Day 5 of African Twin Adventure.
We arrived in Cape Town and are spending a couple of days here with family.
Today I wanted to ride a bit by myself (without being tethered to the car) and wanted to explore a number of passes as well as visit a place where we could enjoy tastings of wine, chocolate, beer, biltong etc.
Left from home and rode to Wellington where the first pass started. It is called Bain's Kloof Pass which is a national monument. It is quite narrow and there is not a lot of traffic on it. It is supposed to be one of the Western Cape's most scenic routes.
The pass is set high in the mountains on Route 303 between Wellington and Ceres. Completed in 1853 the 30km pass was built by Andrew Geddes Bain - possibly the country's most famous road engineer, despite having had no formal engineering training (he and his son Thomas collectively built over 30 passes in the country).
To drive its bends and turns brings one right up against the Limietberg Mountain with incredible views out over the Wellington Valley. Later there are views onto the river and across the valley on the other side.
I toggled between slow speed (to take photos) and high speed (to enjoy the pass) and stopped once right on top for pictures. Met a couple of bikers and a local couple and spoke to them. Really enjoy the South Africans view on life and their carefree attitude.
After the pass made a quick run to Ceres as I have always enjoyed their fruit juices and wanted to see where they grow the fruit. Unfortunately the whole place is fenced off. Did Michell's Pass. The Pass has both car and train usage.
The next destination was Velliersdorp which was where I would start The Franschhoek Pass. It is one of the more heart-stopping of the passes for views and vistas of the surrounding valleys, gorges and mountains, particularly the drop down to the Franschhoek River from the summit.
In terms of scenery, sheer drops and panoramic views the Franschhoek Pass is difficult to beat, and tourists rate it as one of the must-dos of the valley.
Enjoyed the pass riding with two other GSAs.
It was getting quite late and I had not eaten lunch yet so made my way to meet the rest of the family at the Spicy Route in Paarl, a place where artisans come together to share their art. Wonderful place where we were able to taste a collection of flavours and a celebration of Cape cultures.
We were on our way home when I looked at the map and realized we were quite close to the city so to finish the day took a quick ride to the cable car station on Table Mountain. The views were outstanding and one cannot help but wonder how this mountain has witnessed so many changes to the city down below.
It was a great sunset where I met a number of people that wanted to speak about the bike and our adventure. I have added two pictures of a Nigerian gentleman and his son and three Spaniards from Madrid that wanted pictures to remember a Portuguese, that they met on Table Mountain, that was traveling throughout Africa on a motorcycle.
Finished the day with a perfectly cooked and seasoned fillet steak.
Make Life a Ride !
View of Cape Town from Table Mountain
Facebook post with some photos of the DAY
Click HERE for all the photos of the DAY !
We arrived in Cape Town and are spending a couple of days here with family.
Today I wanted to ride a bit by myself (without being tethered to the car) and wanted to explore a number of passes as well as visit a place where we could enjoy tastings of wine, chocolate, beer, biltong etc.
Left from home and rode to Wellington where the first pass started. It is called Bain's Kloof Pass which is a national monument. It is quite narrow and there is not a lot of traffic on it. It is supposed to be one of the Western Cape's most scenic routes.
The pass is set high in the mountains on Route 303 between Wellington and Ceres. Completed in 1853 the 30km pass was built by Andrew Geddes Bain - possibly the country's most famous road engineer, despite having had no formal engineering training (he and his son Thomas collectively built over 30 passes in the country).
To drive its bends and turns brings one right up against the Limietberg Mountain with incredible views out over the Wellington Valley. Later there are views onto the river and across the valley on the other side.
I toggled between slow speed (to take photos) and high speed (to enjoy the pass) and stopped once right on top for pictures. Met a couple of bikers and a local couple and spoke to them. Really enjoy the South Africans view on life and their carefree attitude.
After the pass made a quick run to Ceres as I have always enjoyed their fruit juices and wanted to see where they grow the fruit. Unfortunately the whole place is fenced off. Did Michell's Pass. The Pass has both car and train usage.
The next destination was Velliersdorp which was where I would start The Franschhoek Pass. It is one of the more heart-stopping of the passes for views and vistas of the surrounding valleys, gorges and mountains, particularly the drop down to the Franschhoek River from the summit.
In terms of scenery, sheer drops and panoramic views the Franschhoek Pass is difficult to beat, and tourists rate it as one of the must-dos of the valley.
Enjoyed the pass riding with two other GSAs.
It was getting quite late and I had not eaten lunch yet so made my way to meet the rest of the family at the Spicy Route in Paarl, a place where artisans come together to share their art. Wonderful place where we were able to taste a collection of flavours and a celebration of Cape cultures.
We were on our way home when I looked at the map and realized we were quite close to the city so to finish the day took a quick ride to the cable car station on Table Mountain. The views were outstanding and one cannot help but wonder how this mountain has witnessed so many changes to the city down below.
It was a great sunset where I met a number of people that wanted to speak about the bike and our adventure. I have added two pictures of a Nigerian gentleman and his son and three Spaniards from Madrid that wanted pictures to remember a Portuguese, that they met on Table Mountain, that was traveling throughout Africa on a motorcycle.
Finished the day with a perfectly cooked and seasoned fillet steak.
Make Life a Ride !
View of Cape Town from Table Mountain
Facebook post with some photos of the DAY
Click HERE for all the photos of the DAY !
No comments:
Post a Comment