After just two editions, the Prince George 100 Miler has become one of South Africa’s premier gravel races. It’s attracted a surprisingly large number of entrants from Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West. We asked some of them why?
Paid partnership with Dryland Event Management
It’s a long trip from the northern and eastern provinces to the Prince George 100 Miler. But it’s clearly worthwhile for many as almost 50% of the field in 2023 were from outside the Western Cape, the majority of those from Gauteng.
We sent a few questions to a few of those who have done or are about to do the Prince George 100 Miler to find out what their motivation is for the significant travel commitment.
CHRIS VAN ROOYEN, Pretoria Gauteng
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? The Swartberg Pass is very challenging, but the reward is one of the most breathtaking gravel passes to ride. Also, Prince Albert must be one of the most awesome towns to visit in our beautiful country and it’s very tourist oriented.
Unlike the Swartberg 100, you ride the pass from Prince Albert side up, which is for me a bonus as this is my favourite way to go up the pass. The descent down to Kobus Se Gat is just such a thrill and the easier way down. To finish a 100-miler going down the challenging Montagu Pass on a gravel bike is just amazing and what a reward after a long day in the saddle.
We (Team RAF Buddy) participate in and try and support most of the gravel events across the country and find Prince George 100 Miler to be very well organised, professional and a world class event. Dryland’s podium recognition to the various age groups is spot on and you’ll find yourself competing against the best of the best in SA.
Do you fly or drive to do this race? Our Gauteng and Cape Town-based riders all drive.
How do you handle the logistics of the race start and finish venues being
in different towns? Very easy, our team make use of the shuttle service for our vehicles
down to George.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? Yes, most of us entered last year November on the Black Friday Sale. This will be our third Prince George 100 Miler.
Would you recommend this race to others? Most definitely and we do. It’s a bucket-list event, once you’ve participated, you’ll be back the following year.
HILTON TARRANT, Johannesburg, Gauteng
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? This is easy. It’s an amazing route. Plus a friend lives in Prince Albert so it’s an opportunity to see him too!
Do you fly or drive to do this race? I fly to George.
How do you handle the logistics of the race start and finish venues being in different towns? Not a major issue. I love the fact that it’s a point-to-point race. Get to spend a night in Prince Albert and then a night in Wilderness too.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? Yes.
Would you recommend this race to others? Definitely! Wonderful route, great organisation and a beautiful part of the world.
BRIAN MAYNARD, Pretoria, Gauteng
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? I really love that part of South Africa. So I go there quite often to do other races. But I think the major draw card to the race for me was the climb over Swartberg Pass. It is truly spectacular. Dryland Events also have the best water points.
Do you fly or drive to do this race? I flew down.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? No, this year I will be doing the Race To The Sea, but may do the race again in the future.
Would you recommend this race to others? Yes, I would definitely recommend it to others. Cycling is all about getting out there and seeing our beautiful country.
BAREND SWANEPOEL, Klerksdorp, North West
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? The challenge and beautiful scenery. A 100 miler is always a big challenge and the Prince George 100 Miler is even a bigger challenge because you start in the beautiful town of Prince Albert and you have to go over Swartberg Pass that is a huge climb. Then you need to manage yourself to get to George. The scenery is incredible – I really enjoyed the race and the views and the water points are excellent. Prince George 100 Miler is one of my favourite gravel races.
Do you fly or drive to do this race? We drove down as a group.
How do you handle the logistics of the race start and finish venues being in different towns? Logistics is a bit of an issue but we book the race-arranged shuttle drivers to take the cars to George.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? I would love to do Prince George 100 Miler again this year but unfortunately I have got family stuff on that time.
Would you recommend this race to others? Yes definitely, the challenge of completing a 100 miler and especially in the Western Cape with all the climbs is amazing. The views and the people all around the race are amazing.
TREVOR TAYLOR, Delmas, Mpumalanga
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big
trip from your home province? I have always wanted to ride the Swartberg Pass.
Do you fly or drive to do this race? I drove to the race.
How do you handle the logistics of the race start and finish venues
being in different towns? My wife drove the car down to the finish in George.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? Probably not. The afternoon into the headwind was heavy going and I would rather try something else.
Would you recommend this race to others? Absolutely, an incredible route and an amazing adventure.
CHRIS LEWIS, Johannesburg, Gauteng
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? Adventure, big climbs, small town (I missed last year due to being sick).
Do you fly or drive to do this race? I will fly.
How do you handle the logistics of the race start and finish venues being in different towns? Bike transfer to the start and home from the finish via Joggie’s Bicycle Transport. I will share the hiring of a car from airport to the start.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? Yes
Would you recommend this race to others? For sure! Word of mouth feedback is always good.
CAPALIE BOTHA, Potchefstroom, North West
What about the Prince George 100 Miler appeals to you to make the big trip from your home province? To be able to ride the Swartberg Pass and the Montagu Pass in the same race.
Do you fly or drive to do this race? I drive to George, and have a friend who then takes us back to Prince Albert on the Friday for the race.
Will you be returning to the Prince George 100 Miler in 2024? I am considering it. Montagu Pass is not rideable, or even walkable, at this stage, so the routing is a concern. We would need to a confirmed route before I will commit. Also, it is quite expensive for a one-day race.
Would you recommend this race to others I will. The experience to ride those two passes is special to me. It is also well organised.
The third edition of the Prince George 100 Miler takes place on Saturday 19 October 2024. There are two distance options – 50 Miler (73km with 1000m ascent) and 100 Miler (167km with 2600m ascent).
Due to weather damage, the Montagu Pass is closed and the 2024 edition of the race will finish in the Langkloof at Louvain Guest Farm, Herold. It’s classified as a Gravel Race, but is open to both gravel bikes and mountain bikes.
Find out more or enter here.
Watch the video to see what you can expect on a spectacularly scenic route
