South Africa

Back in 2019, and in South Africa for their Masters Waterpolo competition, 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.  They were clearly accomplished 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 taking part in a very competitive Waterpolo Tournament, playing in the 40+ age category, even though some of us were already in our late 60s.  And, naturally enough, we had had to cope with an excess of hospitality and social events afterwards... 

The first day proper, after giving Craig a lot of abuse for getting lost on the exit from George, he took us straight up Montagu Pass, a 2,000 foot climb that we laboured over for what seemed like hours in intense heat.   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 an early morning safari.  On another occasion there was a last minute technical hitch with our planned accommodation, where a weekend rave was in full swing, and where Den was terrified by a spider the size of his fist (he has big hands).  So we were housed 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.

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 fed us very well there, with a 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 at the Southernmost Tip of Africa near Cape Agulhas. 

Miscellany