Riversdale to Swelledam

November 13, 2025

Today was the longest ride of the tour being 90km partly because we missed a turn and had to back track. It also had 1,100+m/ 3700’ of climbing 60% of which was on gravel. It was a lovely day in the AM but hot again in the afternoon. We were on gravel but the bonus is very few cars. We did have one really rough section with loose dirt and big rocks which lead to everyone walking for a bit, safety first. We rode along the Langkloof Mountains (aka long mountains) a short mountain range within the Cape Fold Belt in the Western Cape of South Africa. They form a link between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains to the north of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route region. The name "Langkloof" means "long ravine" and was derived from Dutch. The mountains were beautiful to behold. Not unlike BC this side of the mountains is fertile farm land perfect for dairy farming and the other side is desert. We passed one massive dairy farm that must have had over a 1000 cows. It was a long day in the saddle but we are now in Swellendam the 3rd oldest city in South Africa.

The route and profile. Don’t let the look of the climbs fool you they were full value especially on gravel.

We passed this lovely church in Riverdale as we left this morning.

I stopped to take a drink of water under a tree only to see this little lamb take its first wobbly steps. It had just been born, mom hadn’t even delivered the placenta yet. I didn’t stay too long because mom seemed a little irritated with me.

We all got off route today so there was a GPS conference to decide the correct way.

The road deteriorated severely. The woman walking is amazingly strong but she has vison challenges so picking out the safe route was too hard for her.

Eventually it got too soft and bumpy for all of us.

More of the bad road, in total it was only about 5km. All part of the adventure when riding gravel.

Again but coming down at about the 25km mark.

Beautiful scenery again today all along the Langkloof Mountains

Who knew we’re in Germany? Actually this area was settled by Germans back in the 1700s.

Robert halfway up the second big climb of the day.

I was stopped halfway so here is the view of the remainder

The only shade available for a water stop with 20km to go.

More of the farmland and mountains. This is serious dairy country. We passed one farm that had to have over 500 cows.

This little town used to be called Paradise but the name was changed to an Afrikaans name which translates into English as “sour puke”. Maybe it should go back.

The last view of the mountains. They act like our costal range since we are on the ocean side of the mountains hence lush and green. On the other side it is desert

I changed my shorts only before going for a beer so I wiped my legs down, this my wash cloth that I can’t get clean.

Wine with dinner. This is my favourite wine region in SA and we are going there tomorrow for 2 nights.

Today's ride: 90 km (56 miles)
Total: 344 km (214 miles)

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