GARDEN ROUTE GIRO’S RIDER EXPERIENCE: ROUTE, RACE AND RELAXATION

The cornerstone of any bike race is a route that can entertain and excite in equal measure; with the Garden Route Giro, all angles are covered. From the start at Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar to the final finish line at ANEW Resort Wilderness, gravel racers will traverse multiple biomes, climb and descend iconic passes, and visit quiet South African towns.

Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management

The event will also boast fierce racing for elite and age-category cyclists, an atmosphere where the relaxed members of the field are encouraged to soak up the sights and sounds, and relaxation off the bike is prioritised for all.

A shift in the Stage 1 start, from Mossel Bay to Jakkalsvlei Private Cellar, reduces the distance of the first stage, and a remote start on the Queen Stage knocks 30 kilometres off the proposed biggest day of the race. These decisions are not purely taken from a rider experience standpoint. The broader national situation regarding Foot and Mouth Disease played a decisive role.

After consultation with local authorities, Dryland Event Management has determined that avoiding Mossel Bay is the responsible course of action.

“This makes Stage 1 a more manageable 73-kilometre day, with 950 metres of climbing,” says Henco Rademeyer of organiser Dryland.

“The stage will be largely flat and fast, but it is also the day when wind could play the biggest role. I think it will be a great introduction to the race. For the more social riders, it provides an opportunity to ease in, to find your spot in the groups, amongst riders of a similar speed and strength. I believe it’ll help everyone get into the race, without the stress of having to take on a 100-kilometre-plus stage on the first day.”

Stage 2 is the first true mountain day, taking in the tar road Garcia Pass and the gravel of Rooiberg Pass. Between the passes, the gravel roads allow for fast, rolling gravel grinding. Having climbed 2 050 metres in 92 kilometres, the final 27 kilometres of the day are downhill or flat, making for a fast finish.

The climb up Swartberg Pass is the hallmark of the 89-kilometre-long Stage 3, along with the secret beauty of the back road along the Nesrivier. After the sprint point, at the 32-kilometre mark, the course pitches uphill. Twenty-seven kilometres of uphill-trending rolling roads lead into the base of the Swartberg ascent, which will almost certainly lead to significant time splits at the summit, 68 kilometres into the day. The descent to Prince Albert is not the place to make up time, as the twisting and turning road is best ridden with a degree of caution.

Stage 4 is a better place for those riders who do not consider themselves pure climbers to make up time. An uphill start with the northern route over the Swartberg Pass will allow the lightest men and women to get away, but the exceptional Oudemuragie rolling road provides the power riders with the terrain to reel in their rivals. Participants of a more social persuasion can tick a Swartberg Pass double from their bucket lists and admire the breathtaking scenery.

Stage 5 is the Queen Stage and will be a day to remember. Leaving De Rust, the race will begin at Hoekplaas, reducing the stage distance to 127 kilometres. 2 400 metres of climbing nonetheless demands respect, with Prince Alfred’s Pass the primary source of elevation gain. South Africa’s longest continuous gravel road pass sweeps from the semi-arid Klein Karoo through the fertile Langkloof and down to the indigenous forests of Knysna. The changing landscapes are reason enough to keep riding when the going gets tough, because every bend in the road reveals a new vista.

The final day, Stage 6, is a ceremonial one for some, though the racing might still need to be decided in some categories.

Following the Seven Passes Road from Knysna to Wilderness, the route dips in and out of indigenous forests and rewards with glimpses of the Indian Ocean. Sea swims beckon tired bodies home, inspiring a sprint finish – perhaps – as a fitting way to conclude six days of supreme gravel racing.

For the competitive, the Garden Route Giro provides the terrain for attacks and counters, for climbers to thrive, and puncheurs to reel them in. Those focused on a good time rather than a fast time will be encouraged to look around, to find camaraderie on the roads, and see the countryside from the bike with no other cares in the world.

Later starts also mean slower mornings. This frees up the afternoon for complete relaxation.

The dispersed race village model means participants can book to stay and eat dinner and breakfast in the race villages, or wander into the nearby small towns to support local restaurants.

To share in the route, the racing, and the relaxation of the inaugural Garden Route Giro, visit www.gardenroutegiro.co.za.

Entries for the 2026 event close on Friday, 27 March, at 12:00 [South African Time | GMT +2]. For more inspiration, like the Garden Route Giro Facebook page and follow @gardenroutegiro on Instagram.

Watch the route summary video now!

Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management