Guided Day Rides

Montagu Gravel Escape

South Side Cycles x placesza

15–17 January 2027| Montagu, Western Cape

Quiet country roads. Big mountain views. A weekend worth getting away for.

South Side Cycles have partnered with placesza to bring you a weekend away combining two days of supported gravel riding with a two-night farm stay.

Join South Side Cycles and placeza as we explore the countryside around Montagu, including the beautiful Koo and Keisie Valleys.

This group trip is open to everyone—not just South Side Cycles members. Come with a friend, bring your riding crew or join on your own and meet people who share your love of getting out on the bike.

With the riding and weekend essentials taken care of, you can focus on enjoying the roads, soaking up the scenery and spending time in good company.

Explore Montagu by Bike

There’s a different rhythm to riding in the country: quieter roads, space to breathe and another view around every bend.

Around Montagu, rugged mountains rise above fertile valleys, with orchards, open farmland and stretches of dry countryside creating a landscape full of contrasts. Quiet gravel roads connect these changing views, making the journey as much a part of the experience as the

Our weekend takes us into the Koo and Keisie Valleys, following a mix of gravel roads, tar and jeep tracks. Expect rewarding climbs, rolling terrain and plenty of reasons to pause and take it all in.

We’ll also have authorised access to selected private farm roads, taking our group beyond the usual routes and into quieter corners of the valley.

Come Solo. Meet the Crew

You don’t need to bring anyone or know anyone before you arrive. Many people join us on their own, ready to meet others who share a love of riding bikes.

This weekend is as much about making friends as exploring somewhere new. Shared climbs, conversations on the gravel and dinners together mean you won’t stay strangers for long. We’ll also introduce everyone in a WhatsApp group beforehand, so you’ll recognise a few names before you even arrive.

Come on your own, bring a friend or join with your riding partner. Everyone is welcome—you don’t need to be a South Side Cycles member to feel part of the crew.

The Riding

This is an exploration weekend, not a race. We’re here to enjoy the riding, discover somewhere beautiful and share the experience.

We’ll have two pace groups, both strictly no-drop, with regular regrouping stops along the way. Choose the group that suits your pace, knowing no one gets left behind and there’s time to take photos and enjoy the views.

The routes feature a mix of gravel, tar and jeep track, with undulating terrain, sustained climbs and some well-earned descents along the way. A reasonable level of cycling fitness will help you get the most out of the weekend.

Both riding days include:

A certified guide and first-aid support.
A dedicated support vehicle.
Water-point stops with drinks and ride snacks.
Carefully planned routes through the surrounding countryside.
Time to regroup, take photos and enjoy the views.

Accommodation

We’ll be spending two nights at Langdam Farm, a working fruit and wine farm in the beautiful Koo Valley near Montagu. With safari tents and country cottages available, it’s a relaxed base to unwind after the rides and enjoy time with the crew.

Choose who you share with, or opt for your own space at an additional cost. Coming solo and happy to share? We’ll pair you with another rider and introduce you before confirming the arrangement.

Bringing your family? We can arrange a private cottage so you can enjoy the weekend together.

Accommodation options, sharing arrangements and any additional costs will be confirmed during booking. All options are subject to availability.

Your Weekend at a Glance

Friday, 15 January | Arrive and settle in

Arrive from 14:00, ease into the weekend and meet the crew. We’ll come together for dinner and a chat about the riding ahead.

Saturday, 16 January | Explore the valleys

An early breakfast gets us ready for our first day on the bike. Choose between a 80-90 km route and a 140 km route.

We’ll head into the surrounding countryside for a supported ride through the valleys, with climbs, changing scenery and stops along the way.

After the ride, enjoy lunch and a relaxed afternoon before gathering for dinner.

Sunday, 17 January | One more adventure

Start the day with an early breakfast before heading out together for a shorter 50–60 km supported group ride.

It’s one more opportunity to explore and enjoy the roads before returning to freshen up and head home.

Departure is by 15:00.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included
- Two nights’ accommodation.
- Five meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday breakfast.
- Two days of guided gravel riding.
- Carefully planned routes through the Koo and Keisie Valleys.
- Authorised access to selected private farm roads.
- A certified guide and first-aid support.
- A dedicated backup vehicle.
- Water-point stops with drinks and ride snacks.
What’s Not Included
- Transport to and from the weekend.
- Personal drinks at the venue, including alcoholic beverages.
- Additional snacks outside the provided ride support.
- Optional extras, including hot-tub hire.

What Does It Cost?

