South Africa’s first official 1000km BRM will start on Tuesday 26 April 2016 at 9pm from the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. Join us and be part of this historic ride.
Featured image http://www.hotels.tv/blog/gardenroute/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2014/07/Route62_Elsa-Bleda_OneSmallSeed.jpg
Riders
So far we have around 11 participants, including Chris, Wimpie, Ernst, Gideon, Peter, Nico, Theunis, (Rob, injury permitting) plus our friends from the North – Michelle, Kenneth & Salim. Entries remain open. Spread the word.
Route overview
It is an out-and-back route from Somerset West to Hartenbos and back. Start at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. Hop onto the R44 to Stellenbosch. Turn right onto the R310 to Franschhoek (at +-16kms). Go over Helshoogte pass and through Pniel. At the t-junction at the end of the R310, turn right onto the R45 to Franschhoek (at +-33kms). Go through Franschhoek, over the pass and along the Theewaterskloof dam to the next t-junction. Turn left onto the R43 towards Villiersdorp (at +-73kms). Pass Villiersdorp and stay on the R43 till you reach the Aan-de-Doorns cellar (at +-123kms). Here you turn right towards the R60/Overhex train station. Carry on for 6kms till you reach the R60. Turn right (at +-129kms) onto the R60, passing Robertson (at +-165kms) and Ashton (at +-182kms).
Route 62
The R60 now becomes the famous Route 62. Stay on it until you reach Oudtshoorn, passing the following towns en route – Montagu (at +-193kms), Barrydale (at +-255kms), Ladismith (at +-332kms), Zoar (at +-350kms), Calitzdorp (at +-380kms) and then Oudtshoorn. Get your brevet card signed in Oudtshoorn (at +-430kms), turn and come back just a few kms to turn left onto the R328 for the final stretch to Hartenbos.
Halfway
The last +-75kms from Oudtshoorn to Hartenbos on the R328 includes Robinson Pass, with the summit in the Ruitersbos Nature Reserve. There are no towns on this stretch, but you do pass the Eight Bells Mountain Inn (at +-482kms). As you enter Hartenbos (at +-507kms) there is an Engen garage with a Wimpy. Turn and go back the way you came.
Read more on www.route62.co.za and www.route62-info.co.za.
The route – out
The route – back
More info
Thanks to Rob for the many hours to date. Herewith the draft ride bible – Cape1000_2016_book. Please keep in mind the turning point is Hartenbos not Wilderness.
Fearsome five
Herewith more info on the 5 mountain passes we will encounter en route. Out and back. Thank Kenneth for the links.
- Helshoogte (7.1km;242m)
- Franschoek Pass (14.9km;466m)
- Wildehondskloofhoogte Pass (6.42km;260m)
- Huisrivier Pass (13.4km;419m)
- Robinson Pass (20.2km;555m)
Contact Nico on (079) 507-1231 if you want to be added to the Cape 1000 group.
Ps, thanks Adéle from Bedinkt for the cool shirt designs. Will post group photos after the event.
