Routes to Ride: The KZN Midlands
Jean Paul van der Linde rides his bike through this picturesque region, famous for its undulating green hills, stunning dams, and waterfalls. It features a network of gravel roads winding through farms and plantations, passing by historical landmarks, artisan studios, and country restaurants, creating an excellent opportunity for a day's adventure on a gravel bike.
I live in a magical part of the country. To have areas like Nottingham Road, Rosetta, Karkloof, Curry’s Post, Howick and Hilton in which to ride my bike is truly something special. The Midlands is famous for its rolling green hills and that’s exactly what makes it such a pleasure to ride a gravel bike here. The terrain is wonderfully varied, with roads winding through farmlands, plantations or natural vegetation, often offering views over the Drakensberg. The roads can be a little bumpy, but that only adds to the charm of riding in our area. There’s plenty of variety, from hilly sections and steep climbs like Khyber Pass to flowing stretches that make every ride feel different and rewarding.
Favourite ride
There are plenty of good rides, but if I was to pick a favourite, it would be the Midmar Dam – Nottingham Road loop. You start near the Nelson Mandela Capture Site outside Howick, then head towards Midmar Dam before taking the Petrus Stroom Road. From there, you continue through Dargle, onto Fort Nottingham and Nottingham Road, before looping back past Caversham Mill and Piggly Wiggly to finish back where you started.
The full route is about 80km long with roughly 1 200m of climbing, and around 60% of it is gravel. There are plenty of variations to make it longer or shorter, with more or less gravel, depending on what you’re after. What makes this ride special is the combination of challenging climbs, flowing gravel sections, scenic farmland and a few historical sites along the way – it really captures the best of what the Midlands has to offer.
With this area being on the Midlands Meander, there are several convenient spots to refuel along the route. Nottingham Road is the biggest centre, with coffee shops, restaurants and a grocery store. In general, the Midlands offers plenty of opportunities to restock on any ride. Even adventurous riders heading off the beaten track can usually find a fuel station, a small grocery store, a spaza shop, or even a local shebeen.
What’s particularly good about this route is that you pass several historical and scenic highlights. These include the impressive sculpture at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, iNhlosane Mountain (the highest peak in the area), the Fort Nottingham Museum, Rawdon’s Hotel & Brewery for a well-earned beer tasting, Caversham Mill, and the Lions River Station. Each stop adds character to the ride and gives a sense of the region’s history.
One section to be mindful of is the R103. While most of the route is on quiet gravel and backroads, the R103 can get a little busy at times, so it’s important to stay alert and ride safely when on this main road. Otherwise, the route is straightforward, with the combination of scenic views, historical points and flowing gravel making it a great ride.
Bike talk
For me, bike choice is all about riding style, the routes you enjoy, and what you want to get out of your rides. I’ve settled on a mid-range gravel bike with a GRX 2x groupset, mainly because I prefer the flexibility of a wider gear range. To match different rides, I run two wheelsets: a light carbon set with 38mm tyres for paved routes that link onto gravel, and a stronger aluminium set with 50mm tyres for rides that are mostly off-road.
Here in the Midlands, bike choice gets even more interesting. The provincial gravel roads usually offer smoother, more open riding, but they tend to become corrugated in winter (our dry season). The plantation roads, by contrast, can be more exciting and scenic, but they’re also bumpier, more rutted, and often have washed-out sections.
The appeal of gravel
A gravel bike sits perfectly between a road and a mountain bike, allowing you to tackle a wide variety of terrain. With our deteriorating road infrastructure, having a more robust bike makes riding on tarred roads much safer, as you can handle potholes, rough patches and uneven surfaces with confidence. At the same time, gravel bikes let you enjoy the speed and efficiency of a road bike when you’re on smoother surfaces. Compared to a mountain bike, you gain extra momentum and flow, making long rides more enjoyable while still having the option to explore rougher backroads and trails. Essentially, a gravel bike gives you the freedom to mix and match paved roads with quiet country gravel, and even light single track in a single ride. It’s the combination of safety, speed and versatility that makes gravel biking so appealing, especially in a region like the Midlands, where the variety of roads and landscapes is endless.
“It’s the combination of safety, speed and versatility that makes gravel biking so appealing”
