South Africa is host to some of the most epic cycling events in the world. Its varied terrain and diverse beauty make it a go-to destination for off-road and mountain bike races. But there are some fantastic road-races to join too.
Are you keen to try your hand at your first-ever cycling event? Or have you been doing them for years and want to check out the options? Whatever your level, these are the top South African cycling events for 2020.
Cape Town Cycle Tour (Cape Argus)
Date: 8 March 2020
Route: Starts and ends at Table Mountain, circling the Cape Peninsula
The Cape Town Cycle Tour, once called the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, is one of the world’s top cycling events. The full event lasts 9 days, from 1 to 9 March. But the cycle tour itself takes place on Sunday, 8 March. It’s a road race that will take you past all of Cape Town’s most beautiful attractions and areas.
If you’ve booked yourself a position at this prestigious cycle tour, be sure to book your wheels onto your flight with Mango Airlines or Kulula!
Cape Epic
Date: 15 – 22 March 2020
Route: 674km route from Cape Town’s Table Mountain to the rugged Val de Vie trail
This mountain biking event is one of the toughest and most exciting things you’ll do this year. The week-long trek will take you through fynbos and mountain passes, orchards and farm roads. It’s fantastically beautiful, and incredibly challenging, with mountain ascents and descents that will put all your skills to the test.
Sani2C
Date: 14 – 16 May 2020
Route: The race starts on Glencairn Farm in the Drakensberg, ending at the Scottburgh Golf Club by the ocean, covering 265km.
Jaw-dropping views of the Drakensberg mountains and technically challenging trails that can be tackled at different levels. Sani2C is a South African favourite and one of the top MTB events, with a terrific vibe and a warm sense of hospitality. You’ll pedal from a small farm, across the Sani Pass, soaring through valleys and indigenous forests, and finally ending at the oceanside.
Joberg2C
Date: 24 April – 2 May 2020
Route: Starting South of Johannesberg, the 900km race ends at Umdoni Park Golf Club on Kwa-Zulu Natal’s coastline
Joburg2C calls itself ‘the ride of your life’, and honestly, we can’t see the lie. This 8-day adventure takes you across four provinces in South Africa, passing through hundreds of farms. It has the same commitment to community involvement and upliftment that Sani2C has, and you can feel it.
It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the less-seen parts of South Africa, and embrace our country’s complex beauty. Cycling South Africa is certainly one of the best ways to experience it.
Cape Pioneer
Date: 6 – 12 September 2020
Route: The race starts in Saasveld, and ends 462km away in Oudtshoorn
A uniquely challenging race, the Cape Pioneer trek presents a hugely diverse terrain that changes every day. You’ll cycle through the semi-desert expanse of the Klein Karoo, plunge into the forests of the Garden Route, and over the impressive Swartberg Mountain.
If the full race is too much for you, you can also choose to join the 4-day adventure, from 9 to 12 September.
Wines2Whales
Date: 30 October -1 November | 2 – 4 November | 6 – 8 November 2020
Route: 191km route with a lot of climbing, taking cyclists from Curro, Hermanus to Lourensford Wine Estate
This fun race is famous for taking cyclists from the wine estates outside Cape Town to the whale-watching coast of Hermanus. This year, though, they’re switching the route, so you’ll start in Hermanus and end on the wine estates. All the better to celebrate.
It’s a 3-day stage race, split into three separate events, each following the other. The route is the same. But the first event is dedicated to women’s racing, the last to men’s racing, and the one between to less serious racing for all participants.
The Munga
Date: 2 – 7 December 2020
Route: A 1000km+ route from Bloemfontein to the Doolhof wine estate in Wellington
If you’re looking to push yourself to the limits of your abilities, and really test what you can do, this is the mountain biking race for you. The 1000km trail guides you through South Africa in the summer heat. It’s ruthless and phenomenal, taking you through South Africa’s most beautiful and most barren landscapes.
The race is semi-supported, so you’ll have assistance at specific stops. But at all other times, you need to carry everything you need yourself – from water for tire pumps. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re up to the challenge, you should definitely go for it.
Joburg Classic 2020
Date: 29 March 2020
Route: The race starts and ends in GOG Lifestyle Park in Johannesburg, covering 113km
This relatively new mass participation road race is a great deal of fun. It’s challenging, with a length of 113km and a decent amount of vertical ascent.
But it’s clearly intended to be a full family event, with an open venue, and two shorter routes of 45km and 15km. Make the Joburg Classic part of a fun trip to Johannesburg!
Tour of Good Hope
Date: 2 – 6 March 2020
Route: 532km 5-stage race from Bridgehouse in Franschoek to Taal Monument on the Paarl Mountain
Another exciting Cape cycle tour is the Tour of Good Hope. It takes place in the week before the Cape Town Cycle Tour – so if you want to push yourself, book your flights early and take part in both. Although that would be quite the challenge! You’ll race through the beautiful Paarl Valley, with 5 stages over 5 days.
Which Cycling SA Event Is Right For You?
There are some really incredible cycling events across South Africa this year. Whether you prefer road races, or long treks across the wilderness. Semi-desert, lush forests, challenging single-tracks and dusty farm trails. We have it all.
So, book your flight to Cape Town, where many of the events are taking place. Or to Johannesburg, which hosts some of the top challenges of the year.
Whichever you pick, you’re in for a monumental adventure.