If you’re curious about touring on two wheels, the Overberg Meander is like a gateway drug. Once you’ve done this amazing and accessible route, you’ll just want to do more and more. 

The Meander links the fruit-growing valley of Elgin to the historical town of Swellendam, taking in the Breede River and Cape Agulhas – the southern tip of Africa. There are great places to stay in the towns along the way, and you’ll experience a variety of landscapes: rolling canola fields, fynbos-clad mountains, old-growth forests, empty beaches and quiet gravel roads. Highlights include the vineyards of the Hemel and Aarde Valley behind Hermanus; the flowing gravel of the Klein River Valley outside Stanford; the windswept roads dipping towards Africa’s southernmost tip; the hush of De Hoop Nature Reserve, and the aloes along the Breede River all the way to Swellendam.

The entire Meander is about 360km long, with 3 821m of elevation in total. You can carve it up however you like; ultra racers could do it in a day or two, but it’s far more enjoyable to take it slow, and give yourself time to appreciate your surroundings. We recommend riding 60-70km per day and doing the route over five days, which will allow you to stop at all the farm stalls, and enjoy the hospitality of the B&Bs and guest farms you stay at along the way.

Riding slowly also gives you the chance of a detour or two. If you’re on a mountain bike, for example, there are loads of opportunities to dabble in some trail riding. The Elgin trails at the start are world famous; De Hoop Nature Reserve is wild and spectacular; and the relatively new trail network in the Langeberg mountains behind Swellendam will test your skills.

“The Meander has been designed to be joyful and immersive.”

The best place to start – and the HQ for all your planning questions – is Trail’s End Bike Hotel in Elgin. It’s owned by Pieter Silberbauer, who recently spearheaded numerous trail upgrades in the Elgin/Grabouw area to help bike tourists on their way. These included building a new bridge near Grabouw that provides riders with a safer and more scenic alternative to the busy roads that previously defined the start of the Meander. 

Silberbauer is one of South Africa’s OG mountain bikers, and he’s excited to show riders his special part of the world. “The Meander has been designed to be joyful and immersive,” he says. “Take the time to engage with Mother Nature, and enjoy all the little pleasures along the way.”

THE DETAILS

BEST TIME TO RIDE? Autumn and spring in the Cape make for dream days in the saddle. The weather is normally mild – not too hot, not too cold, as Goldilocks would say if she were a cyclist. Summer can be hot and windy, but at least you won’t have to worry about rain. And in winter, if it isn’t raining and you luck out with a clear week, it’s probably the most spectacular time of all: the canola fields are in full bloom, the aloes are flowering and everything is green. 

WHAT ARE THE ROADS LIKE? The route mostly follows district gravel roads, which are generally in good condition – and quiet, with the exception of the odd farm bakkie. There are some sections along busier tar roads, however, especially the R319 between Agulhas and Bredasdorp. It’s worth packing bright lights (front and rear) to make yourself more visible on the road. The extra safety afforded by a follow car is also not a bad idea. Generally, though, you’ll be on some of the best touring roads in the country.

THE ROUTE? As mentioned, the route goes from Elgin/Grabouw to Swellendam, via the Hemel en Aarde Valley, Stanford, Napier, Elim, Agulhas, Bredasdorp and Malgas. You can do it in reverse, or only ride certain sections, or spend more time in areas with other riding in the vicinity, such as Elgin, De Hoop and Swellendam. 

WHERE TO STAY? Almost all the towns along the way have excellent guesthouses and guest farms where you can relax and have a delicious meal. There are campsites, too, if you’re really on a budget. Once you’ve worked out your route and how far you’ll be riding each day, nailing down accommodation is easy. Here are some handy websites: 

• Elgin, Grabouw, Caledon: twk.gov.za
• Kleinmond, Hermanus, Stanford, Gansbaai: whalecoast.info
• Bredasdorp, Struisbaai, Agulhas, Arniston: discovercapeagulhas.co.za 
• Swellendam and surrounds: swellendam.com

BIKE CHOICE? The terrain lends itself to a fast-rolling gravel machine, but a mountain bike will also do the trick. You’ll be more comfortable on the corrugated bits, that’s for sure. It’s also a great route for e-bikes, but only if you keep the daily distances modest. You don’t want a flat battery between Papiesvlei and nowhere… 

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