30 Sep 2025 Ride The Karoo 3 Day Stage Race
Is There a More Beautiful Time in the Karoo Than April?
The Ride The Karoo 3-Day Stage Race has announced an exciting change of dates in 2026. This year, the event will take place from 10–12 April, a time when the Karoo reveals a softer, more magical side of itself. The blistering heat of summer has eased, the evenings are cool and refreshing, and the golden light turns the wide-open plains into something unforgettable. It’s the perfect season to experience this extraordinary corner of South Africa.
This is not your ordinary stage race. Yes, there are three days of riding through some of the most untouched and awe-inspiring landscapes in the country, but at its heart, this event is about connection—connection with the land, with people, and with the simple pleasures that make the Karoo so unique.
Each stage is designed to showcase a different facet of the region: a sunset ride where the Karoo horizon stretches endlessly, short single track sections that snake through the Karoo veld, and farm roads so peaceful you hear nothing but the hum of your tyres and the rhythm of your breath. The riding is challenging enough to give you that satisfying burn, but accessible enough to remind you that this is as much about the journey as the destination.
And then there’s the food. Riders quickly learn that Ride The Karoo is as much a culinary adventure as it is a cycling one. Forget energy gels and bland buffets—here you’re treated to authentic, hearty, home-cooked meals that carry the flavour and soul of the Karoo. Think fresh vetkoek stuffed with mince, proper farmhouse breakfasts, lamb chops sizzling on the fire, creamy milk tart for dessert, and mugs of strong Karoo coffee to start the day. It’s nourishment not just for your body, but for your spirit.
When the day’s riding winds down, the true magic begins. Evenings at Dwarsvlei Farm, the race village, are filled with the kind of atmosphere that only the Karoo can deliver. The sky turns into a blanket of stars so thick and bright it feels otherworldly. Riders gather around the fire with a glass of wine or a cold craft beer, sharing stories, laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that only comes from shared adventure. Musicians provide the soundtrack, their songs weaving into the crackle of the fire and the rhythm of conversation.
This is the spirit of Ride The Karoo: an event that blends sport, culture, and hospitality into something unforgettable. It’s about pausing to appreciate the vast stillness of the land, feeling the dust on your shoes, tasting the richness of food prepared with love, and discovering that sometimes the greatest rides are not just about speed or distance, but about everything that surrounds them.
By shifting the dates to April, the organisers have made sure the experience is even more magical. Cooler weather, golden landscapes, and the gentle rhythm of autumn set the perfect stage for adventure. It’s a time of year when the Karoo seems to breathe more deeply, offering riders not just a race, but a journey into its soul.
The Ride The Karoo 3-Day Stage Race from 10–12 April is calling. Whether you’re chasing your next cycling challenge or seeking an escape into one of South Africa’s most enchanting regions, this is your chance. Space is limited.
Three days of riding. Three days of feasting. Three days of Karoo magic. Don’t miss it.
More Information: https://stagerace.ridethekaroo.co.za/