Road to Desolation | 2026

The 2026 Road to Desolation takes place on Saturday, 26 September 2026 in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape. 🚴‍♂️🌄

This one-day gravel cycling event takes riders through the semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo, starting in Graaff-Reinet and finishing at the top of the Valley of Desolation. With big skies, remote roads, technical climbs, gravel sections, and a summit finish, it offers a serious and memorable Karoo cycling challenge. 🌿

Riders can choose between the 130km Road to Desolation race and the 66km Taste of Desolation ride. The 130km is the headline race for 2026, with around 2,000m of climbing, technical climbs, a section of single track, and strict cut-offs. The 66km route is an untimed, unraced ride with around 1,300m of climbing, offering a more accessible way to experience the route and the final climb. 🔥

The event is best suited to prepared gravel riders, mountain bikers, endurance cyclists, and riders looking for a unique point-to-point style challenge in one of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes. 🎖️

Distances, Start Times & Route Details

• 130km Road to Desolation – 06h30 – ±2,000m elevation 🚴‍♂️
• 66km Taste of Desolation – 06h30 – ±1,300m elevation 🌿

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026

⏰ Start Time: 06h30

📍 Start Area: Graaff-Reinet

🏁 Finish: Top of the Valley of Desolation

🌍 City/Town: Graaff-Reinet

📌 Province: Eastern Cape

Registration

📅 Date: Friday, 25 September 2026

⏰ Time: 14h00–19h00

📍 Venue: Te Waterhouse, Graaff-Reinet

Important Notes

• The 130km route is the main race-day event
• The 66km route is untimed and unraced
• The 180km route continues as a self-supported FKT challenge
• Helmet plus front and rear lights are mandatory
• Riders must carry key safety gear, tools, spares, nutrition and hydration
• CSA licence required for the race
• Strict cut-off applies before entering the final Valley of Desolation climb