Die PlaashUYS

About us

Situated between Memel, Vrede and Volksrust  bordering on the Klipriver the self catering guest farm is a mere 250 km from Johannesburg. Experience the tranquil farm life and warm hospitality of Thys and Martie Uys. The guesthouse is spacious, not adorned yet fitted with a variety of antiquities including art created by Martie's local art group.  

The venue is ideal for group bookings especially mountain bikers with a big variety of cycling routes for the farm.  

We offer self catering accommodation for 14 people. Should you want to bring a bigger group arrangements can be made for additional camping facilities however our guesthouse can accommodate a maximum of 14 people.

24km Cycle Route

Route for novice riders or just a short easy ride

Type of Trail 0% – 100% Additional info
Tar Road 0%
Gravel Road 66%
Jeep Track 33%
Single Track 0%
Ascent 312 m
Max. Slope 7.7%
Difficulty Level 2/10 Easy Easy Route
Safety 8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low traffic
Duration Novice rider 1h20m Average Rider 1h 10m Advanced Rider 50min
Short Description First and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic
Who should ride it Novice riders
Permission Thys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download route GPX file in the top righthand corner of map

40 km Cycle Route

40 km Easy ride. Route for novice riders

Type of Trail 0% – 100% Additional info
Tar Road 0%  
Gravel Road 88%  
Jeep Track 12%  
Single Track 0%  
Ascent 535m Google earth stats
Max. Slope 11.2% Google earth stats
Difficulty Level 2/10 Easy Easy Route
Safety 8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low traffic
Duration Novice rider 2h30m Average Rider 2h m Advanced Rider 1h 45min
Short Description First and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic.  Get a great workout from this ride
Who should ride it Anyone , bit more of a challenge than the 24km ride
Permission Thys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download GPX file top righthand corner of map 

66km Cycle Route

66km Route

Slightly more challenging. Circle route 

Type of Trail0% – 100%Additional infoTar Road0%
Gravel Road95%
Jeep Track5%
Single Track0%
Ascent800mGoogle earth statsMax. Slope9.8%Google earth statsDifficulty Level5/10 EasyEasy Route for andvanced riders, challenging for novice ridersSafety8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low trafficDurationNovice rider        3h40mAverage Rider  3h       Advanced Rider         1h 30minShort DescriptionFirst and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic.  Get a great workout from this rideWho should ride it   Anyone , more distance fair challenge for the average riderPermissionThys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download GPX file in map top right

92 km Cycle Route

92 km Circle Route

Easy route for accomplished riders but a great challenge for the novice and average rider. Route passes Perdekop.

Type of Trail0% – 100%Additional infoTar Road30%
Gravel Road60%
Jeep Track10%
Single Track0%
Ascent1200mGoogle earth statsMax. Slope9.5%Google earth statsDifficulty Level6/10 Easy-ishEasy Route, more of a challenge for novice and average riders in terms of distanceSafety8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low traffic. This trail include tar road, becautious of humans with vehiclesDurationNovice rider        5h30mAverage Rider  4h 40       Advanced Rider         4hShort DescriptionFirst and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic.  Get a great workout from this ride. Also include tar road sections , look out for the odd vehicleWho should ride it   Anyone , more distance great  challenge for the average riderPermissionThys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download  GPX file in the top right hand of Map

104 km Cycle Route

104 km Route

Memel is halfway on this ride. Should you need refreshments or just want to visit one of the butcheries for biltong this would make the ride worth while.

Type of Trail0% – 100%Additional infoTar Road0%
Gravel Road98%
Jeep Track2%
Single Track0%
Ascent1192mGoogle earth statsMax. Slope7.1%Google earth statsDifficulty Level7/10  Endurance  Route, not for novice riders a great challenge for average rider  and a endurance ride for the advanced riderSafety8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low traffic.  Watch out for farmers, they tend to DRIVE!  DurationNovice rider        7h30mAverage Rider  6h 40       Advanced Rider         5h 45mShort DescriptionFirst and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic.  Stop halfway  in Memel at a guesthouse or just at one of the 2 great Memel Butcherys  for great BiltongWho should ride it   Anyone , more of distance gravel grinding workout and endurance ride for the advanced riderPermissionThys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download GPX file in TOP RIGHT of map

118 km Cycle Route

118km Endurance ride

Heading in a northern direction passing close to Perdekop. This ride will challenge you in distance. Great to build stamina

Type of Trail0% – 100%Additional infoTar Road0%
Gravel Road98%
Jeep Track2%
Single Track0%
Ascent1458mGoogle earth statsMax. Slope1085%Google earth statsDifficulty Level7/10  Endurance  Route, not for novice riders a proper challenge for average rider  and a endurance ride for the advanced riderSafety8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , This is country side with low traffic.  Watch out for farmers, they tend to DRIVE!  DurationNovice rider        7h30mAverage Rider  6h 40       Advanced Rider         5h 45mShort DescriptionFirst and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic.  Get a great workout from this ride. Also include tar road sections , look out for the odd vehicleWho should ride it   Anyone , more distance and endurance ride for the advanced riderPermissionThys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download GPX file in TOP RIGHT of map

126 km cycle Route

126km Endurance ride to Kranskop(Sneewberg) 

This is a out and back  on the same route. Visiting probably one of my favourite riding places. This route leading you to a picturesque nature scene just outside Memel. When reaching the end of the route look to see the hole in the wall.

