Where has your bike taken you today?

[The Ouzo]

At one stage if I took a 180deg pano I could have had the sunrise on one side and the full moon on the other. 
I do enjoy my early morning rides. 

[Skubarra]

Visited the mountain passes near Rhodes - why this cycling heaven is mostly ignored by cyclists is a bit beyond me...

Town of Rhodes

Naude's nek (3rd highest mountain pass in South Africa - both sides)

Jumped the gate at Tiffendell (green houses in the middle of the photo) and went up the 4x4 jeep track to Ben McDhui - highest road in South Africa and highest mountain in the Cape 

Down Carlislepass back to Rhodes - gradient is ridiculous

From Wartrail we went over Lundean's nek pass to the border with Lesotho - views for days (a bit like Bainskloof on gravel)

Last day rode from Wartrail to Barkley East via Balloch farm

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2021 by Skubarra

[Spinnekop]

3 hours ago, Skubarra said:

Visited the mountain passes near Rhodes - why this cycling heaven is mostly ignored by cyclists is a bit beyond me...

Town of Rhodes

Naude's nek (3rd highest mountain pass in South Africa - both sides)

Jumped the gate at Tiffendell (green houses in the middle of the photo) and went up the 4x4 jeep track to Ben McDhui - highest road in South Africa and highest mountain in the Cape 

Down Carlislepass back to Rhodes - gradient is ridiculous

From Wartrail we went over Lundean's nek pass to the border with Lesotho - views for days (a bit like Bainskloof on gravel)

Last day rode from Wartrail to Barkley East via Balloch farm

 

 

 

 

 

Would oom mind terribly to share some strava files?  Would love to see the routes and area and do some planning myself

 

[ChrisF]

11 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

Would oom mind terribly to share some strava files?  Would love to see the routes and area and do some planning myself

 

 

Skubarra also some details of where you stayed, etc ....

 

THIS is a bucket list ride 

 

 

My body might be back in the office ... my heart most certainly is still somewhere on the Swartbergpass trails .... now these photos .... 

[capediver]

4 hours ago, Skubarra said:

Visited the mountain passes near Rhodes - why this cycling heaven is mostly ignored by cyclists is a bit beyond me...

Town of Rhodes

Naude's nek (3rd highest mountain pass in South Africa - both sides)

Jumped the gate at Tiffendell (green houses in the middle of the photo) and went up the 4x4 jeep track to Ben McDhui - highest road in South Africa and highest mountain in the Cape 

Down Carlislepass back to Rhodes - gradient is ridiculous

From Wartrail we went over Lundean's nek pass to the border with Lesotho - views for days (a bit like Bainskloof on gravel)

Last day rode from Wartrail to Barkley East via Balloch farm

 

 

 

 

 

Epic ride!!!! Wow!

[Skubarra]

40 minutes ago, Spinnekop said:

Would oom mind terribly to share some strava files?  Would love to see the routes and area and do some planning myself

 

 

27 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Skubarra also some details of where you stayed, etc ....

 

THIS is a bucket list ride 

 

 

My body might be back in the office ... my heart most certainly is still somewhere on the Swartbergpass trails .... now these photos .... 

My Strava profile - all the rides should be public (let me know if its not) 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/2996653

Chris - in short we made Rhodes Hotel our base, left our cars there. We had one support car for the ride. Nice old platteland hotel, very cheap. The town is also stunning with other accommodation options

Day 1 we cycled from Rhodes up to to the top of Naudesnek, there is a lodge called Tenahead (was the only expensive accommodation of the tour), a buddy & I felt energetic and cycled down & up the Natal side of Naudesnek as well.

