Itinerary

Graaff-Reinet

2h45 (Transfer)

26 km. 270 m | 16 mi. 885 ft

Our team will meet the group in Gqeberha at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ). Transfer to Graaff-Reinet where you’ll get to settle into your Guesthouse while the team assemble the bikes. Graaff-Reinet is the 4th oldest town in South Africa and boasts countless national monuments. The late afternoon will involve either a chilled ride into the Camdeboo National Park or sundowners overlooking the Valley Of Desolation. Dinner will be at Casa Karoo.

Graaff-Reinet - Shake Out Ride

51 km. 620 m | 32 mi. 2035 ft

After an easy morning breakfast, we will leave Graaff-ReinAfter an easy morning breakfast, we will leave Graaff-Reinet for a bit of a shake-out ride. A very informal day lies ahead and we will provide you with the option of a 30-50km loop. Plenty of time to take it all in, shake off the jet-lag and tweak anything that you need to. A late afternoon by the pool to relax and chat followed by a sky studded with stars and some delicious Karoo fare to conclude the day.

Road to Desolation Race Day

180 km. 2773 m | 112 mi. 9098 ft

130 km. 2000 m | 81 mi. 6561 ft

66 km. 1300 m | 41 mi. 4265 ft

With options of 180km and 2773m of vertical ascent for elite-level athletes, a 130km route for anyone below the elite level but willing to test their mettle to a 66km route, which is by no means easy, but for anyone who wants to explore and experience the event free from any race pressure, Road to Desolation is a beautiful and unique proposition and paved the way for races like Gravel Burn. Road to Desolation shares the true essence of gravel riding and racing in South Africa and we’re very excited to offer this as part of our Karoo adventure.

Prince Albert

3h30 (Transfer)

The first rest day will see us road trip through the Karoo en route to Prince Albert via the incredible fold mountain wonderland that is Meiringspoort. After a quick dip in one of the cold river pools, we will arrive and settle in Prince Albert for the evening. The most beautifully quaint arid Karoo town nestled at the foot of the mighty Swartberg Mountains. A mandatory braai (barbecue) and some drinks under the night sky before turning in.

Prince Albert to Calitzdorp

85 km. 1740 m | 53 mi. 5700 ft

1h20 (Transfer)

Perhaps the highlight of the trip. The magnificent Swartberg Pass. This HC gravel monster is something truly special. We will ascend the Prince Albert side which takes you through the most incredible fold mountains and then breaks into a series of snaking switchbacks which take you up to a false summit. After reaching ‘Die Top’ you’ll be greeted by the vastness of the Klein Karoo as you plunge down the other side of the mountain. The rest of the day follows a series of rollers through the Groenfontein valley to Calitzdorp. After a well deserved lunch, we will transfer through to your Guesthouse outside Barrydale.

Barrydale to Barrydale (Gysmanshoek Loop)

117 km. 2217 m | 73 mi. 7250 ft

We had to create a loop in order to share this magnificent secret of the Klein Karoo. Gysmanshoek Pass was originally used to transport goods by Ox-Wagon in the mid 1700’s. The rocky pass ascends gently through some of the most beautiful Fynbos (‘Fine Bush’ in Afrikaans - An array of flowering scrubland native to the region). It’s not just about the pass though, we will pass through some of the most varied terrain including the possibility of a couple river crossings!

Barrydale to Montagu

85 km. 1037 m | 53 mi. 3400 ft

After a big day, we will have a chilled start to the day and roll out gently on Route 62 for a day made up predominantly of smooth rolling asphalt terrain. At the halfway point most of the climbing will be done and we can enjoy some beautiful fast gravel to take us into Montagu for the night. Nestled in the Langeberg mountains, Montagu is a little Karoo gem.

Montagu to Franschhoek

147 km. 1470 m | 91 mi. 4820 ft

A day of amazing scenery awaits as we move into the Cape Winelands. A mixture of paved and unpaved surfaces greet us as we traverse from the Langeberg mountains into valleys of roses and grapes before taking on the last big climb up Franschhoek Pass, built on the migratory route of elephants from centuries ago. The satisfaction of the views from the top and the promise of fine food and wine in the valley will make it a worthy end to the day.

Cape Town

1h10 (Transfer)

A good breakfast and we’ll be on our way. The group will have the choice between spending some time on a wine farm or two or heading into the city. The group is free to explore as they please and will be given a list of some great recommendations.

82 km. 906 m | 51 mi. 2970 ft

We will start the day at the Pas Normal Studio Clubhouse and Ollie’s Coffee in Sea Point for a great coffee and pastry. The ride will head out along the Atlantic Seaboard towards Hout Bay. The views along here just don’t get old and you’ll see what we mean. We will head around the peninsula via Noordhoek for a pit stop, Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs and onward towards Cape Point before crossing back to False Bay via Simonstown. We will end the ride with an authentic harbour fish & chips in Kalk Bay. The team will pack up the bikes and get the group ready for the transfer to Cape Town International Airport.