BLOUBERG - THE MyCiTi BUS AND CYCLING

Yip, we took those bikes out of the storeroom, last used in May 2010.   We have been wanting to try out the first MyCiTi bus route and Sunday was the perfect day.  Blue sky, no wind and not too cold - a perfect Cape Town winter's day.

The Terminus at the Civic Centre

The cycle ride along the Main Road to the terminus beneath the Civic Centre in the CBD took us 30 minutes.  Then we became tourists in our home town - tickets for two of us were R10.00 each. (bikes go for free).   We then had to join the correct queue for Table View, not the Airport, Gardens, or Waterfront queues.  We waited about 10 minutes for a bus. Although bicycles are allowed on the buses, it would be better to enter the doors towards the front of the bus - opposite these doors is the area for wheelchairs and bicycles.  Wheelchairs get preference, so wait for the next bus if the space is taken by a wheelchair.  Bicycles lean up against three seats facing the door and are strapped in with the seat belts.   If those seats are already taken, wait for the next bus unless there are other seats available and the passengers do not mind moving.   Bit tricky this!  Bicycles are not allowed on the buses during rush hour on weekdays.  http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Myciti/Pages/default.aspx

Our bus was full  (about 1.30p.m). - so we had to stand next to our bikes, but there are sufficient straps to hang on to.  The great thing about being a tourist in your home town, is that you begin to behave like one, and start talking to others on the bus.  The bus route goes along the railway line out of town, until it takes a left turn under the N1, and follows the old railway line through the centre of Paarden Eiland.  The line crosses the Black River canal, turns onto Marine Drive and keeps to the centre of the road until it reaches Table View. The Table View terminus is at the beginning of Blaauwberg Road.  We hauled our bikes off the bus, and looked around, trying to work out where to catch our bus to Blaauwbergstrand.  The buses to Parklands and Blaauwbergstrand leave from the same building closer to the West  Coast Road.  Inside the terminus are plans of each route with the stops listed. (as in the Paris or London Underground) Once on the bus we could work out where the best stop for us was - Kleinbaai which took us very close to Onse Huisie where we sat outside under an umbrella with a view of the sea and ordered lunch - chicken salad and a pepper burger.  Onse Huisie was very full and the service took longer than expected for a late lunch!!

The beach at Blouberg

We had decided to ride back along the cycle route.  This is a must-do for every Sunday cyclist. We followed the beach until we turned up Otto du Plessis Drive.  At the Blaauwberg Road/West Coast Road corner in Table View, we turned onto the cycle track which follows the MyCiTi bus route. The route is along the coast side of the road until Paarden Eiland when you swing inland.  Except for a short way on the pavement, you are separated from the cars by a planted verge.

Milnerton Lagoon

Cycling out of Paarden Eiland

At the Lower Church Street bridge, it is possible to leave the cycle route by riding up to the bridge along a pedestrian way, and  ride to Lower Main Road (Albert Road) or the Main Road. We cycled home along Lower Main Road.  (1 hour and 30 minutes from Blaauwberg to home)