The Gran Fondo
- 170 kilometres, 2900 metres of ascent
- The start gun goes at 7:00am (Sunrise)
- New Waterpoint positions.
- Water-point One On the Middelwater climb at 56km
- Water-point Two De Rustica Olive Estate at 95 km
- Water-point Three - Kobus se Gat restaurant at 139km
- Water-point Four - The KOM point (Die Top) at 150km
- The last 3 km to the Swartberg summit (KOM) 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
- Sunrise is at 7:04 and sunset is at 17:54, we start the race at 7:00 am and will make cut-off at sunset (18:00) on the finish line.
- For safety reasons we will have a cut-off at Water-point Three, at the base of the pass, at 16:00. You will not be allowed to continue if you do not pass this point before 16:00.
The Swartberg 100 Gran Fondo starts and ends in Prince Albert, arguably one of the most attractive Karoo towns in South Africa, it covers 170 km of which there are 3 gravel sectors covering 80 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 Swartberg 100, 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 Swartberg 100, 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
75 km and 1700 metres of ascent.
It's a tough route which starts near De Rust and ends at Prince Albert traversing the Oudemuragie and Swartberg Passes.
We will have registration near De Rust on the morning of the race. Start time will be around 8 am. There is plenty of accommodation in De Rust, Oudtshoorn and surrounding farming area if you want to be close to the start in the morning. You could also drive to the start in the morning from neighbouring towns. There will be secure parking at the start of the race which is 7km after you turn onto the Oudemuragie Rd from the N12 near De Rust.
Cut-Off:
We have a safety cut off at Water-point One at 16:00 for the Gran Fondo, this will apply to the Medio Fondo as well. You therefore have most of the day to complete the course. Final cut-off at Prince Albert finish is at 18:00.
Distances to the start from neighbouring areas:
For spectators the finish in Prince Albert is an 81km drive on tar through Meiringspoort.
It's a tough route which starts near De Rust and ends at Prince Albert traversing the Oudemuragie and Swartberg Passes.
We will have registration near De Rust on the morning of the race. Start time will be around 8 am. There is plenty of accommodation in De Rust, Oudtshoorn and surrounding farming area if you want to be close to the start in the morning. You could also drive to the start in the morning from neighbouring towns. There will be secure parking at the start of the race which is 7km after you turn onto the Oudemuragie Rd from the N12 near De Rust.
Cut-Off:
We have a safety cut off at Water-point One at 16:00 for the Gran Fondo, this will apply to the Medio Fondo as well. You therefore have most of the day to complete the course. Final cut-off at Prince Albert finish is at 18:00.
Distances to the start from neighbouring areas:
- De Rust 5km
- Oudtshoorn 32km
- Calitzdorp 82km
- George 94km
- Mossel Bay 119km
- Knysna 149km
- Plettenberg Bay 182km
For spectators the finish in Prince Albert is an 81km drive on tar through Meiringspoort.
The start feeds onto the Oudemuragie road. At 15km you crest the Oudemuragie pass and from there it's a fast section down to the Cango caves road. A 20km climb up to the first water-point follows and then you face the brutal Swartberg Pass climb of 9.8 km on gravel. A spectacular gravel pass completed in 1888 which has not changed at all since then.
From the top you descend for 20 km into the finish at Prince Albert.
From the top you descend for 20 km into the finish at Prince Albert.
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.
Rouleur Stage - 95 km - 1200m ascent
Grimpeur Stage - 75km - 1700m ascent
Rouleur Stage - 95 km - 1200m ascent
Grimpeur Stage - 75km - 1700m ascent
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 rouleur rider starts in Prince Albert and "hands over the baton" as it were to the grimpeur rider at De Rustica Olive Estate at the 95 km mark. The grimpeur rider then goes on to complete the race over Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert a distance of 75 km.
Logistics are simple the 2nd rider drives to De Rust and hands over the car keys at the switch-over point for the first rider to drive back to the start/finish in Prince Albert.
Cut off
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 rouleur rider starts in Prince Albert and "hands over the baton" as it were to the grimpeur rider at De Rustica Olive Estate at the 95 km mark. The grimpeur rider then goes on to complete the race over Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert a distance of 75 km.
Logistics are simple the 2nd rider drives to De Rust and hands over the car keys at the switch-over point for the first rider to drive back to the start/finish in Prince Albert.
Cut off
- Sunrise is at 7:04 and sunset is at 17:54, we start the race at 7:00 am and will make cut-off at sunset (18:00) on the finish line.
- For safety reasons we will have a cut-off at Water-point Three, at the base of the pass, at 16:00. You will not be allowed to continue if you do not pass this point before 16:00.
The Piatta and Elletrica
Piatta is Italian for flat, we pay tribute to the Italians who introduced the Gran Fondo concept to the world, and hence have given the races italian names. It's not really that flat but in comparison to the Medio Fondo and Gran Fondo it certainly is less "hilly"
The Elletrica is the e-bike version of this race and it starts well before the Piatta so as not to mix the bikes on the course.
43 km and 420m of ascent
The Elletrica is the e-bike version of this race and it starts well before the Piatta so as not to mix the bikes on the course.
43 km and 420m of ascent
The route is a Great Karoo experience, it heads out west on a gentle downward sloping, remote gravel road with spectacular views of the Swartberg mountain range and the Groot Karoo basin. 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. At 25km there is a water-point before turning left onto the home straight, a meandering gravel section with spectacular scenery and rolling hills. A sharp left when you hit the tar at the village and down the main road to the finish.
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. At 25km there is a water-point before turning left onto the home straight, a meandering gravel section with spectacular scenery and rolling hills. A sharp left when you hit the tar at the village and down the main road to the finish.
