When your day starts like this things can only get better<\/span><\/p>\n The day got off to a shaky start: rain and high winds, and about four punctures before we even left the house. We got on the road a good two hours later than originally planned. Revved on coffee and armed with three gravel bikes, and a road bike with seriously beefy tyres, we headed off from the lighthouse to our first coffee stop in Bredasdorp.<\/p>\n En route we rescued a feral cat with it\u2019s head stuck in a foil chip packet (don’t ask), dealt with another puncture, and absorbed ourselves in being a bit damp.<\/p>\n The sun was out by the time we pulled into the picturesque Bredasdorp Square for our first coffee, giving us a chance to thaw out, and raising our spirits before the next leg of the journey.<\/p>\n Coffee stops were the order of the day<\/span><\/p>\n Seamus had planned a route that would have taken us in a loop to Protem and then back to Bredasdorp, but our late start meant a change in plans, and instead we headed into unknown farmlands for a shorter loop.<\/p>\n Getting onto the gravel farm roads was a relief after the busy, narrow tar road between Agulhas and Bredasdorp. It was a pleasure to roll through green fields, watched over by windmills, and race the bikes down the rockier parts of the road. The Overberg in winter is an experience best had on the back of bicycle.<\/p>\n After being chased by a very angry farmer, we figured that maybe we had gone wrong somewhere, and had to retreat, finding our way back to Bredasdorp in time for a leisurely lunch.<\/p>\n The next leg took us from Bredasdorp to Arniston via the tar. This was pleasant easy mileage, with the wind at our back: perfect riding for after lunch.<\/p>\n Riding through the fishing village at Arniston was a highlight: having never been there I was intrigued by the picturesque white fisherman\u2019s cottages, and colourful fishing boats.<\/p>\n A quick stop at the beachfront to admire the view, and top up bottles: thanks to our amazing support driver Pierre, and we were back on the road.<\/p>\n Our route back to the lighthouse at L\u2019Agulhas took us via gravel backroads, where we were kept company by a few startled buck, and herds of sheep. The corrugations, paired with a hefty headwind meant we worked off our lunch here, before we popped out onto the tar back to Struisbaai.<\/p>\n As the light and temperature plummeted we raced the last few kilometres to the lighthouse, ready to end the day with a hot shower, followed by a cold Fraser\u2019s Folly and fresh fish and chips at the harbour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"ccs-58780-0-10571400-1497963056.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-58780-0-10571400-1497963056.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/a>Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/a>Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/a>Windmills, green fields and endless gravel characterise riding in the Overberg<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>A visit to the harbour for fish & chips is an important part of exploring a coastal town. Photo credit: Seamus Allardice<\/span><\/p>\n