Finishing the ride in Cape Town! (Week 12 Bikepacking Africa)

Day 78: Saturday , September 19 / Draaihoek Lodge > Langebaan (Sandra’s Guesthouse)

Alarm for 6:30am as breakfast is not until 7:30am. I had a good sleep, PL said his was average.
Another beautiful day by the ocean.
On our bikes at 8:30am. Hoping for less wind today.
Rocherpan Nature Reserve. We’re finding there are a lot of accommodations that aren’t on Overlander, which makes sense since you don’t put them there if you don’t stop there.
Seen quite a few ostrich over the last few days again. That’s pretty much it for wildlife.
Went through a crazy little town, Dwarskersbos, with all white buildings with black roofs. Very uniform. (“The uniform look of white houses with black roofs in the developments south of Draaihoek Lodge (often spelled or heard as “Dry Hook”) along South Africa’s West Coast stems from strict architectural guidelines designed to honor traditional regional style…This specific regional trend was heavily inspired by the nearby town of St Francis Bay, which pioneered the mandatory “white walls and black roofs” development blueprint back in 1958. As towns further north along the R27 (like Dwarskersbos, Velddrif, and Jacobsbaai) expanded into holiday and retirement developments over the last 20–25 years, local municipalities adopted these strict aesthetic frameworks to preserve “West Coast charm”.”)

Just before we came into Velddrif we think we came across some sort of fishing derby.
Started to see our first motorbike couriers, and also a couple of tuk-tuks.
Stopped at 11am, 40km in for a flat white, cupcake & smoothie and then off we went.
Going to go straight instead of all the ways round the point. Cuts off 30km from the route but we’ve seen a lot of the coast and we’re looking forward to just getting to the beach.
Past Cape Salt Company.
Through Edengerg and Saldana, which is a big iron or and shipping port. Then along the coast to Langdon.
All along the ocean again with headwinds but cooler temps.
Rolled into the guesthouse at 2:00pm.
Hung out while PL napped. Then we went to the beach, but it was freezing. Watched the kite surfers for a bit and then back to the room for a hot shower, lol.
Got ready and walked for dinner at 5:30pm. Right on the beach. Beautiful! Great dinner. Walked back along the beach.
In bed by 9pm.

92.56km/320m
Total: 5,972.11km/39,588m

Day 79: Sunday , September 20 / Langebaan > Melkbosstrand (Sandcastle Guesthouse)

Alarm set for 6:45am. Breakfast at 7:30am. This will be the first morning we’re not bringing food as there wasn’t really much to grab. And we have a lot of snacks to eat.
Riding out at 8:10am.
Going to pivot and take the West Coast National Park instead of the R27 after meeting a cyclist and asking after we’d helped him out with air in his tires.
So many caterpillars and we’ve seen a ton of cyclists so it’s pretty cool going through here. And tortoise, they are making it across without getting killed!
Back on the R27 at 10 o’clock.
Riding along the Jakkalsfontein Nature Reserve. Stopped for a quick snack at the turnoff at 11am- 50km in.
Route 27- lots of options. It’s kind of like Route 66. [Look up the CNN broadcast of Inside Africa Route 27 Roosterkoek – bushman bread recipe with cheese & honey. Got a great video. Springbok tall player – rg snyman]
A lot of of these private nature reserves. We need to look up what that entails as they almost all have lodges and restaurants, etc.
Rolled into our guesthouse at 1:30.
Crazy seeing Table Mountain from here!!
Got settled and updated all of our socials while we sat on the upper back balcony and had snacks.
I went to the pool for a couple of hours and just soaked while PL had a nap.
Had hot showers and then walked down the beach for supper.
Walked about 1km along the busy beach to Melkies for pizza and a beer.
Had a bit of entertainment – backed into a motorcycle and knocked it right over in front of the owner and a full patio.
Food was great. Watched another great sunset and then walked back.
Watched Marijke’s game and then late to bed.
Last sleep…

89.35km/554m
Total: 6,061.46km/40,142m

Day 80: Monday, September 21 / Melkbosstrand > Cape Town

No alarm set as breakfast was at 8am. No rush today as we will meet Greg at 10am.
Had a great breakfast and had lots of time to just sit out and watch and listen to the ocean and read. Got on our bikes at 9:50 to ride to the coffee shop to meet Greg and Anna.
Had coffee with Greg, Anna and their son and then hit the road and cycled along bike paths all the way towards Cape Town. Then came in along the port passing the yacht club and now heading into town. Really cool seeing the port.
Rolled in to our finish at 1pm. So surreal, but amazing.
Neither of us feels exhausted or wanting to be off the bike. But it’s felt long and we are ready to be home. Did our debrief.
Took photos and had a celebration lunch with good tapas and beer!
Back to the Torrs house to get settled. More beers – lol – showers and then a lot of chatting before our braai dinner.
The red wine came out and then the braai started. It’s very cool as they have a braai room with an indoor braai. They use it a lot so it makes sense with the wet & cold winters.
Had an amazing meal, late but great!
Looked at our week and made some plans.
Up to bed at 11pm.