Day 1: Stellenbosch to Franschhoek
Today we cycle from Stellenbosch to the winelands town of Franschhoek. Cycle mostly off road over the old Helshoogte Pass, a route used by the first Dutch and French families who settled here in 1688. Enjoy fantastic views and sites along the way. Learn about small mission stations and local people living in the Banghoek Valley. Get a chance to spot Eland and Blue Wildebeest as we cycle the trails along multiple mountain streams in the Banhoek Conservancy.
Enjoy lunch on a Franschhoek Wine estate while we load the bicycles. (Lunch on own account)
The afternoon spent at leisure. The evening we can reserve a restaurant for you in the beautiful town of Franschhoek with its many top eateries.
| Day 1 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 45- 50 km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 560 m |
| Road: | Mostly jeep track and MTB trails, approximately 15 km of tar road |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 4 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Accommodation: Double or twin room sharing
Day 2 : Cycle Franschhoek to Botrivier
Embark on a great day of cycling through plantations, winelands and small towns and rural villages towards Botrivier en route to Hermanus. Those who want to take on the Franschhoek pass start an hour earlier with the guide to cycle over the pass (tar road). The rest will be driven over the pass and start the tour from the Theewaterkloof side.
Cycle mostly off road past the Theewaterskloof Dam and enjoy fantastic views of the dam and the surrounding mountains before we join up with the Van der Stell Pass road (gravel) leading to the Botrivier area where we will have lunch before cycling or driving the last 2km to our accommodation. Lunch on own account.
Enjoy the afternoon wine tasting or just relaxing at the Guesthouse between the vineyards. This evening your Guides will serve a Braai dinner.
| Day 2 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 60km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 650 m |
| Road: | Mostly jeep track and gravel roads, approximately 8 km of tar road |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 4 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3 : Botrivier to Hermanus
This morning we embark on a day of cycling through farmlands, winelands and small towns towards Hermanus.
End the day’s ride on the manicured mountain bike trails of the Hemel and Aarde valley with its many beautiful wine estates. You will have time for lunch after the ride in Hermanus before we depart back to Stellenbosch via the beautiful Clarence drive with magnificent sea views.
| Day 3 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 35km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 430 m |
| Road: | Mostly jeep track and MTB trails, approximately 10 km of tar road |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 3 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 4 : Hermanus to Sondagskloof
Start this amazing day with a 4 km beach ride during low tide. From here we ride along fynbos enveloped gravel roads along the Kleinriver Lagoon before reaching the village of Stanford for a coffee break. From here we cycle through farmlands and gravel roads with a decent climb to Papiesvlei before ending in the Sondagskloof area. We will spend the night here in comfortable farm cottages and have a relaxing dinner.
| Day 4 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 45km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 642 m |
| Road: | Beach ride, jeep track and gravel roads. |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 4 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner
Day 5 : Sondagskloof to Wolvengat
Today starts with a tough climb out of the valley through forested area. The hard work gets rewarded with a beautiful decent into the small historic German mission station town of Elim established in 1824. Here we will have a break before cycling on gravel roads towards the Wolvengat area where we will spend the night. Rest of the day you can relax at our accommodation and the evening we have a braai and social evening in the Boma.
| Day 5 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 40km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 540 m |
| Road: | Gravel roads |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 4 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner
Day 6 : Wolvengat to L’Agulhas
Even though today is a further stretch to cycle that the other days, most climbing is done and the route is relatively flat as we cycle through wetlands, farmlands and nature reserves to the most Southern Tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. Beautiful fynbos areas and ocean scenery await us on this route. End the day with a picture at the most Southern tip of the African continent. Lunch in Struisbaai close to the ocean before we depart back to Stellenbosch/ Cape Town.
| Day 6 Route Info | |
| Distance : | Approximately 60km |
| Elevation: | Approximately 264 m |
| Road: | Gravel roads |
| Ride duration: | Approximately 4-5 hours |
| Skill level : | Intermediate |
Meals included: Breakfast.
Included
- Guide and ride assistance and backup
- Normal Hard tail Bike rental for duration of tour
- Back up vehicle and trailer for luggage and bikes. Bike transport on our custom-made bike trailers
- 5 nights accommodation in twin sharing room as specified
- Meals as specified
Excluded
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Optional activities
- Items of personal nature
Optional E-bike or MTB rental
- E- bike rental of Giant Fathom E hard tail bike R200per day
- Soft Tail Mountain Bike rental R800 per day
Rate: From R 30 980 pp sharing. Group discounts available
What to Bring:
- Mask
- Own bicycle if not renting one from us.
- Cycling Pants and gloves
- Helmet (we can provide a helmet if needed)
- Your own cycling shoes if you want to use cycling shoes, otherwise normal trainers
- Day Backpack or Camelbag for cycling and own water bottle
- Comfortable clothes and shoes or sandals for afternoons. Swim costume.
- 1 rain jacket and 1 warm top and jeans
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat and Buff
- Book for afternoon leisure time
- You need to have your own travel insurance and medical insurance in place.
Insurance information – health and travel information including policy numbers and phone numbers.
Bicycle Rental:
Our E-bike is a Giant Fathom E Mountain Bike with and electric motor that can assist you in pedaling. Each bike has 4 strength settings, OFF, Eco, Normal and Sport Mode. Your guide will explain these features to you.
Your guide has a spare tube and patch kit and pump. If you would like to bring your own pedals and shoes we recommend doing so—your tour leaders will install them during the bike fitting. We have flat pedals available and will also be providing helmets if needed.
You are also welcome to use your own bike or use one of our hard tail Giant Talon bikes if you would like to do the tour in a normal bike. Please make sure that you are fit enough to do the tour on a normal bike.
Vehicle Support:
Full vehicle support including: luggage shuttle, water and snack resupply, mechanical assistance, and rides for tired cyclists!
Accommodation:
We have carefully chosen all our accommodations for their charm and location. They are typically small, family run hotels or Guesthouses that offer you a glimpse into the local culture. We prefer hotels near interesting sites in the centre of town or in the best location along the best cycling route in the area. Accommodation is booked on a double or twin room sharing basis.
Meals and Restaurants:
Breakfasts: Breakfasts will be had at the hotel or accommodation establishment. Cycling is energy intensive so we do recommend you plan for a morning or mid-morning snack on the road at a local café or market. Water is potable in almost all hotels, if there is a problem, we will advise you. One evening a dinner South African braai is included for you and will be prepared by your guides. This normally entails meat, so please let us know if you have any dietaries.
Notes:
- For group bookings any departure day can be arranged depending on availability
- Even though every effort will be made to run itinerary as above, please be advised that the itinerary is subject to availability and weather conditions and might have to change if needed to ensure our clients safety.
- Please make sure that you are skilled and fit enough to do the tour. When in doubt, please get an opinion from your medical practitioner as this is your own responsibility. (Back up vehicle is at hand if there is an issue)
Info we need:
- Your height in cm
- Will you bring your own bike or do you want to rent a bicycle. Do you need SPD pedals
- Dietary Requirements
- Please have your health insurance details and numbers available if needed.
Pre-tour bike transport:
Wynand from Cycle Transport Logistix offers a transport service for your bicycle from Johannesburg to Stellenbosch in a safe and convenient way. More info on www.cycletransport.co.za
