Starting in our home base of Knysna, this 10 day tour explores the less well-trodden routes over the numerous mountain passes en route to Cape Town. Many of these mountain passes (Poorts) were built with convict labour in the mid 19th century by the legendary road builders of the day. Each pass has its own legend and folklore and as we cross the dramatic lanscape on our bikes it is easy to conjure up an image of the hardships involved, in days gone by, before the advent of motorised transport. Our journey will take us through the heart of South Africas Wineland and the roadside names will be suprisingly familiar to many. There will be opportunity aplenty to taste the local produce after the days riding before eventually we arrive in Cape Town along the Chapmans Peak drive which must surely appear in anyones top five coastal drives with its dramatic scenery. |
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| Local Explorers (1 & 2 Day)
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Run throughout the year, weather-permitting, these short tours are designed for motorcyclists who have not come out to South Africa specifically for one of our longer tours, but who find themselves in the Western Cape in the proximity of Knysna and would like to explore the local countryside, for a day or two, astride a classic bike.
Typical itineraries ( subject to variation ) might be:
1 Day - Depart Knysna 09H30 along the N2 in the direction of Plettenberg Bay. Turning off the N2 we head through the Knysna forest and over Prince Alfred's Pass before arriving in the Little Karoo and heading West towards George. Arriving there, via either the Montagu or the Outeniqua Pass we will then turn backand head East towards Knysna along either the coastal,
the old road or a combination of the two.Total distance covered approx 250 Kms and we would aim to be back in Knysna by 16H30.
This journey transports us through the Knysna forest, and the Outeniqua and Kammanssie mountains into the semi arid region of the Little Karoo and along the way allows us to enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the local 'fynbos' vegetation that extend from the mountains right down to the coast.
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2 Day - Departing Knysna through the Knsyna forest, we will climb St
Alfred's Pass before descending into Uniondale where we turn in a Westerly
direction towards De Rust. Leaving this charming little village, located
at the foot of the Groot Swartberg mountains, we wind through the
Meiringspoort ravine to the Karoo farming village of Prince Albert with
its many fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture where we will overnight.
The following morning we climb the Swartberg Pass and descend through
Schoemanspoort into Oudsthoorn for our lunch. The afternoon sees us head
back to Knysna after descending to George via the Montagu or Outeniqua
Pass. Total distance covered approx 450 Kms and we would aim to be back in
Knysna by 16H30.
This journey takes us through several different Veld types as we pass from
forest to 'fynbos' and then across the first mountain range into the Small
Karoo and then over the Groot Swartberg onto the edge of the Karoo. Many
of the roads we use were painstakingly forged 150 years ago through what
was then considered impenetrable mountain passes and which are today
ranked amongst the most scenic drives anywhere in the world.
Note :
Equipment (helmets and gloves) is provided for these short Local
Explorer Tours but participants are requested to wear suitable footwear
and jackets.
Cost :
1 Day Tour: Rider ZAR 1195.00
Pillion ZAR 597.50
2 Day Tour: Rider ZAR 2195.00
Pilion ZAR 1097.50
Includes motorcycle ( BMW 1970-73 'Slash-5' 750 or 600 cc ), spare parts
and mechanical support, petrol, accomodation and meals as appropriate,
guide, mechanic and motorcycle insurance ( subject to ZAR 3000 excess ).
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