[Event] Swartberg100 Gran Fondo

[@BigJohnSwan]

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

[milky4130]

Can't wait looks like heaps of fun :-)

[DJR]

I would love to do this but prior commitments.......

 

Can you give more details about the route? I assume Prince Albert to Klaarstroom, De Rust, Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert? That would be EPIC!

 

I wish you very well with this event!

[milky4130]

Is it an out & back/circular route or point to point?

[@BigJohnSwan]

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

[@BigJohnSwan]

Is it an out & back/circular route or point to point?

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

[@BigJohnSwan]

I would love to do this but prior commitments.......

 

Can you give more details about the route? I assume Prince Albert to Klaarstroom, De Rust, Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert? That would be EPIC!

 

I wish you very well with this event!

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

[DJR]

Thanks John, that is going to be a SPECTACULAR route! Pictures simply cannot do it justice!

 

One of our Afrikaans Writers, I think it was Ettiene Le Roux (he was from Oudtshoorn), said that the only thing on earth that doesn't shrink and seem less impressive as we grow up and become older, is Meiringspoort. I agree!

 

And then, the Swartberg Pass itself, without a doubt the prince of mountain passes, perhaps the king?

 

  

[SSCC]

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

How tough would the Swartberg descent be on a road bike with 25c tyres? Anyone one done it.

[SSCC]

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

How tough would the Swartberg descent be on a road bike with 25c tyres? Anyone one done it.

[@BigJohnSwan]

How tough would the Swartberg descent be on a road bike with 25c tyres? Anyone one done it.

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. 

[eddy]

How tough would the Swartberg descent be on a road bike with 25c tyres? Anyone one done it.

I have done on a CX bike with 32c tyres. Not ideal but absolutely doable. There are a few stretches near the top where gradient and rutting makes it a bit hairy, but it was not as bad as I had feared. It is much, much better than Breedts for instance Edited March 15, 2016 by eddy

[DJR]

How tough would the Swartberg descent be on a road bike with 25c tyres? Anyone one done it.

My first time (riding the Swartberg Pass, not the "other" first time) was on a road bike with skinnies, but then I was 15 years old and I had a guardian angel that made Muhammad Ali look like a wimp. I'm much older (wiser?) now and my guardian angel is a worn out wreck, so I would say 28 tyres at least, but pick your lines to avoid the loose stuff. Cyclo cross tyres will be even better. There is always a hard line, but you have to go slow enough to have time to see it, make your call, and go for it. 

[Skubarra]

Pity its onthe same date as the Trans Karoo, next year I'm skipping the Trans Karoo downride and doing this one!

[milky4130]

Pity its onthe same date as the Trans Karoo, next year I'm skipping the Trans Karoo downride and doing this one!

im actually skipping Trans Karoo & do this instead. In years to come you can say I did the very 1st official Swartberg 100 miler

[@BigJohnSwan]

im actually skipping Trans Karoo & do this instead. In years to come you can say I did the very 1st official Swartberg 100 miler

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