Karoo Crossing route? Grabouw to Prince Albert

[Stephan]

It's time for my annual bike-packing adventure. In 2021 it was the reverse Cross Cape (Franschhoek to George), in 2022 the Coastal Cross Cape (Elgin, Grabouw to George, via Cape Agulhas), and this year I'm hoping it's the Karoo Crossing, from Elgin to Prince Albert. 

Here is the current plan:

Day 1 Elgin, Grabout to Greyton https://www.strava.com/routes/3115977830884860348 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935372

Day 2 Greyton to Montagu https://www.strava.com/routes/3115978293497091128 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935496

Day 3 Montagu to somewhere in the Karoo https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979027733940280 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935591

Day 4 Somewhere in the Karoo to seweweekspoort (or nearby) https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979411271590968 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935636

Day 5 Seweweekspoort (or nearby) to Calitzdorp https://www.strava.com/routes/3157275656213723470 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935674

Day 6 Calitzdorp to Prince Albert https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979730828810834 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935692

I know very little of the area between Montagu and Calitzdorp, so the Day 3, 4 and 5 routes really boggle me. Is it safe? Are there enough accommodation options? Is it best to go north around the mountains and through seweweekspoort, or stay to the south and pass through Ladismith, then do seweweekspoort as an out and back option. Between Zoar and Calitzdorp there only seems to be a tar road option? I drove this section a few weeks ago and it didn't look great to ride. 

I would appreciate any advice or recommendations on route options. @Prince Albert Cycles I guess you know the area better than most. Your thoughts? 

[Stephan]

Day 1

Day 2 

Day 3 

Day 4 

Day 5

Day 6

 

Edited November 8, 2023 by Stephan

[Lynskey]

Just outside Montague there is a dirt road that turns left and goes to the other side of Ladismith. About 165kms odd. Beautiful road. I could recommend it. 

[tubed]

You could give Chris Fisher a call if you would like to use the Freedom Trail route in reverse.

https://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/tours

It may depend if you are prepared to a bit of portaging and what type of riding you are keen on.

Just in case you are thinking that its 'another tour operator' and you prefer to do your own thing, its more a case of access to some private land which Chris can arrange for a fee, and there are some great routes in that section

Enjoy your ride!  

[droo]

If you're up for an extra 25km of roughish pass in each direction, Gamkapoort Dam is at the bottom of Bosluiskloof off the top of Seweweekspoort. If rustic is your thing there are cottages at the dam wall (with the bonus of an interesting old geezer who's lived there for 25 years), for more premium accommodation there's another spot about 5km closer.

Otherwise there are a few places to stay in Seweweekspoort itself, but I haven't stayed at any of them so can't give a review.

Edited November 8, 2023 by droo
Clarity

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, Stephan said:

It's time for my annual bike-packing adventure. In 2021 it was the reverse Cross Cape (Franschhoek to George), in 2022 the Coastal Cross Cape (Elgin, Grabouw to George, via Cape Agulhas), and this year I'm hoping it's the Karoo Crossing, from Elgin to Prince Albert. 

Here is the current plan:

Day 1 Elgin, Grabout to Greyton https://www.strava.com/routes/3115977830884860348 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935372

Day 2 Greyton to Montagu https://www.strava.com/routes/3115978293497091128 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935496

Day 3 Montagu to somewhere in the Karoo https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979027733940280 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935591

Day 4 Somewhere in the Karoo to seweweekspoort (or nearby) https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979411271590968 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935636

Day 5 Seweweekspoort (or nearby) to Calitzdorp https://www.strava.com/routes/3157275656213723470 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935674

Day 6 Calitzdorp to Prince Albert https://www.strava.com/routes/3115979730828810834 or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44935692

I know very little of the area between Montagu and Calitzdorp, so the Day 3, 4 and 5 routes really boggle me. Is it safe? Are there enough accommodation options? Is it best to go north around the mountains and through seweweekspoort, or stay to the south and pass through Ladismith, then do seweweekspoort as an out and back option. Between Zoar and Calitzdorp there only seems to be a tar road option? I drove this section a few weeks ago and it didn't look great to ride. 