Type of Trail 0% – 100% Additional info
Tar Road 1%  
Gravel Road 90%  
Jeep Track 9%  
Single Track 0%  
Ascent 1192m Google earth stats
Max. Slope 7.1% Google earth stats
Difficulty Level 8/10 Endurance Route, not for novice and average riders. Endurance ride with a proper climb for the advanced rider
Safety 8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , You will be crossing the R34 , be careful.
Duration Novice rider – Average Rider – Advanced Rider 6h
Short Description First and last 4 km is jeep track , followed by gravel road, low traffic. Passing through Memel stop at one of the 2 great Memel Butcherys for great Biltong and refreshments
Who should ride it For endurance riders, not only grave grinding but also expierence the prestine nature around Kranskop(Sneeuberg). This is a out and back route
Permission Thys & Martie Uys , otherwise is district road

Download GPX file TOP RIGHTHAND of map

144 km Cycle – Route Epic Route

144km – Amajuba Mountain – the Train tunnel – Botha's pass. 

 A great route passing Amajuba mountain and descending on the old railway line. This makes for interesting scenery and fun riding. Make sure to bring a proper light for when you cycle through the old railway tunnel. Distance is great and ascent not that big. All and all a great ride!

Type of Trail 0% – 100% Additional info
Tar Road 2% Cycle up Botas pass on the R34
Gravel Road 78%  
Jeep Track 20% Old Train Tunnel at Majuba Mountain, descent Majuba pass/mountain via the old railway track  
Single Track 0%  
Ascent 1192m Google earth stats
Max. Slope 7.1% Google earth stats
Difficulty Level 8/10 Endurance Route with technical sections. Great mix of district gravel road and jeep track
Safety 6/10 Cycle at own RISK! , You will be crossing the N11 close to Charles town/Volksrust,  Small settlement on Majuba pass,be careful. In general , quiet back roads
Duration Novice rider – Average Rider – Advanced Rider (3/4 Stop  Kontrei winkel (90km – 4-5hrs) Final Strech – 50km 3-4 hours Overall – it is a days outing!
Short Description First climb of the day is at Amajuba Mountain. Trail then follow old railway line(PS: if you see a train coming you are not on the old railway line 🙂 last half of the route ascend up Botha's pass and then through Sweet valley.
Who should ride it For endurance riders and those prepping for a long ride. Experience the nature and country of northern KZN, Mapumalanga and the Free state  ( 3 Provinces 1 day)
Permission Thys & Martie Uys

Download GPX file in TOP RIGH corner of map

183 km Route – Epic Training

183 km Epic Training ride

Kranskop – Vulintaba Country Estate – Mullers pass 

Not your average ride. Great prep if you are looking for endurance and stamina building. Offers a great downhill and a proper climb.  The drop into Vulintaba down Donkeys pass and although is has been cemented it is still a major drop of 411m over 4 km. 

What is great about this ride: If you pre arrange with the Hotel / Clubhouse for food this would make a spectacular & scenic   halfway stop.

Type of Trail 0% – 100% Additional info
Tar Road 1%  
Gravel Road 75%  
Jeep Track 23% Ride a servitude road from Kranskop(Sneeuberg) to Vulintaba
Single Track 1% First conquer the descent down DONKEYS PASS then experience the SWITCHBACKS of the black route on Vulintaba Country Estate
Ascent 2640m Google earth stats
Max. Slope -18.4%(D-Hill)  13.8% (Up hill)
Difficulty Level 9/10 Endurance Route with technical sections. Extreme downhill(411m drop in 4km). Climb Muller pass 450m in 8km
Safety 8/10 Cycle at own RISK! , You will be crossing the R34 , be careful. In general , quiet back roads
Duration Novice rider – Average Rider – Advanced Rider (Halfway to Vulintaba 75km- 3h 30 min) Second half – 110km 6h30 Overall – it is a days outing!
Short Description First warmup is the Kranskop climb followed by a drop down Donkeys pass into Vulintaba Country estate. Pre-arrange with Vulintaba for brunch-lunch before returning back via Muller pass.
Who should ride it For endurance riders and those prepping for the Cape Epic. Experience the nature and country of northern KZN and the Free state
Permission Thys & Martie Uys , Vulintaba Country estate  otherwise is district road

Download GPX file TOP righthand of map