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Gravel racing has grown and matured in recent years, stand alone events and series have gained popularity, and now the time has come for a truly world-class gravel stage race. The Garden Route Giro promises to be that and more. A six-day stage race through the stunning Southern Cape region, featuring ascents of some of South Africa’s most iconic gravel passes, and Dryland Event Management’s famous hospitality. The inaugural edition will take place in Summer 2026, with entries opening in Summer 2025. “We have been planning and working behind the scenes for two years now, waiting for the right opportunity […] View full article

The Titan Racing Valerian launched back in 2022, and we had the Valerian Carbon Empire in for review shortly thereafter. With the launch of the MY26 range from Titan Racing we jumped at the chance for a long term test of the Valerian Carbon Pro. Titan Racing are well-known for offering exceptional bang for buck, and the Valerian Carbon Pro is no exception. It sports a carbon frame, seatpost, and wheels, as well as internal cable routing, and finished with with Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed. At an MSRP of R66,000, it ticks all the boxes for someone looking for a […] View full article

Pedal Project is using the power of bikes to provide Trail Therapy and allowing you to win a dream ebike while supporting at-risk youth. For the second year the charity, which currently provides weekly mental health counselling and a healthy outdoors outlet for 120 children from schools in Macassar and Stand, will be staging a Dream Bike raffle to raise funds for the programme and their bold expansion plans. Together with South African cycling industry brands – Outer Cycles, South Industries, Lyne, ArmourRide, Paint by Jared, and the Hanger Bike Co – Pedal Project are inviting individuals and organisations to […] View full article

On 14 December 2024, the Jakkalberry Gravel/Mountain Bike Race will take riders on an exhilarating 108km journey. Starting at Redberry Farm in George, the route winds through the stunning Outeniqua Mountains before concluding at the picturesque Jakkalsvlei Winery near Herbertsdale. For those looking for a shorter challenge, the “HalfJakk” race kicks off two hours later from Ruiterbosch Lodge near Hartenbos, covering a 47km stretch. The route primarily follows district gravel roads, with sections on Jeep tracks, and passes through Herbertsdale, finishing at Jakkalsvlei Wine Cellars. Ride for a Cause All proceeds from the event support the George Vryburgers Kos vir […] View full article

In addition to the updated Checkpoint SL which launches today, Trek are expanding their gravel line up to include a gravel race-specific bike, the Checkmate SLR. Checkmate SLR is their first ever dedicated gravel race bike and fastest and lightest gravel bike yet. It shares DNA with the new Madone Gen 8, and is designed with the same new Full System Foil aero shapes and Aero RSL integrated Bar/Stem as seen on the Madone. Given the meteoric rise in popularity of gravel racing both locally and globally, and the growing demand for gravel bikes reflected in our Quarterly Review, we […] View full article

Today, in addition to the brand new Checkmate SLR Trek have launched an updated Checkpoint SL. The new-and-improved Checkpoint SL remains a high-performance carbon gravel bike with IsoSpeed comfort technology, but now offers better storage solutions and a more comfortable Gravel Endurance geometry with a higher and shorter reach that’s perfect for an even wider range of riders looking for gravel adventure. It is built to better fit bigger volume bags and bottles, features more mounting points, and it has increased 50mm tire clearance (as measured). For even more versatility, it is both dropper post and suspension fork compatible. These […] View full article

Arno du Toit and Keagan Bontekoning proved that mountain bikes are faster, even in near ideal conditions, than gravel bikes by smashing the Trans Baviaans course record and holding off the drop-bar charge of Rossouw Bekker and Matthys Beukes. The Insect Science team set a new record time of 7 hours, 29 minutes, and 5 seconds on Saturday, 10 August. The top three men’s teams all dipped below the 2018 previous best time. In the women’s race, Jessica Wilkinson and Rebecca van Huyssteen claimed the title, ahead of the PEAK Chicks. Smooth roads leading to and out of the Baviaanskloof […] View full article

Trek unveiled the new Madone 8 in June. A much anticipated answer to the call from racers for a one bike to do-it-all, and importantly, do it well. Combining the lightweight design of the Émonda with the efficient speed of the Madone, the new Madone Gen 8 provides a ‘best of both worlds’ solution. The new Madone takes aim at riders looking for an aero bike that climbs like a goat, and a climbing bike that slices wind with the fastest in the world. We were sent a brand new Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8. I leapt at the […] View full article

