CYCLE ROUTE overview: 1200kms Audax through the Western Cape!

Are you ready for a 1200km AUDAX ride in sunny South Africa? Have a look at the route review below! Fitting featured image of an estuary entrance in the Overberg.
Are you ready for a 1200km AUDAX ride in sunny South Africa? Have a look at the route review below! Fitting featured image of an estuary entrance in the Overberg.

TADA!

Here we have it, thanks to time and effort from Derek and Marcus the powers that be. Route planning and ride admin can be a tiresome bit of admin, we know. But just look at the reward! Our 2024 Cape Audax 1200km route promises to be one for the books and here below is a quick idea of what to expect.

And what is better than a beautiful bicycle ride through the amazing scenery that our province has to offer? Route on https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46768582 and brief (or not so brief) overview below, divided into 5 areas for easier reading…

The splits

  1. 280km through the Overberg
  2. 200km up to the Ceres valley
  3. 250km to get to the West Coast
  4. 270km in the glorious Swartland
  5. 200km final stretch back to the Winelands
The first 280km starts in Stellenbosch and goes through the OVERBERG to Bredasdorp // pic of red flowers with green leaves near sea during daytime taken by Tayla Kohler in Hermanus South Africa.
The first 280km starts in Stellenbosch and goes through the OVERBERG to Bredasdorp // pic of red flowers with green leaves near sea during daytime taken by Tayla Kohler in Hermanus South Africa.

First 280km to the Overberg

It starts at Vrede Wines outside Stellenbosch – then over Franschhoek pass to Villiersdorp (CP1) – around the Theewaterskloof dam and onto the N2 passing the wind turbines to Caledon (CP2) – down the stunning Hemel & Aarde wine route towards Hermanus (CP3) – on the wide new road to Stanford and then some roadworks through Gansbaai – finally onto the mostly quiet road through Baardskeerdersbos & Elim to Bredasdorp (CP4).

  • Start at Vrede Wines
  • Cycle to Villiersdorp
  • Cycle to Caledon
  • Cycle to Hermanus
  • Cycle to Bredasdorp
The second 200km starts in Bredasdorp and goes all they way up the find the secrets of the valley in CERES // pic of a bench sitting in front of a white building taken by Carolinie Cavalli (@caroliniecavalli) in Ceres, South Africa
The second 200km starts in Bredasdorp and goes all they way up the find the secrets of the valley in CERES // pic of a bench sitting in front of a white building taken by Carolinie Cavalli (@caroliniecavalli) in Ceres, South Africa

Second 200km to the Ceres Valley

From Bredasdorp we head North to cross the N2 at Stormsvlei – and climb up Stormsvleipoort on the R317 to Bonnievale (CP5) – then meander along the Breerivier and wine estates through Robertson and on the windy 50km stretch towards but not directly into Worcester – stopping at the Tweefontein Padstal (CP6) while staying out of trouble – as we take the safer (but busier) route all the way around Worcester on the N1 and then right onto the R43 – passing the Wolseley turn-off and up Michells pass for an out & back stint to Ceres (CP7).

  • Cycle from Bredasdorp
  • Cycle to Bonnievale
  • Cycle to Tweefontein padstal
  • Cycle to Ceres
The third 250km starts in Ceres and goes along and over mountain ranges towards to the WEST COAST at Lambertsbaai // this stunning by Matthieu Joannon shows the magical starry night in the Cederberg National Park outside Clanwilliam.
The third 250km starts in Ceres and goes along and over mountain ranges towards to the WEST COAST at Lambertsbaai // this stunning by Matthieu Joannon shows the magical starry night in the Cederberg National Park outside Clanwilliam.

Third 250km to the West Coast

From Ceres we turn back to come down the same pass – towards this years’ Cape EPIC country around Tulbagh – then through the Nuwekloof pass (which is as flat as can be) – and right onto the R44 through Gouda – passing a wind farm (hoping for a tailwind) towards Porterville (CP8) – and continue North to join the N7 that goes over Piekenierskloof pass (watch out for the trucks) – over the climb and on to the lovely resurfaced wide road to Clanwilliam (CP9). By now you are over half-way and the scenery changes as we leave Clanwilliam dam behind – for a steep climb before a blissfully long descent towards Lambertsbaai (CP10).

  • Cycle from Ceres
  • Cycle to Porterville
  • Cycle to Clanwilliam
  • Cycle to Lambertsbaai
The fourth 270km continues from the West Coast into the SWARTLAND // pic of an Eland walking in the West Coast National Park Marine Protected Area, Langebaan, South Africa, taken by by Jess Snoek.
The fourth 270km continues from the West Coast into the SWARTLAND // pic of an Eland walking in the West Coast National Park Marine Protected Area, Langebaan, South Africa, taken by by Jess Snoek.

Fourth 270km to the Swartland

From Lambertsbaai we aim Southbound down the West Coast – before cycling inland through Leipoldtville – coming back towards Elandsbaai and passing Redelinghuys on the long way down the R36 to arrive in Piketberg (CP11). Here we go around the tip of the Piketberg mountain and head for the coast once again – on the R399 to Velddrif (CP12) – then cross the Bergrivier at the Carinus bridge – coming down the R27 to the West Coast 1-Stop Engen & Wimpy – then to the Langebaanweg Air Force base – passing the Plaasmol padstal – and off the R45 left onto the R311 to Moorreesburg (CP13).

  • Cycle from Lambertsbaai
  • Cycle to Piketberg
  • Cycle to Velddrif
  • Cycle to Moorreesburg
The final 200km takes us from Moorreesburg via Melkbosstrand back into the winelands to finish where we started // this stunning shorebreak pic was taken by Claudia Love in Melkbosstrand, and you can see Robben island in the background.
The final 200km takes us from Moorreesburg via Melkbosstrand back into the winelands to finish where we started // this stunning shorebreak pic was taken by Claudia Love in Melkbosstrand, and you can see Robben island in the background.

Final 200km back to the Winelands

From Moorreesburg we hop onto the rolling hills through Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel (CP14) – then up Bothmaskloof pass (which is just a long upwards sweeping turn) to descend towards Swartland Winery & Malmesbury – and onto more rollers to Darling (CP15). Carry on to the R27 and turn left down Southbound for Melkbosstrand (CP16) (expecting a headwind and a busy road) – onto the Kalbaskraal road but turn early through Philadelphia towards the silos – where we join the R304 and pass the soon-to-be-upgraded Cape Winelands Airport on our way back to the start to finish this 1200km ride at Vrede Wines (FIN). Well done all my pedigree champs!

  • Cycle from Moorreesburg
  • Cycle to Darling
  • Cycle to Melkbosstrand
  • Finish at Vrede Wines
All done! There you have it, back after 1200kms in the saddle, having cycled all around the Western Cape // pic of vineyards set against Simonsberg, taken by Matthias Wesselmann at Delheim Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch, Südafrika.
All done! There you have it, back after 1200kms in the saddle, having cycled all around the Western Cape // pic of vineyards set against Simonsberg, taken by Matthias Wesselmann at Delheim Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch, Südafrika.

And there you have it!

A stunning ride through the Western Cape! More details on https://audaxsa.co.za/

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