Kraaifontein lies on Cape Town's northern edge, where the suburbs give way to wheat fields, vineyards and the first ranges of the Boland. Its name means crow's fountain, a reminder of a time when this was a farm with a spring rather than a busy suburb on the N1. For riders, it is the threshold between the city and the Winelands.
From here, a short ride takes you into some of the most celebrated countryside in South Africa. Durbanville's wine valley is just to the west, with cellars on rolling hills. To the east, the R304 and other roads lead towards Stellenbosch and Paarl, with the great granite dome of Paarl Mountain standing over the vineyards. Beyond lies Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenot refugees in the late seventeenth century, and the Franschhoek Pass, which climbs in sweeping bends over the mountains with views back over the valley.
Roads around Kraaifontein are generally good, but traffic is heavy in the urban belt and minibus taxis stop unpredictably. Keep alert at intersections and traffic lights, keep valuables out of sight and avoid stopping in isolated places after dark, as you would anywhere in a big city. The wind deserves respect too: the south-easter, known locally as the Cape Doctor, can blow ferociously in summer, especially on exposed stretches and passes.
Fuel stations are plentiful along the main roads, usually attended, and it is customary to tip the attendant. Malls and coffee shops abound. In the Winelands, farm stalls sell biltong, fresh bread and fruit, and many wine estates have restaurants. From Kraaifontein the scenery only improves, so fill the tank, grab a coffee and head for the mountains.