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Cederberg Gravel Cycling Adventure – Sanddrif to Houdenbek

by | Oct 24, 2022 | Bike, Where To Ride

Doug and J-Dogg embarked on a 3 day gravel cycling adventure on the Cape Cycle Routes’ Cederberg Circuit through South Africa’s breathtaking Cape Fold mountains.

After Day 1 of the Cederberg Circuit gravel route took us from Citrusdal up and into the Cape Fold mountains to rest at Sanddrif, the sun would rise on the pinnacle day of our cycling tour.

We had been well fed and well rested. A morning hike, a cultural heritage experience, and more than a couple of big mountain passes awaiting us on the road to Houdenbek just outside Op Die Berg! Enjoy part 2 of of our 3 part photo story.

South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
We were the early birds in search of the Cederberg Worm. We had heard great things about the Wolfberg cracks and had to go and see what all the hype was about!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The hike up is 1.6km with 450m of elevation gain but it’s the rock structures that take your breath away.
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
There is a tonne of exploring to do once you reach the cracks. Each corner that you peak around reveals a whole new zone to appreciate.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Short roll down the road from Sanddrif was the Stadsaal Rock art site where ancient paintings from the !Xam people can be seen, giving a perspective for the cultural history of the area. Worth a visit for sure if you are in the area!
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Back on the bikes we passed through the Krom River area where we had enjoyed dinner the night before, set against some impressive peaks that pictures just don’t do justice. The road to our lunch spot at Mount Cedar quietly winded through the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve with one major obstacle standing between us and food.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
That obstacle came in the form of a fairly stout pass named Grootrivierhoogte seen ahead of us. Nothing some milkshake motivation couldn’t overcome!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Mount Ceder’s Old Mill House restaurant served us Pulled Pork Burgers and Cookies & Cream milkshakes to keep the fuel tanks full and they did the trick! They also do Braai packs to order, we grabbed a couple for our evening graze.
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Temperatures climbed up to 40 degrees C for a moment after our lunch stop; not surprising as it was early afternoon then. Keeping the body cool and wet was paramount for enjoyment/survival. Rest assured, when you’re not filming it is a lot easier to avoid being out at this time of day!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
We were informed that our second day would be the most visually impressive, it was certainly the case! Blinkrivier pass has some sharp punches but the scenery was worth it.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The Cederberg citrus farms were alive and well along the route! The scenes started getting particularly agricultural as we approached Houdenbek and Op Die berg in the Tankwa region.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Capping the day of with a plunge into the Houdenbek dam couldn’t have been a better ending!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Tarentaal cottage on the Houdenbek farm housed the team for the night in comfort with the main room downstairs and 4 beds up in the loft. This is one of 2 cottages on the farm.
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Time to get those braai packs out! Another night of not going hungry in the Cederberg.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
It was great to get used to gorgeous starry nights out there. Quiet evenings around the fire with a good day’s riding in the legs is what life out here is about.

Day 2 was undoubtedly the pinnacle of the route but we still had big things to look forward to on the final segment of our ride! Houdenbek is highly regarded for its MTB trails and we were eager to sample them in the morning. Beyond that, the epic Middleberg Pass descent to Citrusdal was expected to be the appropriate crescendo to our gravel Symphony. Check back in tomorrow for the final day’s photo story!

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