Around the Pot 2025 Info

[Chingy182]

Hi guys

I am looking at entering Around the Pot 100 miler in August and wanting to ask for some feedback from people who have done this event in previous years.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much around this topic when I searched the forum history on the topic.

Good things to know:
- How does the 160km route stack up compared to other events, ie. Karoo to Coast perhaps?
- Would Gravel bike be much preferred over conventional mountain bike (see Matt Beers won last year on a gravel bike and pro's seem to know NOT to ride K2C on gravel bikes)?
- What would possibly be a good time to be aiming for (sub 7h15?)

I am trying to challenge myself here to do longer events, but just want to have some feel for what I am letting myself into and what I can realistically set as an achievable time goal.
I've done K2C a few times (4h40 in 2024), CTCT (3h06 in 2025)

Looking forward to getting some pro tips and insights.

[Skubarra]

5 minutes ago, Chingy182 said:

Hi guys

I am looking at entering Around the Pot 100 miler in August and wanting to ask for some feedback from people who have done this event in previous years.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much around this topic when I searched the forum history on the topic.

Good things to know:
- How does the 160km route stack up compared to other events, ie. Karoo to Coast perhaps?
- Would Gravel bike be much preferred over conventional mountain bike (see Matt Beers won last year on a gravel bike and pro's seem to know NOT to ride K2C on gravel bikes)?
- What would possibly be a good time to be aiming for (sub 7h15?)

I am trying to challenge myself here to do longer events, but just want to have some feel for what I am letting myself into and what I can realistically set as an achievable time goal.
I've done K2C a few times (4h40 in 2024), CTCT (3h06 in 2025)

Looking forward to getting some pro tips and insights.

Definitely gravel bike route.

Route would generally be easier than K2C, especially with regards to climbing. There aren't really very big climbs but the climbs on the rollers & drags do add up over 160km, especially if you are pushing for a fast time.

Last year they had a different route because the pont was closed, so cannot really compare times but maybe a Sub-7 a good goal for a first attempt.

I would just that add, event is in the middle of the Cape winter. So be prepared for rain, mud, storms, route changes or cancellations, whatever the winter weather can throw at an event have already happened (except snow I think)

[Kom]

ATP has been around for some time now - in the mean time Ronde v Swartberg, Ronde v Riebeek, Gallows etc have also emerged which are at a better time of year weather wise to race gravel.

I then skip gravel winter (June/July/August) and pickup again with Canolla Roller in September.

Budget req'd for these events can be quite high, entries are pricey, accommodation for two nights is pricey etc

Just my 2sats

[Chingy182]

2 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

Definitely gravel bike route.

Route would generally be easier than K2C, especially with regards to climbing. There aren't really very big climbs but the climbs on the rollers & drags do add up over 160km, especially if you are pushing for a fast time.

Last year they had a different route because the pont was closed, so cannot really compare times but maybe a Sub-7 a good goal for a first attempt.

I would just that add, event is in the middle of the Cape winter. So be prepared for rain, mud, storms, route changes or cancellations, whatever the winter weather can throw at an event have already happened (except snow I think)

Thanks for this, it does help to put things into perspective especially regarding hills compared to K2C.

Great to know this will be gravel bike recommended and yes, I saw 2023 got Canned a few days before the event... August is a coin toss at best in the Cape

[Mamil]

Gravel bike is ok for this but weather dependent the last single track section back to Swellendam can be tricky on a gravel bike.

I did the 200 miler last year and I never want to see another rolling hill as long as I live

[betaboy]

49 minutes ago, Kom said:

ATP has been around for some time now - in the mean time Ronde v Swartberg, Ronde v Riebeek, Gallows etc have also emerged which are at a better time of year weather wise to race gravel.

I then skip gravel winter (June/July/August) and pickup again with Canolla Roller in September.

