weekends. Also traffic OK early weekend mornings.

7. Main Road M4 towards Muizenberg is a lot more dodgy

8 Cycle path to Blouberg, Melkbos only if you have a group because of crime and muggings on the Paardeneiland stretch.

9. UCT has a very active cycling club. It is worth joining their group

10. Do not be tempted to ride the M3 or M5 - too dangerous and or illegal some parts

 

Keep an eye out for a slow old dude......I often ride through upper campus on a different bike every day........also, both the young team DJR riders ride to class.....watch for a crazy bright orange/grey Alpina and a black/green snakeskin LeJeune.