It’s been around since 1999, experienced some highs and lows, but continues to grow from strength to strength. There are a few reasons the Lion’s Karoo to Coast is an iconic South African bicycle race. Here’s why the 2025 edition should be on your to-complete list…
Paid partnership with Lions Karoo to Coast
It’s a point-to-point race
Say what you like, South Africans are inspired by a point-to-point journey. ‘Start here and finish there’ strikes a chord with many. In the past, as many as 60% of the Karoo to Coast entrants stayed in Knysna (the finish town) and drove up to Uniondale (the start town) on race morning. But the organisers have invested in making Uniondale more than just a start point and there’s been a notable shift in the stats.
A Wine and Wheels Expo on the Friday and Saturday at the Uniondale Showgrounds, along with the option for camping or glamping, reduces the race-day logistical challenge for many.
Knowing that with every pedal stroke and every deep, fresh-air-filled breath, you are getting closer the finish in Knysna is surprisingly motivating. You just need at ask the many thousands that have experienced this for confirmation. Or enter the race and feel it yourself…
It’s so incredibly scenic
It’s difficult to describe the beauty of the Karoo to Coast route. It passes through a number of ecosystems, which makes it incredibly varied in a relatively short distance. In 100km you go from dry, rocky semi-desert, then into natural grassy mountain top ground cover before heading into green fertile farmlands. And all this before the start of the Prince Alfred’s Pass! Then, as you descend this historic, twisty road you notice a change in the vegetation and geology. There is lush indigenous forest, fern groundcover and fynbos interspersed with agricultural land before spreading out into more thick indigenous forest and some forest plantations as you get closer to Knysna.
At 68km, it’s the longest publicly accessible mountain pass in the country. That’s right, sixty-eight kilometres! The pass itself descends 842 metres and there are more than 200 corners – many of them tight! It was built by Thomas Bain – or actually designed by him, but built by his workforce. The pass was officially opened on 29 September 1868. Conquering it on a bicycle is a rare privilege.
There is only one distance
Yes, 96km is a long way to ride a mountain bike or gravel bike. But that’s the challenge. The organisers of the Karoo to Coast have never added a half-distance event to try and capture a bigger field. They’ve honoured the original challenge and maintained the spirit of riding from the Karoo to the Coast. The first finishers complete the event in just over three hours and the last finishers take up to eight hours. It’s an authentic challenge no matter how fit and strong you are.
It’s become a gravel racers dream
Originally a mountain bike challenge, the Karoo to Coast has been around long enough to see a significant evolution of mountain bikes and gravel bikes. While the majority of the field still complete the event on mountain bikes, more and more gravel bikes are being seen at the event. Competitive racers chasing fast time are choosing gravel bikes due to their greater pedalling efficiency and improved comfort and puncture resistance. There’s a separate gravel bike category for prize-giving purposes for the top three men and women to finish on gravel bikes.
The race is sanctioned by CSA
While primarily a mass-participation fund-raising event, the Lions Karoo to Coast has applied for – and received – Cycling South Africa authorisation. This involves adding a small day licence fee for those who aren’t licensed with CSA, but this does ensure international levels of officiation and safety as well as a reasonable level of insurance cover for any riders that may be injured during the event.
It’s a non-technical route
There is no singletrack or tricky features on the Karoo to Coast race route. It’s a great way for people to enjoy a riding challenge without fearing a painful fall on technical terrain. The tight turns on the Prince Alfred’s Pass are the only real challenge on this route, but only if you’re going fast! With 1500 metres of ascent thrown in, it’s still a physical challenge, but one that you can enjoy by taking in the stunning scenery.
Make it a mini-getaway
In 2025 the Heritage Day Public Holiday is on Wednesday 24 September. With the Lions Karoo to Coast on Sunday 21 September, it’s an ideal reason to create a mini-getaway. It’s up to you to get creative with exactly how…
eBikes are welcome
The growing number of eBikers made it a no-brainer for the organisers of Lions Karoo to Coast to open the race up to eBikers. There’s an option for a battery swap to ensure you don’t suffer from range anxiety while enjoying the beautiful race route…
It’s for charity
The Karoo to Coast is staffed largely by volunteers from the Lions Club International. All proceeds from the event each year go to local community upliftment projects, making the event a fund-raising highlight for the region. It’s always good to know that your entry fee is going to help someone less fortunate. Because Lions Club is so established and has such a transparent way of implementing its fund allocation, you feel safe in the knowledge that the money goes where it’s most needed. Ride your bike on one of the most scenic race routes in the country and someone else in the region benefits. It’s a win-win and clearly a successful formula.
If you haven’t done so already, get your entry in for the 2025 Lions Karoo to Coast. Online entry and more information can be found here.
