Great Western Cape Route 2007

We must first add the dread waiver type clause that our routes are published "subject to change without notice". We do this because of the vagries of weather, local road conditions and even local politics.

Secondly, we will update this site with profiles, changes, maybe some gps data for the gadget people and maybe some wind roses (my favourite) so if you pop back here irregularly it might be a good idea.

Start of the ride in Mossel Bay

The start of the ride will be in the Van Riebeeck Sports Stadium in Mosselbay. This is on the corner of Bruns and Van Riebeeck. The start will be between 08:00 and 12:00, you can choose whenever you want to leave. The people who wanted to collect their bike in Mosselbay will find their bikes here, so will the people who put their bike on one of our transports.

Directions:

You will come from the N2 onto Louis Fourie R102. This road will lead you into town. In town, take a right turn onto Marsh.

Take the 3^rd street on your right onto Church. Then take the 4^th street on your left into Bruns. Drive until you see the stadium.

Day One - Mossel Bay to Herbertsdale - 50km

We climb a seemingly never ending hill out of town. It’s not like a pass but it starts off steep and then gradually gets flatter so you can never quite see the top. The traffic is annoying until we turn off a little out of town, then it is a long and stupendous road all the way to Herbertsdale. Tarred all the way, not too hilly – lets call it undulating along the foothills.

Day Two – Herbertsdale to Riversdale - 69.3ish

We take back roads over a little hump first thing in the morning then an undulating stretch. About half way through the day we are on some gravel roads with a couple of ups and a big down near the end – you can see Riversdale from some distance out – seems tantalisingly close but it took us a while to get there.  The whole day has very little traffic. There are some options for those who want to pay a route organiser and explore their own way.

Day Three – Riversdale to Heidleberg - 70 km

Most of the day is on gravel roads and some are a tad steep – but wow what a days pedalling. Right at the foothills with stunning valleys and twists and turns all the way along. Lots of places to swim as we criss cross the Duiwenhoksrivier – the dam in the morning is a lovely diversion. Just near the end, there is a straight forward shortcut for those keen on the relax or an early frothy.

Day Four - Heidleberg to Swellendam - 55km

All on tar today. We take the road we came in on the day before (and those who like the gorgeous little loop can see what its like in the morning light. Lunch at Suurbrak (Brad says there are always animals on the road in Suurbraak). The adventurous can take a trip up the Treaudeaux Pass. The little stretch into Swellendam picks a bit of traffic.

Day Six - Swellendam to McGregor – 79kms

This day is my personal favourite. We travel up a gravel road next to the R60 then zig zag around on tar to a lunch spot near Bonneyvale. The last leg to McGregor is fabulous – back on a gravel road along the foothills.

Day Seven - McGregor to Greyton – 22km + 15km

The pedal in the morning is an uphill schlep to the car park where we load bikes onto trucks and hike the rest along the Boesmanskloof trail. You can check out some pics and accounts of the hike here http://www.sdeklerk.com/hiking/greytonmac/greytonmac.htm or here http://www.encounter.co.za/article/55.html. It is around 15kms long with some ‘get wet’ opportunities along the way.

Day Eight - Greyton to Villiersdorp - 53km (or 69km)

This day is again on back roads, mostly tar with some gravel in the middle. The usual stunning scenery pretty much the whole way. We meander along the Riviersonderend. There is a yummy detour to the south for the hardy or a swim as we pedal past the Theewaterskloof dam.

Day Nine - Villiersdorp to Stellenbosch - 65kms

Over a hill and then over another smaller hill is about the size of it today.  Lunch in the lovely Franschhoek. The roads are busier for a change and there is a proper climb early.

Stellenbosch – end of the ride

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