West coast mtb/gravel

[Sliverback]

I will be spending more time on the West Coast (Velddrif/Dwarskersbos) during the upcoming months. Any suggestions for routes/trails in that area. Happy to venture a little further as well. 

[lechatnoir]

1 hour ago, Sliverback said:

I will be spending more time on the West Coast (Velddrif/Dwarskersbos) during the upcoming months. Any suggestions for routes/trails in that area. Happy to venture a little further as well. 

there is plenty. the railway service road runs about 900km to the norther cape, so you should be covered.

Failing that, there are farm roads all over the show. There's a cat1 climb above Aurora and there are some decent trails there too

This place is called the Sandveld for a reason, so there's that. However, it's not all doom and gloom - but the nature of the hardpack is generally very choppy - my gravel bike on 43c's is not a happy camper, or perhaps it's just me? Roads range from immaculate to thick sand to corrugated to extremely choppy.

But be warned - there is not one free mile to be had. It's flat. Stop pedaling and you stop. And if it's windy, you can go backward. As @Mamil said, it's relentless.

[Thornman]

Nice route from Dwarskerbos to Aurora, then you can go up te mountain to the Tower, about a 12 km climb if I remember correctly, 5% avg Gradient. 90km there and back, can share some Strava links with you on some of the Gravel loops I do in that area. 

[lechatnoir]

48 minutes ago, Thornman said:

Nice route from Dwarskerbos to Aurora, then you can go up te mountain to the Tower, about a 12 km climb if I remember correctly, 5% avg Gradient. 90km there and back, can share some Strava links with you on some of the Gravel loops I do in that area. 

Sun Mountain. 1st 4km is 10% avg and fist-sized stones - Base of Sun Mountain to Radar Station Gate | Strava Ride Segment in Aurora, WC, South Africa- tough, but views are worth it

Edited June 19, 2023 by lechatnoir
proper segment added

[Sliverback]

21 hours ago, Thornman said:

Nice route from Dwarskerbos to Aurora, then you can go up te mountain to the Tower, about a 12 km climb if I remember correctly, 5% avg Gradient. 90km there and back, can share some Strava links with you on some of the Gravel loops I do in that area. 

Thanks Thornman. That will be great. DM me those strava links.