RIDER INFO

YOUR KAROO JOURNEY

YOUR KAROO JOURNEY

Welcome to the Karoo, grab a beer or something to drink and collect your goody bag. During registration, you will receive your event package with your number, timing band and some other goodies. Riders must please remember to present some sort of photo identification document (driver’s license, passport or ID book) as proof of identity. If a rider has not registered, they will not be allowed to start.

While en route to the Dwarsvlei Farm venue, make a pitstop or two.
When coming from Cape Town, stop in Graaff-Reinet at Maria’s Coffee Roastery or Hello You and when coming from Middelburg, stop at PLAASlik farmstall in town or Piccadili’s.

Registration will take place at Dwarsvlei Farm: 13:00-19:00
Dinner: 18:00-19:30
Date: 28 February 2025
Please see directions HERE>>

Start your Karoo experience: 1 March 2025

06:00 – 100 Miler

07:00 – 50 Miler
07:15 – 50 Miler E-bike

2 MARCH 2025

Enjoy coffee and a rusk from 6:00 followed by a brekkie bun from 6:30 before departing.

ACCOMMODATION

Enjoy two glorious evenings in the Karoo underneath countless stars with complimentary tented accommodation included in your entry. We also have alternative accommodation options such as Comfy Canvas, Glamping tents, Stable rooms and Guest farm accommodation. (Friday and Saturday Nights included)

Complimentary Standard Canvas-tented accommodation includes the following:

Team entry | Sharing accommodation will receive 1 x Standard Canvas tent and 2 x single mattresses

Solo entry | Single accommodation will receive 1 x Standard Canvas tent and 1 x single mattress. 

*Extra tents can be booked online.

Please note:

*Keep in mind supporter passes are limited to 30 spots. Remember to book an additional mattress for your supporter should they be sharing with you in the standard canvas accommodation option. You can also book an additional tent if you are already sharing with a team mate.
*Ample ablutions are available. It includes a few permanent and temporary toilet and shower structures.
*Bring your towel, pillow and sleeping bag.

The Luxury Glamping Tents include the following:

Two nights accommodation
Two comfortable beds
Quality white linen
Chairs
Bedside tables
Floor rugs
Solar lights

R3 290 (Accommodation for 2)
Luxury Glamping tent options must be booked online along with your entry.

Please Note:
*Bring your own towel
*Dedicated ablution unit
*This will replace your standard tented accommodation.

The Comfy Canvas tents include the following:

2 Nights accommodation
2 Comfortable beds
2 Chairs
1 Light and bedside table

Canvas tent options must be booked online along with your entry.
R1950 (Accommodation for 2)

Please Note:
*Bring own pillow, bedding and towel.
*You will share in the communal ablution.
*This will replace your standard tented accommodation.

Dwarsvlei Farm has converted the old horse stables into comfortable rooms. These rooms are kept as original as possible to preserve the authenticity of the farm’s history. This isn’t a fancy guest room but rather a weekend in rustic Karoo history.

The Stable Rooms will include the following:
2 Nights accommodation
2 Single beds and mattresses
Fitted sheets
Lights
Charging point for phones

The Stable Room option must be booked online along with your entry.
R2200 (Accommodation for 2)

Please Note:
*Bring your own pillow, bedding and towel.
*You will share in the communal ablution.
*This will replace your standard tented accommodation.

The Stable Rooms will include the following:
2 Nights accommodation
4 Single beds and mattresses
Fitted sheets
Lights
2 Powerbanks per room

The Stable Room option must be booked online along with your entry.
R2700 (Accommodation for 4)

Please Note:
*Bring own pillow, bedding and towel.
*You will share in the communal ablution.
*This will replace your standard tented accommodation.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the self-camp option:

* This option is free.

*There is no dedicated ablution for self campers but you can use the communal ablution facilities.

* This area has no water or power supply points.

* Shaded areas are limited and at the furthest point of the self-camp area.

