After a challenging couple of years, the South African cycling market is preparing for a successful summer. And the starting point is the 2024 Bikefest Paarl, South Africa’s premier cycling festival, which takes place in Paarl, near Cape Town from 27-29 September 2024.
Paid partnership with Bikefest Paarl
The past couple of years has seen the global cycling market reach unexpected highs and frustrating lows. The South African cycling market has been on the same roller coaster. Big brands have been compelled to make changes to remain profitable and small brands have faced their greatest challenges. As the market moves through a stabilizing phase, there’s a promising future.
After the Covid-19 disruption, international bike shows reappeared last year and the inaugural Bikefest Paarl was deemed a success, giving South Africa its own stand-alone bicycle festival and expo. A place where brands can interact with passionate enthusiasts and offer test rides, sampling and a no-barrier environment to communicate and connect.
The second annual Bikefest Paarl will be larger and more compelling than the launch edition and several industry stalwarts have already committed to being there.
“By launching Bikefest Paarl last year, we showed that there’s an appetite for an industry festival across all cycling disciplines. With Paarl now one of the busiest cycling hubs in the country and the accessibility of Spice Route to world-class trails, roads and gravel routes, we have the ideal location too,” said Darren Herbst, Bikefest Paarl co-founder.
Spice Route is an historic farm that dates back to 1693. It’s been selected as the venue for Bikefest Paarl 2024 because of its central location, stunning scenery and collection of artisanal fare, including restaurants, brewery, spirits, chocolatier and more.
“Spice Route is an established, popular family destination. It also has ample space to add stands for an industry expo and it is one of the Paarl Trails network’s featured trailheads. It’s a venue that regularly hosts large events, so there really isn’t a more ideal place to host cycling celebration like Bikefest Paarl than Spice Route,” added Herbst.
More than 150 expo and vendor stands have been made available. With the dates of Bikefest Paarl in Spring, there’s sure to be big interest in the post-Winter activities that have been lined up to create participation and spectator value, including a bike-test track, skills clinics, guided rides and pump-track challenges.
With a full range of premium mountain bike events scheduled as part of the festival, as well as the fact that it follows the Heritage Day long weekend and within the school holidays, the organisers are aiming to attract 10 000 visitors over the three days.
To enhance the festival vibe, the organisers have added a campsite for those travelling from afar, with local guest houses and hotels offering ample accommodation options.
“Our marketing team is going full speed ahead to promote Bikefest Paarl 2024 from early on. And our sales team is already making good progress with both large brands and small businesses keen on being part of the country’s premier cycling festival. Make sure to mark it on your calendar because it’s going to be special,” added Herbst.
Brands looking to book stands can find all the relevant information and contact details here. Cycling enthusiasts can start looking forward to Bikefest Paarl with new information regularly being added to the official website here.
Paid partnership with Bikefest Paarl
