Stellenbosch (road) cycling routes for a cyclist abroad

[Max Headroom]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:28 PM, Lorre_13 said:

Hi guys, i took some time on making some routes.. Feel free to run over them.

Tried to blend in some of the tips around.

I'm gonna start of with the 4 Passes loop, i see that there's a road running called: 'Old Sir Lowry's Pass Road' but on Google Streetview it seems to end with a barrier on the Sir Lowry's Pass.
What do you recommend? Making a right into the 2 Highway or keep on the old road and just jump over the barrier?
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052903341573354630

We're shifting between Stellies & Franschhoek regarding our stays so created some different routes:

- 200k loop (Stellies - Somerset - Betty's Bay - Botrivier - Villiersdorp - Franschhoek - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3046836560720690288

- 45k quickie (Stellies - Kuilsrivier - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3046836560720690288

- 110k coastal (Stellies - Rooiels - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052906785387262596

- 60k Paarl & back
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052908620649298564

Feel free to reach out to me on Strava & link-up for a ride whilst there!

Have a great day!

Re the Four passes route - yes, after SSW on the 'old sir lowry's road' you COULD climb over the barrier to join the N2 - BUT the two routes to that barrier are not safe any more, due to the informal settlement (mainly at the Sir Lowry's Train station).  So, Just join the N2 sooner. (for info;-  going up the pass is safer than going down - but gets steep 7-8 % at places)

The rest of the route you show is correct. (I assume you are going anti-clockwise)

And for Sir Lowry's pass traffic - start very early in the morning.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36969110

 

[KatjieStewels]

Hi there, a bit late to the party. I mainly do road cycling. I grew up in Stellenbosch, but currently live in Paarl. Stellenbosch is great for MTB as the other comments have pointed out, but IMO Paarl is more accommodating when it comes to road cycling. We have a great selection routes here, including going up Bainskloof, which I highly recommend. My wife, a few of my friends and I are doing that route tomorrow morning. If you ever want to join us, drop me a message. The roads are fairly wide and the traffic is very accommodating towards cyclists. Stay safe and have fun.
 

[Lorre_13]

37 minutes ago, Max Headroom said:

Re the Four passes route - yes, after SSW on the 'old sir lowry's road' you COULD climb over the barrier to join the N2 - BUT the two routes to that barrier are not safe any more, due to the informal settlement (mainly at the Sir Lowry's Train station).  So, Just join the N2 sooner. (for info;-  going up the pass is safer than going down - but gets steep 7-8 % at places)

The rest of the route you show is correct. (I assume you are going anti-clockwise)

And for Sir Lowry's pass traffic - start very early in the morning.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36969110

 

Thanks a lot Max, really appreciate all the help!
Great tips, will take it into account.

7-8% is doable haha - we're from Belgium so we're used to the cobbled 25% climbs! 😉

[Lorre_13]

8 minutes ago, Armandt_R said:

Hi there, a bit late to the party. I mainly do road cycling. I grew up in Stellenbosch, but currently live in Paarl. Stellenbosch is great for MTB as the other comments have pointed out, but IMO Paarl is more accommodating when it comes to road cycling. We have a great selection routes here, including going up Bainskloof, which I highly recommend. My wife, a few of my friends and I are doing that route tomorrow morning. If you ever want to join us, drop me a message. The roads are fairly wide and the traffic is very accommodating towards cyclists. Stay safe and have fun.
 

Hi Armandt, good to know thanks!

Will defintely drop you a message when we hit grounds, enjoy tomorrow's ride.

[Max Headroom]

On 1/24/2023 at 12:28 PM, Lorre_13 said:

Hi guys, i took some time on making some routes.. Feel free to run over them.

Tried to blend in some of the tips around.

I'm gonna start of with the 4 Passes loop, i see that there's a road running called: 'Old Sir Lowry's Pass Road' but on Google Streetview it seems to end with a barrier on the Sir Lowry's Pass.
What do you recommend? Making a right into the 2 Highway or keep on the old road and just jump over the barrier?
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052903341573354630

We're shifting between Stellies & Franschhoek regarding our stays so created some different routes:

- 200k loop (Stellies - Somerset - Betty's Bay - Botrivier - Villiersdorp - Franschhoek - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3046836560720690288

- 45k quickie (Stellies - Kuilsrivier - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3046836560720690288

- 110k coastal (Stellies - Rooiels - Stellies)
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052906785387262596

- 60k Paarl & back
https://www.strava.com/routes/3052908620649298564

Feel free to reach out to me on Strava & link-up for a ride whilst there!

Have a great day!

A) The - 200k loop (Stellies - Somerset - Betty's Bay - Botrivier - Villiersdorp - Franschhoek - Stellies) route you show is fine.     You are not doing the dirt road (which is Van der Stell Pass) as the other hubber mentioned

B) Re the 45 km Stellies Kuilsrivier - you showed to wrong map so not sure what you planned. But the most popular route here - for that distance is (anti-clockwise)https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41886961

C) The Stellies to Rooiels and back - Good route - But, include the nice climb after Rooiels - (fill bottles in Bettiesbaai) and also earlier in the route, after Gordonsbaai, there is a nice must-do climb up to lower Steenbras dam.  (see blue trail on attached pic)

D) Re the Loop from CT down to Cape Point via Simonstown / Smitswinkel - I agree with previous hubber - Redhill is a wonderful climb but need to be in a group (gets a bit lonely). You will enjoy Smitswinkel climb as a substitute.  Further, I am a point to point rider so although all the loops in town (SignalHill/CableCarRoad etc) are of course scenic, I would rather include "Ou Kaapseweg" and "Boyes drive" (see blue trail on attached pic) i.e. after Noordhoek  (rather that straight over to Glencairn) Turn left up Ou Kaapse Weg, and then in Lakeside/Muizenburg follow Boys drive.

 

Edited January 29, 2023 by Max Headroom

[Max Headroom]

22 minutes ago, Lorre_13 said:

Thanks a lot Max, really appreciate all the help!
Great tips, will take it into account.

7-8% is doable haha - we're from Belgium so we're used to the cobbled 25% climbs! 😉

Sorry, did not judge your ability -  Just meant you will be rushing to get off that stretch away from the traffic - but its not a fast climb,  the traffic is intimidating and the yellow shoulder gets a bit narrow,  From the bottom start, it is long and some steep sections. (ok, just steep-ish 😊)