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Cederberg Gravel Cycling Adventure – Houdenbek to Citrusdal

by | Oct 25, 2022 | Bike, Where To Ride

Cannondale

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

Day 2 of the Cederberg Circuit blew us away with its magnificent passes and spectacular scenery. We had finished at Houdenbek, well regarded for its mountain bike trails and that would be the first order of the morning on the 3rd day.

The remainder of our final day of gravel touring was a scenic cruise back home to Citrusdal with one hell of a descent down Middelberg Pass but it wouldn’t be complete without a great burger and a glass of freshly squeezed Cederberg citrus to cap it off! Enjoy part 3 of our 3 part photo story.

South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Waking up in the agricultural land of the Tankwa Karoo for our final day on the bikes was bitter sweet. Our incredible journey was nearing its end.
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The Cannondale Topstone was proving to be a trusty steed out in the Cederberg! It was about to undergo a test of its mountain biking ability on some technical trails.
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Cederberg Gravel Cycling Adventure - Houdenbek To Citrusdal
The big electrified Habit Neo and the wiry (in a different sense) Topstone depart Houdenbek in search of some single track!
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South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The rock formations of this region are exquisite and make for a very scenic ride!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Looking about 10 degrees cooler than everyone else in those shades? Exploring the outer reaches of the gravel bike’s abilities made for a fun start to the day.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Horsing around on the trails done, there was a lengthly stretch of tarred road taking us past the little town of Op Die Berg to the base of Middelberg Pass.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Wheat fields, orchards, and vineyards abound in the Op Die Berg region. A contrast to the far more arid landscape we had seen on our 2nd day.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The town of Op Die Berg is a blink-and-you-miss-it affair with a church building, a couple tractor showrooms, and a little coffee shop (attached to one of said tractor stores). Grab yourself a Coke or a coffee and keep on rolling through to Citrusdal.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
A bridge over the Middeldeur Rivier near Kunje Farm marks the transition back to gravel roads. Middelberg Pass was on its way.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Passing by one of the area’s locals on their daily commute.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Undulating gravel lead us through farmlands under shaded trees ahead of the pass.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Gradients got fairly steep for a moment on the pass! Nothing that was going to make the Ebike sweat but Jason might have dropped a bead or two!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The enormous masses of the Cederberg peaks would slowly fade behind us after cresting the pass and beginning a 17km descent to Citrusdal and a fantastic burger.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
The upper corners of the Middelberg Pass are spectacular as the valley drops out below you.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Full gas and speed tucking our way home! A brilliant way to finish this epic route!
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
247km. 3500m of elevation gain. Craft beers, Buchu Melkterts, cave paintings, sunrise hikes, MTB trails and now time for our final ‘taste’ of the Cederberg at Salome’s Grapevine ‘by die dam’.
*click image for more info*
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
Cheers to a big ‘ol ride! The freshly squeezed Cedeberg Citrus goes down well on a hot day.
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
And a proper burger to wash it down. We might ride back to Citrusdal just for another one of these bad boys..
South Africa Cederberg Gravel Cycling On Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit
That’s a wrap on our Cape Cycle Routes Cederberg Circuit gravel adventure photo stories!

We of course had a man with a video camera with us on this big outback mission so keep an eye out in the coming weeks for the video experience of the Cape Cycle Route’s Cederberg Circuit!

To see more of our Cape Cycle Routes adventures and inspire your own gravel tour, click here!

Post Tags: Cannondale, Cape Cycle Routes, Cederberg, Cederberg Circuit, Ciovita, Giro, Gravel Cycling, Ryder, Western Cape

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