Budget req'd for these events can be quite high, entries are pricey, accommodation for two nights is pricey etc

Just my 2sats

Great info but I see you forget to add the 15.5 vat. 😂

[sucramuk]

21 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Gravel bike is ok for this but weather dependent the last single track section back to Swellendam can be tricky on a gravel bike.

I did the 200 miler last year and I never want to see another rolling hill as long as I live

Hey Dave

 

I agree with you, they were very testing!

Going back this year for 200miler again though!

[olmec]

1 hour ago, Kom said:

Ronde v Swartberg, Ronde v Riebeek, Gallows etc have also emerged

I also think these are much better value than ATP.

[buckstopper]

I'm in for RvS and was hoping to do Road to Desolation in June, but it's been put on hold till 2026. I'm in EC so logistically not a train smash. Every time I've considered ATP the stories just dampen my enthusiasm somewhat

[Kom]

22 minutes ago, olmec said:

I also think these are much better value than ATP.

The 99er ran a gravel route on the same day as the traditional paved route this year (and last i think). Would be ideal if these events were on separate days, and consideration for more near Cape Town based events where accommodation isnt needed to take part. There is also an opportunity for a gravel event from Spice Route which would be awesome.

IMHO gravel events could be as popular as all the pre CTCT road events if they were closer to CPT and entry fees were aligned.

[ChrisF]

4 hours ago, Chingy182 said:

Hi guys

I am looking at entering Around the Pot 100 miler in August and wanting to ask for some feedback from people who have done this event in previous years.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much around this topic when I searched the forum history on the topic.

Good things to know:
- How does the 160km route stack up compared to other events, ie. Karoo to Coast perhaps?
- Would Gravel bike be much preferred over conventional mountain bike (see Matt Beers won last year on a gravel bike and pro's seem to know NOT to ride K2C on gravel bikes)?
- What would possibly be a good time to be aiming for (sub 7h15?)

I am trying to challenge myself here to do longer events, but just want to have some feel for what I am letting myself into and what I can realistically set as an achievable time goal.
I've done K2C a few times (4h40 in 2024), CTCT (3h06 in 2025)

Looking forward to getting some pro tips and insights.

 

Maybe also consider, the last few years were some of the wettest.

 

Before that this was a very popular event.

 

For the organisers, riders and local community I do hope the weather plays nicely this year.

[Skubarra]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Maybe also consider, the last few years were some of the wettest.

 

Before that this was a very popular event.

 

For the organisers, riders and local community I do hope the weather plays nicely this year.

I am entering this year - honestly happy to take the gamble, the weather is what it is, you just prepare for any eventuality.

There are no other proper gravel races around that time of the year, September/October the calender is flooded with other events so I'm fine with taking a bit of a risk to do an event early August.

This weekend I was at an event in the middle of the Karoo and the night before the race half the route flooded away in a big storm, you never have guarantees on the weather.

[milky4130]

I've seen some meteorologist reports somewhere that the Cape is in for a low winter rainfall this year and considering all the rain & mud of the last 3-4 years murphy's law says it will most likely be a clear sunny day in 2025.

I was part of a 2 man team in 2019 (dual suspension) & 2022 (hardtail) both times was a mud fest.

You cannot compare K2C to ATP.

ATP is non technical so you can get away with a gravel bike but can you endure the corrugation and should it be muddy for all of 100 miles? Lots of gravel bikes did not make it the last time around.

7:15 is a good target if you don't get caught up with the racing bunches. There is no shortage of rolling hills that will surely sap your last bit of energy & humor.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2547490243

https://www.strava.com/activities/7514824241

[Shebeen]

Remember how people think the Argus is always windy? Three great years in a row and the memory still lives on. That's anecdotal data. 

Sure, ATP got two years in a row in monster weather. I did both, it was fun. (My bike was fine). But is that normal? 

Long term weather data has 4.2 days of precipitation August for Swellendam. That's actual data. 

 

Source: https://weatherspark.com/y/85361/Average-Weather-in-Swellendam-Western-Cape-South-Africa-Year-Round#Figures-PrecipitationProbability

Happy to see something else with local records