Garden Route Giro - 2026

[the_roadie]

1 hour ago, Dryland Events said:

You are correct! Keep an eye on your inbox or our social media for the final route reveal 

Thanks. Really wish this was communicated earlier before accommodation is already booked and transport organized based on the information on the website.

If I have to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in the lack of communication around this event.

[Bub Marley]

44 minutes ago, the_roadie said:

Thanks. Really wish this was communicated earlier before accommodation is already booked and transport organized based on the information on the website.

If I have to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in the lack of communication around this event.

The distances have been reduced dramatically. Would love to know the reasoning for this? 

How this wasn’t communicated though is beyond me? Seriously, you’re paying so much money the least you expect in return is communication. Not good this. 

[the_roadie]

11 minutes ago, Bub Marley said:

The distances have been reduced dramatically. Would love to know the reasoning for this? 

How this wasn’t communicated though is beyond me? Seriously, you’re paying so much money the least you expect in return is communication. Not good this. 

Exactly. I happened to go on the site this morning to find information about  the start time (which has also now been moved from 9am to 10am) and then saw that the start has changed from Salt & Copper and total distance has been reduced by 114km. That is basically an entire stage. I understand the foot and mouth outbreak is an issue, but this is not new information. It's been ongoing for many many months.

Edited March 23 by the_roadie

[Dryland Events]

1 hour ago, the_roadie said:

Thanks. Really wish this was communicated earlier before accommodation is already booked and transport organized based on the information on the website.

If I have to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in the lack of communication around this event.

Due to the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Mossel Bay area, adjustments to the Stage 1 start and registration venue were necessary.

This decision ensures compliance with biosecurity measures while allowing the event to proceed safely and responsibly for all riders, staff, and local communities.

[Dryland Events]

1 hour ago, the_roadie said:

Thanks. Really wish this was communicated earlier before accommodation is already booked and transport organized based on the information on the website.

If I have to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in the lack of communication around this event.

This wasn’t an easy decision, and we were only recently informed that changes needed to be made.

All riders and crew will still stay in Mossel Bay before the start, so no changes are required to your accommodation or transport arrangements.

If there’s anything we can assist with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

[the_roadie]

15 minutes ago, Dryland Events said:

Due to the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Mossel Bay area, adjustments to the Stage 1 start and registration venue were necessary.

This decision ensures compliance with biosecurity measures while allowing the event to proceed safely and responsibly for all riders, staff, and local communities.

Sure. But this is not new information, it's been an ongoing issue in South Africa for many many months. Also, why was stage 5 cut by 40km then?

And can we also get clarity on a few other things that I'm sure other people traveling would need to know:

1. Are we getting the race bags before the event so we can use it to pack or are we only getting it at registration? Which means you'll need bring a different bag and then transfer your stuff?

2. Has each stage's time now changed to 10am, or only stage 1?

3. What can we expect in the tents? Things that need to be packed / not packed. Is there plug points in the tents?

Really looking forward to the event, and I'm sure it's going to be amazing, but a bit more information would definitely help. 

[HdB]

11 minutes ago, the_roadie said:

Sure. But this is not new information, it's been an ongoing issue in South Africa for many many months. 

Well, FMD was confirmed in the area around 11 Feb, so it has not been that long that the impact on this event could really have been planned for?

I'm hoping that things are more under control by Sept for the Pioneer (Black Friday specials FTW!), but will keep an eye on this event to see if it looks nice to do another year.

[Dryland Events]

18 minutes ago, the_roadie said:

Sure. But this is not new information, it's been an ongoing issue in South Africa for many many months. Also, why was stage 5 cut by 40km then?

And can we also get clarity on a few other things that I'm sure other people traveling would need to know:

1. Are we getting the race bags before the event so we can use it to pack or are we only getting it at registration? Which means you'll need bring a different bag and then transfer your stuff?

2. Has each stage's time now changed to 10am, or only stage 1?

3. What can we expect in the tents? Things that need to be packed / not packed. Is there plug points in the tents?

Really looking forward to the event, and I'm sure it's going to be amazing, but a bit more information would definitely help. 

1. Race bags will be handed out at registration. We will have a secure storage option for all your extras you won't need during the event. You can hand these items in during registration on Sunday or Monday morning at the start. These items will be available again after the final stage. Your GRG race bag will travel in our transport each day. 
2. No, just Stage 1. 
3. For accommodation inclusions, visit the link: https://www.gardenroutegiro.co.za/garden-route-giro-entry-info/

[the_roadie]

22 minutes ago, HdB said:

Well, FMD was confirmed in the area around 11 Feb, so it has not been that long that the impact on this event could really have been planned for?

I'm hoping that things are more under control by Sept for the Pioneer (Black Friday specials FTW!), but will keep an eye on this event to see if it looks nice to do another year.

Thanks, noted on only being confirmed on 11 Feb. I was just basing it on events in Gauteng and surrounding areas that have had to be changed since Jan.

[Patchelicious]

Been looking forward to this event. But as a proper dirt roadie, I hope they mean it when they say "champagne gravel", I keep hearing this and then you get sections that are for enduro bikes.

If I wanted that and single track I would enter a MTB event.

For one, Im not too fussed about the 160km stage turning into a "shorter" 120km, 120km is more than plenty (he says a day after the Ronde van Pains).

GRG is hopefully going to be a hoot, we entered it instead of Epic, so lets hope it lives up to our excitement.

 

[the_roadie]

11 minutes ago, Patchelicious said:

Been looking forward to this event. But as a proper dirt roadie, I hope they mean it when they say "champagne gravel", I keep hearing this and then you get sections that are for enduro bikes.

If I wanted that and single track I would enter a MTB event.

For one, Im not too fussed about the 160km stage turning into a "shorter" 120km, 120km is more than plenty (he says a day after the Ronde van Pains).

GRG is hopefully going to be a hoot, we entered it instead of Epic, so lets hope it lives up to our excitement.

 

I'm positive it's going to be an amazing route with proper gravel. They've already said they use tar roads to connect the gravel sections when needed. That was a problem with GB last year where some sections were definitely MTB instead of gravel.

[the_roadie]

So what's everyone's setup looking like for GRG? I'm going with my Diverge, 42 + 10-51 gearing and 45mm pathfinders on Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels with inserts.

[Michael S]

9 minutes ago, the_roadie said:

So what's everyone's setup looking like for GRG? I'm going with my Diverge, 42 + 10-51 gearing and 45mm pathfinders on Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels with inserts.

Nice, I'd consider larger volume tyres for multi-day gravel, but the rest is prime.

[the_roadie]

39 minutes ago, Michael S said:

Nice, I'd consider larger volume tyres for multi-day gravel, but the rest is prime.

I'm a bit limited by my frame unfortunately. But they do measure 47mm on the wheels. And it's the same size I used at Gravel Burn, which worked well. But 100% agree, would love to fit 50mm on there.

[Bub Marley]

1 hour ago, the_roadie said:

I'm a bit limited by my frame unfortunately. But they do measure 47mm on the wheels. And it's the same size I used at Gravel Burn, which worked well. But 100% agree, would love to fit 50mm on there.

Please post a review of this event and how it compares to GB once you’re done. I’m keen to do one of them so any feedback would be great.

[The_Phoenix]

1 hour ago, Bub Marley said:

Please post a review of this event and how it compares to GB once you’re done. I’m keen to do one of them so any feedback would be great.

+1, please do