Hi {name},

Thank you for entering the 2024 Underberg Gran Fondo and welcome to this Gran Fondo World Tour Gravel Series event.

According to the entry data we have, you are taking part in the {profile_1} race. The first event will be starting at 8am and all other races shortly thereafter on Saturday.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• If your race distance is incorrect, please ensure your entry is changed to the correct event at registration so it is corrected before the start. If you opt to ride a shorter distance during the event, please inform the timekeepers at the finish.
• All races start at or shortly after 8am at the Sani Spoors Clubhouse at The Olde Duck Café, just outside Underberg (GPS co-ordinates: -29.765176854926867, 29.461050946038313)
• Registration is at the Sani Spoors Clubhouse at The Olde Duck Café on Friday 26th July from 12noon to 4pm (a short supplementary registration  on Saturday will take place from 7am to 8am only).
• Race briefing is on Friday at 4.30pm 
• Neutral Zone: The start from Sani Spoors along the Drakensberg Gardens Road then along the R617 to the Bushman’s Nek turn off will be a neutral zone. 
• It is compulsory for all riders to have lights on their bike: Front white and flashing red at rear.
• The route must be loaded on GPS and followed accordingly. The route is very sparsely marked, and you will get lost if you do not have a pre-loaded GPS (GPS download details below on this mail).
• You will be given a race number at registration. This must be attached to your bike at all times and the number board must be returned after the event. Please ensure it is removed from your bike at the finish (if you do not return your board at the finish, the timekeepers will record your finish time as the time your bike leaves the parking area on your car !!!)
• If you withdraw from the event please let the timekeepers know at the finish and return your number board.
• E-bikes riders must please ensure your category is recorded at registration.

CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER:

• Message from Sani Spoors Team
• Packing list and other services 
• GPX dowload links
• Route descriptions
• What to expect
• Registration & 
• Discover the region

Why the Sani Spoors Underberg Gran Fondo? 

If we were to chart our brief time upon this planet, we would find that we are faced with many choices, some we regret and some we are exceptionally proud of. Irrespective of the outcome, these experiences mould us and shape us into who we are. The Spoors Team feel that this is so much more important than what we own! We are confident that the choice you have made to sign up for the Underberg Gran Fondo will be one that will rank as one of the decisions that you made that will enrich your life. 

The Underberg Gran Fondo is a bracing winter race that ranks as one of the few challenges in the SA winter racing calendar, and, as of 2023, the Gran Fondo World Tour Gravel Series calendar. Not only will you traverse beautiful countryside, but you will have a goal to work towards.

The Underberg Gran Fondo will take you into rolling hills, along seldom traversed roads with spectacular vistas of the Southern Drakensberg, seldom seen by tourists. The Southern Drakensberg also provides one with many activities to keep the family busy. The Sani Spoors Team have always emphasised the fun aspect of cycling, where the entire family are catered for and included. This event is for you, your friends and family irrespective of age – the Spoors Team want you to experience all Underberg and Himeville have on offer.

"We are all here for a good time,
not a long time."

All of the Riders will depart from Underberg, alongside the crystal clear Umzimkulu River and will ride a 4km neutral zone to the Bushman’s Nek Road where the race will formally begin (there is no formal batching and the riders are to self-batch). Then riders will ride either 140km, 90km or the 42km in the Southern Drakensberg, taking in views of the entire escarpment with the prominent Hodgsons Peaks or Giants Cup, Mvuleni and Garden Castle and various isolated Ezemvelo Reserves in this World Heritage area.

Riders will experience a well-run event, with great water tables and some of the best en-route scenery on offer anywhere. Every rider will receive a complimentary chocolate milk, beer or cider at the finish. The start and finish for the event will be the Olde Duck Café, where there will be safe parking, security, showers and a magnificent chill zone to add to the rider and spectator experience. 

One thing Sani Spoors emphasises is that we value community involvement and support and contribute to cycling development, local charities and schools in a very positive way. We are active change agents. 

