Race Across South Africa

There are ultra-distance races that test your legs, and then there are races that test your entire character. Race Across South Africa (RASA) belongs firmly in the latter category. Covering almost 2,000 kilometres across some of South Africa’s most remote landscapes, it is a self-supported bikepacking race where resilience, strategy, and self-reliance matter just as much as fitness.

The race starts at The Oaks Hotel in Byrne Village, KwaZulu-Natal, before heading southwest across the legendary Freedom Trail towards the finish at Diemersfontein Wine Estate in Wellington, Western Cape. Along the way, riders cross rugged mountains, gravel roads, remote farmland, high passes, open plains, and isolated valleys, experiencing an incredible cross-section of South Africa’s diverse geography and cultures.

Unlike the original Freedom Challenge, RASA has been designed specifically for modern bikepacking. The route avoids the infamous hike-a-bike portages that have become legendary in the Freedom Challenge, making it suitable for gravel bikes while still delivering over 25,000 metres of climbing across nearly 2,000 kilometres. Riders navigate using GPS, allowing them to focus on pacing, navigation, and managing their effort over roughly two weeks of continuous riding.

This is a true self-supported event. Outside of three official checkpoints where riders receive food and a bed, competitors are entirely responsible for finding accommodation, sourcing food and water, repairing their bikes, and managing every decision along the route. There are no support vehicles, no personal crews, and no shortcuts. Every kilometre must be earned through careful planning and determination.

One of RASA’s defining characteristics is the constant variety of terrain. Fast gravel roads can quickly give way to rough farm tracks, steep mountain passes, exposed valleys, and long stretches where riders may not encounter another person for hours. Weather can be equally unpredictable, with riders often experiencing hot afternoons, cold nights, and rapidly changing mountain conditions during a single day.

Although racing is at the heart of the event, many riders remember the people as much as the route itself. Passing through small rural communities, isolated farms, and remote settlements, competitors experience a side of South Africa that few tourists ever see. The combination of vast landscapes, genuine hospitality, and complete independence creates an adventure that is every bit as rewarding as it is demanding.

If you’re looking for one of the world’s great ultra-distance bikepacking races—one that combines enormous mileage, spectacular scenery, genuine self-sufficiency, and the spirit of adventure—Race Across South Africa is an unforgettable journey across an entire country.