Robertson to Stellenbosch - 🇿🇦 South Africa 2025 - CycleBlaze

November 16, 2025

Robertson to Stellenbosch

  • Today was an amazingly beautiful ride through wine country and up and over the Bainskloof Pass.  It is basically the same route as was built in 1853 but it has been upgraded a paved.  It was a long climb but exceptional steep.  We also mostly had a tail wind but in some spots it was a serious cross wind.  We were going to have a picnic lunch at the top but it was just too windy.  We all had to take great care riding down and one of our group didn’t even try.  We are now in Stellenbosch the 3rd oldest city in SA with a strong Dutch heritage.  It is also a university town so a very positive vibe.  I could winter here in lieu of NZ.  Before dinner we took a short walking tour oof the city.

Last night at dinner the Swiss boys made a big mistake when ordering their wine.  They thought they were ordering a 550Rand bottle of wine but it was 5,500Rand.  The waiter double checked but they said yes.  The equivalent currency if 255 Swiss francs, 277€ , 244£, $451 Cdn, $567 NZ & $321 US, oops!

The route and profile for today.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Two long tailed sugar birds at the feeder this morning
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Taking off
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Into the mountains we go
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Does this mountain remind you of one in Canada?
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Vineyards everywhere
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Again to both
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Up the pass we go.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Into the pass we go
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
This sign was a little unnerving
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
The rock overhang that keeps trucks off this pass.
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Our van passing under the rock
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The edge of the road was blocked off by big rocks.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The name of the rock
Heart 0 Comment 1 Link
Hilary JaegerIt’s an imposing rock, but if you Google ‘Preikestolen’ in Norway (I’m sure it’s the same root word) you’ll see a rock formation that’s much more intimidating. I actually climbed up to Preikestolen many years ago, and sat on the edge…
Reply to this comment
2 months ago
Another narrow opening
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Another interesting rock formation
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The view from the top
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The pass information
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Before dinner we took a short walking tour around Stellenbosch to see some of the classic Dutch architecture
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The mountains from the city
Heart 1 Comment 0 Link
Another Dutch influenced building
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Another
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The old church
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The “mother “ church for the Dutch reform religion
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
The wine recommended to go with my ostrich dinner, shared with my German buddy.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
My ostrich steak with vegetables and creamy polenta cooked the way the chef recommends
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link
Our hotel offered us a free drink between 5-8pm so we couldn’t pass it up. My choice.
Heart 0 Comment 0 Link

Today's ride: 75 km (47 miles)
Total: 183 km (114 miles)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 1
Comment on this entry Comment 2
Pat HeydonLove the rocks and the views! I hope the Swiss boys enjoyed their wine!!
Reply to this comment
2 months ago
Fiona GreenStellenbosch and the surrounding area full of vineyards is so beautiful. Was there last year and enjoyed it very much.
Reply to this comment
2 months ago