Please note this event is not organised by the Pedal Power Association. The Ride The Karoo is a Third Party Event advertised by the PPA.

Ride The Karoo stage race takes place in the heart of the Karoo at Dwarsvlei farm. Each stage passes by historical 100-year-old stables and 200-year-old stone walls leading onto double lane “sheep tracks” while riding past familiar windpump scenes along the way. Experience authentic Karoo hospitality with braais, fresh farm bread, condensed milk coffee, koeksisters & craft beer amidst picturesque sunsets. Ride the Karoo is not about crossing the finish line as quickly as possible but rather about a riding experience like no other.

The Ride The Karoo 3-Day Stage Race has announced an exciting change of dates in 2026. This year, the event will take place from 10–12 April, a time when the Karoo reveals a softer, more magical side of itself. The blistering heat of summer has eased, the evenings are cool and refreshing, and the golden light turns the wide-open plains into something unforgettable. It’s the perfect season to experience this extraordinary corner of South Africa.

This is not your ordinary stage race. Yes, there are three days of riding through some of the most untouched and awe-inspiring landscapes in the country, but at its heart, this event is about connection—connection with the land, with people, and with the simple pleasures that make the Karoo so unique.

Each stage is designed to showcase a different facet of the region: a sunset ride where the Karoo horizon stretches endlessly, short single track sections that snake through the Karoo veld, and farm roads so peaceful you hear nothing but the hum of your tyres and the rhythm of your breath. The riding is challenging enough to give you that satisfying burn, but accessible enough to remind you that this is as much about the journey as the destination.

And then there’s the food. Riders quickly learn that Ride The Karoo is as much a culinary adventure as it is a cycling one. Forget energy gels and bland buffets—here you’re treated to authentic, hearty, home-cooked meals that carry the flavour and soul of the Karoo. Think fresh vetkoek stuffed with mince, proper farmhouse breakfasts, lamb chops sizzling on the fire, creamy milk tart for dessert, and mugs of strong Karoo coffee to start the day. It’s nourishment not just for your body, but for your spirit.

When the day’s riding winds down, the true magic begins. Evenings at Dwarsvlei Farm, the race village, are filled with the kind of atmosphere that only the Karoo can deliver. The sky turns into a blanket of stars so thick and bright it feels otherworldly. Riders gather around the fire with a glass of wine or a cold craft beer, sharing stories, laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from shared adventure. Musicians provide the soundtrack, their songs weaving into the crackle of the fire and the rhythm of conversation.

This is the spirit of Ride The Karoo: an event that blends sport, culture, and hospitality into something unforgettable. It’s about pausing to appreciate the vast stillness of the land, feeling the dust on your shoes, tasting the richness of food prepared with love, and discovering that sometimes the greatest rides are not just about speed or distance, but about everything that surrounds them.

By shifting the dates to April, the organisers have made sure the experience is even more magical. Cooler weather, golden landscapes, and the gentle rhythm of autumn set the perfect stage for adventure. It’s a time of year when the Karoo seems to breathe more deeply, offering riders not just a race, but a journey into its soul.

The Ride The Karoo 3-Day Stage Race from 10–12 April is calling. Whether you’re chasing your next cycling challenge or seeking an escape into one of South Africa’s most enchanting regions, this is your chance. Space is limited.

Three days of riding. Three days of feasting. Three days of Karoo magic. Don’t miss it.

DATE:

10 – 12 April 2026

ROUTE:

STAGE 1

REGISTRATION: 13:00 – 17:30
START: From 18:15
DISTANCE: 20km
ELEVATION: 230m
PREPARE: Bicycle lights, warm clothing, bridge crossing
ROUTE: The Night Ride starts at sunset and leads onto the jeep track towards the Dwarsvlei dam. With a sharp left onto your first single track, followed by a low culvert pass-through. This will be marked by a Caution sign. You will now have your last visible view of the mountain while the beautiful starry Karoo night sky unfolds. Remember to switch on your light! As you make your way up the infamous Renosterberg don’t forget you paid to do this… Participants will enjoy a fast, smooth, twisty downhill just before heading back underneath the second culvert. We threw in a last little kicker that leads you back down the 200-year-old stone walls. Last but not least we remind you to tap your timing chip as you enter the Dwarsvlei finish line!

STAGE 2

START: 07:30 | E-Bike 07:45
DISTANCE: 73km
ELEVATION: 660m
SUPPORTERS: Today supporters can visit Middelburg or Nieu Bethesda. Supporter maps and info available at registration.
ROUTE: Day two is not for the faint-hearted but does enjoy breathtaking views. As we cross the N9 towards Renosterberg, please be cautious. The route passes through neighbouring farms on mostly jeep tracks around the beautiful Karoo koppies as you head towards Water Point 1. Please note this is a two-way traffic section. Please keep left. Water Point 2 welcomes you to Twiskraal farm’s shearing shed, where you can fill up, lube your bike and take a koeksister for the rest of the way! After a short steep climb, you will make your way back to the familiar first water point stop which is now Water Point 3. Heading back towards home, you will encounter a Low Bridge Culvert. Please get off your bike, duck and walk this short adventure through. Please do not cross the tar road. Remember to tap your timing chip and take a dip in the Farm Dam.

STAGE 3

START: 07:30 | E-Bikes 07:45
DISTANCE: 46km
ELEVATION: 520m
SUPPORTERS: You are welcome to support your riders along the route and enjoy a complimentary cappuccino from Atlantic Coffee Co at the Waterpoint at Dwarsvlei station. Supporters can collect a map provided at registration that indicates the spectator points.
ROUTE: Today’s ride is a short and sweet summary of the tour. You will start with a short gravel road section as you cross the border to a neighbouring farm. Segments of rocky terrain will challenge you as you make your way toward the old Dwarsvlei train station, where you can enjoy a cappuccino and a glorious view of Renosterberg, Take note of the Low Culvert. From here, the route takes you up a short, rocky Renosterberg, where you will be awe-struck with beautiful Karoo vistas. You might even encounter Kudus and Gemsbuck along the way. Next, you will descend from here towards a Low Culvert. Before heading into the last section of the single track, you will enjoy a refreshing second water point stop. As you breathe in the last gasp of Karoo air on the open gravel road, you will pass the A.W. Barn, on your right, dated 1890 to conclude your Karoo journey.