WHERE WE'RE GOING
Route
As you'd expect, covering over 300km in three days means you'll encounter highly varied terrain across the remote Great Karoo. From smooth gravel roads to stony dual tracks, it stays interesting right till the end. It comes with its rewards – the satisfaction that can only come from visiting places and seeing landscapes on a bike. There's nothing quite like it.
Start town:
Graaff Reinet
Burn Camp:
Blaauwater Farm (2 nights)
Finish town:
Graaff Reinet
Average temperatures:
Low: 10°C High: 25°C
Shortest stage:
90km
Longest stage:
111km
The Region
Kindling by ChemChamp is set in the heart of the Great Karoo, highlighted by Graaff Reinet (the fourth oldest town in South Africa) and anchored by Blaauwater Farm Burn Camp. Rich in history, surrounded by splendour – the route itself ventures north-east through the semi-desert, yet the experience goes far beyond. Out into the vast remote silence, you never know what you might find.
The Stages
For three days, we head deep into the Karoo. Firstly, north-east to Blaauwater Burn Camp, a typical livestock farm – our base for two nights under bright, starry skies. The next day, we skirt Compassberg, visiting Nieu-Bethesda and ride through one the most uniquely diverse regions on earth. The final stage winds back to Graaff Reinet through seldom-ridden terrain. Undulating. Unpredictable. Unapologetically Karoo.
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
Designed from the saddle
Scenes from the rides that shaped the route across the Great Karoo.
Next: Racing
Find out more about the race format, the categories and equipment.