Cycling tour South Africa - Race or ride the Rainmaker Rollercoaster event

3 - 9 October 2020

Tour Format

Enter the “race” as an individual or team of two, or “ride” the route in small groups with roaming support from the HotChillee Ride Captains there to offer encouragement and assistance along the way.

The route is signed each day with water stops approximately every 30km. There is neutral service support available at each water stop with roaming medics and a sweeper van following behind the last riders ensuring that everyone makes it to the finish each day!

The event is open to mountain bikes as well as gravel bikes, but the parcours will best suit the speed of a gravel bike.

What’s the difference between “Race” and “Ride”?

Race

If you want to race you can enter as an individual or as a team of two at registration. You will start each day before the riding groups set off and can compete in the following categories:

Racing Team Categories:
U23 Competition
Men’s Team Competition
Women’s Team Competition
Mixed Team Competition

Individual Racing Categories:
Amateur Men Competition
Amateur Women Competition

If you are creating a racing team and have a team-mate in mind already, you must create a password to ensure your friend gets your second place (just don’t forget to share it with them) and if you are feeling extra generous you can also pre-pay for their place too! As the team captain, you will have the difficult task of naming the team, so make sure you pick something good and nothing rude, no pressure!

If you are joining a racing team, all you have to do is select your (hopefully really good) team name from the drop down menu and enter the password that your team mate has very kindly created for you.

If you wish to upgrade to share a luxury tent or a room at a B&B, you will both need to ensure that you have selected the same relevant optional upgrade purchase. You can add upgrades, transfers and optional packages to your registration at any time … until they sell out!

Ride

If you are not racing and plan to ride in a small group with support en route by the HotChillee Ride Captains then please do not enter as a team – but do still bring your buddies! You will start each morning after the racing group sets off. The route is signed with water stops approximately every 30km. Enjoy the adventure with the camaraderie of the HotChillee Ride Captains and your fellow riders.

Itinerary

Saturday 3 October 2020:
AM: Bus transfer options available from Cape Town (3 hours)
Sign On and Rider Briefing
Stage 1: Swellendam - Swellendam (Sunset ride through private game reserve)
PM: Welcome Braai

Sunday 4 October 2020:
Stage 2: Swellendam - Swellendam (“Around the Pot”)
PM: Evening relaxing at waterfall

Monday 5 October 2020:
Stage 3: Swellendam - Little Karoo Bush Camp (through the stunning Gysmanshoek Pass)
PM: Evening of remote camping with open camp fires. There will be no B&B upgrade option for this stage

Tuesday 6 October 2020:
Stage 4: Little Karoo Bush Camp - Calitzdorp (through the Rooiberg Pass)
PM: Afternoon Pool Party

Wednesday 7 October 2020:
Stage 5: Calitzdorp - Oudtshoorn
PM: Afternoon / Evening Big Game drive options (available to book on registration)

Thursday 8 October 2020:
Stage 6: Oudtshoorn - Uniondale
PM: Relaxing in private farmlands

Friday 9 October 2020:
Stage 7: Uniondale - Plettenberg Bay (stopping at Kwano Cycling Academy in the township of Kwanokuthula)
PM: The Rainmaker Braai with welcome drinks, wine, entertainment and awards presentation

Saturday 10 October 2020:
AM: 09:00 transfers available to the Cape Town Waterfront via Swellendam and Cape Town International Airport.

Routes and Profiles

Click here for maps and profiles of 2019 stages. Exact 2020 routes and profiles to be announced.

Entry Costs

Entry costs from 17,183 ZAR. Click here for full entry costs.

Your entry fee includes:

Event entry
All meals (from Saturday 3 October PM to Saturday 10 October AM)
7 nights accommodation in tented villages (single occupancy in dome tent)
Signed route
Manned water stops each day
Neutral service at water stops
Medical support on route and in race village
Baggage transfers between stages
Parking (at start venue) for duration of event
Bike wash
Digital photos and film
Timing
Event T-shirt
Pro cycling jersey (valued at 1,400 ZAR)

Not Included:

Alcohol and soft drinks
Insurance
Flights
Bedding (included in luxury tent and B&B options only)
Towels (included in luxury tent and B&B options only)

Additional Purchases - Available on registration:

Evening mechanic packages
Sports therapists
Bus transfers to / from Cape Town

Bus Transfers to / from Cape Town

Transfers to and from the start/ finish line will be available to book via your registration form. Available transfers as follows:

Saturday 3 October 2020: pick up at Tsogo Sun Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town Waterfront at 10:00 (transfer time 3.5 hrs) and Cape Town International Airport at 11:30 (transfer time 3 hrs).

If you are booked on the 10:00 Cape Town Waterfront to Swellendam your arrangements are as follows: Please meet at the Tsogo Sun Cullinan Hotel, 1 Cullinan St, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa at 09:30 to pack bikes and luggage. We will depart promptly at 10:00 so please do not be late. Estimated transfer 3.5 hours. Lunch is not included on Saturday so please bring food with you for the journey. We will stop for food en route where you can grab a pie or sandwich if you prefer. Snacks will be available at Sign-On.
If you are booked on the 11:30 Cape Town International Airport to Swellendam your arrangements are as follows:Please meet at Vida Cafe Coffee stand at the International Arrivals gate at 11:00. We will leave promptly at 11:30 so please do not be late. Estimated transfer time 3 hours. Lunch is not included on Saturday so please bring food with you for the journey. There are plenty of options at the airport. Snacks will be available at Sign-On.

Saturday 10 October 2020: 09:00 transfer available to the Cullinan Hotel, Cape Town Waterfront (6.5hours) via Swellendam (3 hours) and Cape Town International Airport (6 hours).

Sign On Information

Our Event HQ in Swellendam will be confirmed shortly. Sign On will be open between 12:00 - 15:45, where you will be able to collect your race pack and rider number.

Any SA based riders will also be able to collect their Rainmaker Rollercoaster Event jersey at Sign On. All non SA based rides you will receive your jersey in the post ahead of the event.

The rider briefing with the HotChillee Ride Captains will take place at 16:00. All riders are advised to attend. Stage 1 will then begin at 16:30.

Media Coverage

This will be the third time we’ve organised this adventure - and it’s one of our favourites. But we would say that! No need to take our word for it - check out some testimonials and coverage of past events here!