The R355 is South Africa's longest continuous stretch of gravel road, famously connecting Ceres to Calvinia. Stretching approximately 250 km, its razor-sharp shale is notorious for shredding tyres. It is essential to carry at least one (ideally two) spare wheels, a tyre fix kit for emergency repairs, and to deflate your tyres before hitting the gravel road in Ceres or Calvinia to about 10–15% (we deflated to 1.6 bar). It improves traction and prevents punctures. There's no cell phone reception and hardly anyone drives this road so also take some extra water and snacks for the road.