The cost depends on your choice of accommodation on the farm and whether you’re sharing or staying on your own. Prices are per person for the weekend:

Safari tent (sharing) = R2,999
Safari tent (single occupancy) = R2,999
3+ bed cottage (shared accommodation) = R3,999
2 bed cottage (ideal for couples / those wanting more privacy) = R4,499
Private cottage (single occupancy) = R4,999

*non-riders get a discount of R999 off above prices

Fill in the interest form below and we’ll send you more detailed information, accommodation options and next steps. The trip requires a minimum of 15 riders to go ahead. We’ll confirm the trip once we reach that number—registering your interest doesn’t commit you to booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the accommodation like?

We’ll spend two nights on a beautiful farm in Montagu, with cottage and safari-tent options available.

Your accommodation choice and sharing arrangements will be confirmed during booking. Coming solo? Let us know so we can talk through the available options before you commit.

Can I come on my own?

Absolutely - come solo, leave as friends. Many of our guests come solo. You don’t need to know anyone before you arrive.

Our trips are perfect for meeting like-minded cyclists and building new friendships. We take pride in fostering a supportive, welcoming environment.

We’ll introduce everyone in a WhatsApp group before the trip, so you can meet the crew, ask questions and share in the excitement. Once we’re there, shared rides, meals and downtime make it easy to get to know each other.

What happens if I can’t keep up or find the rides too challenging?

You won’t be left to figure it out on your own. With two pace groups, regular regrouping stops and a dedicated support vehicle, we’ll support you along the way.

Let your guide know early if you’re struggling so we can discuss the best option for the rest of your ride. There’s no pressure to race anyone—this is about enjoying the experience together.

What if I have a mechanical issue?

Let your guide know and we’ll help coordinate assistance. A support vehicle will accompany the rides if an issue prevents you from continuing.

Please bring spare tubes suitable for your tyres and your usual repair essentials. Replacement parts and specialist mechanical repairs are not listed as part of the package.

Do I need to be a South Side Cycles member?

Not at all. South Side Cycles is a community built around a shared love of riding bikes - if you love riding yours, you’re already one of us!

Everyone is welcome, whether you ride with another club or are visiting from another country.

Please come join us - we would love to meet you!

What will the pace be?

The focus is on exploring and enjoying the weekend together - not racing. However, this is not for beginners. You should be comfortable spending several hours on the bike, riding mixed terrain and tackling sustained climbs.

We’ll have two pace groups, so you can choose the one that best suits your riding, with regrouping stops along the way. Both groups are strictly no-drop - no one gets left behind.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be comfortable riding on gravel, spending several hours on the bike and tackling sustained climbs.

Saturday offers a choice between an 80–90 km route and a 140 km route, followed by a shorter 50–60 km group ride on Sunday.

You don’t need to be a fast cyclist, but regular riding will help you get the most out of the weekend.

We’ll share the final route distances and elevation profiles before the trip. If you’re unsure whether the riding will suit you, get in touch before booking so we can talk it through.

What does the weekend include?

Two nights’ accommodation.
Two days of guided gravel riding.
Two pace groups, both strictly no-drop.
A certified guide and first-aid support.
A dedicated ride-support vehicle.
Water-point drinks and ride snacks.
Five meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; and Sunday breakfast.
Authorised access to selected private farm roads.

What isn't included?

Transport to and from the venue.
Personal drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
Additional snacks outside the provided ride support.
Optional extras, including hot-tub hire.
Non-riding partners’ and children’s packages, which are priced separately.

Is transport included?

No. The weekend is designed for everyone to meet at the venue.

Transport can be arranged at an additional cost. Please mention this on your booking form so we can discuss the options and confirm pricing.

Can I bring a non-riding partner or my children?

Yes - partners and children are welcome to join the weekend. We can also put you and your family in a private cottage (limited availability) Non-rider options are priced separately, so please include their details when you enquire.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Please tell us about any dietary requirements when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate them and confirm what’s possible before the trip.

How do I book my spot?

Fill in the interest form below and we’ll email you with accommodation options and further trip details. Once you’re ready to book, we’ll confirm your arrangements and send you payment details to secure your spot. Submitting the interest form doesn’t commit you to booking.

Can non-riders join? What activities can they do?

You don’t need a bike to enjoy the weekend. While the riders explore, take things at your own pace at Langdam Farm:

Explore the walking and hiking trails, with options ranging from a relaxed walk to more challenging mountain hikes..
Try fishing in the farm’s dams—bring your own equipment or enquire about hiring rods and lures.
Enjoy birdwatching, the mountain views or a quiet morning with a book.
Book an optional wood-fired hot tub for some extra downtime, subject to availability and an additional charge.

Then join the crew for shared meals and catch up on the morning’s adventures.

Non-riding partners and families are welcome, with packages quoted separately. Activities are independent of the cycling programme; any equipment hire or optional extras should be confirmed when booking.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel, please email us as soon as possible. Cancellation notice is calculated in calendar days before the trip’s start date, from the date we receive your email.