Community Connect

Hey everyone, Thanks so much for all the feedback! This is exactly the kind of discussion we want to have, especially since we've still got plenty of time before the event. We're totally open to changing the entry conditions for the longer route if that's what the majority of you want. We just want to make this the best possible weekend for everyone. The 180km Route We want to be clear that our goal isn't to be exclusive, but to set riders up for success. The pro riders who have attended before love our original route, and we really don't want to lose it, but at the same time, we don't want you to suffer for hours on end and miss out on enjoying the valley. The reality is, a DNF on this course is a serious logistical challenge for both you and us. It’s a big loop with very few places to safely recover riders unless we're following the race course itself. That's why we thought asking for some proof of performance on Strava or in similar races like the Gallows, Stanford 100, or Ceder245 when entering would be a good way to determine which route is best for you. We're trying to ensure you can make the 8-hour cutoff, which is at the bottom of the final climb. The last stretch up the mountain can take a pro about 25-30 minutes, but for most people, it's a solid hour. That means you should be able to complete the first 173km in about 7 hours. An alternative would be to enforce a very hard cut-off just 75km into the race, since that's the only logistically sound place to circle you back to Graaff-Reinet. We really don't think that's the best idea for anyone. No Route Is "Easy" To be clear, none of our routes mean you're "chickening out!" Even the 66km "Taste of Desolation" is a serious challenge depending on how you ride it, and the 130km route is really exciting and will seriously hurt. It will take a pro around 4 hours and most riders 5-8 hours. Anyone who has done one of our previous events knows how tough they are. It's simply more fun to give it your all and feel strong at the finish than to run out of steam. The mountain-top finish is brutal no matter which route you choose. If you haven't done our route yet - think of the end of the Gallows If you have a better idea of how we should phrase our entry conditions, please let us know! It seems like you all understand what we're trying to achieve—we'd rather you have a fun 6-hour race than a grueling 10-hour suffer-fest. Finally, regarding the Gravel Earth Series fees: we were nowhere near the costs that were mentioned, and a confirmed sponsor unfortunately had to back out, which made things difficult.

Thanks for the great feedback! It really helps to get input like this, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective. The cancellation was not about the Gravel Earth Series fees. In fact, that was a favorable, initial deal that we were able to negotiate. The reality is that hosting a quality cycling event, especially in a remote location like Graaff-Reinet, is not profitable if you want to charge reasonable entry fees that allow locals to participate. We made a conscious decision to partner with cycling-specific brands to stay true to our grassroots DNA, but when that main sponsor pulled out, we simply couldn't recover the funding on short notice. Yet we are very passionate about the area which is why we are back for 2026. Regarding the elite-only race, we understand your point about the beauty of gravel racing, and we love that aspect, too. However, the Great Karoo is so vast that a shortening of the 180km main course just isn't possible. We also had to recover a lot of riders who weren't realistic about their fitness, which made them miss out on the highlight of the route, the Valley of Desolation. The new 130km route is our solution—it offers an epic, serious challenge that is still harder than most other courses in the country, but in a more manageable time frame. If you can show that you can finish the 180km course in a reasonable time we are more than welcome to admit you the the Elite field. Our fit age groupers and ambitious amateurs would most definitely qualify. As for the cutoffs, that's a tough one. As organizers, we feel a deep responsibility for the safety of every rider, and in such a remote area, cutoffs are difficult to enforce. We want to ensure that every participant makes it safely to the finish, and the new format helps us manage that responsibly.

Event Name: ROAD TO DESOLATIONWhen: 26/09/2026Where: Vallei van Verlatenheid, Eastern CapeCategory: GravelReady for the original gravel race in the Great Karoo? The Road to Desolation is back for 2026, and we're inviting you to be part of a cycling experience that's all about raw grit, stunning scenery, and a welcoming community. We've stay true to our grassroots roots, focusing on the ride and the people. Due to our unique setting inside the magnificent Camdeboo National Park, spots are strictly limited. When you sign up, you're not just entering a race; you're directly contributing to conservation and local development projects in Graaff-Reinet. We've got a challenge for every kind of rider: The Original 180km: This challenge is open to all entrants; however, it remains a brutal test of endurance. Due to the extreme terrain and required sustained effort, successful completion is strictly recommended only for highly trained athletes who have a proven foundation in long-distance gravel cycling. The New 130km Race: For those looking for a significant challenge without the full-day commitment of an elite race, this is your event. This new 130km route with 2000m of elevation is a serious test. It’s designed to be a rewarding ride that takes a fit rider about 5-6 hours, culminating in the same epic summit finish. The 66km Experience: Prefer to take it a little easier? The original 66km route is still available. While it's an untimed experience, it’s an incredible journey that still rewards you with that spectacular finish at the top of the Valley of Desolation. The Road to Desolation is so much more than a race day. We're a weekend-long celebration of the Great Karoo. Join us on Friday for a community shake-out ride, and get a feel for the area. Your entry also includes a celebratory dinner after the race—the perfect opportunity to share stories and honor your achievements at the prize-giving ceremony. It's your chance to push yourself, connect with fellow riders, and give back to the community that makes this all possible. RTD is organised by Community Connect. Go to Event Page.

Hi! thank you for making a good point. Nothing would hurt us more than being a sell out. Over the past three years we have been putting some effort into making events more accessible for the community and support various riders to enjoy all the local events, road to desolation included for which we have been giving a lot of support which included travel, accommodation and nutrition. As for next years pricing we have increased our prices since running an event is actually very expensive and we include a lot in the entry. but haven’t exceeded any other of your named local events. You might be looking at the event from outside of South Africa or with a vpn. International entries are more expensive since our philosophy is to bring people together and support locals through International currency. Being part of an international series allows us to get the interest for those participants. For locals the entry is R1250 while early birds are available and they will increase to R1450 and late entries will go at R1850. This is indicated all on our website for the event as well. Community is important which is why we include a dinner after the race where everyone gathers for price giving and enjoys local Karoo food. We would love to see you in Graaf-Reinet at the start line. If you should struggle with the local pricing option feel free to contact us at race@roadtodesolation.cc

Event Name: ROAD TO DESOLATION '25When: 14/06/2025Where: Botanics Sport Club and Bar, Graaff-Reinet, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern CapeCategory: GravelThe ROAD TO DESOLATION Gravel Race, the first gravel race in the eastern cape is set to return on June 14, 2025. For it’s third edition it will be part of the prestigious Gravel Earth Series, this grueling 179km race will challenge riders to conquer the rugged beauty of the Karoo, culminating in a breathtaking finish at the Valley of Desolation. And if you are here for the vibes there is a shorter but by no means easy 66km route as well. ROAD TO DESOLATION isn’t your typical one day race. Situated in the remote beauty of Graaff-Reinet, it offers riders a chance to experience the desolate and beautifully vast landscapes. Our event, situated in a destination location, is why we provide a whole weekend of race experiences. Race Day is sure to be competitive and we ensure everyone is fueled during the race with well stocked and curated feedzones and is refuelled after with delicious local and traditional food, including both vegetarian and meat options. Our post race dinner provides riders with an opportunity to connect and to share stories from the day’s events.  Come and race with us! Go to Event Page.