​​​​​​​​​​​​​WHATS INCLUDED 

• 5 nights accommodation at a luxury 4-star hotel including breakfast

• Airport transfer on arrival to Cape Town airport to Franschhoek for you and your bike

• Saturday afternoon leg-loosener ride to shake out the travel legs

• Sunday morning café ride followed by an afternoon visit to a local wine farm

• 4 days of guided riding routes with expert ride captains, featuring carefully planned routes, including lunch

• Full mechanical support and support vehicle throughout the trip

• Traditional South African braai on Wednesday evening - our final night in Franschhoek

• Celebration drinks on arrival in Cape Town to toast the week's adventures

• Guaranteed entry and seeding to the Cape Town Cycle Tour

 

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

• Single room supplement

• Bring your non riding partner - it's the perfect place to not ride your bike and relax too!

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NOT INCLUDED​

• Flights

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PRICES

Prices for 2027 to be confirmed.​​​

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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Our Event HQ for the week is L'Ermitage Chateau & Villas, nestled at the foot of the Franschhoek Pass and a short walk to the main strip where you are spoilt for choice with excellent restaurants and watering holes. 

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At entry you can select your preferred room location:

• Cascade. Located at the top of the venue with views of 3 small dams that cascade into the lake below. 

• Mountain View. Facing away from the dams toward the majestic mountain view. 

• Lake View. Located at the lower end of the venue, facing the large dam and it's wildlife.

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ITINERARY

• Saturday 28 February 2026 - Mid afternoon leg-loosener

• Sunday 1 March 2026 - Morning social ride, Franschhoek Pass. Late afternoon visit to local wine farm

• Monday 2 March 2026 - Helshoogte 114km / 1238m

• Tuesday 3 March 2026 - Bainskloof, 101km / 1057m

• Wednesday 4 March 2026 - Clarance Drive, 133km / 1605m.  This evening we host a celebration braai

• Thursday 5 March 2026 - Chapman's Peak, 124km / 1176m.  Cape Town arrival celebration drinks and nibbles

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For those not ready to go home yet, why not stay and ride the world famous Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday 8 March.  Leadout have guaranteed entry and group seeding available for Cape Discovery riders.

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ROUTES

Provisional routes currently are as follows:

 

HELSHOOGTE 114KM / 1238M

The route heads out past the Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last few years of his sentence under “house arrest” in a home on the banks of the Berg River.  We’ll stop for coffee before climbing Helshoogte.

 

The Helshoogte Pass is a popular 4.6km, Category 3 cycling climb connecting Stellenbosch to Pniel/Franschhoek, featuring an average gradient of 4.9% and maximums of 8.2%. It offers scenic Winelands views, a challenging ~226m elevation gain, making it a staple route in the Cape Winelands.  

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BAINSKLOOF 101KM / 1057M

We will start from the historic town of Tulbagh taking a short tour of the town, through Wolsely after which you will be taking on the historic Bainskloof Pass.  Completed in September 1853 by renowned road engineer Andrew Geddes Bain, built using convict labor, the pass was a vital, early "Gateway to the North" and was declared a National Monument in 1980.

 

We stop for a well earnt coffee at the bottom of the descent at 53km before continuing on to Wellington and then winding back to Franschhoek.

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CLARENCE DRIVE 133KM / 1605M

We leave Franschhoek by climbing the pass before descending towards the coast. From there, we join the spectacular Clarence Drive - one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal roads - with breathtaking views across False Bay and the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

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The route takes us towards Gordon’s Bay, where sweeping ocean vistas and rolling terrain make for a memorable and rewarding day in the saddle.  Lunch at Gordon's Bay before transferring back to Franschhoek.

 

CHAPMAN'S PEAK 124KM / 1176M

Today we leave our host town and head towards the Mother City.  Heading out in reverse of Day 1 allowing you to experience Helshoogte from a different angle, and into the town of Stellenbosch. Once through Stellenbosch we head out on Baden Powell Drive past Spier Wine Estate and continuing along the coastal route into Muizenberg, towards Fish Hoek which is now part of the Cape Town Cycle Tour route.  A “short cut” between Fish Hoek and Noordhoek gets us back on the CTCT route over Chapmans Peak, through Hout Bay and over the infamous Suiker Bossie hugging the Atlantic Coast Line all the way into Cape Town.  We then arrive into the hustle and bustle of central Cape Town and finish near the Waterfront where a glass of fizz and some nibbles await you.​​

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FAQ

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EVENT?

​There will be one group (expected average speed 25-27kph).  The group is supported by two ride captains, a mechanic and support vehicle. 

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We will stop for coffee mid ride and on our return there is lunch waiting for all riders (and non riding partners) at L'Ermitage.  Then the rest of the afternoon is for you to relax by our own pool and bar area.  

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HOW DO I GET TO/FROM FRANSCHHOEK AND CAPE TOWN?

​We'll arrange your pickup from Cape Town International Airport (for you and your bike) and transfer you directly to our accommodation in Franschhoek. Depending on traffic, the drive takes approximately 45 minutes.

 

On Thursday, when we ride from Franschhoek to Cape Town, your luggage and bike boxes will be transferred separately and waiting for you on arrival near the Waterfront.

 

When it’s time to head home, you’ll just need to arrange your own transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

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WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE?

Accommodation is included from Saturday 28th February.  If your flight doesn't arrive until a bit later don't stress, we will have another social ride on Sunday 1st March if you still need to check your bike is working properly and stretch your legs. 

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CAN I BRING MY NON RIDING PARTNER?

Yes!  Franschhoek is the perfect location for your non riding partner to relax whilst you are out on your bike.  The routes are designed for riders to be back by early afternoon, with lunch organised for both riders and non riders.  Franschhoek is a beautiful town with a large choice of amazing restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops to browse.  There is also the famous wine tram and an abundance of wine farms to visit.  The evenings include dinner for both rider and non riding partner at one of the many fantastic restaurant in Franschhoek. We will organise a transfer for all non riding partners from Franschhoek to Cape Town on the final day, where they can meet you at the Waterfront for celebratory drinks and nibbles.

 

If you decide to stay on in Cape Town after the event, then once again you will be spoilt for choice of things to do and see.  ​​​

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HOW DO I GET A GUARANTEED SEEDED ENTRY TO THE CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR?Leadout Events will advise all participants when these are available to purchase.  As a group we will get special seeding times.  On the day (Sunday 8 March) we will all meet post ride in the beer tent, to share our experiences, get some group photos and of course have some beer!

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WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

UK nationals don't need a visa to travel to South Africa, but do check if your passport is valid for travel. Your passport must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the 'date of issue') and valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa.

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DO I NEED INSURANCE?

You will need to organise your own travel insurance for the event as it may NOT be covered under your general holiday insurance. Please make sure your insurance covers cycling activities. In case of a medical emergency non SA riders must carry a credit card with them to ensure treatment if hospitalised. SA riders should carry their Medical Aid card with them.

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