Not all who wander are lost.

    29 May to 31 May 2026

The Intro

Now in its 6th year, The Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race remains the most unique bicycle race in the world; a heavenly ride through the harsh, hypnotic beauty of the Tankwa Karoo.

We’re heading back to The Pan, baby. Out the park, up the R355, hang a left and you’re home. A few hours later? Maybe. But it’s worth every bump and mirage.

The circus returns; bigger, louder, dustier. You know what else is back? Segment racing. Chill with your tjoms, then rip each other’s legs off, then chill again. Repeat until your heart’s full and your legs are fried.

The long route is for those who like pain with their pleasure — endless miles and big desert sky. The medium route still hurts, make no mistake. You’ll bake, you’ll curse, you’ll find a hidden Kief Kafé with cokes in glass bottles and disco balls marking the way.

Day two? Shorter, but not easier. Big climbs, wild views, and a secret Kafé to keep you moist. The music? Louder than reason. The vibe? Unmatched. There’s no such thing as a free mile in the desert so pack your big-boy panties. We’ll ride flippin’ hard.

We’ll eat like desert royalty. Some will over-hydrate at the Onverklaarbar. We’ll light things on fire, shoot fireworks, and watch the stars burn brighter than us.

Mostly, though - we’ll disconnect to reconnect. Come play in the desert. You’ll never be the same.

A heavenly bicycle race through the harsh Tankwa Karoo.

Friday

29/05/26

14:00 Arrival & registration at The Tankwa Tented Camp
16:00 The Drag Race at The Tankwa International Airport
19:00 Dinner served in the boma
20:00 Race briefing
20:05 Campfire bicycle stories

Saturday

30/05/26

05:30 Farm breakfast in the Boma
07:30 Long race start
08:30 Medium race start
12:00 Lunch and recovery
12:30 Dip at Stoney Beach or lounge under the acacias
16:30 Gins on Sunset Hill
19:30 Dinner served in the Boma
21:00 The Bicycle Burn (weather dependent – may move to Friday night)

Sunday

31/05/26

06:30 Farm breakfast in the Boma
08:00 Race start
13:00 Prize-giving and light lunch

Includes

  • 2 × Breakfasts
  • 2 × Lunches
  • 2 × Dinners
  • Handmade musette
  • Dome tented accommodation with linen
  • 2 × Refreshment stops per day
  • Access to Tankwa Karoo National Park
  • 2 × Tanqua Tonics
  • 1 × Beer at the finish each day
  • Sweep vehicle
  • Mobile medic
  • Professional photography

Non riders.
We love you guys too.

Bring your partner to share the tent, meals, and all the magic. Lounge at Stoney Beach, explore the art, sip sundowners, and join a trail run or two. We’ll even make it official.

Spectators can drive the long route on Day 1 to cheer on the heroes (driver briefing after race start).

R8500

PPS

R7500

SPOUSE ENTRY

Entries close 4 weeks before race day so we can craft your goodies.
Don’t procrastinate - the desert waits for no one. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
No sadness allowed.

The
Accommodation

A-FRAMES
Large canvas A-frame tents with 2 × steel beds and linen. Only 8 available. They go fast.

DOME TENTS
Included in your entry. 3 × 3 m canvas dome per person sharing, with stretcher beds, thick mattresses and crisp white linen. Hot showers morning and evening.

The
Camp

Tankwa Tented Camp features:
Full cash bar
Swimming dam
Boma (indoor & outdoor)
Solar electricity
Proper ablutions
Some of the wildest desert artwork you’ll ever see

The Prizes

Unique Tanqua Trophies for each race category winner. But mostly: bragging rights, desert dust, and a lifetime memory.

Your Transport

Flying in? We’ve got a registered airstrip — contact us for landing info.

Driving in? Our partners Zulu Overland can sort transport for you and your bike.

Join us. Come explore. Ride more.

Sign up to our newsletter and you could win an entry to the Tanqua Kuru Bicycle Race.

No spam, promise. By signing up, you will be the first to receive an entry link before it is made public.

Ride more. Ride because you want to. Because it’s needed. Ride for the hell of it. For the unknown. The good times. And moer koffie. The end-of-race fines. The heat haze. The friendly faces. Always pacing. Let’s go racing. Over gravel, good or unrideable. Impossible? Only until it’s not. Dangerous? Define it, first.
Get moving. Reconnect.
Get outside. Disconnect. Lose youself. Find yourself. Not all who wander are lost.