We take an hours drive and drop you off at a dead end, (the Gamkapoort dam) to ride one of the Western Cape's most spectacular passes, Bosluyskloof, with its 60 bends remarkably fitted in a 7.6 km length.  The historic pass dates back to 1862 and was completed by Thomas Bain's brother-in-law, Adam de Smitdt. From there we turn left into a Certified Unesco World Heritage Site (Seweweekspoort) with is easy gradients, multiple river crossings and mind-boggling geology. We cycle through the towns of Amalienstein and Zoar, former German mission stations. The home stretch is via the fruit-producing Hoeko valley where one can find the birth place of C.J. Langenhoven. and unique Ladismith style architecture. 

On Day 2 we start in Ladismith with a short warm up on tar and follow the district road a further 42 kms to Van Wyksdorp, a undiscovered corner of the Klein Karoo. It is a cultural kaleidoscope untouched by the modern hustle and bustle of city life and ecologically rich in succulent Klein Karoo biodiversity. A visit to the Van Wyksdorp Mall add some shopping to our agenda.  From here we cycle the Rooiberg pass, built in 1928 to join Van Wyksdorp with Carlitzdorp. With a total of 69 bends, corners and curves which include 6 hairpins, this pass is not to be trifled with. Our reward: spectacular views to the North and South with valleys and ridges bedecked in fynbos. The pass lies within the Rooiberg conservancy, a 60 000 hectare mountainous area that forms part of the Gouritz biodiversity meander, which aims to conserve this incredible meeting place of three biomes, one of only 35 biodiversity hot spots in the world. The home run include navigating the downhill where we will take a 30 minutes drive back to Ladismith. 

Day 3

7 kms | Flat Architectural Town Tour 

Join us for a cycling journey through time as we explore the remarkable architectural tapestry of Ladismith. This charming Karoo town is unique for its very own “Ladismith style”—a simplified Georgian design that emerged in the 1830s, giving the town a distinct and cohesive character unlike anywhere else in South Africa.

As we pedal through quiet streets, we’ll encounter an array of styles: Neo-Gothic, Georgian, Victorian, Regency, rural Karoo, and even touches of Lithuanian influence. Highlights include the grand Volstruispaleis (1903), elegant Albert Manor (1899), and the stately Cape Dutch Revival City Hall (1932).

We’ll also pause at several National Monuments, such as the Otto Hager Church, now home to the local Tourism Bureau—a living symbol of Ladismith’s enduring heritage.