Lorre_13 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Hi guys, hope all is well! I'm visiting South Africa from early Feb untill beginning of March together with a friend. We're staying in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek during that time and we'll be taking the time in SA to prep for a Gran Fondo race in Italy. I'm looking for some routes ranging between 50 & 200km's and curious about general do's & dont's for the area or specific places to avoid if needed. Appreciate any help! Cheers! Edited January 23, 2023 by Lorre_13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gripen_85 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Check out Jonkershoek. And Paradyskloof. And Helderberg Farm. And if you want a really long ride, you could hit them all in one go. Jonkershoek is a nature reserve and requires a permit. I think you still need to buy one online before hand? Helderberg Farm has an honesty box I think. Paradyskloof is free. Do ride in a group Do take a lot of water Do grab a coffee at The Hangar Bike Co (no affiliation, I just really enjoy their coffee, same goes for Ride In in Jonkershoek) Do drink lots of coffee and eat lots of lekker things in Franschhoek Do consider taking pepper spray or mace or something Do watch out for idiots trying to run you over Don't assume vehicles will obey the rules of the road Don't ride after dark Don't flash your phone or money about Don't fall I don't know much about Franschhoek (except for the aforementioned coffee and lekker things) Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbybzgo Posted January 23, 2023 Share Would it be right to assume that the your Gran Fondo is a Road Race and not off-road (MTB)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Stewart Posted January 23, 2023 Share 16 minutes ago, Gripen_85 said: Jonkershoek is a nature reserve and requires a permit. I think you still need to buy one online before hand? You can pay at the gate. R60.00 for a day pass. Also, if riding MTB there are some good trails around Botma'skop from Jonkershoek that link up to Banhoek, Boschendal and Plaisir de Merle and beyond. There are also a plethora of trails around Muratie and Delheim and around the Simonsberg mountain. Don't ride alone. My advice is go visit a cycling shop and get since info there before you start your adventures. Gripen_85 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 3 hours ago, robbybzgo said: Would it be right to assume that the your Gran Fondo is a Road Race and not off-road (MTB)? Yes! Road it is.. excuse me for not clarifying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christie Posted January 23, 2023 Share Road rides: Stellenbosch to Kleinmond along the coastal road and back. (If the wind is not blowing). It is one of the top scenic road routes in the country imo. Road surface is nice and smooth, too. Go early to avoid traffic, and keep to the side of the road. Do Baines Kloof pass oitside of Wellington. You can decide if you want to ride there from Stellenbosch. Perhaps go out to Cape Town. Start in Hout Bay, ride Chapman's Peak, past Cape Point and back via Simon's Town. This is a major cycling route for Cape Town roadies. Four passes: Stellenbosch. Grabouw, Franschoek, Stellenbosch loop. Leave early to avoid traffic on the first pass. (Sir Louwry's Pass). Stop for a pie at Peregrine Farm stall outside Grabouw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadNoob6 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Safe to do alone: Stellenbosch to Pringle Bay Stellenbosch to Villiersdorp/Franschoek T-Junction and back Stellenbosch to Bainskloof Pass and Back Group needed for safety: Four Passes Bottelary Loop Cape Town: Suikerbossie and Chapman's peak - ride either from Noordhoek or from Camps Bay depending on the wind. Edited January 23, 2023 by RoadNoob6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gripen_85 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, Lorre_13 said: Yes! Road it is.. excuse me for not clarifying. My bad, the mind immediately jumped to "Mountain biking mecca" when you said Stellenbosch 😁 My recommended do's and don't's remain the same, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacBrand Posted January 23, 2023 Share Lots of options around here. Please, where ever you ride avoid the R304 past Khayamandi. That 3km stretch of road is very dangerous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FondTF2 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Not to scare you off. Just need to make you aware of the high bicycle theft rate in and around Stellenbosch. Best to keep a very close eye on your bikes, especially while grabbing a coffee etc. Robbie Stewart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, JacBrand said: Lots of options around here. Please, where ever you ride avoid the R304 past Khayamandi. That 3km stretch of road is very dangerous. Thanks! So you would suggest to ride up the direction of Paarl/Wellington over the R44 or drive over the R310 and make a left at Boschendal? JacBrand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, FondTF2 said: Not to scare you off. Just need to make you aware of the high bicycle theft rate in and around Stellenbosch. Best to keep a very close eye on your bikes, especially while grabbing a coffee etc. Cool, cheers for warning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 2 hours ago, Gripen_85 said: My bad, the mind immediately jumped to "Mountain biking mecca" when you said Stellenbosch 😁 My recommended do's and don't's remain the same, though. Haha, loved the huge amount of tips tho - really appreciate it. Maybe Mountainbiking would be something for next year.. ;-) Gripen_85 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 3 hours ago, RoadNoob6 said: Safe to do alone: Stellenbosch to Pringle Bay Stellenbosch to Villiersdorp/Franschoek T-Junction and back Stellenbosch to Bainskloof Pass and Back Group needed for safety: Four Passes Bottelary Loop Cape Town: Suikerbossie and Chapman's peak - ride either from Noordhoek or from Camps Bay depending on the wind. Amazing suggestions, thanks! Are there any 'popular' cycling groups that are riding during the week/weekends that leave at a particular time/place near Stellies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorre_13 Posted January 23, 2023 Share 3 hours ago, Christie said: Road rides: Stellenbosch to Kleinmond along the coastal road and back. (If the wind is not blowing). It is one of the top scenic road routes in the country imo. Road surface is nice and smooth, too. Go early to avoid traffic, and keep to the side of the road. Do Baines Kloof pass oitside of Wellington. You can decide if you want to ride there from Stellenbosch. Perhaps go out to Cape Town. Start in Hout Bay, ride Chapman's Peak, past Cape Point and back via Simon's Town. This is a major cycling route for Cape Town roadies. Four passes: Stellenbosch. Grabouw, Franschoek, Stellenbosch loop. Leave early to avoid traffic on the first pass. (Sir Louwry's Pass). Stop for a pie at Peregrine Farm stall outside Grabouw. Amazing, can't wait! Yes, driving up to CT is definitely the plan to have a ride over there. Thanks for suggesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacBrand Posted January 23, 2023 Share 2 minutes ago, Lorre_13 said: Thanks! So you would suggest to ride up the direction of Paarl/Wellington over the R44 or drive over the R310 and make a left at Boschendal? For safety, yes. The Kayamandi stretch is known for bike jacking and general mugging. Lorre_13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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