18/09/2019
A nice ride to get inspired for your next Harley or Indians trip in South Africa.
Find below the roadmap that our last riders wanted to share with you. 10 Days, Johannesburg to Cape Town and back.
A big “Thank You” to Mark, Jeff, James, Reg and Ken and see you soon for an other adventure with SteelRiderS !
Day 1
Start: Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport – Convenient for OR Tambo Int (with free airport shuttle) to the bikes pick-up location
Route:
N12 from Boksburg to Bloemhof (NB had intended to turn off N12 at Wolmaransstad but roads through the town were very bad and there were no sign posts)
R34 to Vryburg via Schweizer-Reneke
N14 to Kuruman (Eye of Kuruman in poor state of repair)
Finish: Kuruman Inn – Accommodation poor, good restaurant, secure off-street parking
Distance: 621 km
Day 2
Start: Kuruman Inn
Route: N14 to Kakamas and turn off to Augrabies NB N14 has a right turn to Olifantshoek – sign was down due to road works and I missed the turn. Realised before Postmasburg;-). Sishen Mine on right has grown massively since the ‘80s.
Finish: Augrabies Falls Lodge and Camp – excellent accommodation, bar and restaurant. Significantly upgraded since the 80s. Tar road used to stop here but now goes all the way to the Augrabies Falls visitor centre. Well worth a visit. No off-street parking needed.
Distance: 470 km (including ride to the Visitor's Centre)
Day 3
Start: Augrabies Falls Lodge and Camp
Route: N14 to Springbok
N7 to Steinkopf
R382 to Port Nolloth – the R382 was a surprisingly interesting ride especially the pass @20 km from Steinkopf
Finish: Bedrock Lodge – quirky, interesting accommodation, good staff with advice on local restaurants (two of them) being useful and accurate. Secure off-street parking
Distance: 462 km
Day 4
Start: Bedrock Lodge
Route: R382 to Steinkopf
N7 to Clanwilliam – N7 was surprisingly twisty and a pleasure to ride on Harleys
Finish: Clanwilliam Hotel – neat hotel with secure off-street parking. Decent visitors centre with plenty to see in the town, especially if your enjoy Rooiboos tea 😉 Good advice from visitors centre on places to eat.
Distance: 495 km
Day 5
Start: Clanwilliam Hotel
Route: N7 to Cape Town – the route was supposed to take in Ceres and Bainskloof Pass but due to late start (keeping Reg company) the ride was directly to Cape Town. In the right weather the first views of Table Mountain when approaching Melkbosstrand are spectacular.
Finish: Victoria and Alfred Hotel, Waterfront – excellent accommodation in the middle of everything.
Distance: 238 km
Day 6
Start: Victoria and Alfred Hotel, Waterfront
Route: M3, M5, M4 to Simon’s Town
M4 to M65 and turn-off to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Return to Cape Town via Chapman’s Peak with meal stop in Houtbaai
Finish: Victoria and Alfred Hotel, Waterfront – Parking is guarded 24/7
NB – Useful day trip if bikes are being picked up at Cape Town Harley Davidson. Gives everyone time to acclimatise to their bikes and riding in SA.
Distance: 153 Km
Day 7
Start: Victoria and Alfred Hotel, Waterfront
Route: N2 to Caledon - Sir Lowry’s Pass and Houwhoek Pass
R316 to Bredasdorp – good fast windy roads for the Harley’s
R319 to Agulhas National Park – stop at the light house. The road to the actual southern-most point is unpaved
R319 to N2 (follow signs for Swellendam)
N2 to George
Finish: Oakhurst Hotel – attractive thatched building. Walking distance to Hussar Grill. Securing parking was offered at the rear of the property but was on grass
NB – Good route but R62 would have been better/more challenging
Distance: 565 km
Day 8
Start: Oakhurst Hotel
Route: N12 to N9 – Outeniqua Pass plus numerous smaller ones perfect for the Harley’s
N9 to Graaff-Reinet
Finish: Drostdy Hotel – luxury accommodation with excellent restaurant. Town worth a walk around. Secure parking outside reception
Distance: 365 km
Day 9
Start: Drostdy Hotel
Route: N9 to N10 – surprisingly enjoyable route
N10 to Britstown via De Aar
N12 to Kimberley
Finish: Protea Hotel by Mariott Kimberly – good accommodation on the Big Hole with access to the museum and other facilities at the site. Parking obtained outside reception.
Distance: 579 km
Day 10
Start: Protea Hotel by Mariott Kimberly
Route: R64 to Boshof. Locals advised that R59 was not suitable for bikes due to state of the road. Returned to Kimberly
N12 to Harley Davidson Gold Rand
Finish: Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport
NB – Friday afternoon at the end of the month is not when you want to be going through Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom and the highways around Johannesburg 😉
Distance: 633 km