Events in the Southern Drakensberg offer unique opportunities to create incredible memories and we are confident that the Underberg Gran Fondo will become one of your fondest race memories.

WHAT TO PACK

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it will provide a guide and make life more pleasant 

1 Bicycle, Helmet, Lights and Cycling Shoes

• Your own bicycle is a must (MTB or Gravel Bike is OK) as there are no bicycles on hire in the area.
• No helmet, no ride.
• Lights: Front white and flashing red at rear are compulsory.
• Also remember the socks and cycling shoes.
• A multitool and spare tubes will also make your ride more pleasant should a mechanical challenge curse your day. Mechanical assistance will be available at registration, but you will have to fix things yourself should you need to en route.
• Sweeps will be around to assist and get you home in one piece. 

2 Water Bottles

• We will have well stocked water tables every 25-45km. Bring two bottles or a hydration pack if you prefer. If you have your own foldable cup for the water tables, it will also help us reduce the waste that the paper cups produce. 

3 GPS and Phone

• This is essential as all routes are on GPS with very little marking. This is to leave no footprint and to minimise environmental impact. Please load the files prior to the event, because there will be no one to do this for you at the registration. Cell phone network is good for most of the route, and this will assist should you have a problem, but will also allow you to take those pics to show friends and family when you do the PowerPoint Presentation for them upon your return. 

4 Heart Rate Monitor

• While not compulsory, this may assist in charting just how fast your heart will beat as you take in the beauty of the area. 

5 Warm Clothes and Sunscreen

• The Underberg Gran Fondo is a winter race, in one of the coldest regions of SA. Day temperatures are fine, but the nights and early mornings are bracing, with temperatures below zero the norm. Remember sunscreen as you are sure to get sunburnt even in winter. While rain is not the norm, we may have a spell, and this will cause the windchill to make it a very bracing ride – check the weather prior to coming (YR or Wind Guru should provide a good idea – remember checking more than 3 days prior to the event will not provide an accurate idea). Come prepared and ready for all conditions. 

6 Medication

• If you are on and medication or chronic medication, please remember this. Underberg has brilliant doctors and pharmacists in case of any emergencies. 

7 Cut Offs:

Please note that the following applies to cut offs.  

• Underberg Gran Fondo
  Water Point 1 – 12h00
  Water Point 2 – 13h30
  Water Point 3 – 15h00
• Tour De Farms
  Penwarn Water Point – 12h00

8 Prize Giving:

The Prizegiving will take place at 15h30 at the Olde Duck On Sunday. There are 2 categories for the Gran Fondo this year, with cash and garment prizes for each category and 1 category for the Tour De Farms.

GRAN FONDO (140km & 90km):

• Individual Women: Position 1 to 3
• Women’s Team: Position 1 to 3
• Youngest women to complete the event.
• Men: Position 1 to 3
• Men’s Team: Position 1 to 3
• Youngest male to complete the event

TOUR DE FARMS:

• Position 1 to 3 Gender-Neutral Event

Services Available 

Food and Drinks

• Meet and Greet meals are available on the Saturday meet and greet and on the Sunday Morning at the start/finish.
• There will be complimentary beer, cider or Sani Spoors famous chocolate milk for competitors at the finish.
• Meals and drinks will be available for families and competitors at the Olde Duck Café during the event and afterwards.

Post-Race Hot Showers

• We have beautiful ablution facilities at our Club House at the Olde Duck Café with Hot Showers. Bring your smart clothes, shed the lycra, take a shower to freshen up and enjoy a kuier afterwards.

Medics en route and in the Race Village 

• The very able team from Underberg Emergency Medical Services, under the legendary Doc Lindsay, will be in the race village and available upon request along the route to attend to emergencies. They are the best in the business and run all the events on offer in our area. 