Day 2 We cycled from Tenahead to Tiffendel along the Tiffendel-Teneahead-Traverse, a 30km contour jeeptrack along the Lesotho border (the only day a 4x4 was needed for the support vehicle). Tiffendale is unfortunately closed at the moment (think its bankrupt), but the guard at the gate was happy for us to take the track up to Ben McDhui, about 8km from the Tiffendell turn-off but give yourself about 2 hours to go up & down. From there we cycled back to Rhodes down Carlislepass - ridiculously steep, don't think its really possible to cycle up there without walking, was happy to go down it

Day 3 We cycled from Rhodes to Wartrail, we stayed at Frosty Peaks, a self catering farmhouse but the farmer provided food for braais & breakfasts

Day 4 we did an out and back from Wartrail over Lundean's nek pass to Telle, a town on the border of Lesotho - if one feels like it you can extend the day to cycle to the border post or up in Dangershoek 

Day 5 we cycled from Wartrail to Barkley East, via Balloch, a stunning farm (looks a bit like a Disney movie setting) where the Sky Run from Lady Gray stops over, was about 60km in total. Also nice scenery and some interesting historic bridges & railway tracks. Stayed over in Barkly East.

On average we did about 50km a day, which doesn't sound much but between the high altitude (you are almost always above 2500m on day 1 and 2) and the climbing it's quite draining, I worked in a few extra breakfast rides and in total I did more than 7000m of climbing with just over 300km of riding.

There are very few people (and no shops & restaurants) along the road, so make sure to take all you need along. Always felt save, no chance of taking a wrong turn and ending up in a dodgy area. Roads are in a good condition (except for the tracks on Day 2)

Other alternatives would be to find time to ride Volunteershoek pass between Tiffendell and Wartrail which we didn't have time for (preferably down), stay over in Balloch farm which is picturesque and find a way to incorporate Joubert's Pass to Lady Gray which I understand is also very scenic.

[Furbz]

Nothing Special to my weekend ride.

Went out on Sunday in the wind.

Standard caves and back loop in the cradle.

felt strong so decided to push it and loved every moment.

had a ride that just makes you want to ride more.

Flip i love riding!

['Dale]

Magic stuff @Skubarra

[Spinnekop]

1 hour ago, Skubarra said:

 

My Strava profile - all the rides should be public (let me know if its not) 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/2996653

Chris - in short we made Rhodes Hotel our base, left our cars there. We had one support car for the ride. Nice old platteland hotel, very cheap. The town is also stunning with other accommodation options

Day 1 we cycled from Rhodes up to to the top of Naudesnek, there is a lodge called Tenahead (was the only expensive accommodation of the tour), a buddy & I felt energetic and cycled down & up the Natal side of Naudesnek as well.

Day 2 We cycled from Tenahead to Tiffendel along the Tiffendel-Teneahead-Traverse, a 30km contour jeeptrack along the Lesotho border (the only day a 4x4 was needed for the support vehicle). Tiffendale is unfortunately closed at the moment (think its bankrupt), but the guard at the gate was happy for us to take the track up to Ben McDhui, about 8km from the Tiffendell turn-off but give yourself about 2 hours to go up & down. From there we cycled back to Rhodes down Carlislepass - ridiculously steep, don't think its really possible to cycle up there without walking, was happy to go down it

Day 3 We cycled from Rhodes to Wartrail, we stayed at Frosty Peaks, a self catering farmhouse but the farmer provided food for braais & breakfasts

Day 4 we did an out and back from Wartrail over Lundean's nek pass to Telle, a town on the border of Lesotho - if one feels like it you can extend the day to cycle to the border post or up in Dangershoek 

Day 5 we cycled from Wartrail to Barkley East, via Balloch, a stunning farm (looks a bit like a Disney movie setting) where the Sky Run from Lady Gray stops over, was about 60km in total. Also nice scenery and some interesting historic bridges & railway tracks. Stayed over in Barkly East.

On average we did about 50km a day, which doesn't sound much but between the high altitude (you are almost always above 2500m on day 1 and 2) and the climbing it's quite draining, I worked in a few extra breakfast rides and in total I did more than 7000m of climbing with just over 300km of riding.

There are very few people (and no shops & restaurants) along the road, so make sure to take all you need along. Always felt save, no chance of taking a wrong turn and ending up in a dodgy area. Roads are in a good condition (except for the tracks on Day 2)

Other alternatives would be to find time to ride Volunteershoek pass between Tiffendell and Wartrail which we didn't have time for (preferably down), stay over in Balloch farm which is picturesque and find a way to incorporate Joubert's Pass to Lady Gray which I understand is also very scenic.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Amazing rides!????

