The Karkloof Gravel will take place at the Absa Karkloof Country Club on 6th of April 2025
The event is also SA Gravel Championships, and the club is proud to be hosting this Gravel championship in both 2025 and 2027, with 2026 hosting the SA Gravel Cup.
Sunday the 6th April will offer a packed day of Gravel Biking for the whole family with distances ranging from 28km to the 168km.
SUN | 168km GRAVEL
An ultra-tough Gravel Champs timed race for elite riders with approx 2700m of elevation gain, promising high speeds through Karkloof valley. A three loop race designed to keep the bunch together until the last loop when a sneaky final and unique climb makes a detour to separate the best from the rest. Open class available, riders to be trained enough as cut offs will be in place
SUN | 106km GRAVEL
A challenging timed race with approx 1600m of elevation gain, aimed at riders with good fitness to experience the best the Karkloof valley has to offer, with scenes of the famous Loskop mountain , private gravel roads and the incredible indigenous forests to the North. A two loop race passing by the Karkloof Country Club.
SUN | 53km GRAVEL
A moderate timed race with approx 800m of elevation gain, aimed at fit gravel riders wanting to experience the opportunity of riding some unridden private gravel roads that we have gained access to for the event. A single loop of the area with a few good climbs thrown in but less technical single track to keep the flows going with views of the majestic Karkloof Falls along the route.
SUN | 28km GRAVEL FUN RIDE (UNTIMED)
An easier untimed ride with approx 300m of elevation gain, for families and riders looking to experience the serenity of a Karkloof gravel ride, ensuring smiles all round and an enjoyable event with views of the majestic Loskop mountain and the Karkloof escarpment along the route.
| Time | Event | Early Bird | Normal Entry | Late Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07H30 | 168km GRAVEL | R850 | R890 | R940 |
| 07H50 | 106km GRAVEL | R730 | R770 | R820 |
| 08H10 | 53km GRAVEL | R440 | R480 | R530 |
| 08H25 | 28km GRAVEL (FUN RIDE) | R140 | R160 | R180 |
Please check the racing categories carefully below to make sure you are entering the correct event. Prizes are specific to events and categories.
| Race | Batch | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 168km GRAVEL | A | Elite Men |
| B | Sub Vet & Vet Men | |
| C | Open Batch | |
| 106km GRAVEL | A | Elite Women |
| B | Sub Vet & Vet Women | |
| C | Master Men | |
| D | Open Batch / E-Bikes | |
| 53km GRAVEL | A | Master Woman |
| B | Grand Master Men & Woman & 70+ | |
| C | PARA Category | |
| D | Open Batch / E-Bikes | |
| 28km GRAVEL (FUN RIDE) | A | Open Batch |
Entries are open on EasyReg. To enter, click HERE
| Entry Type | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | 06 March 09:00 | 11 March 09:00 |
| Normal Entry | 11 March 09:01 | 31 March 09:00 |
| Late Entry | 31 March 09:01 | 03 April 12:00 |
Late entries will also be available on the day of the event at the Karkloof Country Club and the late entry price will apply.
168km GRAVEL – https://www.wikiloc.com/gravel-bike-trails/karkloof-gravel-168km-203880922
106km GRAVEL – https://www.wikiloc.com/gravel-bike-trails/karkloof-gravel-106km-203880637
53km GRAVEL – https://www.wikiloc.com/gravel-bike-trails/karkloof-gravel-53km-203880440
28km GRAVEL – https://www.wikiloc.com/gravel-bike-trails/karkloof-gravel-28km-203879990
The routes are not currently marked, marking will not be guaranteed to be final until the day of the race and is subject to last minute changes due to harvesting operations.
Routes are still being marked and cleared until the day of the event, so caution must be exercised for obstructions/traffic. Abide by all road rules.
Should you want to practice the route prior to the event you require a valid members band or day permit from the club to ride the trails. Trespassers on Sappi land running/riding without these permits will be disqualified from the race.
Please respect the private farm land owners at all times, they provide us access to their farm land only during the event day. Some portions of the courses cannot be accessed until the day of the event. This includes Rockwood Farm, Colbourne Farm, the Forest road that connects Yarrow to the Crammond district road as well as the final bonus loop “detour” on the 168km route. Riding on private land before the event will be deemed trespassing. Don’t do it, save some for race day.
On race day the arrows and bunting will mark the course and you must follow the route marking. The GPX files are only indicative of the route and approximate distance. Course markings on the day of the event take preference. Turn your “off course” notifications off on your electronic device.
Cell signal in the Karkloof varies and we cannot accept responsibility for people getting lost using these files. Follow the route markers