A nostalgic ride down memory lane, following the original Cape Epic journey from Knysna to Cape Town, but with the option of hopping in the bus, a warm, comfortable bed every night and no pressure of cut-offs. Great training for the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Epic!

Day 1: Pickup at George airport at 17h30 and transfer to Knysna

Alternatively, make your own way to Knysna if arriving earlier.

Day 2: Knysna to George – 108km

This is a flowing easy ride with interspersed dirt and tar along the Seven Passes Road at the base of the Outeniqua Mountains through indigenous forest and dairy farmland.

Day 3: George to Garden Route Game Lodge – 120km

We skirt along the Jonkersberg plantation and down past Botlierskop, perchance a game sighting and wet feet through the river, but this is only the start! There is an ex-bridge across the Gouritz River, which could be flowing. This opens the way to enter the Garden Route Game Lodge and do a short ‘game drive’ on bikes, escorted by rangers, to our accommodation. An evening braai at the thatched Boma completes this epic day.

Day 4: GRGL to Swellendam – 136km 

The riding is along flowing dirt roads and fairly flat until the hill just before Heidelberg, which has a kick like a mule. We then meander along the twisting Duiwenhoks River until a Mother of a hill gets us up onto the Grootvadersbosch road. The last bit flattens out through Suurbraak and then (for EFI-ers) the quickest way into Swellendam includes a bit of N2 (or shuttle).

Day 5: Swellendam to Greyton – 111km

The route sticks close to the Breede River, which is just out of sight and then ducks down the Riviersonderend tributary including an old wagon trail and a small jeep track. After the town by the same name, the road becomes bigger and cruises all the way to Greyton. There are some optional single track sections for those with excess energy.

Day 6: Greyton to Botriver – 80km

The trail picks its way along the river with some really nice ride-able trails past sheep and grain farms and along gravel roads to Botrivier. From here we cycle 10km uphill alongside the railway line, emerging at Houw Hoek Inn, where we shower and have a late lunch before transferring to CT airport. Don’t arrange flights before 19h00 to be safe.