Gear Up for Winter Thrills
Mountain Biking Adventures in the Eastern Cape!
Mountain Biking Adventures in the Eastern Cape!
When winter rolls in, mountain biking in the Eastern Cape hits its peak! Get ready for a wild ride with adrenaline-pumping races like the epic Race to Cradock and electrifying e-biking events like the J-Bay Windfarm MTB Classic. Gravel junkies, brace yourselves for an exhilarating adventure! But hold your handlebars—before you tear up the trails, make sure you and your trusty bike are prepared. Here's your game plan for a safe and thrilling ride this season!
Start your adventure with a full-on inspection of your bicycle!
Swing by our workshop for a pro tune-up before you conquer those mountain bike trails!
When it comes to your attire, layering is essential. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to banish sweat, then cosy up with an insulating middle layer to keep the chill at bay, and top it all off with a waterproof outer shell to fend off Mother Nature's wet surprises. Don't forget your trusty gloves and a helmet that’s tougher to guard against the cold and potential falls. If you're scratching your head on where to begin or need to update your gear, visit Action Cycles for everything you need.
A mountain biking adventure without a trusty repair kit? Unthinkable! Arm yourself with the “holy trinity”: a spare tube, a pump, and a multi-tool. These lifesavers will be your best buddies when pesky mechanical gremlins strike, keeping you pedalling forward, come rain or shine!
Whether you're revving up for the 2025 thrill or plotting your 2026 adventure, here's the lowdown on the exciting annual mountain biking events in the Eastern Cape!
Get ready to pedal your heart out at the Race to Cradock 2025! This action-packed mountain biking event is a wild ride from Rhodes to Cradock, blending bike-packing adventures with a stage race.
Date: 12 June 2025
Website: https://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/
Route Details: The race features a single 580 km route for mountain bikers.
Event Format: Forget your typical stage races! This one’s a non-stop, all-go affair, where participants don’t have to take mandatory daily rests!
Navigation: This path is a wild, uncharted adventure! Riders must navigate using maps, a compass, and narrative directions. GPS devices are strictly off-limits and could get you booted from the race faster than you can say "recalibrating."
Get ready for the pedal-pumping thrill ride of the year! The Road to Desolation Gravel 2025 is here to kick up some dust in the Eastern Cape! This adrenaline-packed gravel cycling event starts in the charming town of Graaff-Reinet, ending in the Valley of Desolation. Part of the epic Gravel Earth Series, it's where adventure meets the open road!
Date: 14 June 2025
Website: https://roadtodesolation.cc
Route Options:
Get ready to pedal into adventure at the J-Bay Wind Farm MTB Classic 2025! This thrilling e-bike and mountain bike extravaganza has been making waves in the Eastern Cape since its debut in 2016, kicking off from the scenic Mentors Country Estate in Jeffrey’s Bay.
Date: 19 June 2025
Website: https://jbaymtbclassic.org.za
Routes Offered:
If you’re gearing up for the 60 km or 30 km races, you’ll need a CSA license to join the fun. No annual membership? No worries! Snag a CSA day license for just R50 when you register online. And for all you e-bike enthusiasts, rev up those wheels because there’s a special racing category just for you in both races!
Get ready to pedal through the adventure of a lifetime at the G2C Grahamstown 2 Sea MTB Race 2025! This thrilling marathon mountain biking event kicks off in the vibrant Makhanda and takes you to Port Alfred!
Date: 22 June 2025
Website: https://g2c.co.za/
Route Options:
Welcome to the Imana Wild Ride 2025, where only 200 lucky pedal-pushers get to tackle South Africa's original mountain biking stage race! This wild escapade whirls you over 200 km of rugged terrain, kicking off at the mighty Great Kei River, about 80 km north of East London, and wrapping up in style at the fabulous Umngazi River Bungalows. Get ready to roll!
Date: 25 July - 29 July 2025
Website: https://www.wildride.co.za/
Route: A single route spanning 195 km for mountain biking.
Duration: 4 days of mountain biking between Kei Mouth and Umngazi River Mouth along the breathtaking Transkei Wild Coast.
Brace yourself for the Storms River Traverse MTB Stage Race 2025, where e-bikes and mountain bikes unite in the Eastern Cape with only 350 lucky participants! Kicking off from Storms River, this epic three-day biking escapade unfolds against the jaw-dropping Garden Route scenery. It's tailor-made for intermediate riders craving thrills without the gruelling training. With routes from 40 to 70 kilometres, cyclists will weave through mountains, plantations, and along the coastline near the charming village.
Date: 1 August - 3 August 2025
Website: https://www.stormsrivertraverse.co.za
Routes Offered:
The Trans Baviaans MTB Race 2025 is the ultimate pedal-pounding, ultra-XCM marathon! Kicking off from Willowmore, this race serves up a hearty dose of challenge with a side of jaw-dropping scenery. Riders team up to conquer spectacular mountain ranges within the mesmerising Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. Since 2004, this epic adventure has been the Holy Grail for mountain biking fanatics!
Date: 9 August 2025
Website: https://www.transbaviaans.co.za/
Route: A single 230 km route for mountain biking.
Get ready to pedal through paradise at the Hayterdale Classic MTB Race 2025, a thrilling mountain biking escapade set in the scenic Hayterdale Trails of Zuurberg, Addo!
Date: 24 August 2025
Website: https://hayterdaleclassic.co.za/mtb/
Routes Offered:
With your trusty gear in tow, you're ready to dive into the exhilarating world of mountain biking across the breathtaking Eastern Cape trails. Winter rides offer a one-of-a-kind chance to soak in the stunning scenery while keeping your adventurous spirit alive and kicking. So bundle up, welcome the frosty air, and pedal on with glee!