Western Cape
Chapman's Peak
If
there is one trip you have to make, then it is Chapman's Peak. Many
cyclists do it on their bicycles, but it is much more fun on a
motorcycle.
Chapman's Peak Drive winds it way between Noordhoek and
Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of
South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in
the world.
The 9km route, with its 114 curves, skirts the rocky
coastline of Chapman's Peak, the 593m high southerly extension of
Constantia Berg. The drive offers stunning 180° views with many
areas along the route where you can stop and take in the scenery or sit
down for a relaxing picnic
This trip is really recommended - Chapman's
Peak will blow your mind. Enjoy!
Route 316
For an interesting day out with a difference, why not head out to Route 316 in the Western Cape. This fantastic road with straights, curves and beautiful sweeps starts in Caledon, continues over Goudini to Oukraal (27 km’s). From Oukraal it is 32 km’s to Napier, where you can stop off at any one of the wonderful little restaurants to enjoy some delicious coffee and pancakes.
After your rest and great meal, it is only 16 km’s to Bredasdorp, where you have to pop in to the BP Garage and purchase your ‘Route 316 Rider’ badge. And then it is just a little hop of 24 km’s to Arniston and the wonderful ocean.
This is a glorious day trip for all to enjoy. You too can become a Route 316
Rider. An ‘organization’
called Route 316 Riders has been established to promote and celebrate this
wonderful route and to share it with the whole biker community. Visit their website – www.route316riders.co.cc for more
information.
Barrydale and Surrounds (Route 62)
Route 62 has always held a
special kind of magic for bikers.
Interested in seeing what all the fuss was about, but with limited
time on hand, we decided to go and experience part of it for
ourselves. Travelling
from Hermanus we cruised through Riviersonderend, Stormsvlei and the
beautiful Bonnievale Valley.
The roads are sweeping and great for biking, with beautiful scenery
complementing the ride.
From Ashton, now finally on
the legendary Route 62, we passed through the awesome Cogmanskloof Tunnel
and suddenly the landscape changes so dramatically, it feels like you have
ridden into another country.
The road is super to ride and the mountains looming beside it make
you feel small and insignificant.
We stopped in the charming
Barrydale at the Country Pumpkin for a colddrink, before heading off to
Ronnie’s Sex Shop (a must-do on any biker’s itinerary). We met the real Ronnie and had a
ball, sitting out there in the vast Karoo with nothing but beautiful
landscape surrounding us.
We made an
overnight stop at Warmwaterberg Spa, just a couple of kilometres past
Ronnie’s Shop. This spa is a
hot mineral spring, with old buildings dating as far back as 1886. The roman baths in the
accommodation facilities and the 3 pools on site offer hot spring water
for the weary bones, a great way to relax after a day’s riding. The hospitality at the spa is
wonderful and we had a great time.
After a good nights rest, it was time to go home, but not before we crossed the amazing Tradouws Pass. Wow, what a road with fantastic sights that have to be seen to be really appreciated. We only did a small segment of Route 62, but we did ride a great part of it. The road is perfect for biking and even though you travel through the vast Karoo, there is enough to do and see on the way to make the trip interesting.
Witsand
For a really super weekend away, you have to visit Witsand,
taking the back roads and returning back to
Witsand is a popular seaside resort with unspoilt beaches
and a small harbour and is situated at the mouth of the
The surrounding Indian Ocean and