I would appreciate any advice or recommendations on route options. @Prince Albert Cycles I guess you know the area better than most. Your thoughts? 

you'll be fine!

montagu=>princealbert is done in the otherdirection by freedom trail. you can get in touch with them directly if you want access. Also, there might actually be a new accom option there with Rouxpos going off(i guess)

 

the gamkapoortdam option, is I guess an option but you'll need Fox's boat

 

[Shebeen]

https://bicyclesouth.co.za/bikepacking-routes/

[Baracuda]

From Montagu you could also go further north and through the Anysberg Nature Reserve.

https://makadasadventures.co.za/klein-karoo-gravel-corridor/

Then take this gravel road north of the mountains across to Prince Bertie. There are a few Lekkerslaap places near the Laingsburg end.

I have been looking at routes north of the N1 from CT to Prince Bertie - either far north via Ceres, Sutherland and Merweville, or Ceres to Matjiesfontein and then the route above.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Baracuda

[100Tours]

33 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

From Montagu you could also go further north and through the Anysberg Nature Reserve.

https://makadasadventures.co.za/klein-karoo-gravel-corridor/

Then take this gravel road north of the mountains across to Prince Bertie. There are a few Lekkerslaap places near the Laingsburg end.

I have been looking at routes north of the N1 from CT to Prince Bertie - either far north via Ceres, Sutherland and Merweville, or Ceres to Matjiesfontein and then the route above.

Good route this - although I've ridden it in the other direction. Look for the Dirt Road Cafe and stop there for lunch. preferably phone ahead to make sure he is open - they do a really good roosterkoek. 

 

Edited November 8, 2023 by 100Tours

[100Tours]

Your day 5 route looks quite short and mostly downhill - you are doing seweweekspoort, and then down the Huisrivierpas to Calitzdorp - there's a little climb on the huisrivier, but otherwise this is a really short day. Maybe look to push further out to the Cango Caves and then just have Swartberg for your last day., or do the Bosluiskloof up and down to the dam. Its a great little pass and there's a lodge down the bottom to stop for a coke.

Lastly both swartberg pass and the road out of Calitzdorp are much better ridden in the other direction. just saying. you may want to ride home too  

Edited November 8, 2023 by 100Tours

[100Tours]

41 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

I have been looking at routes north of the N1 from CT to Prince Bertie - either far north via Ceres, Sutherland and Merweville, or Ceres to Matjiesfontein and then the route above.

From Matjiesfontein to Laingsburg you'll have to follow the railway service road, and it is very rough especially after rains. I did get through there earlier this year though.

Think about Ceres - Op die Berg - Hartnekskloof (full day), and then Tankwa via the Karoo Poort junction. I rode that in the opposite direction and it made a nice route.  or if you want something wild have a look at droelandskloof.

[DJR]

There is just one problem I find with all your possible routes..........it makes me bright green with envy...........and guilty because I'm not currently in the kind of shape to do that at the drop of a hat 🤪

[nonky]

Getting some serious FOMO on this thread, already

[droo]

2 hours ago, Shebeen said:

the gamkapoortdam option, is I guess an option but you'll need Fox's boat

 

If you can convince him to fetch you in PA this isn't a terrible idea...

[Skubarra]

Slight hijack - there is no way to cycle from Bosluiskloof/Gamkapoort dam directly to Prince Albert? Including a bit of hike-a-bike. You have to go all the way round Calitzdorp to Prince Albert?

[Skubarra]

2 hours ago, 100Tours said:

Your day 5 route looks quite short and mostly downhill - you are doing seweweekspoort, and then down the Huisrivierpas to Calitzdorp - there's a little climb on the huisrivier, but otherwise this is a really short day. Maybe look to push further out to the Cango Caves and then just have Swartberg for your last day., or do the Bosluiskloof up and down to the dam. Its a great little pass and there's a lodge down the bottom to stop for a coke.

Lastly both swartberg pass and the road out of Calitzdorp are much better ridden in the other direction. just saying. you may want to ride home too  

Agree with the last bit - the route from Kruisrivier to Calitzdorp is a hidden gem, one of the most beautiful back roads to cycle in the country. From Calitzdorp to Kruisrivier though... what a flippen neverending drag 😬