The Cape Peninsula ends in a long, wind-battered headland, and at its tip, Cape Point, the Atlantic and Indian oceans seem to argue. Here the rock plunges to the sea in great cliffs, the sky is huge, and on most days a gale tries to remove your hat. This is the southern part of Table Mountain National Park, set aside to protect the Cape Floral Region, the smallest and richest of the world's six plant kingdoms.
Fynbos, the fine-leaved shrubland, is the star. It includes proteas, ericas and restios, in an astonishing number of species, many of which grow nowhere else. In late winter and spring the slopes colour up in pinks, oranges and yellows. Wildlife includes bontebok, eland, ostriches, Cape mountain zebra and chacma baboons, which are clever and bold, so keep food out of sight and the bike's luggage fastened. African penguins nest on the beach at Boulders, not far away on the False Bay side, and are a quick detour.
For riders, the main road down the peninsula from Cape Town is a delight. The route passes Chapman's Peak, a road cut into cliffs above the sea with views that make you slow down, though it sometimes closes for rockfall or in high winds. Further south the road runs through Fish Hoek and Simon's Town, and then into the park. Wind is the big factor: summer south-easters can be strong enough to shove a bike across a lane. Late spring and early autumn have the best balance of warmth and calm.
A restaurant near the car park does decent meals, and a funicular takes people to the old lighthouse if they do not fancy the climb. Bring layers, since weather changes by the hour.