THE ROUTE

Distance : 171km

Elevation : 1310m

NAVIGATION

Use a GPS | Follow The Signs

When riding the Beast of Loskop, use a GPS device with our provided gpx files to stay on track. While we provide signage, it can be turned around or removed by the locals .  The Drake Cycle Tours team always drops a sign at every turn or route split, but don’t solely rely on the signage to get around.

Why use a GPS device?

* Stay on course and avoid getting lost
* Live navigation rerouting should you take a wrong turn

Ride with confidence

* Focus on the ride and enjoy the scenery
* Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed

Get ready for an unforgettable ride! gpx Files will be sent out to all entrants closer to the event date.

RIDER SAFETY

When it comes to cycling in South Africa, safety is top of mind, whether you’re riding on tar or dirt roads. Rest assured, we’ve got you covered! Our partners, the exceptional Think Bike Marshals, will be on hand to provide expert traffic control and ensure your safety is our top priority along the entire route.

While we can’t guarantee 100% safety, we’ll do everything in our power to make this ride as safe and enjoyable as possible. With years of experience working with Think Bike Marshals, we’re confident in their expertise and look forward to providing you with a fun, supportive, and safe riding experience.

WATER POINTS

Fully Stocked Water Points

Every water point will be fully stocked with 32GI, water, coke, banana’s, crunchies and sweets. At various water points we will change things up so you’re not eating the same thing all day.

Distance & Time

Below is an overview of the provisional water point distances. Take your time and enjoy the offering at each water point. We recommend a ten minute stop per water point and thirty minutes at the feed zone.

Water Points & Lunch

WP1 – 33km
WP2 – 71km
Feed Zone – 103km
WP3 – 124km
WP4 – 142km

GROUP INFO

Start Times

06H10 | Group Start

Rider Cut-off Times:

Drake Events Management has the right to ask anyone to get into the support vehicles along the route, should they feel that the rider is not keeping up with the pace. Should you be asked to load into a vehicle, the decision has been made with your safety in mind, as well as the experience of all the riders.

Group Dynamics

– This is not a race!
– Ride at your own pace.
– There is a minimum speed enforced and cut off at the water points. If you do not make it in the cut-off time, you will be asked to load you into the support vehicle and you will be taken to the finish in the vehicle.
– We cannot allow leniency on cut-of times as a delayed water point effects the operational planning of the event, as well as for rider safety to not be out on course alone.

FINISH VENUE

Maroela Game Trails

Maroela is a game farm owned and loved by the Basson family, in the Loskop Valley near Groblersdal, Limpopo SA, operated by a qualified and certified Professional Hunter and Nature Conservationist, Michael Basson.

A variety of game grazes Maroela, consisting of Giraffe, Eland, Oryx, Kudu, Njala, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Hartebees, Ostrich, Warthog, and the occasional Leopard.

They have added a restaurant, Maroela Pub & Grill to complete their beautiful lodge. They cater for everyone, also hosting private functions and conferences such as birthdays, weddings, meetings and other gatherings.

They serve an A La Carte menu and host Sunday Buffet meals twice a month, food with a theme. They will vary from traditional ‘boerekos’, ‘potjiekos’, seafood, italian and many more. Sunday buffet will be open for bookings but they will always cater for a few more. Make sure to book your buffet’s to avoid disappointment.

Book your accommodation in the Main Lodge or the Maroela Camp and make it a weekend away with the family.

Free Bike Wash with Kärcher

After tackling the scenic routes and challenging terrain of the Beast of Loskop, keep your bike in top condition with the help of Kärcher, a renowned brand in the cleaning industry. Kärcher is well-known for its high-quality pressure washers, which are designed to effectively remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from various surfaces.

Why Kärcher?

Simply pull up to the Kärcher bike wash station, and their team will take care of the rest.

Shuttle

If you’ve booked a shuttle back from Loskop, drop off your bike at the bicycle trailers, provided by BCycle Transport. Relax, unwind and talk about memories made, whilst we load bicycles.

We will have various 21-seater shuttles available. As riders will be finishing at various times, we’ll aim to send off a shuttle and trailer as soon as we can, to avoid long waits. However, the last shuttle/s will only leave once the last riders have finished their ride.

The estimated times for the shuttles departing is 16H00, 17H00 and 17H30, but is subject to change pending riders finishing times and loading of bicycles.

Bicycle Transport

We will load your bicycle safely and securely onto the BCycle Bicycle Transport Trailer. When you arrive back at the start venue, your bicycle will be offloaded for you to take home.