Stan Engelbrecht

Hi Nonky. The first stage will be tough for sure. But we're not racing along that road. We're going to Middelpos and dropping into the Tankwa from there. Have a look at the site for more information - https://www.karoobaix.co.za/route/. Also, KAROOBAIX is now on 9 / 10 October. Not much earlier, so it might still get hot!

Hi FCH. The world is not always as sinister as you might like to believe. KAROOBAIX is my attempt to get some likeminded people to visit some incredible places on the back of a bicycle. While it would be great to make money out of Tour of Ara (my other race) and KAROOBAIX, these events are far from making actual profit.

Bring that Roadrat to the KAROOBAIX!

Hi Milky4130. The 35c rule is there since I don't want people to ride older steel road bikes with 32c tyres etc. squeezed into the frame. The roads are too rough, and since we've already had frames break on Tour of Ara I wanted to exclude those bikes. You'll be more comfortable on larger volume tyres, but if you'd like to ride 33s's on a modern cyclocross bike for instance you're welcome to. I won't be measuring tyres on the start line. This rule is there for safely.

Hi Fat Boab. I do understand what you mean. The rules I came up is my attempt to just keep things simple. The rules are pretty clear, and I already spend so much time discussing suspension. If I did allow the new Specialized Future Shock, then why shouldn't I allow the the old Cannondale Headshock... and then next year the Future Shock has 30mm of travel maybe? Where do you draw the line? Who know what other technology is just around the corner? It just gets complicated.

Hi Skuburra. Glad you like it! KAROOBAIX will be a small race, at least for now. So I'm not overly concerned with numbers. For 2017 it's only open to 50 racers. Part of the reason for having the event in the week is to bring a bit of business to the small places we visit in the week when they are quiet anyway.

Hey the Nerd. Thanks, glad you like the idea. Tour of Ara is all about paying homage to the vintage steel bike and the days when hard men were racing road bikes on some pretty tough terrain. KAROOBAIX is open to modern equipment, but to make the event more slanted to the idea of 'gravel racing', I came up with the no-suspension rule. There are countless mountain bike races in South Africa, so everyone has the opportunity to ride their suspended bikes there. KAROOBAIX is for the purist, if you will. Man, machine, the elements. Just keeping it simple. So get your 'A into G' and come race with us! Just a warning - the Ouberg Pass out of the Tankwa on the first stage will make a single speed rider weep... : )

Hi FCH. When I launched the concept I was still finalising dates and costs. Apologies. The entry fee is R5500 and I think it's a pretty good deal, without extorting the small town and communities we'll visit. Have a look at https://www.karoobaix.co.za/enter/ for more information.

Hi milky4130. The entry fee is R5500 and it includes everything from shuttles up and down from Cape Town to some serious Karoo meals for 3 days and and 3 nights. Have a look at https://www.karoobaix.co.za/enter/ for all the details. Hope you'll join us!

Quite right Fat Boab, Cannondale Slates are out. They're great bikes, but if I open KAROOBAIX to them, then all suspension should allowed. Zertz and the CG-R seat posts are allowed since they feature no moving parts.

Hi Hilton. The new Specialized Roubaix would not qualify as it cannot fir the minimum of 35c tyres. The new Diverge can fir up to 40c tyres, so it does qualify, but not with the new Future Shock suspension in the headset area. The lower end model do not have this Future Shock technology. However, the CG-R Carbon Seatpost is allowed since it only flexes and has no moving parts. Hope that explains it!

Hi eddy, you might be in luck. The dates for KAROOBAIX 2017 have moved. Come race with us on 9 / 10 October. It'll be a great warmup for Berg and Bush.

Thanks for the very kind words mokganjetsi!

