The aim of the tour is to provide a very comprehensive base training for the Cape Town Cycle Tour in March. It has been found that 5 days of back-to-back cycling at a medium to easy pace works best – then afterwards to move high-intensity training and racing in order to peak for the Cycle Tour. Mostly, though, the Build Up is about spending 5 days riding through some of the most scenic parts of the world with a group of like-minded people enjoying the freedom & exhilaration of cycling.

Day 1 – Arrive in Port Elizabeth by 15h00

We will run one group airport shuttle to Jeffrey’s Bay, where we overnight at the famous Supertubes surf break.

Day 2 – Ride to STORMS RIVER VILLAGE – 107 km

Leaving the SA surf capital behind, we warm up the legs on an easy initial 10km, and then there is a hilly section after Humansdorp before it flattens out alongside the Langeberg Mountain range. There is a refreshment stop under the trees at 46 km and an optional stop at Oudebosch Farm Stall at 73km, then cycle on through the forest, ending at the cosy Tsitsikamma Village inn, where we enjoy lunch and a therapeutic massage by the pool.

Day 3 – A splendid display of Nature & Passes – 125 km

This is the heart of the world famous, scenic ‘Garden Route’.  Bloukrans & Nature’s Valley provide two wonderful challenges with stunning descents and testing climbs. We then ride on to Knysna for lunch, before cruising the last 12km to Blackwaters River Lodge.

Day 4 – Blackwaters to Hartenbos – 126 km

We continue along the N2 to Sedgefield and on to Wilderness, where we head up White’s Road for an “Afrix-Roubaix” detour off the busy main drag, which takes us on hard-packed dirt, along quiet, shaded roads and into George. We then ride up and back down the spectacular Outeniqua Pass, then on to lunch at Great Brak, before shuttling 2 hours to our overnight in Swellendam

Day 5 – R319 to Hermanus, via Standford – 124 or 147 km

After an early breakfast, we transfer 34kms to a drop off point along the R319 and cycle to Bredasdorp, then on through Napier, where we stop to enjoy lunch at a local farmstall, before rolling on to Stanford. You may choose to load up here after 124 kms or ride the new road into Hermanus for a total of 147km. We spend the night close to the ocean and there are many shops, craft stalls and bars to explore. We enjoy a final celebration dinner together this evening.

Day 6 – A SPECTACULAR FINALE ALONG THE COAST – 83 km

 We head out to Kleinmond & on around the coastline past Betty’s Bay & Rooi Els to Gordon’s Bay – which must be one the most scenic cycling routes in the world. We end off with an invigorating swim at the Beach and enjoy lunch, before transferring back to Cape Town / Airport.