The Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race - 2025
Fri 23 May - Sun 25 May 2025 @ Namaqualand, Northern Cape

Organiser
The Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race

THE INTRO.

Now in its 5th year, The Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race is a heavenly bicycle race through the harsh Tankwa Karoo.

This year, we’re switching it up, again. You asked, we’ve delivered. It's back to The Pan baby! Out the park, up the R355, hit a left and you’re there. A few hours later, sure, but you’ll be there. We’ll be there. The whole circus will be there. It's going to be a whole thing and then some more.

You know what else is back? Yep, segment racing. Chill with your tjoms and then rip each other's legs off and then chill for a bit. Repeat.

The long route is tough and suited for riders who are happy to spend a good few hours in the saddle.

The medium route is no gimmie and we’re sending you way out into the rocky desert to bake. Will there be a Kief Kafé ready to refuel you? You betcha. Will there be a vintage fridge hidden with ice cold cokes in glass bottles – obviously. Will there be disco balls instead of route markers? Yep.

Day two is shorter with some more epic vistas and hard riding. A hidden Kief Kafè will keep you moist, as usual. Will there be banging beats played at full volume – OH YEAH! We’ve stopped calling the route short, as it’s a bit misleading. Not a single free mile is to be found on this course. So pack your big boy undies for this one.

We’re going to ride flippin’ hard. We’re going to eat like desert royalty. Some no doubt will over hydrate in the Onverklaarbar. We’re going to light things on fire and shoot up some fireworks.

One thing that we’re going to do more than anything though, is to disconnect so we can reconnect.

Come and play in the desert. We’d love to have you.

THE FORMAT.

Day 1 – 113km


or

Day 1 – 59km

Day 2 – 62 km 

THE PLAN.

Take note: we’ve mixed things up a bit!

Friday 23 May 2025

14:00, arrival & registration at The Tankwa Tented Camp. Cruise around the artworks

16:00, drag race at The Tankwa International Airport

19:00, dinner served in the boma

20:00, race briefing

20:01, campfire bicycle stories

Saturday 24 May 2025

05:30, farm breakfast will be served in the Boma

07:30, long race start

08:30, medium race start

12:00, lunch

Afternoon at leisure, cool off and have a dip at Stoney Beach

16:30, depart for gins on Sunset Hill

19:30, a wholesome dinner will be served in the Boma

21:00, the Bicycle Burn will be lit (depending on the wind, we may do this on the Friday night)

Sunday 25 May 2025

06:30, a slightly later start, farm breakfast will be served in the Boma.

08:00, race start

13:00, prize giving and light lunch

THE ACCOMMODATION.

A-Frames – Large canvas A-frame with 2 X steel beds with linen. We only have 8 of those, they go quick too. They come at a slight premium.

Dome tents – Included in the price, you will be staying in a large 3x3m dome canvas tent which are per person sharing, stretcher beds, thick mattress and comfy white linen. There will be more than adequate ablution facilities with hot water in the morning and evening.

THE CAMP.

Tankwa Tented Camp has the following facilities:

Full cash bar

Swimming dam

Ablutions

Boma indoor and outdoor

Solar electricity

Some of the most mind bending artwork structures you’ll ever see

YOUR ENTRY INCLUDES.

R 7900 pps

Includes:

2 X breakfasts

2 X lunches

2 X dinners

1 X hand made musette

Dome tented accommodation with linen

2 X refreshment stops en route

Access to Tankwa Karoo National Park

2 X Tanqua Tonics

1 x beer at the end of each day’s ride

Sweep vehicle

Mobile medic

Photography

Camping only entry

R 3500 pps

Includes:

1 X hand made musette

Campsite

2 X refreshment stops en route

Access to Tankwa Karoo National Park

2 X Tanqua Tonics

1 x beer at the end of each day’s ride

Sweep vehicle

Mobile medic

Photography

Excludes tented accommodation and camp meals - campsite and race entry only

More than anything though, this race gives you access to find yourself, and lose yourself.

The first 30 entries will receive a free Tanqua Tee.

NON RIDERS. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU GUYS TOO.

You may bring your partner to enjoy the magic of the Tankwa who will share the tent with you, all meals and entertainment. They will be able to explore the artworks, sundowners and lounge at Stoney Beach. We’ll even provide various trail running routes for them. Hell, we’ll even make an official start. We love everyone.

Spectators may drive the long route on day one to enjoy the vibe and support their heroes. A driver safety briefing will take place after the start of the race

Spouse entry = R 6900

THE ENTRY PROCEDURE.

Please note that entries are extremely limited. We’re not just saying that to get you to buy entries quickly. We’re very well aware that that ship has sailed for cycling events.

We’re capping entries at 200 and we’ll be closing entries 4 weeks before the event so we can get all the goodies made up in good time.

So don’t fiddle around, when they are gone, they really are gone and you’ll be sad. We really don’t want sad people. 😉

THE PRIZES.

There will be a unique Tanqua Trophy for the winners of each race category.

TRANSPORT.

There is a registered airstrip on the farm. If you are going to fly in, please contact us so we can send you the landing information.

While we’re on the driving thing, if you don’t feel like doing it, we can also sort that out for you. Event partners, Zulu Overland have you covered there. 

Some nice words by race friend, Eeden Eekers.

Ride more.

Ride because you want to.

Because it’s needed.

Ride for the hell of it.

For the unknown.

The good times.

And moer koffie.

The end-of-race fines.

The heat haze.

The friendly faces.

Always pacing.

Let’s go racing.

Over gravel, good or unrideable.

Impossible?

Only until it’s not.

Dangerous?

Define it, first.

Get moving. Reconnect.

Get outside. Disconnect.

The Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race.

Join us. Come explore. Ride more.

Follow and keep an eye on our socials for the most up to date information and best bicycle content this side of the R355.

More information: tanquakurubicyclerace.co.za/