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Event Name: THE CEDERWhen: 09/09/2023Where: Cederberg Oasis, Category: GravelStarting and finishing at the iconic Cederberg Oasis (the home of the smiley face), The Ceder offers a thrilling weekend of unique experiences, fierce racing, and demanding challenges. Picturesque snow greeted riders in 2021. 2022 brought about crisp and clear conditions. 2023 sees predictions stirring in circles with the weather not only a factor but brand new races to the event requiring fresh strategies.  Three hours from Cape Town, The Ceder takes place deep in the Cederberg, a mountainous region that boasts some of the most diverse fauna, flora, and wildlife one might find. Entering the range, it’s impossible not to be drawn in by the wild, raw, beauty of the towering mountains and twisted rock formations. The races across the weekend cover gravel, tar, technical terrain, and pure mountain trail with a combination of steep climbs, slow-burner ascents, sharp descents, and flowy fast downhills across all courses.  The Ceder offers a course to cater to all - CEDER245, CEDER140, CEDERmtb30, CEDERRUN, and CEDERFunRUN. ABOUT THE CEDERBERG The Cederberg was named after the endangered Clanwilliam Cedar, a tree endemic to the mountain range.  What makes the Cederberg particularly special is its isolation and how undeveloped it remains, allowing pure, untouched nature to contrast against a backdrop of daily distractions.  In 1973, this was threatened by a spell of severe exploitation that saw significant amounts of cedar wood, rooibos tea, buchu and rockwood bark harvested unsustainably. The cedar tree faced the risk of extinction, leading to the launch of a conservancy project that actively supports the Clanwilliam Cedar Tree and individual reserves in the area. The history of the Cederberg is deeply entrenched within the rock too, with famous mountain sites including Wolfberg Arch, Wolfberg Cracks, Tafelberg, Rocklands, and Sneeuberg. The sites attract hikers, climbers, and mountaineers from across the world. Stadsaal Caves (10km from Cederberg Oasis) is just one example of several that contain San Rock art telling stories of old.  ABOUT THE REASON FOR THE RACE The Why Behind The Ceder, by Race Director and The Ceder Founder Raoul Goetze If I had to think about it, the Ceder was created out of a deep sense of nostalgia and interest in self-discovery through endurance challenges. My background and history as a founder of Endless Daze Music Festival, combined with the discovery of trail running and then cycling, made this event inevitable. As a child, I spent weekends exploring the landscapes of the Cederberg, usually camping with the family. Those moments left an indelible mark on my soul, creating a connection that would persist throughout my life. The Cederberg has become a sanctuary for me. My interest and love for endurance sports and the allure of challenging oneself in harsh conditions played a significant role in shaping The Ceder. I believe that it is in moments of adversity that we truly discover our inner strength and resilience. The Cederberg, with its rugged terrain and untamed beauty, provides the perfect backdrop for participants to push their limits and embrace the thrill of testing their mettle. Over the years, The Ceder has grown beyond just a weekend challenge amongst friends. It has become a gathering of riders and runners from all corners and walks of life, with one goal; to conquer a challenge.  I am humbled by the enthusiasm and determination displayed by everyone, to conquer the challenges that have set for themselves. To all those who have been a part of The Ceder, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your presence and unwavering support have transformed this event into a cherished tradition. Let us continue to celebrate the spirit of adventure, paying homage to the nostalgia that inspired it all, and inspiring others to embark on their own unforgettable journeys in the remarkable Cederberg. Go to Event Page.

For many riders local to the Western Cape the Cederberg needs no introduction as a riding destination. The Cederberg Circuit is a 247km circular route which offers riders the opportunity to explore this majestic area in their own time. It is a proper gem and only 2 hours from Cape Town. For those reading this who aren’t based in the Western Cape, or if you are but haven’t had the chance to venture out to this beautifully challenging part of the country yet, this article should provide all the info you need to plan a great a weekend or week of adventuring through the area. View full article

Originally published in August 2021 – Spring is in the air, and it’s the ideal time of year for a bike-packing trip. We were digging for inspiration in our archives, and stumbled upon this story of Rae Trew-Browne’s adventures on the Cederberg Circuit from last year. It’s too good not to share, and has us […] View full article

If you haven’t already been, the Cederberg is an incredible mountain oasis with a ton of activities from gravel and mountain biking to wine tasting, hiking, and there is even a Brewery that uses the fresh mountain water in the area to brew their beer. View full article

While visiting the Cederberg mountains in 2014, I quickly realized this uniquely beautiful and surreal vast landscape would lure me back to try and capture its magical atmosphere through photography. The emphasis being on try, as the sheer size and unlimited features of this area would make that impossible. It was this same atmosphere, and the idea of simple, uncontested riding and exploring with a couple of friends, without time limits, that inspired the whole Trail Daze project to begin with. Click here to view the article

Event Name: Tour Of Ara 2015. When: 26 September 2015 - 1 October 2015 Where: Cederberg, Western Cape Category: Road www.tourofara.co.za The Tour of Ara, named for the Southern Hemisphere constellation of Ara, is a prestige race that is ridden on vintage South African-built steel bicycles in the proud tradition of the early Italian multi-day stage races. Open to only 35 racers, this second edition - 26 September to 1 October of 2015 - will take riders, predominantly over hard gravel roads, from the tiny village of Die-Dorp-Op-Die-Berg over the Cederberg mountains to the settlement of Algeria - the next morning will be spent with the local community before heading off to Clanwilliam. From Clanwillian the route climbs north to Calvinia, and then turns south to the little hamlet of Middelpos. Next is Sutherland, after which the last stage will be a race to the finish in the heart of the Karoo at the famous Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein. It's a race against the clock, and stages will be very difficult and challenging, predominately over varying quality dirt roads, with the longest day being about 150 km. Riders will encounter soft sand, corrugated roads, loose stones and sharp tyre-shredding rocks, and possibly even rain and snow. Tour of Ara is completely independent, and paid for by the entrants ; there are no sponsors or patrons, and no prize money - we aim to keep it that way. This race is ridden entirely at ones own risk. You cannot hold anybody but yourself responsible for what might transpire during the Tour of Ara. So don't come crying if you get a flat or lose a finger. Prepare, train, and know your abilities and limitations before entering.