Rhodes200

Nestled deep in the Eastern Cape highlands below the Lesotho border lies a beautiful little town called, Rhodes. If you have been here, you will have no doubt fallen in love with this town that seems to take one back to the good old days of less technology, noise, and never-ending emails.

The highest altitude on the route is a touch under 3000m above sea level with an average altitude of around 2000m.

The route will take you past Tiffendel Ski Resort and up the infamous Naude’s Nek Pass from both sides.

Of the 320km, 27km is tarred. That makes it 92% gravel.

The race will start outside the Rhodes Post Office at 13h00 on Saturday 16 April 2022 and riders will head out of town and up the infamous Naude's Nek Pass, once at the top riders will turn left towards Tenahead Lodge & Spa and traverse the escarpment below the Lesotho border until you reach Tiffendel Ski Resort. Here riders will turn left again and back down to Rhodes, passing through Rhodes riders will head out on the Barkley East road before turning left onto the R393 to Elliot. 

After passing through Elliot the riders finally hit some tar that will take them through Maclear and onto the base of Naude's Nek Pass. After leaving Maclear, it is essentially 60km of uphill, including the gnarley side of Naude's Nek Pass. Once back at the summit of the Pass riders will head down the pass towards Rhodes and finish at the Alpine Swift Lodge.

As this is an unsupported race, you as the rider must be certain that you can cover the distance, there will be no vehicles on route to pull you off if you cannot complete the distance. This is a test of perseverance and character, anyone found to have a support vehicle on the route will be immediately disqualified. If you need to bail and someone comes to collect you, you will need to let the Race Medical Team know.

It is compulsory to ride with your own Spot tracking device or a similar type of tracking unit. 

If you would like to rent a Spot CLICK HERE

Spot Gen4 units will also be available to rent from Frontier Medics.

The Spot units will be for safety purposes as well as to have a website with live tracking so your friends and family can see where you are.  

Your entry will include:

• Full time medical team on route
• Limited Edition Cycling Cap with your race number on it
• Route GPX file

Race Info:

Start: 13h00 Saturday 16 April 2022
Start: Rhodes Village Post Office
Cut-off: 17h00 Sunday 17 April 2022
Entry fee: R1350
Race Format: Solo (no teams – riders can however ride together if they wish. Drafting is allowed)

Route Info:

Distance: 320km

Elevation Gain: 6000m

Terrain: 2% on tar and 98% on gravel

Registration:

Registration will take place at the Alpine Swift Lodge on Friday 15 April 2022 between 17h00 - 18h00. There will be food and drinks for sale at Registration.

Compulsory Gear

• Spot Gen3, Gen4 or similar SOS tracking device (Garmin Track Me will not suffice)
• Coghlans Disposable Hand Warmers
• Coghlans Disposable Feet Warmers
• Emergency Survival Foil Bag
• Waterproof jacket with taped seams and hood

The rest of your gear is up to you. Please bear in mind the weather can change very quickly at these high altitudes. The compulsory gear is mainly for an emergency situation when you are waiting on medical support.

Accommodation

It is the responsibility of the rider to book their own accommodation once they have have decided where and when they would like to sleep. If you decide to wild camp, please make sure to not litter. Leave the area as you found it.

Refunds Policy

If the event is cancelled for any reason a 50% refund will be given.

If a rider cannot make the race anymore a 50% refund will be given. No refunds will be given after 14th May 2022.

It is the responsibility of each participant to arrange their own personal accident insurance, ambulance cover and income protection insurance before participating in the Event to cover any unforeseen personal costs you may incur due to ambulance trips, medical expenses or time off work due to injuries sustained whilst participating in the Event. When entering you acknowledge that you do so entirely at your own risk.