Cape Cycle Tours has no intention of excluding any cyclist from joining us on a trip, these terms are merely a guideline as to what clients can expect on certain trips.
Suitability of bicycle type for various tours
Mountain Bike
A mountain bike in good order is strongly advised, mainly gravel roads in poor to very poor condition, some jeep track and single track riding, rider skills necessary.
Road Bike
Appropriate for Cyclocross or road bikes, tours either fully (recommended) or semi-supported.
Gravel Travel
Gravel in good to moderate condition, and tar (asphalt) road tours, suitable for Cyclocross or mountain bikes.
Levels of support offered by Cape Cycle Tours
Unsupported
Tours where panniers are used, a bike guide is available for these trips.
Semi-supported
Either for road bike tours (but is unsafe and not recommended), or mountain bike tours where a vehicle is not able to follow riders and luggage is transferred to overnight stops.
Fully Supported
Mostly a necessity on road bike tours, where a vehicle will typically follow a group of riders as a safety precaution, but also to carry spares, refreshments, and luggage.
Description of group speeds and cyclist levels
Fun Rider
Trains or rides at least once a week, and can ride for 3 hours a day.
Sport Rider
Trains 2 to 3 times a week, and can ride for 100km continuously.
Elite Rider
Experienced Cyclist (4 years +), has done multi day races and can average 28km/h or more for 100km, and trains 4 times or more per week. For mountain biking skills, is able to ride black and red routes comfortably.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
We currently have the following mountain biking tours available:
Single Track Days
Mountain bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
8 Day Tour: 5 days riding, 2 days transfer, and 1 rest day
An eight-day tour exploring some of the best single track the Cape Town area has to offer. Don’t be fooled by the shorter distances, the riding is technical and 80% single track. Accommodation at beautiful country B&Bs and lunches at some of the best restaurants the area has to offer.
More infoBig 6
Mountain bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
9 Day Tour: 6 days riding, 2 days transfer, and 1 rest day
This option has more of a traditional tour approach, covering greater distances each day. The routes are mostly jeep track and gravel roads, and you will even have the chance to ride sections previously used by the Absa Cape Epic, offering some of the best training for multi-stage races. Experience South African hospitality at its best with fantastic local cuisine at B&Bs and restaurants a bit off the beaten track.
More infoBaviaanskloof
Mountain bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
6 Day Tour: 5 days riding, 1 day transfer
This dramatic wilderness is one of the most spectacular and remote areas of South Africa. The challenging terrain has been broken up into bite size chunks, but still requires a fair level of fitness and technical skills.
More infoSwartberg Trek
Mountain bike
Suitable for Elite level riders
7 Day Tour: 5 days riding, 2 days transfer
An extended version of the Baviaanskloof Tour, this route goes through some of the most rugged and remote areas of our South Africa, it really is a privilege to be able to ride a route that links scenery such as this.
More infoTranskei Adventure
Mountain bike
Suitable for riders of All levels
8 Day Tour: 4(6) days riding, 2 days transfer
Semi-supported
This is a semi supported ride (luggage is transferred between hotels, but cyclists need to be fully self-sufficient during the ride) with daily start times dictated by tides and distances to river crossings, this is a part of the country where time is not of too much relevance. Be sure to pack snacks and enough water for a 4 to 5 hour ride each day, the last day should take in the region of 6 to 7 hours to complete. All electronic equipment should be properly sealed in a good waterproof bag as there is at least one river crossing each day where cyclists will need to wade through waist to chest deep water.
More info
For these you will need to bring your own bike, but if this is a problem we will be happy to direct you to a bike hire company (XT spec bikes). Please note that availability may be an issue so make sure to book your bike as early as possible.
You should know that we love going on night rides, so much so that we’ll even provide you with lights for the evening free of charge. You should also know that we’re not scared of pushing a little further, so if your legs are feeling good or if the day’s riding inspires you, there is always the option to add extra kilometres to your ride!
ROAD BIKING
We currently have the following road biking tours available:
Classic Cape Rides
Road bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
6 Day Tour: 4 days riding, 2 days transfer, and no rest days
A good solid four days of riding on Cape Town’s most iconic routes. If you’re pressed for time, this is the tour option for you.
More infoThe Big Guy
Road bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
8 Day Tour: 5 days riding, 2 days transfer, and 1 rest day
The name says it all, big distances further into the countryside than our Classic Cape Rides tour. This tour is aimed at riders who are here to do serious mileage.