GPX FILE DOWNLOADS

To download from the Plot-A-Route link above

1) Click the link above and you will be taken to the route on plotaroute.com

2) There are various ways to download the route: You can download from the menu (top left of the map) OR scroll down the page and click the grey "GPX" icon (or FIT for Garmin devices, or TCX if your GPS unit requires that) - you will have to scroll down on the page to find the grey icon (just above the route profile) - do not click any adverts suggesting you download / save / subscribe.

3) Click "Download This Route"

If you need further guidance click here for some  "How To" guides: https://www.plotaroute.com/tips

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

42 Km Gran Fondo Tour De Farms

Water Points:

Penwarn Country Lodge Water Point 1 @ 20 km

Route Description:

The route must be loaded on GPS and followed accordingly. The route is very sparsely marked, and you will get lost if you do not have a pre-loaded GPS.

The first 3 km is a neutral zone until you reach the gravel at the Bushman’s Nek turn off from the R617. You will cross the crystal Mzimkulu River on this section. We encourage you to be very careful on all sections but particularly the tar sections.

You will be cycling towards the Southern Drakensberg Mountains up a valley that leads to the Bushman’s Nek Hotel. You will turn off left along the Bushman’s Nek Road, passing some of the pioneer farms of the District. Take in the views and enjoy the lovely view of the Drakensberg Gliding Club and Wilson’s Dam. This Road offers beautiful views of sweeping valleys and steep foothills leading to the main Drakensberg escarpment, the border between SA and our land-locked neighbour Lesotho.

At the Penwarn Lodge water point, at approximately 20 km, you will cycle through the magnificent Penwarn Lodge Grounds along their lovely road prior to climbing up the Old McDonald’s Hill, the Khyber Pass concreted section, which will test your ability to potentially climb a category pass in the reserve prior to dropping back along the Bushman’s Nek Road. The crossing here is a compulsory stop and needs to be cautiously approached – especially after eating your fill at the water point.

From here you will continue along the Bushman’s Nek Road towards Underberg and the Olde Duck, with some lung busters and pretty fast descents – be especially cautious here.

Your next crossing will be onto the R617 tar road. The entry here is a compulsory stop and, while manned by experienced marshalls, needs to be approached with caution. From here extreme caution needs to be exercised as you will be travelling along the paved road to Sani Spoors at the Olde Duck Café.

The cut-off point for the 42 km will be at the Penwarn Country Lodge Water Point and will be at 12 noon, which means you will have to do an average speed of 10 km/h.

91km Underberg Gran Fondo

Water Points:

Water Point 1 @ 44 km

Water Point 2 @ 63 km

Route Description:

The route must be loaded on GPS and followed accordingly. The route is very sparsely marked, and you will get lost if you do not have a pre-loaded GPS.

The first 3 km is a neutral zone until you reach the gravel at the Bushman’s Nek turn off from the R617. You will cross the crystal Mzimkulu River on this section. We encourage you to be very careful on all sections but particularly the tar sections. You will be cycling towards the Southern Drakensberg Mountains up a valley that leads to the Bushman’s Nek Hotel. The Road offers beautiful views of sweeping valleys and steep foothills leading to the main Drakensberg escarpment, the border between SA and our land-locked neighbour Lesotho.

At Water Point 1, at approximately 44 km, there will be a short stint along and crossing the R617 road prior to climbing up the hill to drop into Coleford Reserve. The crossing here is a compulsory stop and, while manned by experienced marshalls and the Traffic Department, it needs to be approached with caution – especially after eating your fill at the Water Point.

From here you will continue through Coleford towards Kilmun, with some lung busters and fast descents – be especially cautious here.

Water Point 2 is set at the top of a particularly steep climb at 63 km along your route. This is your last WP on the 90 km so be sure to stock up.

Your next crossing will be at the R617 tar road. The crossing here is a compulsory stop and, while manned by experienced marshalls and the Traffic Department, it needs to be approached with caution.

From here extreme caution needs to be exercised as you will be travelling along paved road through Underberg Town and down to Sani Spoors at the Olde Duck Café.

