It was a blast: cycling TO Karoo to Coast (again)

To Karoo to coast ride review 2025

And off we went into the distance. 3 musketeers on bicycles from Paarl to Knysna. Karoo to coast here we come. Chris was testing his gravel bike before Kevin Vermaak’s new format race. Steven was on his pristine new ORBEA MTB and I got a chance to show my new red bike the countryside. And all three were in for quite a treat…

Day 1 to Swellendam: EPIC

We left Paarl early morning and stopped for coffee in Franschhoek. Before the pass, then along Theewaterskloofdam and turning left at the golf course to ascend to Rusty Gate. I was (unfortunately) on my phone for much of the day, ensuring all the bicycle deliveries take place and collections are made. Having said that, isn’t it great that you can be outside in nature while providing a stellar service? Onwards to Karoo to coast! We stopped for lunch in Greyton. Then a top-up in Riviersonderend, where we saw Hendrico Burger of the ABSA Cape EPIC route planning fame and pondered over what could or could not be in store for the EPIC next year. holding thumbs. And keen to see the route release.

We continued up the Stormsvlei climb and over the rolling hills on gravel to Swellendam. Arriving at Swellendam as night fell and a pedestrian got scared when we saw us crossing the bridge on the outskirts of town. To the extent that I thought (A) he was sarcastic and (B) then seeing what looked like his soul leaving his body. Never a dull moment. Dinner at the Republiek and checking out the new accommodation venue for the Bolandcycletour in 2026. And it was good. I fell asleep while typing emails around 1am.

Day 2 to Oudtshoorn: Ostrich

The day started with breakfast packs in the BNB room and then the left for Suurbraak on the very familiar DC route. We left early and the daylight broke while we were on the road. On the outskirts of Suurbraak I spotted house number 10, in main road, not Downing street, which belongs to staunch supporters of the Tourdeboland: retired local architect Nic Louw and his wife Astrid. The Tradouws pass was a tad windy going up with that venturi tunnel effect as the wind accelerates through the valley. But when we reached the final bit it calmed down. We saw a cyclist in the distance and I though it was Heinrich, but we approached and found a 77(!) year old gentleman going up the pass with a good pace and continuing up the road where his wife was meeting much higher up on Op-de-Tradouws. Great going…

Our group of 3 regrouped over breakfast and milkshakes at these Diesel & Crème in Barrydale before heading over the mountains towards the padstal, as we avoided Garcia pass this time. Thereafter Van Wyksdorp came sooner than expected and we stopped at the mall for a well-deserved toasted sandwich, fresh fruit and milkshakes. It hit the spot and the rollers to Rooiberg came and gone without fuss as we ascended into the fading sunlight. It got dark as we reached the top and started the descent with lights, for a very fast stretch down towards Calitzdorp. Yip, this wasn’t planned, but nothing like a quick detour for dinner.

The beer and bangers and mash at Zamani was divine, and so was the 50kms of quiet tar road that followed to Oudtshoorn. I burned a few matches during the last 20kms and felt it the next day (or two, including Karoo to coast). Oh and we completely forgot to take that iconic pic of the bicycle standing at the Rooiberg signpost at the top so we will have to go back again.

Day 3 to Uniondale: inkommer

It is day 3 and we expect to see a ghost. Well maybe not in daylight. Fortunately, this is also a much shorter day and we have a late breakfast and then set off on the wide open tar road N12 from Oudtshoorn to De Rust. There have have a second breakfast and obligatory banana milkshakes before the final 70kms (with a fair amount of climbing) to Uniondale. My legs were a bit lethargic after the climb and seemingly sprint finish into Oudtshoorn the day before, so we took it very easy. And karoo2coast is tomorrow, so you want at least something left.

As we hooked a right off the tar road onto the gravel towards Uniondale we stopped at a group of houses for local farm workers. The one chap remarked in Afrikaans that he is an ‘inkommer’ in that area – having only been there for the last 20 years. Now that gives you perspective. He also knew that the gravel road on which we went shaved off 14kms from the tar road alternative, albeit the ample climbing. And we didn’t see a single vehicle on this road. Pure bliss. Happily chatting away. Until we reach the last 10kms odd into town. Which was busy with cars and bike racks heading to the Karoo to coast start in Uniondale. We rolled into the show grounds and found Dewald and Wicus and team already set up the camp. Enter beers and banter and copious amounts or braaisout.

Day 4 to Knysna: K2C

What can I say. So far it has been the perfect trip. Great people. Great roads. And great weather. And now a great run ‘down’ to the coast. But there is still a fair amount of climbing. And it took just under 40 minutes to reach the top of the first climb. From there on things got better, until a false flat later. On which Chris and Kevin caught up and chatted Gravel Burn. Before we descended into Knysna and finished at the sports fields for a beer or two. Didn’t win the SCOTT bike in the lucky draw again this year, but there is always next. And afterwards we had an awesome braai and stunning rehydration with many laughs all round. The ideal way thoend the outing.

FIN!

Let’s do so again next year, another route, another direction, another adventure.

*Or if you prefer to driver to Uniondale – let us send your bicycle there 🙂