The Glacier Storms River Traverse featured the best run of weather in the race’s 14 year history for the 2024 edition. Stages 1 and 2, on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August, boasted sunshine and clear skies – before a cold drizzle brought the race to its conclusion on Sunday, 11 August. The showers did little to dampen spirits however, as the 180 analogue and e-bikers enjoyed the classically muddy Tsitsikamma trails. “Today was my favourite stage, because of the mud!” Megan Scribante, who won the women’s team competition alongside Nicola Freitas, laughed. “It’s been a great event – the […] View full article

Press Release SRAM RED XPLR AXS is our most advanced gravel group, featuring a 13-speed 10-46T range so you’re always in the right gear. Precise shifts with tight jumps between cogs keep you in the gearing sweet spot, and the Full Mount derailleur that fits on frames with the UDH interface ensures this system can take whatever you throw at it. True one-finger braking, and significant weight reductions mean RED XPLR AXS flies up and down any route, with all your effort propelling you forward. Key Components of the SRAM RED XPLR AXS RED XPLR AXS Rear Derailleur Gravel throws […] View full article

Titan Racing has set about creating an all-new Shredder mountain bike helmet that can keep up with their new Skyrim, Cerberus and Cypher mountain bike ranges. The brief was to create a lightweight MTB helmet that offers deep coverage for today’s more aggressive riders and trails, yet still offers excellent ventilation and fit to be used on longer rides. Two models are available, the Shredder Pro MIPS and Shredder. Both models offer riders a durable in-mold constructed helmet weighing only 316 grams (Shredder Pro MIPS Med) with 23 vents to keep you cool, with deep coverage for extra protection. The […] View full article

The Cape winter is perfect for a weekend getaway, particularly one that involves a gravel adventure. With the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200d as our weapon of choice we planned an overnight trip to Greyton and a gravel ride back to Franschhoek via the magnificent Franschhoek Pass. We kicked the trip off with a coffee at Franschhoek caffeine institution, De Hoek, before loading up bikes and bags and hitting the pass, in suitably moody winter conditions.  The clouds lifted in time for us to catch the spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley from the top of the pass, and enjoy the sweeping […] View full article

Get ready for an exhilarating day of mountain biking at the highly anticipated Garmin MTB Series on 24 August 2024 at Northern Farms, Johannesburg. Hosted by Garmin South Africa, this event promises to challenge and inspire cyclists from around the country offering a unique blend of competition and community celebration. Returning for a 6th year the Garmin MTB Classic attracts riders of all ages and skill levels, united by their passion for cycling, exploration, and fitness. With its 110km of dedicated, picturesque trails, Northern Farms provides the ideal setting for this event, featuring a secure and scenic environment for all […] View full article

After the first quarter of 2024 we dug into the data to determine how a widespread oversupply crisis in the cycling industry was impacting our marketplace. We saw that it wasn’t all doom and gloom, but noted that we’d need to see consistently stable demand in order to draw meaningful conclusions. Here’s what we found in the second quarter of 2024: Demand Holds Steady In Q1, we saw the first glimmer of hope that demand may be stabilising after the COVID lockdown-driven bicycle boom, and subsequent slump. Our Q2 data offers reassurance: The Road Turns Up Road has seen a […] View full article

What is in a name? When William Shakespeare penned that line, he used it to suggest that naming things is irrelevant, that a rose, called by another name, would smell as sweet. Well, the team at sani2c, the legendary 3-day South African mountain bike stage race, including its founder ‘Farmer’ Glen Haw, decided to take another look at the names of the three events at sani2c, because they think it does matter, and perhaps it can help some riders figure out where they ‘fit’ when they enter KAP sani2c in 2025.  There are three versions of the same event because […] View full article

The Wild Bike Foundation is thrilled to announce a special raffle for a chance to win a custom painted, one-of-a-kind Specialized Tero-X Wild Bike. This initiative supports their target of deploying 50 e-bikes, in wilderness conservation projects, by the end of 2024. Each raffle ticket costs R190, with 100% of proceeds funding these vital efforts. The raffle is open until the draw on World Conservation Day, July 28, 2024. ENTER HERE Wild Bike raises funds to deploy and operate e-bikes in conservation areas around South Africa, to help with critical anti-poaching and conservation work. Not only are the bikes deployed […] View full article

Press release: For Your Ups, Downs, and All-Arounds The Top Fuel Gen 4 is a fast trail bike designed for those who want the perfect balance between a cross-country bike and a longer-travel trail bike. Its lightweight construction keeps your legs fresh, while its enduro-inspired geometry and optimal suspension make it a joy to ride on descents. Positioning While some might still call it a “downcountry” bike, the Top Fuel Gen 4 has been refined to stay competitive. It caters to: What’s New? Key Features Lighter Frame The frame’s reduced weight is achieved through more efficient tube shapes with smaller […] View full article

