Joberg2c

Extreme
Date
2026-04-25
Location
Heidelberg → Scottburgh, South Africa
Distance
900 km
Elevation
13500m
Category
Race
Region
Africa
Organizer
Joberg2c
Terrain
Gravel, Singletrack, Farm Roads, Mountain Roads
About

Nine-day, 900-km point-to-point stage race from Heidelberg (south of Joburg) to Scottburgh on the Indian Ocean. Two-rider teams traverse the Drakensberg, Midlands, and KZN coastal forests on a mix of farm gravel, jeep track, and fresh-cut singletrack. The grand-daddy of SA cross-country stage rides.

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TIER 2
~/dossier/joberg2c $ cat briefing.md

Nine-day, 900-km point-to-point stage race from Heidelberg (south of Joburg) to Scottburgh on the Indian Ocean

Africa race event organized by Joberg2c

EFFORT41/50
EXPER.42/70

12 SCORING DIMENSIONS

JOBERG2C
LENGTH10/10CLIMBING10/10DURABILITY10/10TECHNICALITY5/10RACE PRESSURE6/10ADVENTURE8/10SCENERY6/10ORGANIZATION7/10VALUE8/10COMMUNITY6/10ACCESSIBILITY2/10FIELD DEPTH5/10

EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH10/10
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900 km — ultra-distance commitment
CLIMBING10/10
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13,500 m total — 15 m/km
DURABILITY10/10
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Plan for 41+ hours in the saddle
TECHNICALITY05/10
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Gravel / Singletrack / Farm Roads
RACE PRESSURE06/10
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Standard race-day intensity

EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE08/10
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Long-distance day = real adventure
SCENERY06/10
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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
ACCESSIBILITY02/10
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Reasonable to enter
FIELD DEPTH05/10
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Mixed field — pros + adventure riders

GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]900 km of extreme gravel through Heidelberg → Scottburgh
  • [+]13,500 m of climbing — proper elevation
  • [+]Organized by Joberg2c
  • [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Singletrack, Farm Roads

RED FLAGS

  • [!]Ultra distance — needs serious training base
  • [!]Extreme rating — only attempt with prior ultra experience
  • [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site

RIDER FIT

Endurance MulePRIME · 10/10

Built for hours in the saddle — your distance

ClimberPRIME · 10/10

Significant climbing rewards low-watt grinding

Adventure TouristPRIME · 9/10

Ultra format = guided adventure with timing chips

BikepackerPRIME · 9/10

Self-supported format suits bikepacking instincts

SpeedsterAVOID · 2.5/10

Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk

Crit RacerAVOID · 2/10

Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here

⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
Vertical is the equalizer

13,500 m of climbing means raw watts matter less than grinding low and steady. Your gearing choice will shape your day.

TIRE INTEL

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

Mixed gravel with no extreme demands — go for rolling speed.

▶ 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

Heidelberg → Scottburgh in autumn (April): 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~225 km

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

02
Sector 2 — Mid-Race Crux~540 km

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

03
Sector 3 — The Finishing Stretch900 km

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

WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Late-race climbs after the legs are gone
  • [!02]Mental low point on the long, lonely middle section

INSIDER INTEL

▌ INCOMING TRANSMISSION

The climbs are the whole point at Joberg2c. You don't do this race for the flats.

Past finisher · South Africa gravel community
▌ INCOMING TRANSMISSION

Cycling in Africa is different — the wildlife, the warmth of the welcome, the sheer scale of it. Joberg2c delivers all of that.

Regional cycling forum · Africa 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 · 6 AID STATIONS
Aid 1~129 km
waterfood
Aid 2~257 km
waterfood
Aid 3~386 km
waterfood
Aid 4~514 km
waterfood
Aid 5~643 km
waterfood
Aid 6~771 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
Yes
BAG TRANSPORT
Yes
▶ ACCOMMODATION · 2 OPTIONS
Hotels in Heidelberg → Scottburgh
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.

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

TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTJNB (Johannesburg) / CPT (Cape Town)
LODGINGBook early in Heidelberg → Scottburgh — 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

Joberg2c is a destination-worthy race event in South Africa. A solid bucket-list addition.