Perfect timing: TourdeBram happens during the week after the CTCT
Welcome to the best post Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cycle Tour! One week of road cycling in the Western Cape of South Africa. Circa 500kms and 5555 vertical meters from 15 to 20 March 2027. Did you know the CTCT is one week later than usual in 2027? That’s right, the Argus (CTCT) happens on Sunday 14th March 20273. Hence the later tour dates for ’27. You are in for a treat.
SIX DAYS in the valley.
Valleys in the Western Cape Winelands that is. The circle route starts from Table Mountain and finishes at the top of the Taalmonument. Which makes it special for us. Because this is where our touring started many moons ago. Over a decade since, when the Tourdeboland was still a timed race, complete with time trial and mountain top finish. Now we have the Tourdebram, a non-timed road cycle tour with just as much fun off the bike as on the bike.
TourdeBram day 1 to Melkbos
BLOUBERG. The day after the CTCT. Start at noon from CPT and meander up and along the coast. Passing Bloubergstrand for that iconic photo at the yellow frame, perhaps a coffee. And on the bicycle lane to Melkbosstrand for drinks and dinner.
- 30 kms and 130 meters
TourdeBram day 2 to Riebeek
RIEBEEK. Head inland and leave the coast behind. Into the Swartland. The last bit after Malmesbury leads onto a climb. Stop to see the Riebeek valley open up beneath you at the top of the Bothmaskloof pass climb. Do you know where the name 8ft village comes from? Optional olive and wine tasting in the afternoon.
- 75 kms and 820 meters
TourdeBram day 3 around Riebeek
KASTEELBERG. Two options. The standard Malmesbury-Moorreesburg loop with endless rollers to test you towards the end. Or a shortcut that halves the distance via and out and back ride to Swartland wine cellar for a coffee. Plan B does that iconic Bothmaskloof descent again. More time for an afternoon activity.
- 105 kms and 1150 meters
- 45 kms and 500 meters
TourdeBram day 4 to Tulbagh
BAINSKLOOF. Again, two options. The default route takes us over my favourite side of the Bainskloof climb. Stopping at the top to enjoy the view below. then down the long descent and through the Wolseley Audax route to Tulbagh. Optional historical town walk in the afternoon.
- 98 kms and 1100 meters
TourdeBram day 5 down Slanghoek
MAGIC. Today there are even more options. Possible split groups. You can go for as short as 50 to as long as 200kms today. The longest options includes Michell’s pass and Gydo pass and Bainskloof (in both directions). The default medium skips the latter. And the short direct route goes straight down Slanghoek. Pure bliss. And time for a traditional spit braai evening while the sun sets over the vineyards.
- 200 kms and 2500 meters
- 111 kms and 1350 meters
- 50 kms and 500 meters
TourdeBram day 6 FIN on the Taalmonument
FIN. Finish at the top! Start the day up the picturesque Slanghoek valley in the morning. Then over Bainskloof from the long side. Stopping for coffee at the top. Then we pass the Equestrian farm, Alpaca loom and craft brewery before head up the finish at the top of the Afrikaanse Taalmonument. Congratulations! Optional wine weekend in Stellenbosch afterwards.
- 82 kms and 1200 meters
See you there!
Online entries open this week on cyclotourism.co.za/
