The CRATER CRUISE Gravel is a premium cycle race in the UNESCO Vredefort Crater meandering the Vaal River along rural gravel roads. Koedoeslaagte is a premium event venue and with the support of the local community, the local farmers and the Big Rock Riders (a grassroots community cycling school), we stand ready to welcome you and are comitted to make your race a memorable experience.

History: In 2004 the Crater Cruise was established as a "the original" gravel road race in South Africa. The organisers were indeed ahead of their time and systematically converted the event into a hybrid mountainbike event. In June 2025 we relaunched the Crater Cruise as the gravel road race it was always intended to be. 

Important 2026 regulations:

1. Active CyclingSA Membership compulsory (CSA ID#) - buy membership online on www.cyclingsa.com
   
2. Flat-handlebar mountainbikes are welcome, BUT all Elite and U/23 men and women must ride with drop-handlebar set-ups
3. No time-trial bars allowed
4. No team support vehicles on-route
   • There will be tech/support stations at the 2nd and 3rd waterpoint for the 155km FULL CRUISE riders (these tech/support stations can be reached without entering the route)
   • There will be a tech/support station at the 2nd waterpoint for the 117km CRATER CRUISE riders (this tech/support station can be reached without entering the route)
5. E-Bikes will only be allowed on the 92km CRATER CRUISE

R100 000 PRIZE MONEY!

155km CRATER CRUISE (no riders U/19 or younger)

(R800 entry full-fee)

• Elite and U/23 Men (start 7:30) (lead bike #1)

• Vets 30-39 Men (start 7:30) (lead bike #1)

• Vets 40-49 Men (start 7:40) (lead bike #2)

• Vets 50-59 Men (start 7:40) (lead bike #2)

• OPEN (non-racing, timed) Men and Women (start 7:45)

• NO E-BIKE CATEGORY

117km CRATER CRUISE  (no riders U/19 and younger)

(R650 entry full-fee)

• Elite and U/23 Women (start 8:00) (lead bike #3)

• Vets 30-39 Women (start 8:00) (lead bike #3)

• Vets 40-49 Women (start 8:00) (lead bike #3)

• Grand Masters 60-69 Men (start 8:00) (lead bike #3)

• OPEN (non-racing, timed) Men and Women (start 8:10)

• NO E-BIKE CATEGORY

94km CRATER CRUISE (no riders U/17 and younger)

(R550 entry full-fee)

• Junior (U/19) Men (start 8:30) (lead bike #4)

• Junior (U/19) Women (start 8:30) (lead bike #4)

• Masters 50-59 Women (start 8:30) (lead bike #4)

• Grand Masters 60+ Women (start 8:30) (lead bike #4)

• Grand Masters 70+ Men (start 8:30) (lead bike #4)

• OPEN (non-racing, timed) Men and Women (start 8:40)

• E-BIKES (start 8:40)

GRAVELICIOUS:  CRUISE - GRIND - CONQUER

Accommodation Partners: https://www.cratercycling.com/accommodation

Organiser: Koedoeslaagte Trail Park Team

Contact: Attie Koekemoer - [email protected]

Website: www.cratercruise.com