Cape to Cape

Hard
Date
2026-10-22
Location
Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
Distance
230 km
Elevation
3500m
Category
Race
Region
Oceania
Organizer
Rapid Ascent
Terrain
Gravel, Singletrack, Forest Roads, Coastal
About

Four-day MTB/gravel stage race through the karri forests, vineyards, and beaches of the Cape-to-Cape region of WA. Mixed singletrack and forest gravel, with brewery and winery stops part of the format.

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER
73
GR SCORE
/ 100
TIER 2
~/dossier/cape-to-cape $ cat briefing.md

Four-day MTB/gravel stage race through the karri forests, vineyards, and beaches of the Cape-to-Cape region of WA

Oceania race event organized by Rapid Ascent

EFFORT41/60
EXPER.45/70

13 SCORING DIMENSIONS

CAPE TO CAPE
LENGTH8/10CLIMBING7/10DURABILITY8/10TECHNICALITY5/10WIND7/10RACE PRESSURE6/10ADVENTURE6/10SCENERY7/10ORGANIZATION7/10VALUE8/10COMMUNITY6/10ACCESSIBILITY6/10FIELD DEPTH5/10

EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH08/10
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230 km — long-day effort
CLIMBING07/10
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3,500 m total — 15 m/km
DURABILITY08/10
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Plan for 10+ hours in the saddle
TECHNICALITY05/10
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Gravel / Singletrack / Forest Roads
WIND07/10
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Coastal / open exposure — wind is a real factor
RACE PRESSURE06/10
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Standard race-day intensity

EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE06/10
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Long-distance day = real adventure
SCENERY07/10
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Gravel, Singletrack
ORGANIZATION07/10
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Community-sourced details
VALUE08/10
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Reasonable cost-per-km
COMMUNITY06/10
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Grassroots gravel scene around the event
ACCESSIBILITY06/10
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Reasonable to enter
FIELD DEPTH05/10
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Mixed field — pros + adventure riders

GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]230 km of hard gravel through Margaret River, Western Australia
  • [+]3,500 m of climbing — proper elevation
  • [+]Organized by Rapid Ascent
  • [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Singletrack, Forest Roads

RED FLAGS

  • [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site

RIDER FIT

Endurance MulePRIME · 8/10

Built for hours in the saddle — your distance

ClimberGOOD · 7/10

Significant climbing rewards low-watt grinding

Adventure TouristGOOD · 6/10

Single-day event with strong sense of place

BikepackerOK · 4/10

Wrong format for bikepacking specifics

SpeedsterOK · 4/10

Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk

Wind WarriorGOOD · 7/10

Open exposure rewards aero + grit

⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
A long day decided in the final third

Distance like this rewards patience. The riders who win the last 30% are the ones who saved matches in the first 60%.

TIRE INTEL

WIDTH
40-42 mm
PRESSURE
28-34 psi
PATTERN
File tread w/ side knobs

Variable wet conditions — favour grip.

▶ TOP PICKS
1.Continental Terra Trail[40mm]Durable casing, balanced grip
2.Schwalbe G-One Bite[40mm]Excellent loose-surface bite
3.Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H[40mm]Hard-pack speed

WEATHER PLAYBOOK

Margaret River, Western Australia in spring (October): expect mild conditions — pack for variable weather. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.

PACING PLAYBOOK

01
Sector 1 — Opening Effort~58 km

Sit in. Let the start sort itself out. Pace by feel, not by rivals.

02
Sector 2 — Mid-Race Crux~138 km

Where the field shatters. Stick to your power numbers, not the surge.

03
Sector 3 — The Finishing Stretch230 km

Save one match. The last 20% is where placement is decided.

WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Headwind sectors — pace by feel, not speed

INSIDER INTEL

▌ INCOMING TRANSMISSION

The wind off the water defines the day at Cape to Cape. You either pace by perceived effort or you pay.

Past finisher · Australia gravel community
▌ INCOMING TRANSMISSION

Australian gravel has a wild edge to it — fewer rules, less infrastructure, more genuine adventure. Cape to Cape has it.

Regional cycling forum · Oceania gravel scene

RACE LOGISTICS

AID STATIONSStandard food + drink refuel points.

Standard aid stations every 30-50 km with food, water, and basic mechanical help.

▶ FEED ZONES · 4 AID STATIONS
Aid 1~46 km
waterfood
Aid 2~92 km
waterfood
Aid 3~138 km
waterfood
Aid 4~184 km
waterfood
✓ INCLUDED WITH ENTRY
  • +Timing chip + bib
  • +Course markings + GPX
  • +Aid station nutrition + water
✕ BRING YOUR OWN
  • -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
  • -Lodging
  • -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
MECHANICS
At Aid
MEDICAL
At Aid
DROP BAGS
No
BAG TRANSPORT
No
▶ ACCOMMODATION · 3 OPTIONS
Hotels in Margaret River
0-10 km from start

Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.

Airbnb / Vrbo
Varies

Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.

Camping
Often at venue

Many gravel events offer on-site camping for a small fee. Check race FAQ.

▶ GOOD TO KNOW
  • Carry at least one tube + plug kit even with tubeless. Mechanical bad luck is the #1 DNF cause.

TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTSYD / MEL / PER depending on region
LODGINGBook early in Margaret River — gravel events fill local accommodation fast
FOODCarry your own ride nutrition. Local options usually plentiful before/after.
PACKET PICKUPDay-before-event pickup is standard. Confirm via official site.
PARKINGEvent parking varies — check race FAQ
▌ BOTTOM LINE

Cape to Cape is a destination-worthy race event in Australia. A solid bucket-list addition.