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Categorization
Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RRG
13.02.12 - 24.02.12	USD 2895
01.03.12 - 12.03.12	USD 2895
29.10.12 - 09.11.12	USD 2895

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South Africa

Racing bike tour along the Garden Route to Cape Town

On 11th March 2012 take part at the largest organized cycling race in the Southern hemisphere, the Cape argus Cycle race, and get fit for the road bike saison 2012. – Individual and group travel

Along the white beaches of the Indian Ocean, through evergreen forests in the desolate Karoo Steppe, through the wild solitude of the Swart Mountains in the Wine lands of the Cape and further to Cape Town one of the most beautiful metropolis in the world. Mountain passes, solitude gorges, breathtaking coastline – all on very good, European standard roads. From November to March it is the South African summer, which means, particularly for the Cape Province, cycling with lots of sun and summery weather. Our accompanying vehicle carries your luggage, transports water and bananas with us and ensures a relaxed cycle. We will sleep in selected guesthouses, lodges and small hotels where we can be pampered in a personal and relaxed atmosphere. An ideal bike tour for the more ambitious tour – just like the racing bikers who train in optimal condition in ‘winter’ and who simultaneously want to get to know the astounding beauty of the western Cape Province. The well-known Argus bike race around the Cape Peninsula with more than 35,000 participants takes place on the second weekend in March each year and presents itself as the crown highlight to this bike tour!

Detailed itinerary:

mi = miles, Hg = Height gain in feet

Day 1 Arrival and transfer to Addo Elephant National Park

After being welcomed by your tour guide/driver in Port Elizabeth you will be driven to our beautiful lodge in Addo. Arrival, relax, swim in the pool, check the bikes.

Day 2 Game drive in National Park – Cycle to Humansdorp – Tsitsikamma

In the morning take a game drive in the open jeep in Addo Elephant National Park. As well as the elephants there are also, amongst others, zebra, lions, buffalo, ostrich, tortoise, warthogs and bontebok. Transfer to Humansdorp on the Garden Route. Along the old Cape road our first afternoon ride takes us along the boundary of the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range. (48 mi, Hg: +1200 ft) (B)

Day 3 Cycle Tsitsikamma National Park – Plettenberg Bay

Our second ride takes us into the Tsitsikamma National Park. Visit the Storms River Bridge. Once on the coastal plateau again, we are soon taken down into the deeply cut river valley of the Bloukrans and later through Nature’s Valley. A break on one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches. Back to the plateau and towards the seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay. Transfer to Knysna to our good guesthouse. Knysna is famous for it’s two ‘Heads’, two steep, towering cliffs, which mark the entrance to Knysna Lagoon. (65 mi; Hg: +2150 ft) (B)

Day 4 Cycle George – Oudtshoorn – Cango Dripstone Caves

After a transfer to George our ride takes us over the Outenique Pass (2400 ft) with beautiful views back along the coastline. Within a few kilometres the landscape changes from the evergreen coast to the dry expanse of the Little Karoo. From the ostrich town of Oudtshoorn we cycle through Schoemanns Gorge to the well-known Cango Dripstone Caves and visit an ostrich farm. Back in Oudtshoorn we stay in a quiet guesthouse. The host invites us to a traditional South African barbecue evening, called a Braai. Of course, ostrich steak cannot be missing! (76 mi; Hg: +2700 ft) (B, D)

Day 5 Cycle Oudtshoorn – Calitzdorp – Ladismith

We cycle on level ground to Calitzdorp, which is well-known for it’s port. Following this, we cycle up to the Huis River Pass (1970 ft). Along the Swartberg Mountains we reach Ladismith, with the over 6000 ft Towerkop towering over it. We will stay over-night in a good guesthouse. (61 mi; Hg: +1950 ft) (B)

Day 6 Cycle Ladismith – Barrydale – Montagu

Through the grand expanse of Little Karoo we reach Barrydale and later, the wonderful Montagu, a wine town in the Cape Mountains. The hot springs, for which Montagu is famous, are very close to our comfortable hotel. A benefit for our tired cyclist muscles! (81 mi; Hg: +2700 ft)

Day 7 Rest day

There are many opportunities for trips. Hiking in the Bloupont region, drive with a tractor and trailer on the 4200 ft high Papageikop, golf in Robertson, wine tasting, Montagu museum, visit the most southern point of Africa – the Cape Agulhas, or simply relax by the pool.