Cut Off Time for the 90km will be at this intersection and will be at 3pm (15h00) which means you will have to do an average speed of 15.4 km/h.

140km Underberg Gran Fondo

Water Points:

Water Point 1 @ 44 km

Water Point 2 @ 63 km

Water Point 3 @ 114 km

Route Description:

The route must be loaded on GPS and followed accordingly. The route is very sparsely marked, and you will get lost if you do not have a pre-loaded GPS.

The first 3 km is a neutral zone until you reach the gravel at the Bushman’s Nek turn off from the R617. You will cross the crystal Mzimkulu River on this section. We encourage you to be very careful on all sections but particularly the tar sections. You will be cycling towards the Southern Drakensberg Mountains up a valley that leads to the Bushman’s Nek Hotel. The Road offers beautiful views of sweeping valleys and steep foothills leading to the main Drakensberg escarpment, the border between SA and our land-locked neighbour Lesotho.

At Water Point 1, at approximately 44 km, there will be a short stint along and crossing the R617 road prior to climbing up the hill to drop into Coleford reserve. The crossing here is a compulsory stop and, while manned by experienced marshalls and the Traffic Department, needs to be approached with caution – especially after eating your fill at the Water Point.

From here you will continue through Coleford along towards Kilmun, with some lung busters and fast descents – be especially cautious here.

Water Point 2 is set at the top of a particularly steep climb at 63 km along your route. This is your second to last water point on the 140 km so be sure to stock up. Not too long after departing the water point, you will get to a tar section that offers some fast descents. Be cautious here as the road has many turns that are pretty sharp.

Your next crossing will be at the R617 tar road. The crossing here is a compulsory stop and, while manned by experienced marshalls and the Traffic Department, needs to be approached with caution.

You will now proceed towards Himeville. You will thereafter follow a most scenic road that winds its way towards Stoffelton and then back from Stepmore and Lower Lotheni area. At the Sani Crossroads in Himeville, you will travel along the Tar into Himeville past the Famous Himeville Arms and the beautiful Old Fort. Just outside Underberg, you will turn onto a 1km stretch of dirt before entering the R 617 towards the finish.

From here extreme caution needs to be exercised as you will be travelling along paved road through Underberg Town and down to Sani Spoors at the Olde Duck Café.

What to expect: 

1. A well organised event:
   As experienced race organisers, we focus on participant experience. You, as an individual, and your safety are our paramount concerns. From registration and meet-and-greet the locals to post event, we strive to make the entire experience as painless, smooth and enjoyable as possible. 
2. Great Race Support:
   There are 4 water points covering all the routes – 3 for the 140km, 2 for the 90km and 1 for the 42km. These are independently run and are a trademark of our other events. They are well stocked and run by friendly locals. 
3. Tourist Venues expecting Gran Fondo participants and their families:
   Underberg and Himeville are ready to receive you with warm hearts at our well-run restaurants, hotels and guest houses. 
4. Winter:
   It gets cold in our town. Make sure that you are prepared for this and pack scarves and beanies – what will dazzle you is the fact that while you will have sub-zero starts and evenings, the days can be in the upper 20’s and you may even get sunburnt.
5. Well set out routes and expert marshals:
   GPS support is essential. Marshals will be set along the routes to assist you at perilous crossings and to stay on track at times. 
6. It's a Race ... but Be Lekker:
   While it’s a race and our competitive set will be generating a dust cloud, we will ask you to self-batch so that those wishing to enjoy the magnificence of Southern Drakensberg will be under no pressure to miss the Lammergeier, Ethiopian Snipe or Oribi. 

Join us at the Olde Duck on Saturday afternoon

Registration runs from 12 to 4pm but life is for living. We said we wanted to create an experience to be journaled about and that starts on Saturday afternoon.

