DU TOITSKLOOF

“How much further?” I wheezed. “It’s better not to know,” gasped Nadine. We were about a third of our way into the 14km (and, more importantly, 820m) climb up Du Toitskloof Pass – and my quads were on fire.

An hour earlier, a motley crew of cyclists had gathered in Wellington for what has become an annual pilgrimage: the ‘Tour de Boland’.

An informal ride organised by Cape Town cyclist Craig Farham, the TdB is a 115km loop, via Du Toitskloof Pass, Slanghoek, and Bainskloof. With an average gradient of 6% and a maximum of 16%, the Du Toitskloof Pass climb is number 2 on Climbbybike’s ‘15 most difficult climbs in South Africa’ rankings (number 1 is Sani Pass).

I’m not sure about that, but it’s definitely a lung-burner, a leg-tester, and – when the wind howls – a soul- crusher. And though the road is mostly quiet, there isn’t much of a shoulder, so you do have to be aware of cars and trucks.

The best way to tackle Du Toitskloof Pass is to get into a rhythm, tap it out one pedal stroke at a time, and ignore the fire spreading from your calves into your quads.

When you get to the top, take in the spectacular view before you prepare for a swooping, whooping, sweeping descent, on which you’ll reach speeds in excess of 80km/ hr.

ON THE WAY DOWN DU TOITSKLOOF YOU’LL GO THROUGH A SHORT TUNNEL – MAKE SURE TO TAKE A LIGHT ( AND TO SWITCH IT ON), AND REMOVE YOUR SUNGLASSES BEFORE GOING IN.