MOUNTAIN BIKE race info
RACE DAY: 8 February 2026, addo polo club, addo
COLLECTION OF RACE PACKS and late entries
Friday, 6 February 2026, 2pm-6pm, Pollok Beach, Summerstrand, Gqeberha.
Saturday, 7 February 2026, 4pm-6pm, Addo Polo Club.
Sunday, 8 February 2026 from 5am to 7am at the Addo Polo Club.
ONLINE ENTRIES
Open: September 2025
Close: Monday, 2 February 2026 at 10am.
*NO ONLINE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MONDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2026. LATE CHARITY ENTRIES WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON RACE PACK COLLECTION DAYS.
mountain bike ENTRY FEES 2026
80km ExtremE - R480:
Ages 19+. Entrants should be physically fit and technically advanced for this event.
60km Adventure - R370:
Ages 15+,. Entrants should be physically fit and technically skilled for this event .
30km Leisure: - R290:
Ages 13+ [E-Bike riders ages 19+]
30km Tandem - R460:
Ages 13+.
5km Kiddies RIDE - R150:
All ages
500m Toddlers’DASH - R110:
All ages
ultimate quest: 80km mtb extreme+ 106km road classiC - R840:
Ages 19+
* 60km A Batch - Racing Bunch: For those vying for top placements, it's crucial to start in the correct bunch. If you are seeded in the B bunch, please make sure to address this during registration. 60km B Batch - Social Riders: Perfect for those aiming to enjoy the day and ride at a relaxed pace.
CSA SANCTIONED EVENT: Cycling SA enforces minimum age restrictions based on race distances for all sanctioned MTB and Road race events. Please only select a race distance that you are allowed to participate in. Your age is based on the age you will be on 31 December on that year of this race. Should a rider enter a distance that is incorrect according to their age, the rider will be disqualified. Kindly note that this is a CSA sanctioned event. The responsibility for understanding and adhering to the rules and age restrictions rests entirely with the rider. By entering, you are confirming your acknowledgement of these rules and confirming you will abide by them.
MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE START TIMES
RACE START
60km Adventure E-Bike: 06:00
80km Extreme: 06:20
60km Adventure Group A: 06:30
60km Adventure Group B: 06:40
30km Leisure E-Bike: 06:55
30km Leisure: 07:00
5km Junior Race: 07:10
500m Toddlers: 07:15
*Please note that start times may be subject to change.
CUT OFF TIMES
10h15: 80km riders need to have passed the 4th waterpoint.
13h15: All riders must complete the entire event by this time.
The Herald Cycle Tour reserves the right to remove riders from the course. Any rider who falls too far behind will be collected by the sweep vehicle. The decision to remove a rider rests solely with the event organizers, and the sweep’s decision is final.
mountain bike RACE ROUTES - New Direction for 2026!
For the 30 km, 60 km, and 80 km routes, 2026 brings a fresh twist: all routes now follow an anti-clockwise direction, promising a brand-new challenge for returning riders!
80km Route
Our flagship challenge is not for the faint-hearted. The 80 km Extreme route pushes riders deep into the Zuurberg range, with everything from steep climbs to technical, rocky descents. Start strong from the Addo Polo Club, climb to the top of the Zuurberg Pass, and take on thrilling singletrack that will test your strength, skill, and endurance. Complete this beast, and you’ve earned your place among true mountain bikers!
60km Route
This intermediate route offers the best of both worlds—gravel speed and technical singletrack. Heading out in the new direction, the route skirts the edge of the majestic Zuurberg mountains and includes a taste of the legendary Zuurberg singletrack—a dream for trail lovers and gravel grinders alike.
30KM ROUTE
A scenic route perfect for beginners and relaxed riders, the Meander follows flowing gravel farm roads through classic Addo landscapes. New for 2026 is the future notorious "Alpe-de-Dung Beetle" climb—a cheeky test of grit halfway through the ride. Conquer it without putting a foot down, and you’ve earned serious bragging rights! From the summit, enjoy a fast, fun descent and a final loop through the SRCC Cold Storage facility before crossing the finish line.
5km Family Ride
A short but exciting ride around the Addo Polo Club grounds for our littlest legends! This safe, flat, and fully enclosed route is the perfect way to introduce toddlers to the thrill of cycling. Look out for the cheers—family and friends will be lining the route to encourage their young racing snakes every pedal of the way!
500M TODDLERS’ DASH
Designed with young riders and families in mind, this gentle 5 km route loops out from the Addo Polo Club and is ideal for first-timers. Expect flat, easy-going terrain with a fun highlight—a twisty ride through the SRCC Cold Storage facility, sure to keep the little ones smiling to the finish.
Mountain bike ACCOMODATION
ADDO POLO CLUB
The Addo Polo Club - the heart and home of The Herald Cycle Tour MTB races, showcases the magnificent beauty of the stunning Addo region. Camping sites and luxury tents are available for Saturday, 7 February 2026. Click the below link to make a booking.
Camping options:
Camp site space at R120 per camp site at Addo Polo Club (bring your own tent)
Luxury tents for two people sharing at R800 per tent (Tent includes 2 x single beds with a mattress and bedding. Bring your own towel, camping chair and torch).
Braai pack order:
Braai packs at R150 per person (Braai packs include 2 x chops, 1 x wors, 1 x chicken sosatie, Rooster brood, salad, Something sweet). Braai fires are supplied. To collect your braai pack & braai your own meat.
mountain bike PRIZE MONEY
80km extreme MEN
1st place R30 000.00
2nd place R20 000.00
3rd place R10 000.00
4th place R5 000.00
5th place R2 000.00
80km extreme woMEN
1st place R30 000.00
2nd place R20 000.00
3rd place R10 000.00
4th place R5 000.00
5th place R2 000.00
60km adventure MEN
1st place R3000.00
2nd place R2000.00
3rd place R1000.00
60km adventure woMEN
1st place R3000.00
2nd place R2000.00
3rd place R1000.00