As South Africa’s endurance calendar continues to grow, the Tanqua Kuru Gravel Bicycle Race returns from 29–31 May 2026 with a format that goes beyond the traditional race model, combining multi-day riding with a fully immersive desert experience.
Set deep within the remote Tankwa Karoo, the three-day event opens with a Friday drag race, followed by Saturday distances of 113km (long) or 59km (medium), and a final 62km stage on Sunday. But for many riders, it’s not just about the distance, it’s about the setting and everything that happens around it.
At a time when travel is increasingly driven by experience, events like Tanqua Kuru are becoming the anchor for full weekend escapes. Riders are no longer simply entering races, they are choosing destinations, extending their stays and seeking out moments that combine endurance with atmosphere, landscape and community.
Tanqua Kuru has built its reputation on exactly this approach. From remote, oasis-style water points in the desert to the now-iconic Bicycle Burn and a signature Sling Aircraft aerial experience offering riders a rare perspective of the Tankwa from above, the event is designed as a series of memorable moments rather than just a route.
“We’ve always approached Tanqua Kuru as an experience first,” says race organiser Jeremy Crowder. “It’s about creating something that riders remember not just for the terrain, but for everything around it.”
Beyond the ride itself, participants are encouraged to settle into the rhythm of the Karoo for the weekend. The event village offers a range of accommodation options to suit different styles of travel, from fully self-sufficient camping, where riders bring everything they need, to thoughtfully prepared dome tents complete with mattresses, linen and lighting. A-frame structures and a limited number of cabins are also available, offering added comfort while still staying close to the heart of the experience. For those opting into the tented accommodation, the weekend includes generous, hearty Karoo-style meals, a social, communal element that has become an integral part of the event.
With limited capacity and growing demand for experience-led events, entries are expected to fill quickly.
For those looking for a gravel event that offers more than just a finish line, Tanqua Kuru delivers a weekend where endurance meets experience and where the stories last long after the ride is over. MTB, gravel and e-bikes are all welcome.
Entries are now open.
Find out more: https://tanquakurubicyclerace.co.za/
Enter here: https://www.entryninja.com/events/82959-the-tanqua_kuru_bicycle_race
Follow updates: @the_tanqua_kuru_bicycle_race
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