Things to know & rules about
The Grind

The Route

The route is made up of dirt roads, jeep track, and some tar at the start and finish. Please obey the rules of the road at all times.
There are parts of the road that have been damaged owing to lack of maintenance, so please be aware of potholes, deep tracks and puddles and mud.
Our suggestion is to have an SUV, 4×4 as your support vehicle.

And speaking of Support Vehicles:

Support vehicles

To ensure the safety of all participants, strict rules apply to this aspect of the event.

Only ONE support vehicle per rider will be allowed.

A Support vehicle is optional, but if you have a technical problem, you are on your own. We will not be providing tech support en route.

One support vehicle may support more than one rider.
All registered support vehicles must depart from the Start at least 30 minutes before the start of the race.
Support vehicles will proceed to the 1st water table and wait for their rider.
No vehicles will be permitted to travel back against the direction of the route.
Support vehicles are not permitted to stop anywhere between water tables along the route, unless special permission has been granted. Such vehicles will have an OFFICIAL sticker on. Medical vehicles are allowed to stop in order to provide medical assistance.
Support vehicles are not permitted to drive behind, next to or in front of their rider in an effort to offer assistance of any form.
Speeds of support vehicles are to be kept to a maximum of 40km/hr when passing riders.
Always be aware of riders coming from behind on a descent.
Speeds of support vehicles are to be kept to a maximum of 80km/hr when traveling on ‘clear’ roads.
Support vehicles which are breaking the above rules will result in the disqualification of their riders.
All litter and refuse is to be removed by the support vehicle responsible for that rider.
No flashing or strobe lights allowed on support vehicles

Registration and Race Number Pickup

When: Wednesday 4 February 2026, from 13.00 to 17.00
Where: Cycle Lab, Fourways
If you register at Cycle Lab, you will get a Cycle Lab Voucher for R100 and a discount off your next bike service

When: Saturday 7 February 2026, from 05:30 to 06:00
Where: Valley Lodge & Spa – at the start

LATE ENTRIES

Missed the entry deadline? You can pick up a late entry at Cycle Lab on the 4th, but please bring cash as we do not have credit card facilities.

Race Number / Rider Identification

All bikes must have the specific rider’s race number board attached to the front of the bike.
The race number on the board must be visible from the front and free from obstructions like cables or other items.
Riders on bikes without a race number board at the front will not be allowed into the Start Zone.
The race number board must be fitted securely and stay there for the duration of the event.

The race number board must not be modified in any way, including cutting, folding or adding/removing stickers. (PLEASE NOTE: By modifying the number board in any way will lead to immediate disqualification)
It is each rider’s responsibility to check that he/she has the correct number attached to the bike. This is extremely important.

Bikes

Be sure your bike is in good mechanical order.
Riders must start and finish the event on the same bike.
E-Bikes are allowed, but are not eligible for prizes.

Towing

No towing is allowed.

Start Times – Updated 26 Jan

The start and finish venue is Valley Lodge & Spa, in Magaliesburg. Food and drinks will be on sale and there are shower facilities.

Cycling (Gravel / MTB)

06:30 – 150 km riders
07:00 – 70 km riders
07:15 – 40 km riders

Trail Run / Walk

07:30 – 15 km runners
07:45 – 10 km & 5 km runners / walkers

Important Start Instructions

Pre-Race Parking: Parking is available. Marshals are in full control of parking and vehicle movement. Their instructions must be followed at all times. Failure to comply may result in denial of access.

Please ensure you are in your allocated chute at least 10 minutes before your start time for the rider briefing.
If you miss the rider briefing, any announcements or changes made will not be repeated.
Arrive on time and be mindful of the start times of other participants.
Marshals may stop runners or walkers to allow cyclists to pass. Cyclists have right of way and must be given priority before you are permitted to proceed.
Late starts: If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your allocated start time, you will not be permitted to start. By that time, marshals will have left their posts and moved to new positions. Allowing a late start would result in you riding unsupported, which we are unable to permit.

Rules of the Road

All roads are public roads and therefore Rules of the road apply.
All riders and drivers must adhere to the rules of the road at all times.
No exceptions, privileges or leniency to the rules of the road are granted to any rider or driver.
Riders and drivers should keep to the left side of the road.
All drivers of support vehicles are to drive at the event speed limits with regards to safety and the minimizing of dust, flying stones etc.

Emergencies

Should the support driver encounter a rider requiring medical attention, you are expected to stop to provide assistance.
You are asked to contact the emergency number that is clearly displayed on the riders race number board.
If the rider is in serious trouble do not leave the rider until medical personnel arrive.

Overtaking

Support vehicles are not allowed to overtake riders on descents. If you encounter a rider on a descent please keep a safe following distance. Make sure it is safe before you overtake the rider.

Speed limits (Support vehicles)

Maximum speed for the duration of the route is 80km/hr.
Maximum speed when overtaking riders is 40km/hr.
Support drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive recklessly risk the disqualification of their riders.

DNF’s

All DNF’s (Did Not Finish) must be reported to the timing company at the finish line.

Water points

Water points will be set up at each checkpoint.
Water, jelly babies, bar-one’s, fruit will be available at these water points.
Die Krip – at the 53km mark – for 155km and 70km, as well as for the 155km riders at 138km will have sandwiches and other delights.
Die Krip has a Foot & Mouth protocol in place. Please adhere to their instructions. They have wonderful bathroom facilities as a fantastic coffee shop, should you choose to stop for a “breather”.
Riders must carry their own personal choice of energy drinks, bars or foods.
Please take note that riders must rely on their support vehicles for extra water and food.

Bathroom Facilities

For the 155km riders, there are toilet facilities at the following stops. Please ask and you will be directed.

Die Krip – 53 (applies to 70km) and 138km
Kruger Ranch – 64km
Boons – 84km mark

Cut-off times

There are two cut-off points for the 155km riders.
The first cut-off is at the 84km (Boons) mark at 12:00.
The second event cut-off is at the 138km (Die Krip) mark at 15:00.
Riders arriving after the cut-off must be transported to the finish by their support vehicle, or will have to wait for an official sweep vehicle.

Prize Giving

Race category winners are eligible for prizes provided that no rules of the event have been contravened and no protests have been lodged against the winners.
155km: There will be a Prize Giving once the top 5 male riders and top 3 female riders for the 155km are finished.
70km: Prize giving in the Men’s and Ladies categories will take place once 50% of the field has finished.
45km – Senior: Prize giving for the 45km in the Men’s and Ladies will take place once 50% of the field has finished.
45km Luxliner Schools Series: Prize giving will take place once 50% of the field has finished.
Kindly note that athletes must be present at the prize giving to qualify for their prizes. Should an athlete not be present, their prize will be void.
There are some fun lucky draw prizes during the day, but if you are not present, you will miss out.