Bolandcycletour

Why not arrive a few days early? From experience we find that many riders tend to come a few days earlier to acclimatize. And we have already reserved the hotel for the Saturday and Sunday before the tour starts - contact us if you fancy an early weekend in wine country before the cycling commences.

Optional Test Ride to Jonkershoek. An optional solo test ride from Stellenbosch into the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley. This is one of my favourite local road bike routes and a regular coffee ride after the morning school run. The quiet out-and-back route leads to the Jonkershoek gate, with a pedestrian and cycle lane alongside much of the road.

The Journey Begins as we head from Stellenbosch to Strand via Stellenzicht. We leave the guest house and ride past Coetzenburg, Paul Roos Gymnasium and the Eerste River before heading out of Stellenbosch. A turn at Paradyskloof takes us to Stellenzicht for a loooong coffee stop and beautiful mountain views. From there, it is a mostly flat ride along the R44 through Somerset West and on to Strand. Take care on the descent and through the busier intersections approaching the coast.

Enjoy Clarence Drive as we cycle from Strand to Hermanus along the Whale Coast. Today we follow Clarence Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the Western Cape. The route hugs False Bay before passing through Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay, where we stop to meet the penguins. From there, we continue through Kleinmond and towards Hermanus. Keep an eye on the ocean. You may just spot a whale.

Optional Stanford Coffee Ride. Chris describes the ride from Hermanus to Stanford and back as the perfect coffee ride. Today, you get to decide whether he is right. This is an entirely optional cycling day. Those joining the ride can expect an early climb to a spectacular lookout point above Hermanus. From there, the route settles into a flatter rhythm towards Stanford and a well-earned stop at the Ou Meul Bakery. Coffee. Something sweet. Then home again.

Up the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley from Hermanus to Caledon. We leave Hermanus and climb through the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, passing vineyards and wineries on the way towards Caledon. Do not let the short distance fool you. This stage has more climbing per kilometre than any other day of the tour. Fortunately, Caledon’s natural hot springs are waiting at the finish. Tired legs, meet warm water.

Heading South from Caledon to Struisbaai. On paper, today is downhill towards the sea. The wind may have other ideas. Just ask the class of ’26. The R316 is one of my favourite roads in the region, especially by bicycle. Wide shoulders make for comfortable riding for much of the journey before disappearing after Bredasdorp. Congratulations. Your first 100-kilometre-plus day is done.

Rest Day at the Southernmost Tip of Africa. Today is officially a rest day in Struisbaai. For those who still feel like turning the pedals, we will explore the local harbour, visit the famous stingrays, ride to Cape Agulhas and stand at the southernmost point of Africa. We will also visit the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the second-oldest working lighthouse in South Africa. All by bicycle, naturally. Alternatively, sleep late, do some laundry and prepare for tomorrow. There are no prizes for arriving tired.

Moving inland from Struisbaai to Swellendam. The ride unfolds in three distinct sections. We begin with an almost impossibly flat 30 kilometres towards Bredasdorp. The middle part of the day becomes more undulating, with a series of rolling climbs over the following 40 kilometres. From there, the general trend is downhill towards the N2, before the final 15-kilometre stretch into Swellendam. A changing landscape, a steady rhythm and another beautiful South African town waiting at the finish.

The Optional Big Climb over Tradouw Passto Barrydale and back. Today’s is completely optional. It is also one of my favourites. The route is a long out-and-back ride from Swellendam through the dramatic Tradouw Pass towards Barrydale. The wide, relatively quiet mountain road offers extraordinary scenery as the landscape gradually changes from the green Overberg into the drier Karoo. And after a halfway milkshake we do it all again. Not cycling? The Marloth Nature Reserve is another excellent option.

Along the Langeberg mountains, from Swellendam to Montagu. Follow Route 60 along the foot of the Langeberg mountains. Wide yellow lanes and open views that are well known to South African cyclists as part of the famous Double Century team time trial route. Stop for coffee before we turn through Cogmanskloof, a spectacular but surprisingly gentle mountain passage leading towards Montagu – one of South Africa’s best-known rock-climbing towns, where we spend the night before tomorrow’s considerably bigger challenge.

The Biggest Climbing Day, from Montagu to the Karoo. And the road starts going up almost immediately. Leaving Montagu, we climb towards the Keisie Valley lookout point. For some of us, memories of the 2026 Absa Cape Epic may still be fresh as we look back down the valley from which we have climbed. Visit Oupa Batt se Winkel before the final major climb  to Rooihoogte at 1234 metres above sea level. Then comes the reward: a fast final descent towards the N1 and our overnight stop.

