South Africa

Back in 2019, and in Stellenbosch for the South African Masters' Waterpolo Tournament, Den and I decided to extend our trip and take in bit of cycling on the Garden Route.  It was magnificent.

We were ably looked after by Craig of Cape Cycle Tours and his good friend Étienne, who were brilliant hosts and great company.  On two gravel bikes that were very unforgiving on the posterior, they took us for an evening ride as soon as we arrived in George, probably to assess our capabilities.  Our leaders were both accomplished cyclists and mountain bikers who were very patient with us, while clearly unimpressed with our skills and fitness levels.  To be fair to us, we had just been playing competitive waterpolo in a 40+ age category, even though some of us were already in our late 60s.  And, naturally enough, we had had to process an excess of hospitality and social events afterwards... 

On the first day proper, I gave Craig a lot of abuse for getting lost on the exit from George, but he then took us straight up Montagu Pass, a 2,000 foot climb that we laboured on in the heat.   However the scenery was stunning and that set the tone for the next six days of gravel biking.  

We stayed in quirky accommodation, spending the first night in a glamping tent on an ostrich farm, where they gave us a wonderful  early morning safari.  Next day we were due to be staying in large lodge and camping area, where Den was disturbed to discover  a spider the size of his fist (he has big hands) in our room.  But we did not worry about that for long, as Craig had not reckoned for a weekend rave that was in full swing, and he soon deemed the accommodation inappropiate to two old boys like us.  So they housed us in a Brussel Sprout Farm instead, where the owners were very friendly but not hospitable enough to share one of hundreds of pasties the lady of the house was making for their business.  I was somewhat disappointed to have missed out on the psychedelics too.

On the third day, we took on Prince Albert Pass, rising to 3,400 feet before a 15 minute plummet to our accommodation in the fabulous Outeniqua Trout Lodge.  As they did on other occasions, Craig and Étienne made sure we were well catered for, and we had a very memorable braai under the stars.  

A great tour, after which we spent a few days in Knysna to recover, before making our way gently back to Cape Town and home, stopping en route at the Southernmost Tip of Africa near Cape Agulhas. 

Miscellany