@BigJohnSwan

The pass will be open to traffic, however expect to be stopped by marshals at certain points, we would appreciate it if spectators kept vehicle movement on the pass to a minimum, particularly after 10am on race day 30th of April

Contact me john@mtbafrica.co.za perhaps we can help out, how many are you?

Thanks Will do

Yes the gate, posting a marshall there so no problem, will ensure it's closed as we evacuate that sector of marshalls and move them back to Swartberg Pass

Cattle Gate 2nd bump Middelwater Road?

Hi RichB, The Gran Fondo is all on public roads, be sure not to miss the turnoff onto the middelwater road, it is just before the T-Junction onto the N12 coming from PA. The Oudemuragie turnoff onto gravel is just after De Rust. Without support your watering holes are De Rust (Purple Elephant Cafe), Wilgewandel and Cobus se Gat. The Medio Fondo is unfortunately on private farm land.

The best PR job I've seen for Prince Albert, I'm sure that you could freelance for Prince Albert Tourism.

Thank you milky4130 go straight to http://www.mtbafrica.com/race-entries.html ....do not pass go. We appreciate your support.

Hi, Swartberg Pass is being resurfaced as we speak on the Prince Albert Side, I will be posting video of the descent closer to the race date. I would not advise 25c tyres for the descent at this time.

I've just added the route to the event also check out http://www.mtbafrica.com/the-route.html

I've just added the route to the event, also check out http://www.mtbafrica.com/the-route.html

Hi I have uploaded the Route Map, it can also be found on the website http://www.mtbafrica.com/the-route.html

Event Name: Swartberg100 Gran Fondo When: 30 April 2016 Where: Prince Albert, Western Cape Category: Cyclocross Why a Gran Fondo? An Italian Tradition.... The term "Gran Fondo" loosely translated in Italian means "Big Ride"another name that is commonly used for an event of this type is"Cyclosportive", these events always involve long distances with tough climbs on difficult terrain that includes cobblestones or gravel sectors. The first Gran Fondo was the Nove Colli, held on July 12, 1970 in Cesenatico, Italy, home of Marco Pantani. Nove Colli means "Nine Hills". The Nove Colli now hosts 13500 riders every year, it is truly a race for everyone, professionals, amateurs and leisure cyclists alike. http://www.mtbafrica.com/uploads/5/8/4/6/58469259/7707539.png?385 http://www.mtbafrica.com/uploads/5/8/4/6/58469259/8414958.png?266 Gran Fondos are run on challenging courses that are usually between 120 km and 200 km and have between 2000m and 4000m of vertical climbing. Most events also offer a shorter and easier version. They are run like normal bike races. They have lead and follow cars or motorbikes, traffic marshalls, safety escort, police escort as well as technical and medical assistance. Aid stations along the course replace team cars. ​The Eroica Strade Bianche ("Heroic race of the white gravel roads") was created in 1997 as a Gran Fondo, a recreational bike race for vintage bikes only, on the white gravel roads around Siena in Tuscany, Italy, an event that is still held annually the day after the professional race that has been named the "Strade Bianche". Fabian Cancellara has won this event twice, the field always contains top professionals from the road racing scene. The Strade Bianche starts in San Gimignano and ends in Siena, it covers 176 km of which there are nine gravel sectors totalling 52.8 km. ​The Swartberg100 Gran Fondo starts and ends in Prince Albert, arguably one of the most attractive Karoo towns in South Africa, it covers 164 km of which there are 3 gravel sectorscovering 71 km. The final climb is over the gravel Swartberg Pass, a relentless climb of 28 km, the last 8 km being on gravel with gradients of 10% in places. The Swartberg100, in true South African tradition, will be one of the toughest Gran Fondo's in the world. We have created a course that goes back to the days of old when mountain passes were all gravel and brave cyclists climbed them on single speed bikes weighing in at 16 kg. A course that allows us to pit our modern training knowledge and technology against an old foe, a road surface that isn't always friendly. Go to Event Page