Alternative accommodation options close to Dwarsvlei Farm venue:

Dwarsvlei Farmhouse – Located at Dwarsvlei Farm dwarsvlei.karoo@gmail.com | 0662202218
Erin Farmhouse & Cottages – Approximately 5km from Dwarsvlei Farm https://www.karooexperience.com/
Celtis Country Lodge– 15km from Dwarsvlei in Middelburg town https://www.celtiscountrylodge.co.za
Nguni Country Lodge – 15km from Dwarsvlei in Middelburg town http://www.ngunicountrylodge.com
Karoo Country Inn – 15km from Dwarsvlei in Middelburg town https://www.karoocountryinn.co.za
Middelburg, Eastern Cape also have multiple accommodation options available and are situated 15km form Dwarsvlei Farm. 

FOOD & BEVERAGES

The Karoo’s hospitality shows in the food. Expect Karoo lamb braai, freshly baked farm bread, unique side dished served with meals, condensed milk coffee at breakfast, potatoes and koeksisters at the water points, and fully stocked fridges with ice-cold craft beer for the weekend!

Friday Lunch: Lunch will be available for purchase throughout the afternoon.
Friday Dinner: Entails a Karoo-inspired braai with various types of delicious meats and varieties of scrumptious salads.
Saturday Breakfast: A full hearty breakfast including eggs, boerewors, oats and fruit. Delectable locally sourced rusks will be available at the coffee station before and during breakfast.
Saturday Lunch: Freshly prepared vetkoek with mince and salads. 
Saturday Dinner: A delicious Karoo-inspired meal with a couple of  unique salads as sides.
Sunday Breakfast: Breakfast buns will be available from 06:30.

*Please keep in mind menu changes might occur due to local stock and seasonal availability.

*Special dietary requirements: Our food is sourced and made by the local community, and thus challenging to cater for individual needs. Send us an email to info@urbangoat.co.za at least 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT, and we can look into how we can assist.

You can look forward to six 100-miler and two 50-miler well-stocked staffed water points along the route that will supply you with Twizza cola, cold water, fruit, mini potatoes, roosterkoekies, and KOEKSISTERS. There will also be self-help water stations situated between the water points. The main water point will be on the farm of Alphen, featuring ginger beer, roosterkoek and more. Please check the route section for the exact location of the water points.

Before and during breakfast, you can grab a coffee or warm water for tea from the coffee station. A bowl of delicious rusks will be en route to the condensed milk/milk/lactose-free milk and tea table. For the more hardcore Java lovers, Atlantic Coffee co will also be situated inside The Nourse Shed to sell you your perfectly brewed cappuccino from breakfast until after dinner. Water, Craft Beer, Craft Gin, Wine, and soft drinks will be on sale from the bar at the Main Building. 

Water is supplied for the water points and consumption during each stage. All tap water in our tour village is perfectly safe for drinking, and it is recommended that riders utilise our supply of drinking water.

SUPPORT AND SERVICES

It is essential that riders start the event with a well serviced and prepared bicycle. We have backup support en route should you not be able to ride any further as well as medical staff to assist incase you sustain an injury.

You should carry tubes, a master link and a replaceable dropout (remember it is unique to every bike). Waterpoints will have small medical kits and self-help tech boxes with a few backup spares and tools. We have backup support should you not be able to ride any further.

You are welcome to pack a bag which we will transport to the waterpoint on Alphen and back. Leave this bag in the bag drop area before departing on your 100-mile adventure. Please mark your bag clearly and remember to pick it up after. Bags must be dropped off before 6:00 on 1 March.

All riders will receive a timing chip to track your time for the 100 or 50 miler distance. Live results will be available.

 

A dedicated E-Bike charging station will be available near the main building. Remember to bring your charger and double-check whether the charger is securely fastened and charging. A backup generator will be on standby to supply power in case of load shedding. Don’t forget to select the E-Bike category during the entry process, as this helps us keep track of how many charging stations we need to set up during the event.