Event Name: KAROOBAIX When: 9 October 2017 - 10 October 2017 Where: Hantam Huis, Calvinia, Northern Cape Category: Cyclocross KAROOBAIX is a new two-day 404km stage race for modern gravel / cyclocross style bicycles through the South African Karoo on 9 / 10 October 2017. The route is almost exclusively gravel, and range from super smooth hard-packed dirt to soft sand, sharp rocks and corrugations. The race will be semi-supported, and there will be two rest stops with good food, coffee and fresh water along each of the two stages. The name KAROOBAIX (pronounced ka-roo-bay) pays homage the Paris-Roubaix race, the murderous European Classic that earned itself the nickname Hell of the North, and our unique, spectacular and sometimes inhospitable semi-desert region of the Karoo. The rules are very simple. You can ride any bike you'd like, but no suspension of any form is allowed, you have to ride minimum 35c / 1.4" volume tyres, and drop handlebars are mandatory. Any conventional frame style or material is allowed, and all wheel sizes are welcome. No tandems or recumbents. Visit the KAROOBAIX website for more information, or follow @karoobaix on Instagram. Go to Event Page

Hello all! Apologies for my silence on this thread - I was lucky enough to go on a trip immediately after Eroica. Thanks so much to all of you who came and made our second Eroica a huge success! I hope our event will grow much bigger from next year on. And thanks for all the compliments! I'm very happy you all had a great time. I know I did. For those of you new to the idea and concept of Eroica - start hunting for an old steel road bike and come join us next year in Montagu on the weekend of 17 March 2018. Stan. Ps. This image is from our unofficial coffee ride the next morning : )

The lucky winner of the competition is 'Go Big' We love the paint job on this frame and it's amazing that it's in such good condition from the factory. Just remember those parts aren't fitting with Eroica rules! Send an email to info@eroicasouthafrica.com to claim your place. Thanks!

Wow I would love to see this in person, especially that handle bar...

Lovely bike Joe.

I hope we'll see this spectacular DHC at Eroica again?

A classic Barry! And a hard-working one at that.

That is one special Du Toit!

Hi, you are the lucky winner... We love the paint job on this frame and it's amazing that it's in such good condition from the factory! Just remember those parts aren't fitting with Eroica rules. Send an email to info@eroicasouthafrica.com to claim your place. See you there, Stan and Dani, Organisers

Event Name: Eroica South Africa When: 18 March 2017 Where: KWV Gallery, Western Cape Category: Road Clear the weekend of 18 March 2017 and come celebrate vintage Italian road cycling culture with us - bring your classic racing bicycles, and ride with us through the beautiful Karoo around the dirt roads north of Montagu in the Western Cape. Of course there will be great food and wine, and lots of old bicycles to lust over. With South Africa's rich cycling history, we’re proud to have this celebrated Italian event honoured on African soil. Montagu is the official home of Eroica South Africa, and our routes will stay the same for the foreseeable future. Our three beautiful gravel routes -140km, 90km and 40km - have been named after the Keisie, Kogman and Kingna rivers that meet in the spectacular Montagu valley. See you there! Go to Event Page

Hi nomoregravity. Sorry man, best to follow the (post) race images by following @tourofara on Instagram, find it on Facebook, or visit the official Tour of Ara tumblr site here - http://tourofara.tumblr.com There are just too many channels to manage if I have to post here too. I hope you understand. Stan.

Event Name: Tour Of Ara 2016 When: 15 October 2016 - 20 October 2016 Where: Vanrhynsdorp - Prince Albert, Western Cape Category: Road The Tour of Ara is a very tough 800km all-gravel 6-day stage race, ridden exclusively on vintage steel road racing bicycles, and only open to 40 racers. With the beautiful but harsh semi-desert Karoo as a backdrop, racers are pitted against each other, the elements, and themselves. Riding an old skinny-tyred road bikes over sharp rocks, relentless corrugations and through thick sand for 6 days is not for everyone, but those who dare are rewarded with breathtaking vistas, swift camaraderie and a sense of unmatched achievement. After lengthy days of being bounced around in the saddle and fighting your handlebars for control, there is also the fantastic food and wine to look forward to — always sourced locally, and prepared by the communities the Tour passes through. This ensures that the Tour of Ara isn’t only about racing headlong to the horizon, but also to experience the history and culture of the small communities travelled through. Go to Event Page