South Africa tour: The most beautiful road bike tours in the Cape region - South Africa's Cape Region: Between Table Mountains and Ocean
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· 18.01.2019
South Africa is almost directly south of Germany at 9,000 kilometres as the crow flies; the time difference is only one hour, which is another reason why the region is a popular training destination for cyclists and triathletes. Nevertheless, it is difficult to compare with other winter destinations such as the Canary Islands: Even after the end of racial segregation, living conditions between rich and poor are extremely different; the average income of a white person is around ten times that of a black person. The differences between neighbouring residential areas are also striking. Crime is correspondingly high. If you want to feel comfortable as a tourist in and around Cape Town, you should not have a problem with visible misery, electric fences, video surveillance and security-related restrictions on freedom of movement. The travel advice from the Federal Foreign Office (www.auswaertiges-amt.de) sounds frightening. However, we estimate that the risk of becoming a victim of an attack as a cyclist on the routes described here is minimal. The risk can also be minimised off the saddle.
In the South African road network, only roads that are important for tourism or logistics are asphalted. Motorised traffic is correspondingly heavy and sometimes dangerous. Where there is no paved shoulder, a rear-view mirror can warn you of reckless drivers. The routes we have presented have been carefully selected, but (with the exception of the West Coast National Park) some sections are more heavily travelled. If you are expecting the pleasant tranquillity of Central European provincial roads, you are in the wrong place. The tarmac rarely has large potholes, but is usually rough. Tyre widths from 25 millimetres increase the riding pleasure, aero wheels are unsuitable due to strong winds. The overall moderate gradient is very pleasant. The significant metres in altitude rarely accumulate with double-digit gradients. The alternative to a racing bike should not go unmentioned: In the Cape region, there are various well-maintained mountain bike trails on private farmland, often with bike hire. A popular "trail park" is located near Stellenbosch on the Boschendal farm.
