safety query: west coast national park to philadelphia

[Roxi]

is there a safe route from west coast national park to philadelphia for a roadie?

[milky4130]

Plenty will probably warn you to stay off this road but I believe you have the same risk as any other road so we take our chances. I would take the R27 down to Silverstream Road, hook a left through Atlantis and pop out on the Old Mamre road which links you with the road to Philadelphia. Should be about +-3 hour ride depending on your fitness level.

[Roxi]

thank you... very useful info.

[Shebeen]

On 9/23/2025 at 1:22 PM, Roxi said:

is there a safe route from west coast national park to philadelphia for a roadie?

PPA actually used to have a 90km road race start/finish from Philadelphia, but this is the 90s we're talking about!

The R27 has got a LOT better since they put the average speed trap cameras up, but you see very few cyclists. I probably ride it once a year and I suggest very bright clothing as there is a lot of yellow lane driving. You could hook through Darling but the R307/Mamre rd has very limited shoulder in places.

 

[Skubarra]

On 9/23/2025 at 10:36 PM, milky4130 said:

Plenty will probably warn you to stay off this road but I believe you have the same risk as any other road so we take our chances. I would take the R27 down to Silverstream Road, hook a left through Atlantis and pop out on the Old Mamre road which links you with the road to Philadelphia. Should be about +-3 hour ride depending on your fitness level.

Did the 200km Audax on Saturday. Malmesbury -> Darling -> R27 -> Melkbos -> N7 -> Philadelphia

We didn't have any issues on the R27, but yes, I'm one of the "plenty" who is not a fan. Shoulder is wide but road busy and cars/trucks race past at high speeds all the time. Just feels unsafe to me.

Also is it safe to cycle through Atlantis? Im also not a big fan of the R304, road bumpy without a shoulder and it always feels like there are dodgy characters hanging around.

I would probably opt for going on the R315 through Darling to Malmesbury and then take the Kalbaskraal road to Philadelphia. R315 doesn't have a shoulder but the road seems to be fairly quiet.

Edited September 25, 2025 by Skubarra

[milky4130]

2 hours ago, Skubarra said:

Did the 200km Audax on Saturday. Malmesbury -> Darling -> R27 -> Melkbos -> N7 -> Philadelphia

We didn't have any issues on the R27, but yes, I'm one of the "plenty" who is not a fan. Shoulder is wide but road busy and cars/trucks race past at high speeds all the time. Just feels unsafe to me.

Also is it safe to cycle through Atlantis? Im also not a big fan of the R304, road bumpy without a shoulder and it always feels like there are dodgy characters hanging around.

I would probably opt for going on the R315 through Darling to Malmesbury and then take the Kalbaskraal road to Philadelphia. R315 doesn't have a shoulder but the road seems to be fairly quiet.

West Coast Express use to go through Atlantis and WPCA hosts a league crit race there every year as well. I've also ridden solo through there once or twice. 

[Roxi]

2 hours ago, Skubarra said:

Did the 200km Audax on Saturday. Malmesbury -> Darling -> R27 -> Melkbos -> N7 -> Philadelphia

We didn't have any issues on the R27, but yes, I'm one of the "plenty" who is not a fan. Shoulder is wide but road busy and cars/trucks race past at high speeds all the time. Just feels unsafe to me.

Also is it safe to cycle through Atlantis? Im also not a big fan of the R304, road bumpy without a shoulder and it always feels like there are dodgy characters hanging around.

I would probably opt for going on the R315 through Darling to Malmesbury and then take the Kalbaskraal road to Philadelphia. R315 doesn't have a shoulder but the road seems to be fairly quiet.

thanks!