New gravel bike range features internal cable routing and an integrated storage solution for improved speed and versatility Giant, the world leader in cycling technology, has introduced the newest generation of its Revolt composite-framed gravel bikes, the Revolt Advanced Pro and Revolt Advanced. Both series are built on reengineered framesets that balance race-winning speed and efficiency with Revolt’s characteristic compliance and control. The framesets are complemented by purpose-built components including handlebars, saddles and WheelSystems developed specifically for gravel riding and racing. Both also feature new innovations such as internally routed cables and an easy access storage compartment inside the down […] View full article

Bike Fest Paarl 2024: South Africa’s Premier Cycling Celebration Returns Prepare for an exciting summer as Bike Fest Paarl 2024 kicks off at the Spice Route Wine Estate in Paarl, near Cape Town, from 27 – 29 September 2024. This premier cycling festival promises a weekend filled with cycling activities, exhibitions, and fun for all. Expo and Innovations A Thrilling 150+ Stand Expo A key highlight is the expansive expo featuring over 150 stands. Attendees can explore the latest bikes, gear, and accessories from top brands, providing a unique opportunity to experience the newest innovations in cycling. Unique Demo Test […] View full article

Avalanche is stepping into a new era, and we are inviting you along for the ride. Thirty years ago, Avalanche Bicycles was founded with a spirit for adventure. Our mission has and will always be to develop affordable and reliable bicycles for South Africans of all ages and walks of life. Avalanche’s new range is centred around three core principles: CAPABILITY | AFFORDABILITY | ASPIRATION Our bikes are more than just transportation; they are a fun way to explore, stay fit, and connect with others. The new Avalanche range features designs driven by affordable performance and attractive aesthetics. Whether you […] View full article

Trek has introduced the Madone Gen 8, a new road race bike that combines the features of the brand’s lightest and fastest models. By merging the lightweight design of the Émonda with the speed of the Madone, this bike provides a ‘best of both worlds’ solution for cyclists seeking to excel in both climbing and sprinting. Developed with input from professional racers, the Madone Gen 8 is engineered to meet the varied demands of competitive cycling. Check out the full press release here: Trek unveils all-new ultimate race bike, an earth-shattering combination of its lightest and fastest road race bikes […] View full article

“I will definitely be back to this ride, it is good enough to be an annual pilgrimage. Farmer Glen and his team have an incredible formula that feels different to anything else I’ve done in South Africa, and it really is a celebration of why we love riding this amazing country.” So says Kevin Benkenstein, recently returned from the United States’ Unbound XL as the 4th finisher, completing 570 km in 22 hours and two minutes, and he says that sani2c nonstop was one of the best rides he has done, anywhere: “I’d even call it my longest MTB ride […] View full article

Press Release Wahoo Fitness, the leading endurance athlete fitness technology company, has unveiled an exciting new addition to its innovative product lineup, the TRACKR HEART RATE. With new and improved processing technology, TRACKR HEART RATE delivers highly accurate heart rate monitor (HRM) metrics that give athletes the confidence that every training session is another step toward their goals, taking their performance to the next level. In a FIRST from the leading smart fitness and training brands, TRACKR HEART RATE is equipped with a high-capacity, rechargeable battery with over 100 hours of active battery life in most conditions. This solves long-standing […] View full article

I’ve become well acquainted with the Specialized Epic and Epic EVO over the years, and my first reaction when I was asked to ride the new Chisel alloy full suspension was intrigue. I’ve become so spoiled with my carbon equipment that I wasn’t sure what to expect from a modern aluminium, mid-level bike. Having preached “it’s not about the bike” for many years, in the name of investigation I headed to my original home trails in Tokai to rally this new offering. Bigger travel bikes aside, I think the last time I rode a dual suspension alloy frame in Tokai […] View full article

When you hear people talk about the Tankwa Karoo, some things that might spring to mind are vast expanses, the institutional Tankwa Padstal, the infamous tyre-munching R355, and of course Afrikaburn. Gravel bike racing is almost certainly not top of mind. Now in its 4th year, the Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race has set itself firmly in the gravel calendar. With a 60% participant return rate, it has certainly struck a chord with those fortunate enough to have experienced this unique event set at the Tankwa Tented Camp. What sets the event apart from others, is that the riding itself forms […] View full article