Big Five after we cycle from Karoo1 to Aquila. Today comes with choices. You could ride just 16 kilometres to our destination. Or you could join us for an approximately 70-kilometre out-and-back ride before arriving for lunch. The afternoon is dedicated to something completely different: a game drive and Big Five safari experience continuing towards sunset. Year after year, this wildlife experience remains one of the Bolandcycletour highlights – a reminder that this journey is about far more than collecting kilometres.

Into the Ceres Valley from Aquila to Tulbagh. More down than up. But first, there is a little adventure. This stage includes the only gravel section of the tour. Near the R46 junction, we turn towards Matjiesrivier and climb Bo-Swaarmoed Pass towards Matroosberg. Pass Klondyke cherry farm before enjoying the fast descent towards the airfield intersection. From here, we ride carefully and in formation on the main road into Ceres. The final section follows an old Tourdeboland time-trial route from Ceres towards Tulbagh. Some roads have memories and this is one of them.

A new route for this year as the Nuwekloof loop from and back to Tulbagh introduces a different side of the region. From Tulbagh, we ride around the Groot Winterhoek mountains and wilderness area, getting a glimpse of the valley stretching towards Porterville, Piketberg and the country beyond. We ride towards 24 Rivers before turning around and enjoying the gentle Nuwekloof Pass in both directions. Alternatively, take a complete day off the bicycle. Tomorrow could be a big one.

Many options on this Magical Day from Tulbagh to Goudini. Today can be as little as 50kms or a s much as 200kms, or anything inbetween. The longest option climbs Michell’s pass, Gydo pass, and Bainskloof pass, in both directions. The newly resurfaced Gydo pass also marks the northernmost turning point of the Bolandcycletour. Then come the descents before all routes finish through the beautiful Slanghoek Valley. Choose your adventure. Your legs will know which one is right.

Bainskloof Day from Goudini to Riebeek. For the roughly 95% of the group who probably did not ride Bainskloof yesterday, today is your opportunity. We set off due north through the Slanghoek Valley before tackling the long side of Bainskloof Pass. Appreciate the view (and possibly coffee) at the summit. After the beautiful descent through Wellington, the character of the day changes. The roads become faster and flatter as we make our way towards Riebeek. And perhaps, we might even have a tailwind.

New Paardeberg loop introduces more Vineyards, Quiet Roads and Choices. The route is 105kms, while the optional shorter ride turns at the Swartland cellar for a total just shy of 50kms. Those on the long route may encounter a lively breeze on the exposed stretch after Malmesbury. After the turn, quieter regional roads guide us back towards Riebeek and one of our favourite accommodation stops on the entire tour. By now, it should feel a little like coming home.

Back towards the Atlantic from Riebeek to Melkbosstrand. The penultimate stage starts with Bothmaskloof Pass before continuing through the Swartland countryside. We pass Malmesbury, Kalbaskraal and Philadelphia before heading towards the Atlantic coast. Then comes one of those moments I love. A line of windswept trees opens up and suddenly Melkbosstrand and the Atlantic coastline appear below. Cape Town is getting close.

Our final tour stage from Melkbosstrand to Cape Town. 1500kms of memories compressed into one last finish as Cape Town welcomes you. This last stage is deliberately short and designed to be enjoyed. Cycle paths from Melkbosstrand towards Blouberg, against the backdrop of Table Mountain. Stop for the obligatory group photograph at Eden on the Bay. And the final kilometres take us through Paarden Eiland and towards the V&A Waterfront, where our journey together comes to an end. But wait, there is more…

Rest day in Cape Town. R&R before the Cape Town Cycle Tour. We arrange bulk race-number collection for tour participants, allowing your race pack to be delivered to the hotel. You are still welcome to visit the official registration and expo. Tomorrow will feel very different. After weeks of quiet roads, you will join thousands of cyclists on closed roads around Cape Town. Pure bliss. *Or hop on the Big Red Bus, cable car up Table Mountain, hike Lion’s Head, visit the MOMA, and so much more.

The Grand Finale: Cape Town Cycle Tour. Welcome to the biggest timed one-day bike race in the world. On roads that are closed to normal traffic for the occasion. Enjoy ocean views, mountain passes, thousands of fellow cyclists and enormous roadside support to make this a fitting finale to your journey. For weeks, you have travelled through our valleys, mountains, vineyards, coastal towns and Karoo landscapes. And today, Cape Town gives you one final ride.

Arrive as a stranger and depart as a friend. Final breakfast and leisurely depart from Cape Town as we deliver you, and your bike, and a soul filled filled memories to last a lifetime, back to the airport. Alternative you can stay on a little while longer, and enjoy more of what South(ern) Africa has to offer (just ask!). We thank you for touring with us and for being ambassadors for our beautiful and unique country. The biggest compliment you can give us is to tell your mates!