Hi I'm doing conservation volunteering near Capetown in late November-December for 2 weeks and would like to see more of South Africa and possibly Namibia beforehand. I am into cycle-touring so can people comment on 3 possible scenarios
- 3 weeks or so riding from Johannesburg to Capetown
- riding up from Capetown to Windhoek in Namibia (then probably flying back)
- a 2-3 week loop from Capetown.
I am an experienced cycle-tourer and am used to hot weather(!). Not so interested in cities, wineries,etc, more into wild scenery, animals, historical places etc.
Any comments on taking a bike on public transport in SA, too.
Thanks
Mick
(and anyone else interested, PM me)
(also put on Africa branch)
retsbew
1
nokka
Hi,
the thread got a bit tangled last time, but I'll give some ideas again.
- Jo'burg to Cape Town: Do-able, but cycles are not allowed on the main highway. Also, the traffic and trucks (they veer over to the shoulder, inside the yellow lane, to let other vehicles overtake) are hectic.
So, rather take side routes - lots of opportunities there, like eastern Free State and southern Cape, but the route would be a bit longer. Also, some of the secondary roads are nowadays old, which means lots of them don't have shoulders to ride on.
- Cape Town to Windhoek: Met an Canadian student couple some years back in Windhoek who completed a trip like this. The challenge would be the heat and long distances between towns and therefor water. If prepared well, and fit, a very nice trip. As you head out of CT, it gets drier as you go north. Northern Cape to Windhoek especially is like the Nullarbor. Dry, flat, long distances. Less traffic, though.
- Cape Town loop: A cool idea would be to fly to Port Elizabeth, and cycle back using the beautiful R62. It's parallel to the coastal highway (the Garden Route). Picturesque towns every often, good road most of the way with a shoulder (though not initially) to ride on, and less traffic.
Public transport: I think if you'd like your bike to be safe, put it in a box and let them stow it upright. Otherwise it will be flattened beneath fifty heavy suitcases. The operators are not used to bike touring here, so it would be a new challenge to them.
Look at:
- www.saroadlink.co.za<BR>- www.greyhound.co.za<BR>- www.spoornet.co.za<BR><BR>Cheers<BR>Nokka<BR>
3
rainboy
I always like to look and see what other people have done or are doing - look for problems, etc. More and moe people are cycling Namibia. Of course, you can't ride through a wildlife park - at least not one with lions. If I was going to cycle Namibia, I would try and make sure I included a stop in Walvis Bay. I'd take a look at this picture of some roads.
I'd take a look at this 1996 journal. or this more recent 2001 trip and this tour company's itinerary
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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