There was a point when the 2026 Prince George 100 Miler looked as though it might have to negotiate a significant obstacle before a rider even reached the start line. Severe flooding caused extensive damage across parts of the Southern and Western Cape in May, with the iconic Swartberg Pass among the areas affected. Thankfully, the necessary repairs have been completed and the legendary pass will once again form part of one of South Africa’s most prestigious gravel races.
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
That means the Prince George Monumental 100 Miler is definitely on for Saturday, 17 October 2026 – and it promises to be every bit as monumental as its name suggests.
Starting in Prince Albert on the northern side of the Swartberg range, the race takes riders on a remarkable journey through the Great Karoo and Klein Karoo before finishing at Louvain Guest Farm in the Langkloof, beneath the Outeniqua Mountains.
The full-distance route covers 167km and includes more than 2 600 metres of climbing. It crosses three distinct geographical areas, including the Swartberg Pass, making it much more than a conventional gravel race.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE SWARTBERG PASS
For many riders, the Swartberg Pass is the defining feature of the Prince George 100 Miler.
The gravel road climbs dramatically from the Karoo side of the Swartberg range, with its famous switchbacks providing a spectacular backdrop to what is inevitably a significant physical and mental test. It is also part of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site, adding another layer of significance to an already remarkable route.
The fact that the pass will be open for this year’s event is particularly significant after the damage caused by the May floods.
Once over the Swartberg, however, the race is far from finished. The route continues through the Klein Karoo and towards the greener landscapes surrounding the Outeniqua Mountains before eventually reaching the finish at Louvain Guest Farm.
It is this constant change in scenery that makes the Prince George such a memorable ride. The landscape evolves almost as quickly as the demands of the route.
TWO DISTANCES, ONE BIG ADVENTURE
The 2026 event once again offers two distances, making the Prince George accessible to a broader range of riders.
The 100 Miler is the headline act at 167km, while the 50 Miler provides a shorter alternative for riders who want to experience the event without taking on the full endurance challenge. Both routes offer the same distinctive combination of gravel roads, mountain scenery and changing landscapes.
And while the majority of riders will tackle the event on conventional bicycles, eBikes are very much part of the Prince George experience.
Battery-changing stations will be available for eBike riders on both distances, removing one of the major logistical concerns associated with taking on a long point-to-point gravel event on an eBike.
That makes the Prince George an interesting proposition for riders who want to experience a genuinely big gravel adventure without being restricted to a conventional bike.
POINT-TO-POINT – WITHOUT THE HEADACHE
One of the attractions of the Prince George is that the route is genuinely point-to-point. Riders start in Prince Albert and finish at Louvain Guest Farm, rather than having to complete a loop back to where they started.
Point-to-point racing can create its own logistical problems, but the organisers have put systems in place to make things easier for entrants. A car-drive service is available for riders who need to have their vehicle moved from the start to the finish, allowing them to concentrate on the ride rather than worrying about how to get back to their car afterwards.
That is an important part of the Prince George experience. The race is designed as a journey across a remarkable part of the Western Cape, rather than simply another start-to-finish exercise on a marked course.
COME FOR THE CHALLENGE, STAY FOR THE SCENERY
The Prince George 100 Miler has quickly established itself as one of South Africa’s standout endurance cycling events because the challenge and the surroundings complement each other so well.
It is a serious day in the saddle, but it isn’t a technical mountain-bike race. Gravel bikes, mountain bikes and eBikes are all welcome, allowing riders to choose the equipment that best suits their riding style and ambitions.
For the committed endurance rider, the 100 Miler is a proper test of pacing, fitness and resilience. For those looking for a slightly more manageable adventure, the 50 Miler offers a way into the Prince George experience without the demands of 167km. Either way, there are few South African cycling events that can match the geographical journey.
You start in the dry expanses of the Great Karoo, climb one of the country’s most famous mountain passes, cross into the Klein Karoo and eventually finish in the Langkloof beneath the Outeniqua Mountains. That is a lot of South Africa in one day.
The Prince George 100 Miler takes place on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The 100 Miler is 167km, while the event also offers a 50 Miler (73km with 1000m ascent). Gravel bikes, mountain bikes and eBikes are welcome, with battery-changing facilities available for eBike riders. The start is in Prince Albert and the finish is at Louvain Guest Farm.
Entries are open through the event organiser, Dryland Event Management.
Enter the 2026 Prince George 100 Miler
Visit the official Prince George website
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