More infoSmall Karoo and Overberg
Road bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
7 Day Tour: 6 days riding, 1 day transfer
A 7-day tour criss-crossing the mountain range that dominates the region all the way from Cape Town to Mossel Bay and separates the semi-arid Small Karoo from the Overberg. The tour can be done in either direction, but we'd advise taking the seasonal wind direction into account.
More infoCape Winelands
Road bike
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
4 Day Tour: 4 days riding
4 Days of fantastic riding just outside Cape Town. We take in the best that the Winelands have to offer and end off with a ride from the whale capital of the Cape along the cliffs to Gordon's bay.
More info
For these you will need to bring your own bike, but if this is a problem we will be happy to direct you to a bike hire company (Ultegra spec bikes). Please note that availability may be an issue, so make sure to book your bike as early as possible.
We’re not scared of pushing a little further, so if your legs are feeling good or if the ride inspires you there is always the option of adding extra kilometres to your ride.
Our dedicated backup vehicle will follow us the entire route.
GRAVEL TRAVEL
(CYCLO-X FRIENDLY)
There is an amazing network of gravel roads in South Africa that allows us to visit those little out of the way places that you only hear about in stories. These semi-supported rides allow you to get off the beaten track and out into the countryside.
We currently have the following gravel travel tours available:
Overberg
Mountain bike or Cyclo-X
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
5 Day Tour: 5 days riding
5 days of non-technical dirt road riding out in the farm lands of the Overberg. We visit a number of small historic towns along the way including the Moravian Mission town of Elim, and the Cape L'Agulhas light house at the southern most point of Africa.
More infoSwartberg Tour
Mountain bike or Cyclo-X
Suitable for Sport and Elite level riders
5 Day Tour: 4 days riding, 1 day transfer
Without a doubt the most interesting and unique tour that we offer, the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Klein Karoo has created a unique history of man versus nature over the centuries. Still amazingly isolated, full of character and definitely worth the trip.
More info
For these you will need to bring your own bike, but if this is a problem we will be happy to direct you to a bike hire company (XT spec bikes). Please note that availability may be an issue so make sure to book your bike as early as possible.
You should know that we love going on night rides, so much so that we’ll even provide you with lights for the evening free of charge. You should also know that we’re not scared of pushing a little further, so if your legs are feeling good or if the day’s riding inspires you, there is always the option to add extra kilometres to your ride!
SPECIALIST TOURS
Foodie, wine, and craft beer
Mountain bike or Road bike
Suitable for riders of All levels
4 Day Tour: 4 days riding
The focus of this tour is about combining the best cycling routes and experiencing the hidden little culinary gems that are very hard to find without local knowledge. The restaurants are chosen for their character and using local in-season produce to create interesting taste combinations, rather than for their overpriced reputation or silver service.
More info
For these you will need to bring your own bike, but if this is a problem we will be happy to direct you to a bike hire company (XT spec bikes). Please note that availability may be an issue so make sure to book your bike as early as possible.
You should know that we love going on night rides, so much so that we’ll even provide you with lights for the evening free of charge. You should also know that we’re not scared of pushing a little further, so if your legs are feeling good or if the day’s riding inspires you, there is always the option to add extra kilometres to your ride!
TRAINING CAMPS AND
RACE PACKAGES
Whether you’re already serious about your racing, or you’d just like to race without worrying about the logistics, our Training Camps and Race Packages are perfect for you.
Customise our Training Camp or Race Training Camp or leave the details to us and enjoy our Race Package.
We also offer upcountry cyclist’s a special weekend package that offers focused training in a scenic and friendly environment, away from the “big smoke” and busy roads.
INCLUDED IN OUR TOURS
- Airport or hotel transfer at the start and end of the tour. We will pick you up/drop you off at the Cape Town International Airport or a Cape Town hotel at the start/end of the tour
- All accommodation, including breakfast daily during the tour
- Lunches and some dinners as specified on each tour
- Vehicle ride/sag support on all public roads and where physically possible
- Assistance with bike assembly/unpack, disassembly/packing, plus light maintenance
- Storage of your bike case during the trip
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR TOURS
- Air or other transportation to the designated start of the tour
- Bicycles/travel cases—it is BYOB (bring your own bike!)
- Personal hotel/B&B expenses—minibar, phone calls, bar tab, etc.
- Dinners, unless otherwise stated* Personal purchases/expenses
- Personal trip cancellation or medical insurance