THE UNIQUE JOURNEY ST FRANCIS LINKS TO NATURE’S VALLEY
Four stages. 262 km. 4 016 m of climbing. The wind at your back and the Garden Route ahead.
From the wind turbines of St Francis Bay, over the Kareedouw ridges and through the Tsitsikamma forest, to the last descent into Nature’s Valley. New for 2027: a first night at Fynbos Ridge.
Title sponsor: M&G InvestmentsThe wind at our backs. Plett ahead.
Four days of riding and glamping, from St Francis Links to Nature’s Valley.
On 17 February 2027 the M&G Investments PE PLETT heads west again from the start line at St Francis Links in St Francis Bay. It’s the 15th edition of an event known for its landmark scenery and a rider-first approach to everything off the bike.
The format stays the same. The Ride is timed and ranked. The Tour sets off 15 minutes later, with open start chutes and no timing, so you can take in the scenery at your own pace. Both cover the same four stages along the Garden Route to the finish in Nature’s Valley.
New for 2027: a first night by the ocean at Fynbos Ridge, and about 5 km of brand-new singletrack on Stage 1.
Explore the 2027 routeThe 2027 race is a big milestone for us as we celebrate our 15th edition, and moving Night 1 to Fynbos Ridge changes the shape of the whole first day. Instead of sitting out the heat inland, we stay right by the ocean, where it’s cooler and riders recover properly.
The new route also let us build something from scratch: about 5 km of all-new singletrack on Day 1, heading into Clarkson. It’s built for 2027 and it’s one of the additions I’m most excited about.
What doesn’t change is who we are. Small, intimate and exclusive, with a strict cap of 250 riders.
Four stages. One coastline.
St Francis Links to Nature’s Valley, west along the Tsitsikamma coast. Press play and ride it from the start line, or tap any waterpoint or race village.
St Francis Kick Off
St Francis Links Golf Course Fynbos Ridge Country House & Cottages
Routes and waterpoints are subject to change.
The adventure starts at St Francis Links, the Grand Depart village for our 15th edition. Riders roll out along the Oyster Bay road behind the ECM Ford Rangers, with the Indian Ocean and the wind turbines on the horizon.
The route climbs steadily from sea level. At 26 km Nutri-Go South Africa brings the festival feel, with pumping music and ice-cold Nutri-Go to “Keep the Cadence”. Custom Construction has the second waterpoint at 42.8 km.
This is the Queen Stage. About 5 km of all-new singletrack takes you into the forestry town of Clarkson, then on to trails last ridden in 2018. The KOM/QOM summit at 60.5 km is the high point of the day, with the Buco waterpoint right on top. Straight after it comes the newly re-opened Phoenix Trail, the ECM & Ford Tough Section from 60.5 to 66.5 km, and a highlight of Day 1.
The first M&G Investments Boost Bar at 70 km has milkshakes, bean bags and music, before the run down into Fynbos Ridge. The race village has Doolhof Wines, Castle Lite, live music and bike washes by the Kwano Cycling Academy.
Ridge Lines
Fynbos Ridge Country House & Cottages Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa
Routes and waterpoints are subject to change.
Stage 2 opens with fireworks. The climb straight out of the gates, formerly the KOM, is now the rugged ECM Ford Tough Section from 4 to 6.5 km. After the descent, riders cross the Kareedouw Pass and crest the ridge for panoramic views before dropping towards the Indian Ocean.
At the Regyne Protea Farm at 17.5 km, Tsitsikamma Spring Water keeps tradition alive with its famous waterpoint, a PE PLETT constant for 13 years. From here the route plunges into the Tsitsikamma forest, where lush greenery and shifting weather make for a truly African stage.
Be warned: the rolling hills of the Tsitsikamma never stop. Save yourself or pay the price. The M&G Investments KOM at 30 km sits on a sector cleared specifically for the race, with Nutri-Go waiting at the top, and Red Cherry Events keeps spirits high at Robberhoek at 37.8 km.
The M&G Investments Boost Bar at 49 km sits right on the day’s high point of 281 m. From there the stage winds down to Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa, just off the N2 near Storms River Village. With two nights here, riders get chalets or luxury tents, recovery smoothies, bike washes and the camaraderie of being halfway across the Garden Route.
Tranquil Trails
Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa
Routes and waterpoints are subject to change.
With a later 09:00 start, Stage 3 is all about maximum vibes. Riders cross the N2 and warm up in the Tsitsikamma mountains before the ECM Tough Terrain section from 8.6 to 13.6 km takes them deep into the valley. The M&G Investments KOM/QOM comes straight after at 15 km, with Nutri-Go at the top. The reward is sweeping ocean views and fresh singletrack.
Buco Plettenberg Bay at 22.7 km is perched near the cliffs above the Indian Ocean, a spot so spectacular we had to put a waterpoint there. Then come the lush “50 Shades of Green” trails, including exclusive access to Trevor Elliott’s property and once-a-year MTO forestry singletrack.
Tsitsikamma Spring Water tops you up at 42.8 km, ahead of the day’s biggest climb. The M&G Investments Boost Bar sits right at the top at 51.8 km, where iced coffees and bean bags give weary legs a lift.
The loop finishes back at Tsitsikamma Lodge, where a traditional Eastern Cape lamb braai awaits. The evening is for storytelling, prizes from Scicion Sports, Leatt and Doolhof Wines, and soaking up the Tsitsikamma rainforest before the final push.
Victory Ride
Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa Nature’s Valley Rest Camp
Routes and waterpoints are subject to change.
The Grand Finale is a true Garden Route showcase. Riders drop into the Storms River Pass, down to about 100 m at 11 km, then climb straight back out to the final M&G Investments KOM at 14.4 km, where Nutri-Go is waiting. Buco has the next waterpoint at 19.8 km.
The ECM Ford Section from 31 to 37 km sweeps along jagged cliffs and through deep forest, but pace yourself. After the Red Cherry Events waterpoint at 41.6 km, the rolling hills towards the Bloukrans Bridge at about 47 km get punchy, and they bite on 3-day-old legs.
The last M&G Investments Boost Bar at 64 km brings one final celebration. From about 71 km the tarred descent drops more than 200 m into Nature’s Valley Rest Camp, the jewel of the Garden Route.
This stage is consistently voted the best, for its beauty and for what it stands for: four days, 250 riders, and one journey linking St Francis Bay, Clarkson, Kareedouw, Tsitsikamma, Storms River and Nature’s Valley.
Ride it in 2027
Four stages from St Francis Links to Nature’s Valley. 250 riders, nobody else.
Enter hereOpens the official entry page. A non-refundable deposit secures your place.
