I was asked to share my race report of the GRG that took place last week....
I’m sitting on the deck of Salina’s drinking a glass of wine overlooking the Wilderness beach (my transfer to the airport is later this afternoon) , reflecting on my last 6 days. There are races you do and then there are races that stay with you.
At 52, with a lifetime of endurance events etched into the legs and memory, it takes something special to move the needle. Something rare. Something that reminds you why you started in the first place. The inaugural Garden Route Giro 6-Day Gravel Race wasn’t just another stage race—it was a reset, a revelation, and, quite unexpectedly, one of the finest weeks ever spent on a bike.
And it almost didn’t happen.
A discounted entry—won at Tankwa Trek—sat idle for weeks. Tempting, but not quite convincing. Then came a familiar itch while watching the 2026 Absa Cape Epic unfold: the need to test the legs, to chase something meaningful again. The decision was made just three weeks out.
What followed was anything but ordinary.
From the first pedal stroke, it was clear: this wasn’t just another gravel race. The Dryland team had bottled something unique—what they proudly called “proper gravel.” And they weren’t wrong.
This was champagne gravel. Endless ribbons of pristine roads, flowing through some of the most breathtaking landscapes South Africa has to offer. The Garden Route, already a personal sanctuary, revealed itself in new ways—quiet, expansive, and utterly captivating.
With a field of around 200 riders, the Giro struck a rare balance. Small enough to feel intimate. Big enough to feel like an event. There was no chaos, no overcrowding—just a shared sense of purpose among riders who get it.
Stage racing often walks a fine line - push too hard and you lose the joy, go too easy and it loses its edge. The Garden Route Giro nailed it.
Each day delivered challenging but rewarding routes testing the legs without stealing your attention from the surroundings. You could race, yes, but you could also experience.
Afternoons weren’t about survival. They were about recovery, connection, and reflection. Conversations flowed easily. Old friends reunited, new ones made. International riders stood in quiet awe of South Africa’s beauty, often reminding locals of what we sometimes forget. You don’t need to travel far to find world-class adventure.
Even the weather played its part. A brief spell of rain added drama rather than disruption—none more so than on the iconic Swartberg Pass ascent on Stage 3, where mist and moisture elevated the climb into something almost mythical (and I could not see the top of the climbJ)
Then there was the race village, if you could call it that.
This was glamping, not camping. Think luxury tents, real beds, bedside tables, lighting, and charging points. Add in a perfectly brewed morning flat white, and suddenly the idea of “roughing it” feels like a distant concept.
The later start times only added to the atmosphere. No frantic pre-dawn scrambles, just calm, collected mornings that set the tone for the day ahead.
And perhaps most refreshing of all: accessibility. The smaller field meant you could chat with elite riders over coffee, share stories across categories, and genuinely feel part of something not just another number on a race board.
Despite its world-class feel, the Garden Route Giro is remarkably approachable. The routes were non-technical and welcoming, making it an ideal entry point for road cyclists looking to dip a toe into gravel stage racing. Yet, for seasoned riders, there was still plenty to sink your teeth into.
It’s a rare combination and one that opens the door to a much wider cycling audience. Competition was fierce in all the right ways. Two strong international riders ensured that every stage required focus, grit, and determination. The racing was honest and deeply satisfying.
Crossing the final line as the amateur ladies’ category winner was, without question, the cherry on top. But the real victory lay elsewhere: in pushing boundaries, embracing the challenge, and being present for every moment of the journey.
Because this week wasn’t just about racing.
It was also about perspective.
During the event, the cycling community reflected on the loss of a respected rider who had tragically passed away just days earlier. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile it all is. That the opportunity to ride, to race, to explore should never be taken for granted.
If anything, the Garden Route Giro reinforced a simple truth:
We are not promised tomorrow but we do have today!
My final verdict for a first edition, this race came remarkably close to perfection. 9/10. And that missing point? It’s not a flaw it’s potential.
The Garden Route Giro has all the ingredients to become a bucket-list gravel event on the global calendar. World-class routes, thoughtful organisation, a unique atmosphere, and just the right amount of magic.
Dryland Events have done something special here. Not loud. Not overblown. Just quietly exceptional.
And for those still wondering whether this race is for them?
It is! Just don’t wait too long to decide.
Race report written by Nicolle Weir
