How we did it

TRAVEL

We flew direct with British Airways from Heathrow to Cape Town, although it worked out cheaper to return to Gatwick. Prices in November are around £650 return with 23kg baggage.

Once in Cape Town we were driven around by Kyle from Cape Vélo Cycling Tours, for while buses, some trains and taxis are available, South Africa is a vast country so your best bet is a guide and support car.

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed at the Mont Angelis Retreat, self-contained cottages set deep in Stellenbosch wine country that really live up to their ‘luxury accommodation’ billing. Stellenbosch town is 15 minutes away by taxi. Prices start from around £730 for a seven-night stay for two. See montangelis.co.za.

VINEYARDS

No visit to the Western Cape is complete without taking in a few vineyards, and the Remhoogte wine estate at the feet of Simonsberg Mountain is among the best for the ‘turn up and have a few relaxed drinks’ vibe (remhoogte.co.za).

If arresting views and the full-blown tour experience is what you’re after, try the Waterford Estate on the edge of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (waterfordestate.co.za).

THANKS

The biggest of thank yous to Jamie Osman, who runs Cape Vélo Cycle Tours (capevelo.com) and Coffeeworks in Stellenbosch (facebook.com/ coffeeworks.ss). Coffeeworks does the best coffee in town (trust us, we tried them all) while Cape Vélo organises all manner of gravel and road rides, from local loops around Stellenbosch’s many trails and national parks to paths less ridden such as the Swartberg Pass.

Thanks also to Kyle Basson for driving the support car and doling out local wisdom way beyond his years, and to Lucy Osman for letting us borrow her husband for the week.