RACE TO RHODES (2025)

The Race To Rhodes (RTR) is an unforgettable adventure by bike from Pietermaritzburg to Rhodes (EC).

RTR is a physically and mentally demanding undertaking – to complete this challenge, riders need to be adequately trained, equipped and prepared. Apart from the fitness, riders also need to be proficient at hiking with bike, navigation and bike maintenance.

Since the route is not marked, riders need to navigate by means of maps, compass and narrative directions.

DATES

RTR start days on 5 - 7 June 2025
See Draft Start Batches HERE

Note: RTR riders can choose to start in RASA batch if they would like to ride with a friend who is doing RASA but there will be no Race Office representative in Rhodes to welcome you in.

Rhodes is treated as normal Support Station for RASA batches so no "RTR finish-line" ceremony.

BASIC INFORMATION

Non-stop event, riders are not required to stop every day/night as in other stage races
There are 5 Support stations where riders must check-in. Food and basic accommodation is provided at support stations. Bedding and towels provided
Riders can pre-pack 5 x 2litre ice-cream tubs with supplies such as maps, trail food, personal medications, spares etc. These are distributed to the 5 Support stations
In addition to the 5 support stations, there are also 4 interim stops where food and accommodation is provided
Solo event and all riders are required to be self-sufficient and carry all their own personal belongings with them
No individual seconding is permitted during the event – this means that no friends, family or other supporters may meet you along the route and offer assistance during the ride
Cut-off: Riders are allowed a maximum of 7 days to complete the ride
Rider vehicles can be transferred from PMB to Rhodes at additional cost (2025 = R2200 plus VAT)

ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES (RTR 2025)

Early-bird entry R13,000 paid in full by 31 July 2024
Normal entry R14,500 paid in full by 31 Jan 2025 (pay instalments of your choosing)
Late entry/Extended payment R15,000 paid by 30 April 2025 (pay instalments of your choosing)
Enter RTR HERE

THE ENTRY FEE COVERS THE FOLLOWING:

All meals and accommodation at support stations and interim stops whilst in competition (max 7 Days)
Pre-race dinner and accommodation at the pre-race briefing in Pietermaritzburg
Dinner and accommodation at Rhodes on the day/night you finish
Access to the downloadable set of 1:50 000 topographical maps and narrative descriptions of the race route (Pre-printed Maps cost R650 incl. VAT and delivery)
Transport of one small bag per rider (clothes etc) to be collected at the finish (bike bags also transported by request)
Shipping of 2 litre race support boxes from Race Office (Cape Town) to support stations along the route (max 5 tubs per rider)
Official race garment
Ornamental Beaded Whip (to all official finishers) - please note it is smaller than working whip.

PAYMENT TERMS AND WITHDRAWALS

Deadline for all entry fee payments is as per entry deadline above
Start batch place is only booked once entry at least 10% (of normal entry fee) paid
You may pay in instalments of your choosing, please use same invoice number on all instalments
Withdrawals before 31 January 2025 will receive 90% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals before 12 May 2025 will receive 80% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals before the first batch start date will receive 70% refund of total entry fee
Withdrawals after the first batch start date are non-refundable
Map payments are 100% refundable before 31 January 2025 and non-refundable thereafter.
Entrant may elect to rollover refundable amount to entry fee the following year.
Event organisers may need to alter start batch allocations to best suit event logistics. Every effort will be made to do this to entrant requirements but altered start date does not affect payment and withdrawal terms.
If event does not take place due to Force Majeure, pandemic or political unrest then you may chose between rollover to postponed date or following year at no extra cost or refund as per above withdrawals and refund terms.

RACE ROUTE

The route follows the Freedom Trail from Pietermaritzburg to Rhodes along a wide variety of off-road terrain – dirt roads, farm roads and tracks, footpaths and animal tracks. follows the route taken by Trappist monks as they headed into the area previously known as No-man's Land and East Griqualand and then across the Maloti Drakensberg Mountains to the village of Rhodes. Many of the trails retrace old historic wagon routes which are no longer in regular use. Apart from the riding, there are numerous portage sections where riders will have to hike, push and even carry their bikes.

The table below shows breakdown of distances, climbing and estimated ride times between support stations and interim stops.