[Frosty]

An easy spin around town, the spring solstice

Edited September 21, 2021 by Frosty

[ChrisF]

Nice detour to the office.

 

Enjoying the rising sun on the left, with the full moon just above the handle bars ...  What a lovely morning

 

[Robbie Stewart]

2 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

Nice detour to the office.

 

Enjoying the rising sun on the left, with the full moon just above the handle bars ...  What a lovely morning

 

It is indeed a lovely day. I was up early this morning wanting to ride but digressed as I was not in the mood to peeve the missus with waking our 3 y.o. at 5am. I normally prep the day before, but have not done so in a while.

 

Don't you just hate these bridges with the 90 degree corners ????

[Robbie Stewart]

13 hours ago, Frosty said:

An easy spin around town, the spring solstice

Finally we can say adieu to the coldest winter Cape Town has had in many years. I'm normally a winter person, but I'm just about ready for summer now. Yay.

 

['Dale]

R304 to Malmesbury

[Dusty]

17 hours ago, Skubarra said:

 

My Strava profile - all the rides should be public (let me know if its not) 

https://www.strava.com/athletes/2996653

Chris - in short we made Rhodes Hotel our base, left our cars there. We had one support car for the ride. Nice old platteland hotel, very cheap. The town is also stunning with other accommodation options

Day 1 we cycled from Rhodes up to to the top of Naudesnek, there is a lodge called Tenahead (was the only expensive accommodation of the tour), a buddy & I felt energetic and cycled down & up the Natal side of Naudesnek as well.

Day 2 We cycled from Tenahead to Tiffendel along the Tiffendel-Teneahead-Traverse, a 30km contour jeeptrack along the Lesotho border (the only day a 4x4 was needed for the support vehicle). Tiffendale is unfortunately closed at the moment (think its bankrupt), but the guard at the gate was happy for us to take the track up to Ben McDhui, about 8km from the Tiffendell turn-off but give yourself about 2 hours to go up & down. From there we cycled back to Rhodes down Carlislepass - ridiculously steep, don't think its really possible to cycle up there without walking, was happy to go down it

Day 3 We cycled from Rhodes to Wartrail, we stayed at Frosty Peaks, a self catering farmhouse but the farmer provided food for braais & breakfasts

Day 4 we did an out and back from Wartrail over Lundean's nek pass to Telle, a town on the border of Lesotho - if one feels like it you can extend the day to cycle to the border post or up in Dangershoek 

Day 5 we cycled from Wartrail to Barkley East, via Balloch, a stunning farm (looks a bit like a Disney movie setting) where the Sky Run from Lady Gray stops over, was about 60km in total. Also nice scenery and some interesting historic bridges & railway tracks. Stayed over in Barkly East.

On average we did about 50km a day, which doesn't sound much but between the high altitude (you are almost always above 2500m on day 1 and 2) and the climbing it's quite draining, I worked in a few extra breakfast rides and in total I did more than 7000m of climbing with just over 300km of riding.

There are very few people (and no shops & restaurants) along the road, so make sure to take all you need along. Always felt save, no chance of taking a wrong turn and ending up in a dodgy area. Roads are in a good condition (except for the tracks on Day 2)

Other alternatives would be to find time to ride Volunteershoek pass between Tiffendell and Wartrail which we didn't have time for (preferably down), stay over in Balloch farm which is picturesque and find a way to incorporate Joubert's Pass to Lady Gray which I understand is also very scenic.

If anyone wants to do this area and the passes as a bikepacking ride, pop onto the massive adventures website and download the route from there. Their route is a circular one starting and ending in Lady Grey. Awesome place to ride (sometimes push) a bike.

[Skubarra]

9 minutes ago, 'Dale said:

R304 to Malmesbury

Dale - have you seen the Old Malmesbury road (past Kalbaskraal) roadworks are finished? One can now do a nice tar loop from Durbanville to Malmesbury instead of an out-and-back.