Franschhoek Pass and Winelands · part 3

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Near Constantia

   The wooded eastern flank of Table Mountain rises right above this point, a few kilometres from Constantia, where the southern suburbs meet the forests and the mountain. This is Cape Town's green side: oak avenues, pine and gum plantations, old estates and the cool, shaded slopes that catch the clouds when the southeaster blows. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lies along the same slope, and on its terraces you can walk among proteas, ericas and other plants of the Cape Floral Kingdom with the mountain towering overhead.

   Read the complete Near Constantia write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Franschhoek Pass and Winelands checkpoint 8 is where the day begins. Next is Franschhoek Pass and Winelands high point.

2. 2. Stellenbosch

   Stellenbosch is the second-oldest European settlement in South Africa, founded in 1679 by the governor Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself and his wife's family, and it has the look of a town that has been carefully looked after. Oak trees line the streets, white Cape Dutch houses with curved gables stand behind them, and the mountains rise on every side, purple at dusk. It is also a university town, home to the Afrikaans-speaking Stellenbosch University, which gives the centre a young, lively atmosphere.

   Read the complete Fuel stop near Stellenbosch write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   You top out here; the road stops climbing. Next is Scenic stretch near Stellenbosch.

3. 3. Scenic stretch near Stellenbosch

   Stellenbosch is the second-oldest European settlement in South Africa, founded in 1679 by the governor Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself and his wife's family, and it has the look of a town that has been carefully looked after. Oak trees line the streets, white Cape Dutch houses with curved gables stand behind them, and the mountains rise on every side, purple at dusk. It is also a university town, home to the Afrikaans-speaking Stellenbosch University, which gives the centre a young, lively atmosphere.

   Read the complete Fuel stop near Stellenbosch write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   This is where the road stops climbing. Next is Back to Franschhoek Pass.

4. 4. Back to Franschhoek Pass

   By the time the ride finishes, the high ground of Franschhoek Pass is far behind and you are back among the flat, busy suburbs north of Cape Town, in the Kraaifontein and Durbanville region. Tygerberg hill, the low, rounded rise that gave Bellville its backdrop, sits close by. The mountains of the winelands are a faint blue line on the eastern horizon, and Table Mountain stands out to the south-west on a clear day.

   Read the complete Franschhoek Pass write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back to Franschhoek Pass closes the day.