Bolandcycletour: What are we doing in the afternoons?
Bolandcycletour is a 22-day cycling spectacular through the Best-of-the-Boland in which you will experience warm hospitality, camaraderie, and the most amazing ever-changing landscape. This is my cycling holiday, and I am very much looking forward to it. Below is a short route description for each day, where we might stop, and how we fill our afternoons until dinner time. Enjoy! Oh, and with a small group we are nimble and fluid and can make decisions on the fly or for the next day’s route or stops.
DIY in Stellenbosch
Day 1 – Arrival in Stellenbosch – get a local sim card on arrival, if need be, then airport transfer to your Stellenbosch accommodation, bike build and find your feet in sunny South Africa. Stroll through town and grab a few last-minute items from the local bike shops.
Eersterivier path
Day 2 – Winelands loop through Stellenbosch – 9am Q&A and safety talk and indemnities at the BNB before we set off around 10am to cycle through the vineyards and coffee stop at a local winery as we get to know each other and our various abilities. Dinner is still yours to decide as from tomorrow onwards we do daily group dinners.
Wine tasting in Wellington
Day 3 – Stay on the wine estate – after breakfast we depart from the guest house at Die Laan 40 on our first transfer by bicycle from Stellenbosch to Wellington, with a coffee stop after 68kms at Perdeberg wine cellar, then onto Val Du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate, where we will be staying for the night, with a wine tasting in the afternoon.
Taalmonument alternative
Day 3 – Taalmonument alternative – same start and same finish and same destination, but iso going the long flat way around we cut out 25kms and add to points of attraction, (A) the Taalmonument climb (and stop for coffee at Specialized just before the climb) and (B) the longest main road in SA through Paarl, enjoy.
Massage at Goudini spa
Day 4 – Short day over Bainskloof – we stop after 30kms for a coffee at Bergsig Bistro (a previous ABSA Cape Epic water point location) before we cross the river continue down the Slanghoek valley to Goudini Spa. Afternoon activity is a massage at the Ontspan spa, walk around or spend some time in the pools, and for dinner we braai on the deck.
Quiet on the mountain
Day 5 – Climbing through Ceres – self-catering breakfast means an early start as we have a lot of climbing today. Our stop will be after 48kms at the Tremor coffee bar in Ceres, while the crew goes shopping as we stay in a remote venue on top of the mountain tonight. So, bring a book, or a good bottle of wine. Braai and self-catering dinner, late start tomorrow.
Game drive & stargazing
Day 6 – Big Five experience – a short 40km day down the mountain and the R46, which includes 9kms of gravel down a steep descent (caution). There are no stops on this short day and we need to check in at Aquila by 12.30 for this is an all-inclusive stay. Can you name the big five? Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo.
Morning game drive
Day 7 – Descent to Montagu – 7am morning game, breakfast buffet, 10am checkout, then pedal or transfer 16kms along the N1 to start from Karoo 1. Go over 1234m at Rooihoogte and stop after 38kms at Oupa Batt se winkel next to the only fuel pump for miles. Regroup at 52kms at the Keisie lookout point, then onto Montagu where we lounge by the pool and have dinner at the on-site restaurant.
Museum in Swellendam
Day 8 – DC to Swellendam – after breakfast we set of slowly through stunning Cogmanskloof and pass the Old English Fort from 1899, then rolling hills from the double century route to Swellendam, potential coffee stop at Jan Harmsgat after 27kms. In Swellendam we visit the Drostdy museum before each one fends for himself for dinner.
Rest/hike/bike
Day 9 – Optional cycling or rest day – stay on the same venue as yesterday, go for a hike in Marloth nature reserve, take the day off to do your own thing, or join us for an out-and-back climb over Tradouws pass to the best milkshakes in Barrydale and back. Group dinner at the Republiek or De Vagabond.
Visit the Tip of Africa
Day 10 – Lighthouse in Struisbaai – Audax rolling hills down to the coast, own water point at the high for the day after 35kms, Bredasdorp stop at 77kms, finish at our holiday home in Struisbaai. Cycle another 15kms out and back to where the cold Atlantic & warm Indian oceans meet at the Southernmost Tip of Africa or go up the lighthouse. Dinner at a local restaurant or braai on the deck.
The Caledon Hotel & Casino
Day 11 – Canola climb queen stage – early start for this 1500m climbing day, stopping in Napier after 50kms and coffee stop at Van Brakelstoor after 76kms. The afternoon is yours to do as you please, likely relaxing by the pool or overlooking the views below. Or try your hand at the casino (voucher included) to see who can pay for the next cycling getaway!
Dinner in a cave
Day 12 – Bientang in Hermanus – short stage through the Hemel & Aarde wine valley (can you memorize all the wine estate names?) with an optional stop at the brewery at HPF and the end of the valley before a Cape EPIC climb up Rotary way to the Hermanus lookout point. We stay at the Whale coast apartments hotel and have dinner reservations inside a cave!
Transfer from Bikini Beach
Day 13 – Magical Clarence drive – from Hermanus harbour through Kleinmond and Bettiesbaai to Coffee on Clarence after 46kms, the Clarence drive to finish at the Thirsty Oyster in Gordonsbaai harbour while we wait for our shuttle to Cape Town for the start of Tourdeboland the next day.
And now we join the bigger heard of the Tourdeboland until the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