During the registration there will be music, fire and good country humour on offer. It is an opportunity to meet the locals and landowners while listening to good music and sampling good food at the Olde Duck Cafe. There will be a fully stocked bar. Please pencil this into your itinerary as it supports the Sani Spoors Development Teams of trail runners, cyclists and school students.

There will also be an early breakfast option on Sunday for competitors.

Discover the Southern Drakensberg

The event takes place in the greater Underberg and Himeville area in the Southern Drakensberg. Located along the R617, the area consists of 2 villages with various activities as well as a very interesting history that dates to the earliest inhabitants on the continent as well as the various interactions the early explorers and missionaries had with them. The most notable being Capt. Allen Francis Gardiner in the late 1800’s.

More recently, the area has become a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with a number of outdoor activities, adventure sport and recreation activities on offer, notably the Drak Descent MTB race, Run the Rivers Trail Run, Drak Challenge Canoe Marathon, Sani Stagger, the Underberg Ultra Trail Distance Run, Sani2c and now the Underberg Gran Fondo. Sani Spoors, the region's trail running and MTB trail centre, offers more than 70km of the finest trails, traversing land on private farms that allow access to the most beautiful areas we have on offer.

The area also holds many exciting walking and hiking trails from Sani Spoors to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife National Reserves that offer huts, caves and numerous campsites for overnighting. There is also the famous Splashy Fen Music Festival – the oldest music festival in the country. 

There are many highly respected and qualified tour operators that will guide you to see the famous Sani Pass, indigenous flowers, rock art, beautiful birds and game or even some that will take you fishing to catch trout in one of the crystal-clear streams.

Most of our pioneer charm and untouched history can be found in the Himeville Museum. Just across the border, up the famous 4x4 Sani Pass, lies the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. This trip is a must do and will showcase the splendour of the area and highlight the Basutho Culture and way of life. 

A visit to the area can include visits to our wonderful restaurants and hotels in the area. The Olde Duck Café, Balam Coffee Shop on the Umzimkulu River, Grind Café, Lemon Tree, Trendy Bean Coffee Shop, Stonehouse Kitchen and the Underberg Country Club in Underberg all offer great food.

Penwarn Country Lodge, The Bushman’s Nek Hotel, Drakensberg Gardens Hotel and Castleburn Resort are well worth a visit and have great restaurants. Himeville has the famous Stonehouse Kitchen, Whistling Goat, Moorcroft Manor and the Himeville Arms as its offering of restaurants. The Sani Pass Hotel and Moorcroft Manor are also well worth a visit.

Please note however, booking is essential. 

Southern Drakensberg – what to do: 

Adventures:

Sani Spoors offer the most spectacular trails in the area with over 70km, ranging from short, kiddie-friendly routes to the longer more technical loops. These all begin and end at the Olde Duck Café.

Sani Spoors and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife offer a variety of hiking trails for a wide range of abilities. Sani Spoors offers access from the Olde Duck Café to some of the most spectacular walks, hikes, trail runs and MTB tracks in the country which can be hiked with a pram a toddler, push bikes, to the more strenuous and challenging 30km+ routes. All routes are well marked and easily accessible. Ezemvelo offers hikes from Cobham and Garden Castle Reserves.

Fishing:

Underberg is a renowned fly-fishing destination – only fly rods may be used and all fly fishing needs to be booked through the Underberg Himeville Fly-Fishing Club. This is well worth it and allows one access to great areas with beautiful lakes and rivers.

Wine & Dine:

There are over 10 Restaurants to choose from in the area ,some at hotels but others in the villages and surrounds.

Arts, Culture and Historical Buildings:

The Southern Drakensberg provides great arts and culture experiences from the Underberg Art Studio to a cultural Sani Pass Tour into Lesotho. The Himeville Museum, housed in the old colonial fort which is a national monument, is well worth a visit.

Where to Stay:

A visit to drakensberg.org will list the many options on offer in the area, from beautiful farm stays to the fine hotels and guesthouses we have to offer. 

We cannot wait to see you all in the Southern Drakensberg!