*Use of E-bike charging station at own risk.

Trained medical personnel will be on the route to handle any emergencies as well as at the finish. More serious cases will be transferred to a local hospital, where a more comprehensive service is available. Please remember to carry the details of your medical insurance with, in case of hospitalisation.

There will be dedicated personnel allocated to wash your bike after your cycle. Mechanics will be on site to help with any unexpected mechanical issues. Any parts will be charged to your account and need to be paid in full before your bike is released to you.

Relax & recover in the soothing Karoo air. Massage packages can be pre-booked online @ R450, which includes 1x30min Session. Limited massage packages are available. This is booked on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Prize giving

At Ride The Karoo you can be sure to expect an interesting prize giving. The following categories can expect prizes like Hope Gin, Deetlefs Wine, Sox footwear, Banhoek Chilli Oil and Kakiebos prizes ;-). For the more serious riders, we will also have very unique Karoo trophies and prizes.

  • Love birds (For the first mixed team of the day. If they’re still “partners” after 160km…)
  • Gin Made Me Do It
  • Berg Skilpad

    • Last Rider 50miler
    • Last Rider 100miler

  • Most original team name
  • The following categories receive trophies:

    • Men’s Solo Winner 100miler
    • Women’s Solo Winner 100miler
    • Men’s Team Winners 100miler
    • Women’s Team Winners 100miler
    • Mixed Team Winners 100miler
    • Men’s Solo winner 50miler
    • Women’s Solo Winner 50miler
    • Team Winners 50miler (Overall first 50miler team across the line)

SUPPORTERS AND KIDDIES ZONE

We encourage family and friends to come and support their riders and to share the experience. We have loads of interesting activities for them to enjoy! Supporter meal tickets must be pre-booked online @R1600 pp for adults and R780 pp for kids 3-12 years (kids u/3 no charge) which includes all event meals.

*Please note we only have 30 supporter tickets available so make sure to book your supporters well in advance.

The supporter weekend passes include meals for the weekend (Friday dinner to Monday Breakfast), use of the ablution facilities, use of the chill zone, live entertainment, access to the spectator points, coffee, tea and rusks before and during breakfast.

Additional tents and mattresses can be booked online for family and supporters. Supporters are also welcome to share upgraded tent options and guest farm accommodations with their riders. You will need to book an additional mattress if a supporter is sharing the standard canvas tent option with you.

Supporters are welcome to follow the map to the designated water points en route and cheer family and friends passing by. Maps are available at registration.

Friday Lunch: Lunch will be available for purchase throughout the afternoon.
Friday Dinner: Entails a Karoo-inspired braai with various types of delicious meats and varieties of scrumptious salads.
Saturday Breakfast: A full hearty breakfast including eggs, boerewors, oats and fruit. Delectable locally sourced rusks will be available at the coffee station before and during breakfast.
Saturday Lunch: Freshly prepared vetkoek with mince and salads. Mince served separately should you prefer a yummy Jam and Cheese option.
Saturday Dinner: A delicious karoo-inspired stew with rice and yummy pumpkin and spinach vegetable sides.
Sunday Breakfast: Breakfast buns will be available for purchase throughout the morning from 06:30.

*Please keep in mind menu changes might occur due to local stock and seasonal availability.

*Special dietary requirements: Our food is sourced and made by the local community, and thus challenging to cater for individual needs. Send us an email to info@urbangoat.co.za, and we can look into how we can assist.

Live entertainment

Farm style swimming pool

Leisure walks on the farm with spectacular views

Kitted out chill zones with fun oversized games for everyone to enjoy

We have a dedicated group of caregivers to look after your kids while you ride. Kids need to be 3 and older(basically off nappies) to qualify for this option. Our group of caregivers will have various fun activities lined up to keep your kids occupied while you enjoy the Karoo!
The Kiddie Zone/Meal pass costs R780 and includes all meals and access to the kiddies zone. Please pre-book this option while you enter.