Yzerfontein to Strandfontein

[Wettas]

Hi 

 

I am looking at organizing an bikepacking adventure over Easter weekend. We will be cycling between 39km to 69km per day and staying at campsites and backpackers. This will be our first bikpacking trip and any advice will be much appreciated. 

 

Some questions:

 

What gear will we need for the trip? 

Is the route safe? 

What is reasonable amount of km's to put down per day? both average fitness, done argus and karoo to coast. 

 

Map and route is our initial idea. 

[Robbie Stewart]

What about the following?

 

Take West Coast Nat Park to Langebaan to Saldanha to Paternoster to St Helena to Velddrif to Elands to Lamberts to Strandfontein. You get to ride the more scenic route this way.

 

 

[edit] Camp at Saldanha, Velddrif, Elands and then Strandfontein on day 4 of a very relaxed ride. Sounds lekker.

[Wettas]

What about the following?

 

Take West Coast Nat Park to Langebaan to Saldanha to Paternoster to St Helena to Velddrif to Elands to Lamberts to Strandfontein. You get to ride the more scenic route this way.

 

2019-03-22 15_29_39-Strava _ New Route.png

 

[edit] Camp at Saldanha, Velddrif, Elands and then Strandfontein on day 4 of a very relaxed ride. Sounds lekker.

 

Thanks, so  19 - Camp in Saldanha

                    20 - Camp Veldrift

                    21 - Backpackers Elands

                    22 - Camp Strandfontein

 

I like it!!

 

 

[-cK-]

Just be aware there are some roads works going one over here.  Last I checked

 

1) Construction on the R27 past the Engine 1 stop at the old turn off to Saldanha (Haven't been out that way in a month but flyover bridge was being constructed so should still be underway)

2) Stop and Go as you leave Vredenburg to Paternoster (almost all the way to Trekos turn off) Road is being widened and left lane is being torn up right now, if you are on a MTB their is a dirt shoulder you can ride out of the single lane traffic.

3) WCNP entry fee is about R 50 pp if you don't have a wildcard

 

Roads are pretty safe and usually have a lekker shoulder you can use.  The road as you leave Velddrif to Dwarskersbos and beyond is on the narrow side.  I have not ridden there with my bike yet but know people who do ride there sometimes, think there is a little safety net of a "ride-able" dirt strip next to the road if you need to dodge cars or trucks.

[DJR]

If you consider camping at Tietiesbaai, near Paternoster, that Easter weekend will be very full, and keep in mind that they have had several robberies of campers at Tietiesbaai.

 

I  don't see much of a problem with safety on the route.

 

As you will mostly be going Northwards, even the Southeaster will help you along.