The Gran Fondo
- 171 kilometres, 3000 metres of ascent, 79 kilometres of gravel in 3 Sectors.
- The start gun goes at 7am (Sunrise)
- If you don't make water-point 3 by 2:30 pm the sweep bus will take you home.
- The last 2 km to the Swartberg summit is at an average gradient of 12%
- The summit is at the 150km mark, from there it's a nail-biting 20km descent into Prince Albert
- Cut off at the end is at 5pm
- Finishing this race is an achievement.
The Swartberg100 Gran Fondo starts and ends in Prince Albert, arguably one of the most attractive Karoo towns in South Africa, it covers 171 km of which there are 3 gravel sectors covering 79 km. The final climb is over the gravel Swartberg Pass, a relentless climb of 28 km, the last 9.8 km being on gravel with gradients of 16% in places.
The Swartberg100, in true South African tradition, is one of the toughest Gran Fondo's in the world. We have created a course that goes back to the days of old when mountain passes were all gravel and brave cyclists climbed them on single speed bikes weighing in at 16 kg. A course that allows us to pit our modern training knowledge and technology against an old foe, a road surface that isn't always friendly.
The Swartberg100, in true South African tradition, is one of the toughest Gran Fondo's in the world. We have created a course that goes back to the days of old when mountain passes were all gravel and brave cyclists climbed them on single speed bikes weighing in at 16 kg. A course that allows us to pit our modern training knowledge and technology against an old foe, a road surface that isn't always friendly.
The Medio Fondo
Exact Measurements:
53.75km and 389 metres of ascent.
A flat fast route an average rider will easily complete in 2.5 hours.
53.75km and 389 metres of ascent.
A flat fast route an average rider will easily complete in 2.5 hours.
The route is a Great Karoo experience, first heading out to the east of Prince Albert over some farm lands a combination of gravel road and remote farm track.
It then re-enters the town for a little exploration and then heads out west on a gentle downward sloping, remote gravel road with spectacular views of the Swartberg mountain range and the Groot Karoo basin. At 29km there is a waterstop before turning left onto the Vrisgewaagd farm. Here you will see large scale farming in almost desert-like conditions, and you will be amazed at what a little water and hard work can do in an otherwise barren landscape.
The farm route takes you back into the Swartberg foothills and connects with the Weltevrede road which meanders back into town through some stunning scenery. There is another water-stop at the 43 km mark before finishing 11.5km further on.
It then re-enters the town for a little exploration and then heads out west on a gentle downward sloping, remote gravel road with spectacular views of the Swartberg mountain range and the Groot Karoo basin. At 29km there is a waterstop before turning left onto the Vrisgewaagd farm. Here you will see large scale farming in almost desert-like conditions, and you will be amazed at what a little water and hard work can do in an otherwise barren landscape.
The farm route takes you back into the Swartberg foothills and connects with the Weltevrede road which meanders back into town through some stunning scenery. There is another water-stop at the 43 km mark before finishing 11.5km further on.
The Staffetta
Staffetta is Italian for "relay race", we thought we would keep to the Italian theme, after all it was the Italians who came up with the idea of a Gran Fondo, a fun race, a great challenge for all riders, professional to amateur to enjoy together, back in 1970 in the small town of Cesenatico, home of Marco Pantani.
The Staffetta follows the route of the Gran Fondo and is divided into the Rouleur and the Grimpeur Stages.
A rouleur, in cycling, is a rider who goes well on the flat and rolling terrain.
A grimpeur in cycling is a climbing specialist.
The pretty town of De Rust lies exactly halfway along the route at 85.5km. It was always our intention to create a relay race but decided to delay it's launch until we had perfected support, medical assistance and marshalling over the 171km route of the Gran Fondo.
Last year was the first edition of the Staffetta, with a small number of entries, the feedback from the riders was positive, they enjoyed the experience and competition over the shorter distances. Logistics were simple with a simple handover of car keys with the handover of the baton at the De Rust switch-over point.
The rouleur rider starts in Prince Albert and "hands over the baton" as it were to the grimpeur rider in De Rust, who goes on to complete the race in Prince Albert.
Please Note: 2nd stage riders will need to drive to De Rust and leave the vehicle for the first stage riders to return to Prince Albert.
A rouleur, in cycling, is a rider who goes well on the flat and rolling terrain.
A grimpeur in cycling is a climbing specialist.
The pretty town of De Rust lies exactly halfway along the route at 85.5km. It was always our intention to create a relay race but decided to delay it's launch until we had perfected support, medical assistance and marshalling over the 171km route of the Gran Fondo.
Last year was the first edition of the Staffetta, with a small number of entries, the feedback from the riders was positive, they enjoyed the experience and competition over the shorter distances. Logistics were simple with a simple handover of car keys with the handover of the baton at the De Rust switch-over point.
The rouleur rider starts in Prince Albert and "hands over the baton" as it were to the grimpeur rider in De Rust, who goes on to complete the race in Prince Albert.
Please Note: 2nd stage riders will need to drive to De Rust and leave the vehicle for the first stage riders to return to Prince Albert.
The e-Fondo
Swartberg Pass provides a great challenge for e-bike riders, spectacular climbing over 65km on a morning outing on your e-bike. You can race it, but you will need to conserve battery power and plan your tactics well. Or ... you can just ride it and enjoy the scenery in a safe environment with medics, marshalls and water points to help you on your way.
65km and 1900m of climbing
The route starts in Prince Albert and climbs the southern side of Swartberg Pass, there is a water-point near the summit. You then descend down to Cobus se Gat restaurant which is the turnaround point. If you are racing you'll grab a quick refreshment at the water-station and head back over. If you are just cruising you might want to relax and have a coffee before heading back.
The route is spectacular and a great ride on an e-bike.
The race is only for e-bikes, no other bicycles will be allowed. An e-bike will be defined by the fact that it is pedal-assisted by means of an electric motor.
In clearer terms: If the bicycle is not pedalled it should remain stationary.
The route starts in Prince Albert and climbs the southern side of Swartberg Pass, there is a water-point near the summit. You then descend down to Cobus se Gat restaurant which is the turnaround point. If you are racing you'll grab a quick refreshment at the water-station and head back over. If you are just cruising you might want to relax and have a coffee before heading back.
The route is spectacular and a great ride on an e-bike.
The race is only for e-bikes, no other bicycles will be allowed. An e-bike will be defined by the fact that it is pedal-assisted by means of an electric motor.
In clearer terms: If the bicycle is not pedalled it should remain stationary.
