West Coast Cycling Langebaan to Vredendal

[mtbrider]

Hi Hubland

 

I hope someone can help me. I want to cycle from Langebaan to Vredendal. I see that there is a service road that runs along the railway and some roads close to the sea.

 

So here are my questions:

1) May we cycle on the service road and may my wife follow me with a vehicle?

2) Are they suitable for a vehicle with a off road caravan?

3) Are those roads safe to cycle there?

4) Anyone who wants to join me ????.

 

All info will be appreciated.

 

Regards

[tinmug]

There is a railway in Langebaan?

 

You must be referring to the railways at either Langebaanweg and/or Saldanha Steel. My understanding is you can cycle them. Strictly speaking not legally, as it belongs to whatever the railways are called these day (Transnet? See discussions somewhere on the Hub re cycling from Sishen to Saldanha). Wife follow along on same Transet road: probably not recommended for reason above, plus some gates might well be locked, plus you are putting far too much attention on yourself trespassing. But doable with a friendly attitude (yield to Transnet staff).

 

Other roads: they are narrow, thus risky from passing traffic. If you're riding a mountain bike (and what sane human being living in Wellington wouldn't?   ) then you can follow the myriad of farm roads between somewhere north of Vredenburg and Vredendal. The further north you go the quieter the roads will get. Plus you wife can trail you. 

 

Openstreetmaps.com and Google Earth likely good resources to research road types (dirt = quiet). Then again you are reasonably likely to bump into the odd gate/no entry here and there. 

 

This probably doesn't help at all. I know nothing. Good luck. It sounds like ... if nothing else ... a nice adventure. In fact ignore everything I just wrote and read the sage advice that will no doubt appear when you scroll down tomorrow after 11 am.

 

Edit: safe to cycle up the West Coast area – yes should be absolutely fine. It's still Africa so be alert but folks there are generally super friendly. Roads HUGGING the coast line may well be sandy (at least in places). Transnet roads are generally in very good nick, but I don't think caravans are welcome ... if it were me I would mostly stick to minor public farm roads (and maybe take the odd Transnet road). Have a look at Laaiplek (or Langebaanweg) heading east towards Aurora before turning north again. Lots of quiet dirt roads.

[Sepia]

Just be nice and ask for permission first.

 

I have  looked into this and it is "allowed" if permission is granted.

Just take into consideration and respect that you are a guest on that road and other people may want to ride this route at a later stage.

 

I do not think the authorities would take too kindly to caravans and other vehicles as this is strictly a private road. In fact, I was told that private vehicles are not allowed and they certainly do not want these service roads to become "party roads "as told to me by somebody in Cape Town.

[Breezer]

The service road between Lambertsbaai and Doornbaai is in a terrible condition. It is not suitable for a caravan. From Lambertsbaai rather take the gravel road directly to Vredendal. Also not suitable for a caravan, but your wife can go via clanwilliam to Vredendal. I regularly train on the Lambertsbaai road and it is pretty safe to ride. I even ride there with my gravel bike.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Speak to F.R.A.I.L he would be able to advise you and would probably join ????????????????????