Like a mirage in the desert, a 4x4 bakkie appeared out of nowhere. It was a bit hard to tell reality from figment through all the panting and torrential drops of sweat as I tackled  the Bikes and Wines tour through Stellenbosch at high noon. What started off as an exciting journey through the bloodline of the Western Cape had me questioning my sanity as I plodded along on what was probably one of the hottest days in the area’s history!

The driver of the bakkie was our saving angel as he came to the assistance of a cyclist in our pack who had hurt herself after a bit of a wobble.  Being the stragglers at the back of a group made up mostly of Brazilian, Swiss and German tourists, we unanimously decided, “who needs to be a hero?” and gladly piled our bikes and butts onboard the vehicle for a quick cruise up to the second last stop. Jacques, our tour guide and one of the four brains behind the initiative certainly looked like a hero as we left him behind in a cloud of dust. One of the safety measures of the tour is a guide in front and one at the back – after all we are dealing with mountain bikes, four different wine tastings and a winding stretch of road.

Biking along the grapevine

Let’s face it, we could all do with a little more exercise but there is a reason indoor gyms are so popular – the weather. Beyond the heat, Bikes and Wines certainly is a fun and different way of experiencing the longest standing tradition of the Cape – winemaking.

Your day begins at Cape Town Station where you get a chance to feel like a kid again by hopping on a train. Come on admit it, some of us hardly see the inside of a metro train, and with good reason. But travelling in a group made it feel safe and more of an adventure than a daily commute. The 45-minute journey would definitely be more pleasant if the windows were not tinted plexi-glass which leaves no room for a view.

Excitement builds when you arrive at Lynedoch station. A short walk later you are greeted by some of the locals and rows of mountain bikes at the Lynedoch Eco Village. Bikes ‘n Wines have partnered with local authorities to empower the community. A portion of each R235 tour ticket is donated towards a children’s leadership and skills development programme to help build their future. So while you’re nursing your hangover just think of all those you’ve helped!

Chilli jam lips and Sauvignon sips

The 14-16km route will see you journey to three wine estates. A high point of the tour, and no I’m not referring to the one that leaves you huffing and puffing, is the cheese and wine tasting at Spier.  Housed in an original Dutch gabled barn dating back to 1750, the experience looks a bit stiff at first but is suited to casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike. The estate’s historic tasting room certainly does compliment the experience. The sensations of cheese combined with the correct wine will have your tastebuds popping with delight. Who would have thought of swirling raspberry chilli jam, parmesan-like cheese and Shiraz together? Absolutely delicious.

From Spier your next pit stop is at Stellenbosch Hills. Here wine is coupled with different cuts of biltong. I’m anti-red, meat that is. But according to my partner Grant, who hadn’t had any breakfast, “It’s the perfect lining for some over-indulgence.”

 The longest and hardest cycle of the day takes you to Skilpadvlei winery, although the 4x4 lift we had does not come standard with the tour. But thankfully, here you’ll find a delicious dipping pond, and with the heat one couldn’t care a less that the bottom appears a bit murky. Like smouldering coals, I’m sure we made a fizzling sound as we plunged in.  Grant hadn’t brought anything to swim in, and received a typically Brazilian response from one of the guys in our group, “Just go without!”  He thankfully decided to pass on the invitation.

Lunch is most welcome at this point, which is pre-ordered before the swim.  After that it was all downhill, both literally and figuratively, as we headed to Duck’s Pond about a kilometre away from the eco village. Despite the less strenuous pace, everybody was pretty knackered. Due to dehydration the last thing we needed was another wine tasting, which wasn’t even accompanied by any explanation. The preferred tipple was iced-cold water.

There was definitely a sense of accomplishment as we headed back to central Cape Town and the roomy seating in the train is perfect for putting up those tired feet. You can only but smile with tipsy delight as this weekend wine binge will not require any detox session.

All said and done, I’d definitely do it again.

 Don’t forget:

Extra cash - Just in case you acquire a taste for a particular vintage.

Sunblock, sunglasses and lots of water – It can get pretty hot out there.

Camera – There will be lots to capture and we’d love to see it.

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