Cape Epic 2026

[Stephan]

So I’ve heard a rumour that the prologue will be at Meerendal again and then the race heads towards the Greyton area. Route launches are typically mid to late September, so we will know soon enough. 

Edited August 24, 2025 by Stephan

[DieselnDust]

10 minutes ago, Stephan said:

So I’ve heard a rumour that the prologue will be at Meerendal again and then the race heads towards the Greyton area. Route launches are typically mid to late September, so we will know soon enough. 

Meerendal will be the prologue till 2028 is what they announced at last years route launch 

[Headshot]

Lets hope Paarl Rock is out of the picture completely. What a debacle.

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Headshot said:

Lets hope Paarl Rock is out of the picture completely. What a debacle.

actually, Drakenstein Municipality wanted the route to tranverse Paarl for 3 years. So I suspect we may have a Prologue in Meerendal. followed by something like this

Stage 1 in Greyton to Greyton

Stage 2 Journey to Oakvalley

Stage 3  Oakvalley to Oakvalley

Stage5 : Oakvalley to Paarl

Stage 6 : Paarl to Lourensford

Stage 7 : Lourensford 

Edited August 25, 2025 by DieselnDust

[MongooseMan]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

actually, Drakenstein Municipality wanted the route to tranverse Paarl for 3 years. So I suspect we may have a Prologue in Meerendal. followed by something like this

Stage 1 in Greyton to Greyton

Stage 2 Journey to Oakvalley

Stage 3  Oakvalley to Oakvalley

Stage5 : Oakvalley to Paarl

Stage 6 : Paarl to Lourensford

Stage 7 : Lourensford 

Doesn't that imply 4 race villages though? (Greyton, Oak Valley, Paarl, Lourensford)
Last few years have all had 3 (at least, as far as I can remember).

Isn't blind hypothesising fun

[Shebeen]

3 hours ago, Headshot said:

Lets hope Paarl Rock is out of the picture completely. What a debacle.

The issues of Paarl rock were all avoidable if there was a viable plan B or C.

but you do raise a good point, there was talk of civil action - went quiet. 

3 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

Doesn't that imply 4 race villages though? (Greyton, Oak Valley, Paarl, Lourensford)
Last few years have all had 3 (at least, as far as I can remember).

Isn't blind hypothesising fun

good point. They would need to cancel the final race village accommodation. You just stay night 6 in your own hotel somewhere in SWest.

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, MongooseMan said:

Doesn't that imply 4 race villages though? (Greyton, Oak Valley, Paarl, Lourensford)
Last few years have all had 3 (at least, as far as I can remember).

Isn't blind hypothesising fun

Its not a sklep to move Greyton or Oakvalley "net oor die buld" but I get your point

[Stephan]

4 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

actually, Drakenstein Municipality wanted the route to tranverse Paarl for 3 years. So I suspect we may have a Prologue in Meerendal. followed by something like this

Stage 1 in Greyton to Greyton

Stage 2 Journey to Oakvalley

Stage 3  Oakvalley to Oakvalley

Stage5 : Oakvalley to Paarl

Stage 6 : Paarl to Lourensford

Stage 7 : Lourensford 

IF this is indeed the route, then I guess rusty gate climb and Groenlandberg will be back on the 2026 menu. 

[DieselnDust]

46 minutes ago, Stephan said:

IF this is indeed the route, then I guess rusty gate climb and Groenlandberg will be back on the 2026 menu. 

Im speculating massively!!

 

[CARANXCycleMobile]

19 hours ago, Headshot said:

Lets hope Paarl Rock is out of the picture completely. What a debacle.

Why ??? It was awesome to see the Taal monument 5 times in one day !😜

[Sid the Sloth]

Good news for my ballies who are moving to Greyton and will have some accommodation available… now I just need to find a partner!

[DieselnDust]

3 hours ago, CARANXCycleMobile said:

Why ??? It was awesome to see the Taal monument 5 times in one day !😜

And twice the next 

I sensed myself filling up with the spirit of Afrikaaans

Edited August 26, 2025 by DieselnDust

[Stephan]

Route launch 9 October. 

[Stephan]

Bet there are a few nervous people around the world anxiously awaiting route launch tonight. 🤣

[DieselnDust]

not me

not riding has that effect

[Nick]

The route: 

https://bikehub.co.za/news/the-2026-absa-cape-epic-route-revealed/