How to do this safely: riding through the night in the winelands?

[olmec]

Hi folks,

As the final prep for a big race next month, I'm hoping to ride through the night this weekend.  I've got a 6 hour loop in the winelands (some of Bain's Kloof pass, some Paarl rock, skirting around Wellington and Paarl).  

I'm planning to start late afternoon, and finish 12 hours later in the early morning.  

Do you think its safe to do this?  What should I keep my eyes open for?

[Titleist]

31 minutes ago, olmec said:

 

Do you think its safe to do this?  What should I keep my eyes open for?

 

Trucks and drunk drivers. Make sure you have proper lights so a vehicle can see you from far away.

[duringd]

If you doing this on your own, no support, my advise it's a NO GO. Too many risks to your personal safety.

[JayLow]

Maybe I am over-cautious, but the only way I would do this is if I had someone with a car (and lots of lights) following me.

I would consider doing gravel roads without vehicular support, but even then I would probably not do it alone.

It's just not rural enough around here.

Hopefully you'll get some more hopeful feedback from someone who's done like this. 

[olmec]

Yeah—sensible words.

I've done this loop solo during the day several times, but it sure does get lonely on Paarl rock late into the evening.

[-Az-]

3 hours ago, JayLow said:

Maybe I am over-cautious, but the only way I would do this is if I had someone with a car (and lots of lights) following me.

Great idea but have a buddy with a motorbike follow you rather, a car may be too wide on certain stretches and end up blocking traffic. You don't need that kind of headache from an impatient local.

[Paul Ruinaard]

arent there roadworks on the R 301 past Boschenmeer on your route ? 

Too many amateur rally drivers with potentially alcohol enhanced abilities over the weekend IMO so would it not be better to choose a weeknight...

[Adriandup]

This is not safe the way you want to do it. Added to what other people have said, Mbekeni I won't even ride past in the day. Rest of Paarl.......drunk drivers, unroadworthy vehicles, terrible roadworks past Boscenmeer, R44 speeds & Paarl Mountain on the southern side is extremely rutted. If you want to do a 12 hour, why don't you ride out at 5am & roll in at 5pm? Route I would take is graveling Paarl thru to Gouda, tar bypass Tulbach then right at the bottom of Michelles Pass towards Worcester. Right onto Bainskloof then back toward Paarl. Should give about 140km. Then do it again, or reverse it. If you need to add in some hours, ride around Paarl Mountain can be anything between 1 & 2 hours extra depending on your loop.

Edited November 13 by Adriandup
Corrected info

[Mamil]

I agree with the sentiments expressed. No way would I ride that at night.

I would park in Darling or inRiebeek Kasteel and ride out towards Moreesburg and explore that area. Lots of nice gravel out there that I've ridden quite often - far more rural. I would also do it on a weeknight.

Edited November 13 by Mamil
typo

[olmec]

Thanks all for your objective opinions—appreciated.

Wishing you the best rides over the weekend!

[Mamil]

2 minutes ago, olmec said:

Thanks all for your objective opinions—appreciated.

Wishing you the best rides over the weekend!

What's the big race you prepping for?

[olmec]

1 minute ago, Mamil said:

What's the big race you prepping for?

Desert Dash

[Mamil]

Just now, olmec said:

Desert Dash

Ah of course ja... Looking forward to race report

[Mook]

15 hours ago, Paul Ruinaard said:

arent there roadworks on the R 301 past Boschenmeer on your route ? 

Too many amateur rally drivers with potentially alcohol enhanced abilities over the weekend IMO so would it not be better to choose a weeknight...

Yes @Paul Ruinaard, you are correct. Some sections with chevron stands and long stretches without any road shoulder. I cycle that route often and it is not safe when dark.

I'd stay clear of that road after dark

You want to stay away from Mbekweni - no matter what time of day. The R44 between Wellington and Klapmuts is a gauntlet you do not want to run at night. I have been commuting via the R44 for the past 2 years and that road is not safe for a lone cyclist.

There has been the odd incident of attempted muggings on the Paarl mountain contour road. Drunk drivers and glass strewn in the roadway is a frequent hazard along most of the roads you intend riding.

My advice @olmec would be to get a buddy or 3 to ride with you, or get an escort vehicle/motorbike.

[Eddie Stafford]

20 hours ago, olmec said:

Yeah—sensible words.

I've done this loop solo during the day several times, but it sure does get lonely on Paarl rock late into the evening.

Where do you live? I would love to ride with you as I am also doing the Dash, but am away this weekend. You could consider riding to Greyton via Franschoek pass (125 km from Somerset West) and then do you your night ride on the district roads in the are and back the next morning.   

[Lynskey]

Park in Ceres and ride down to Calvinia and back. You will enjoy that. Or as far as you want to go. That road is second to none for this sort of thing.

Edited November 13 by Lynskey