Karoo to Coast 2025 – A Record-Breaking Ride Through the Heart of the Klein Karoo

On 21 September 2025, cyclists from across South Africa gathered for the annual Karoo to Coast MTB Challenge, a legendary race spanning 95.95 km from Uniondale to Knysna. With a total ascent of 1560 m and a descent of 1815 m, riders faced a formidable test of endurance, starting at 727 m above sea level and finishing just 3 m from the Indian Ocean.

The event welcomed mountain, gravel, and E-bike riders, drawing thousands to take on a route that is 93% gravel roads, weaving through forests, mountain passes, and long climbs. The opening 15 km “Ou Wapad” (old wagon trail) set the tone with its rocky, technical terrain, before riders pushed into the rolling beauty of the Knysna forest.

Organized by the Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna, the Karoo to Coast is more than just a cycling race—it’s a community lifeline. Proceeds support causes such as the South African Guide Dog Association, sight restoration projects, and local welfare initiatives. Over its 25+ year history, the event has become both a premier sporting challenge and a force for good.

The 2025 edition made history, with Tristan Nortje storming home in 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 51 seconds, breaking the course record. Fellow South Africans Marco Joubert and Herman Fourie rounded off the podium in a thrilling finish that cemented the event’s reputation as one of the country’s toughest yet most rewarding rides.

As an official Cape Town Cycle Tour seeding event, the Karoo to Coast remains a highlight of the South African MTB calendar—a race where breathtaking landscapes meet grit, determination, and the spirit of giving back.