Listen to this article in Afrikaans:

Cycling with a goal, but not necessarily with a daily plan. 

Amanda Kruger is an avid tour cyclist and has been at it for more than 15 years. She and her two miniature schnauzers, Jake and Levi are on a cycle tour along South African back roads as we speak, meeting good people, celebrating our country’s natural splendour and basically just living the dream.  

What is a cycle tour, you ask? 

Well, with the invention, perfecting and mass availability of the bicycle at the end of the nineteenth century, bicycles soon became a favourite way of independent (relatively) high-speed travel for leisure purposes.  

This evolved into the joyous pursuit of Bicycle touring.  

According to the Wikipedia definition of this pastime: 

A cycle tour is the taking of self-contained cycling trips for pleasure, adventure or autonomy rather than sport, commuting or exercise.  

Basically, get on your bike for the fun of it and see where the road takes you.  

South Africa, with its multitude of small towns, pad stalls and off-grid roads is perfectly suited for this. Not to mention the general “niceness” of the average South African and our world-famous hospitality and “Maak ‘n Plan” approach to life. 

That is why Amanda and her two Miniature Schnauzers, Levi and Jake, decided to hit the road in the last week of April 2022.  

She shares her experiences and daily updates on Facebook in a special group created for this cycle tour.  

Levi and Jake Tour Cycling Adventure 

Join the group to get your daily fix of adventure and candid pics of the Lovely South African scenery.  

Before embarking, Amanda made it clear that she would not be following a strict schedule:  

I have only two set rules when I am planning a long cycle tour and while I am on tour: 

My route is not cast in stone

I know where I am heading towards, but as life dictates when you see your goal, the road there will take you on paths you did not expect, good or bad. 

Attitude  

My attitude will determine the outcome of my day. (I have a stinking attitude when it comes to mechanical issues and flat tyres) 

Her route, not cast in stone, and so far only for the first half of the cycle tour is:  

• Gordon’s Bay along the coast to Hermanus. 
• Hemel en Aarde to Caledon.  

Staying on back roads as much as possible.  

• Caledon, Greyton back roads to Riviersonderend  
• Bontevlei, Swellendam  
• Buffeljagsrivier, Suurbraak, Grootvadersbos, Van Wyk Dorp  
• Back road Calitzdorp  
• Back road Oudtshoorn  
• De Rust, Willowmore  
• Stytlerville, Wolwefontein 
• Summerset East 
• Tarkastad  
• Dortreght 
• Barclay East 

How is it going so far? 

Amanda, who spoke to us on Monday morning, while en route to George said that there could not be just one highlight of her trip so far. 

“Every day has its magic, and it would be impossible to compare them.” 

Why now?  

She chose this time of the year for the weather, as it would not be too hot for the dogs (or for her). And even if she had wanted to start this cycle tour journey earlier, she states that the Covid-19 pandemic made things difficult.  

“All the lock-downs and rules would have made it impossible!”  

Although her route for this cycle tour isn’t set in stone, she does have an end goal in mind. 

“I’m doing this tour in preparation for the 4000km Dragon’s Spine bike-packing route that I want to attempt.”  

We suggest you watch this space…this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the inspirational Amanda or the adorable Jake and Levi!