Day 8 Cycle Montagu – Bonnivale – McGregor – Robertson

Today we continue cycling through the charming Kogmanns Gorge after which the landscape opens up. We ride through the Bree River Valley with vineyards either side of us to Bonnivale and McGregor. We will stay in a beautiful guesthouse in the winemaking town of Robertson. Along the way we are invited to a winery and taste the excellent Cape wines. (78 mi; Hg: +1800 ft)

Day 9 Cycle Robertson – Worcester – Ceres

In front of the impressive backdrop of the over 6000 ft Hex River Mountains we cycle through the Bree River Valley to Worcester. The so-called KWV winemaking co-operative is well known for their brandy. We pass wine estates and pass over the moderate Mitchell’s Pass (1470 ft) before reaching our guesthouse in Ceres. (71 mi; Hg: +1200 ft) (B)

Day 10 Cycle Ceres – Bainskloof pass – Wellington – Transfer to Cape Town

We cycle through the idyllic Bainskloof Gorge up to Bainskloof Pass (1800 ft). Along the way there is a chance to swim in one of the natural river pools. After a long downward ride, with wonderful views over the Cape Vineyards, we reach the winemaking town of Wellington. A short transfer brings us to Cape Town, one of the most beautiful situated cities in the world. We will stay in a hotel not far from the sea and waterfront. We become familiar with the town on a short sightseeing walk: parade, castle, town hall, Greenmarket Square, Parliament Gardens, natural history and art history museums as well as Malay Quarter. The seafood kitchen in Cape Town is outstanding with lobster are their speciality and also affordable. (34 mi; Hg: +1500 ft) (B)

Day 11 Cycle round the Cape of Good Hope

After a short transfer, we cycle along the Indian Ocean to the boulder penguin colony and onto the Cape of Good Hope. On the other side of the Cape Peninsula we cycle along the Atlantic Ocean back to Cape Town. The coastal road over Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay are rightfully one of the most breathtaking stretches in South Africa. It is not by chance that the popular annual Argus Bike Race, with over 35,000 participants from all over the world, takes place here. (67mi; Hg: +2100 ft) (B)

For those who want to take part in the Argus Bike Race (67 mi; Hg: +2100 ft), you can cycle in the morning from the City Hotel to the start (1-3 mi) and once finished, back to the hotel (1-3 mi).

Day 12 Transfer to Cape Town Airport

Before the airport transfer there is time for you. Depending on flight departure time, you can go up Table Mountain and enjoy the amazing views over the town (optional), or for example visit the prison cell on Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was held captive for the majority of his prison sentence (optional). This varying tour ends with your transfer to Cape Town Airport. (B)

Guests who travel in March can take part in the Cape Argus Bike Race. We are more than happy to help with registration. Cost is approx. US$ 65.

After the arranged tour, there is the opportunity to take a 3-day extension trip in Kruger National Park or to Victoria Falls and visit Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• 11 nights in mid-range hotels and guesthouses with private bathroom
• 11 x breakfast, 1 x barbecue evening with traditional ‘Braai’
• Constant vehicle backup as well as transport for bikes
• Water, bananas, isotonic drinking powder
• All entrance fees for sightseeing program
• South African travel guide

Not included:

• Flights to and from South Africa – approx. €700 – €1100
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned above
• Racing hire bike

Hints

Travel Information:
A good basic level of fitness is necessary for this tour. The roads are all tar roads. We will cycle many mountain passes with up to 1950 ft difference in height. A vehicle accompanies us at all time. The climate is just as varying as the tour is: in Little Karoo summer afternoons can reach 95 °F, along the coast it is a comfortable 68 – 77 °F.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants