The wind at our backs and Plettenberg Bay ahead, 4 days of riding and glamping await.
The 2026 M&G Investments PE PLETT is all set to embark on its journey towards the West, starting for the first time from St Francis Links in St Francis Bay on the 19th of February 2026. This will mark the 14th edition of the ever-growing event, which has become renowned for its landmarks and exciting features. Pulling through from 2024 will see “The Tour”, moved to 15 minutes after “The Ride”. This will allow riders to enjoy the days at their own pace, with open start chutes and a more relaxed experience without timing constraints.
Both “The Tour” and “The Ride” will commence from St Francis Links, covering a spectacular 280 kilometres over four days, traversing the famous Garden Route of South Africa. The journey will culminate in Natures Valley after four days and three nights of thrilling riding.
“The 2026 race is a milestone for the M&G Investments PE PLETT. Celebrating its 14th year, with the addition of ‘The Tour,’ now being moved to the same day as ‘The Ride,’ we believe we have the perfect offering for everyone, from racers to riders. This new edition allows us to expand the event while preserving our values of keeping the event small and intimate, with only 250 riders across the event,” says event Director and Founder, Mike Glover.
Stage 1: St Francis Kick Off
Start: St Francis Links
End: Assegaaibosch Country Lodge
Distance:
75.4km
Elevation:
1250m
Difficulty:
5/5
Distance: 81km
Elevation: 1150m
Difficulty: 5/5
The 2026 event will feature a brand-new Stage 1 as 250 riders line up at the beautiful St. Francis Links golf course in St. Francis Bay. This new start venue allows us to explore the stunning Tsitsikamma range while avoiding the heat and harsh terrain of the Churchill Dam. The first 20 km will take riders through numerous dairy farms, wind farms, and some homegrown singletrack, while the remainder of the day will be spent in the forest, culminating in a planned 6 km downhill singletrack into the wonderful race village at the Assegaaibosch Hotel.
Stage 2: Kareedouw Crossing
Start: Assegaaibosch Country Lodge
End: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa
Distance:
60.2km
Elevation:
1290m
Difficulty:
4/5
Distance: 59km
Elevation: 1000m
Difficulty: 4/5
With only one night spent at Assegaaibosch, we are racing back towards the coast. The start is hard and the Pro Riders on “The Ride” will need a good warm-up as the M&G KOM arrives early.
Save your legs as you need to make it up and over the Kareedouw pass before you will catch site of the Indian Ocean again. Stock up at the Illios Travel waterpoint as you will now be venturing into the pristine Tsitsikamma Forest.
The profile in the middle of the route might seem flat, but that saw tooth profile has been known to catch a few out.
Be sure to slow down and take in all the sights and sounds of what makes the M&G PE PLETT so special, that being the Tsitsikamma forest. Its undulating forest roads under the canopy of trees are a welcome relief after the exposed stage 1. The M&G Boost Bar awaits towards the end and is a much-needed boost to get you over the last kicker into the finish line at Tsitsikamma Lodge Spa.
This is our overnight stop for two nights on this journey, so you can unpack your bag fully and make it like home as you will be returning to the same place after stage 3.
Stage 3: Tranquil Trails
Start: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa
End: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa
Distance:
62.5km
Elevation:
880m
Difficulty:
3/5
Distance: 64km
Elevation: 850m
Difficulty: 3/5
The out-and-back day has arrived. Enjoy more time this morning as you don’t need to pack up your tent, as you will be returning to the same race village.
Here we dive deep into the Tsitsikamma Forest and explore parts of it, that are usually off-limits. We link up a few key dairy farms to create a route that avoids any main roads, while always looking for that path less traveled.
It was a flat day and a nice reward after what has been a hard start to your journey across the Garden Route.
We venture here to the infamous Robber Hoek which overlooks the Indian Ocean. This is also the day when Farmer Jacques and the route team create a network of single tracks inside the Tsitsikamma forest that only get to be ridden by the riders on the M&G PE PLETT.
Once you have completed the day it’s back to Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa, where the Food Lovers lunches await and you can indulge in the free beer and wine that is on offer. it’s the last night and always quite a party, don’t go too hard as the final day too Natures Valley is not far away.
Stage 4: Victory Ride
Start: Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa
End: Natures Valley Camp Site
Distance:
67.7km
Elevation:
1200m
Difficulty:
3/5
Distance: 65.7km
Elevation: 1000m
Difficulty: 5/5
The final stage of the M&G Investments PE PLETT. We bid our farewells to the Tsitsikamma Race Village which was our home for two nights and make our way towards the Western Cape to finish up our journey of riding along the Garden Route.
There are still a few challenges as we head into the Wittelbos Indigenous forest after completing the Storms River pass and going through the tiny tourist town.
The riding after Wittelbos is flat and fast, just how you want the final day to be. Rip it along the forest roads and take in the view as you cross the Bloukrans Bridge. There won’t be time to go bunjy jumping as the finish at Natures Valley is just around the corner.
What better way to finish your journey than to enjoy a fast downhill tar road into the finish, no need to think, just soak it all in as you have completed the 2025 M&G PE PLETT.
All told, the route includes 280 kilometers of riding, with 4000 meters of climbing. The stats only tell a fraction of the facts, however. Only riding the M&G Investments PE PLETT can do the route justice. To experience it, from the 20th of February 2025, click here to secure your spot.
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