2027 #TheHalf ROUTE

#TheHalf

Starting with a neutral zone, riders head out of town from Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, turning right onto the first gravel section towards De Zeekoe. The riders head in a westerly direction towards the northern sections of the great Gouritz river. Sharper steeper sections find its way to the southerly slopes of the Rooiberg Mountain – with around 70 km in the legs, this bump in the road feels quite severe. The descent usually coincides with sunrise over Calitzdorp, the port capital of South Africa. Sun on the back and home sweet home in sight makes the narrow farm roads past Groenfontein and Kruisrivier seem easier – undulations and fast downhills bring riders ever closer to Oudtshoorn past Lategansvlei – 196 kilometres done and dusted!
Ascent 2 950 m
Descent 2 950 m
Distance 196 km
Waterpoints 52km, 80km, 92km, 115km, 142km, 176km

Waterpoint 01: Paardebont • 52 km

Waterpoint 02: Rooiberg Bottom • 80 km

Waterpoint 03: Rooiberg Top • 92 km

Waterpoint 04 | Checkpoint 1: Calitzdorp Old Station • 115 km

  • All riders have to move through this checkpoint and have their number clipped
  • A hot meal will be served
  • Rider race containers will be available here
  • Back-up vehicles allowed
  • Spectator point
  • Checkpoint 1

Waterpoint 5: Kruisrivier • 142 km

Waterpoint 6: Lategansvlei • 176 km

Finish: Oudtshoorn • 196 km

2027 ROUTE MAP

2027 #TheChallenge ROUTE

Stage 1

START – CHECKPOINT 1

The race start is at Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, an abrubt right turn take riders onto the Vergelegen road past Buffeldrift and onto the first climb of the day. The descent is fast and furious and care should be taken on the sharp bends whilst traversing this undulated road towards the R62. Riders negotiate the beautiful tracks adjacent the Kammanassie dam towards Kleinshoogte for the first water point of the day at 54km. The open gravel roads lead riders to the South, past Volstruisvlakte and Daskop, eventually reaching Checkpoint 1 at Louvain Guest Farm on the Northern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Ascent 1 200 m
Descent 850 m
Distance 102 km
Waterpoints Kammanassie, Louvain Guest Farm

Waterpoint 01: Kammanassie • 55 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 02: Checkpoint 1: Louvain Guest Farm • 102 km

  • All riders have to move through this checkpoint and check-in.
  • Relay riders will complete stage 1 of the relay at this checkpoint, they also have to check-in and do the hand over to the next rider
  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and a hot meal will be served
  • Rider race containers will be available here
  • Back-up vehicles allowed
  • Spectator point
  • Checkpoint 1

Stage 2

CHECKPOINT 1 – 2

From Louvain the road heads Westwards towards Ezeljacht and Herold with a spectacular ride through Paardepoort onto Heimersrivier for water point 3 at 129km. From Heimersrivier the undulation makes way for a tricky section at Die Wieg where everyone cross under the tar road towards Mount Hope. The road hugs the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains as riders approach the water point at Mount Hope at 151km. The next stop marks the halfway point – already an achievement of note
Ascent 450 m
Descent 785 m
Distance 72 km
Waterpoints Heimersrivier, Mount Hope, Volmoed

Waterpoint 03: Heimersrivier • 129 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 04: Mount Hope • 151 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 05 | Checkpoint 2: Volmoed • 174 km

  • All riders have to move through this checkpoint and check-inn.
  • Relay riders will complete stage 2 of the relay at this checkpoint, they also have to check-in and hand-over to the next rider
  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks and fresh fruit
  • A hot meal will be served
  • Rider race containers will be available here
  • Back-up vehicles allowed
  • Spectator point
  • Checkpoint 2

Stage 3

CHECKPOINT 2 – 3

Probably the hardest stage of the race judged on proximity into the event and more serious climbs. With Volmoed behind, the riders head in a westerly direction towards the northern sections of the great Gouritz river. Sharper steeper sections find its way to the southerly slopes of the Rooiberg Mountain – with around 270 km in the legs, this bump in the road feels quite severe. The descent usually coincides with sunrise over Calitzdorp, the port capital of South Africa.
Ascent 1 690 m
Descent 1 765 m
Distance 102 km
Waterpoints Paardebont, Rooiberg Bottom, Rooiberg Top, Calitzdorp Old Station

Waterpoint 06: Paardebont • 212 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 07: Rooiberg Bottom • 239 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 08: Rooiberg Top • 251 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 09 | Checkpoint 3: Calitzdorp Old Station• 275 km

  • All riders have to move through this checkpoint and have their number clipped
  • Relay riders in the Challenge will complete stage 3 of the relay at this checkpoint, they also have to check- in and hand-over to the next rider
  • Stocked with Coke, electrolyte drinks, Biogen supplements and fresh fruit
  • Relay riders in the Relay Half will complete stage 1 of the relay here and they also have check-in and hand over to the next rider
  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks and fresh fruit
  • A hot meal will be served
  • Rider race containers will be available here
  • Back-up vehicles allowed
  • Spectator point
  • Checkpoint 3

Stage 4

CHECKPOINT 3 – FINISH

Sun on the back and home sweet home in sight make the narrow farm roads past Groenfontein and Kruisrivier seem easier – undulations and fast downhills bring riders ever closer to Oudtshoorn past Lategansvlei  – 356 kilometres done and dusted!
Ascent 1 240 m
Descent 1 200 m
Distance 80 km
Waterpoints Kruisrivier, Lategansvlei, Oudtshoorn

Waterpoint 10: Kruisrivier • 302 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Waterpoint 11: Lategansvlei • 336 km

  • This waterpoint will be stocked with coke, electrolyte drinks, fresh fruit and something light to eat
  • No back-up vehicles allowed

Finish: Oudtshoorn • 356 km

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