The Zondagh family, who have farmed apples at Avontuur since the early 1900s are now in their 10th generation at Avontuur!
They, and the Uniondale Lions, were involved in the founding of the Karoo to Coast, and are still involved, almost 30 years later! The cold winters are a major contributing factor to their apples being highly sort after in the export market.
The road out of Avontuur to the top of the pass is a gentle climb, that doesn’t really stop for 4.5km. It gains about 165m at 3.6%. A nice power climb if you’re feeling good, and a great way to put some heat into your legs if it’s cold! I’d advise leaving your cold weather clothing on at this point, and just unzipping, unless it’s one of those really rare, really warm mornings. This is a great opportunity to get some food and drink into the body if you’re not confident doing that at speed on a long winding downhill.
There’s a waterpoint at the top which is a great way to gain a little extra weight so gravity can help you down the mountain by topping up the bottles. Will also allow you to maintain momentum into the next hill. At this point, zip up, and if it’s really dusty, or really cold or wet, put your buff over your mouth and nose, and your glasses on, and down you go!
The Prince Alfreds pass was built by Thomas Bain and completed in 1867. It took 7 years to build, and it feels like it takes that long to get to the bottom! Basically 14km, and 800m! Not many rider get down under 20 minutes! Try to pedal your way down so that you keep your legs warm, and hopefully flush some lactic acid. Now is not the time to be a hero!
Tech tip: Look ahead so you have an idea of what’s coming. Brake before the corners, while upright, so that your speed is under control into the corner. Hold your line. Look where you want to go! There are a lot of people around and some are much faster than you, and better at cornering, so be considerate and predictable. Try to be aware of those around you.
Eat and drink when safe, and within the limits of your bike handling. As beautiful as this pass is going down, I can highly recommend riding it in reverse! (The Preride in early September goes up on Saturday and down on Sunday!)
As you near the bottom, there are waterfalls, bridges and some tricky corners. Across the Keurbooms River (which ends up in Plett) and past Die Plaaskind (great coffee, and Carrot cake) on the right, and the G-Spot somewhere on the left, (but I don’t think I’ve ever been there 😏) into De Vlugt.
-Stuart Lightley, Karoo to Coast Route Guru