A Challenge Among Friends Becomes a Movement
What started as nothing more than a friendly bet, just a bunch of mates challenging each other to complete the iconic Cederberg gravel circuit in the fastest possible time, has now grown into something much bigger, much bolder, and far more exciting.
The Ceder has officially arrived. And if what I saw in 2025 is anything to go by, it’s about to become the most exciting single-day gravel race in South Africa.
Why? Because it’s doing everything right. It’s grown organically. It’s been thoughtfully branded from the start. And it delivers a riding experience that captures both the challenge and the raw beauty that riders crave. That combination is rare and it’s why I think The Ceder is destined to become a fixture on the race calendar for years to come.
Gravel Riding’s Slow Burn in South Africa
Gravel cycling in South Africa hasn’t exploded the way mountain biking did in its early boom days (around 2005 through to 2012) but that’s exactly why I’m excited about it.
Gravel is quietly becoming the go-to discipline for riders who want the best of both worlds: the distance and speed of road cycling, mixed with the adventure and off-road freedom of mountain biking.
It’s less about the technical demands of a trail and more about the terrain, the distance, and the story the landscape tells you as you ride through it. That’s why The Ceder works so well. It leans into this identity fully.
The Brand That Spoke Before the Race Did
There’s something significant about the way The Ceder has been built not just as an event, but as a brand. And this, to me, is the most encouraging signal about where gravel racing is going.
Many of South Africa’s most iconic mountain bike events earned their stripes by creating access. They were pioneers, sure, but they weren’t necessarily brand-first. They were trail-first. You couldn’t ride trail like that anywhere else, so the events boomed. The demand was already there.
But The Ceder flips that on its head. It was brand-first. The content. The tone. The design. The digital rollout. All of it was sharp, intentional, and aligned. Before I even set foot in the Cederberg, I already had a sense of what kind of experience this was going to be.
And in today’s saturated events market, that matters more than ever. Because without a clear brand voice and differentiated positioning, even great riding can fall flat.
Welcome to the Cederberg
The Cederberg is one of South Africa’s most untamed and captivating regions. Stark. Dramatic. Beautiful. Harsh in places. Gentle in others. It’s not hard to see why this location captures riders’ imaginations the moment they arrive.
This year’s race village was centred around Nuwerust Farm, with additional camping and accommodation at De Eike. The set-up was simple but effective, glamping tents, cottages, proper ablutions, and a wide open natural space to breathe, relax, and get ready for race day.
What really stood out to me was the lack of noise. Literally and figuratively. Unlike bigger events, where the race village can feel like a shopping mall, The Ceder offered space. Quiet. Time to think. And when you’re about to ride 150 kilometres through rugged wilderness, that’s exactly what you want.
The Race: Three Distances, One Intent
The Ceder offers three race formats:
• Gran Fondo – 151 km / 2,500 m elevation
• Medio Fondo – 68 km / 850 m elevation
• Ceder 35 – 35 km / 680 m elevation
All of them start and finish at Nuwerust. But make no mistake, the Gran Fondo is the crown jewel.
It’s a proper test of fitness, strategy, and mental toughness. It’s not something you just rock up and ride. You train for this. You plan. You prepare. The climbs are real. The descents are fast. And the terrain throws everything at you: river crossings, rough jeep track, soft sand, long winding passes, and the odd punch in the legs when you least expect it.
The route carves through Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, past the Stadsaal Caves, along Cederberg Wines, and loops past landmarks like Wolfberg Arch and Driehoek Farm. It’s stunning, but it’s not forgiving.
A Return to Real Racing Energy
There was something about the atmosphere this year that reminded me of the early days of mountain bike racing in SA before it became a lifestyle industry. It felt real. The riders, the organisers, the crew on the ground, everyone was there because they wanted to be, not because they had to be.
The event team is young and still building out the operational machine, but the basics were well taken care of: clean facilities, clear comms, good food options, and excellent route marking. The little creative flourishes, from the start arch to the merchandise to the tone of the race briefings, showed attention to detail and care.
I also have to give credit to the content team on the ground. They were energetic, creative, and clearly focused on capturing the vibe and soul of the event rather than just generic race shots. That’s how you build longevity in a digital world, by telling stories that stand out.
A UCI-Backed Signal of Serious Intent
This year, The Ceder was the only UCI Gravel World Series qualifier in South Africa a huge feather in the cap for a still-growing event.
That UCI badge brings prestige and credibility, but it also brings pressure. There are logistics, compliance requirements, timing protocols, and costs that come with that level of event sanctioning.
And yet, The Ceder handled it with maturity. The fact that international riders were on the start line says it all.
Gran Fondo – 2025 Podium Finishers
Men:
1. Felix Stehli (Switzerland) – 4:35:40
2. Felix Ritzinger – 4:36:06
3. Marco Joubert – 4:36:16
Women:
1. Zanri Rossouw – 5:54:30
2. Catherine Colyn – 5:50:09
3. Lize Cornelius – 6:08:51
These times tell you all you need to know. It’s a tough race. But also a race where elite and amateur riders can share the same course and experience something extraordinary together.
Final Thoughts: The Diamond Is Being Polished
What I saw at The Ceder wasn’t just a well-run race. It was a moment. A feeling that something is shifting in gravel cycling in South Africa and that this event is at the centre of it.
It’s not going to be the biggest race in the country. That’s not the point. The route, the location, and the infrastructure mean this will never be a mass-participation event for thousands. And that’s okay.
What it will be, though, is iconic. An event that riders aspire to, train for, talk about, and return to. A true benchmark for what gravel racing in SA can be when it’s done with heart, creativity, and clarity.
If The Ceder isn’t on your calendar yet, it should be. I’ll be back in 2026 and I’ll be bringing more mates with me.
Want more info or to get your entry in for next year?
Visit theceder.com for all the details.
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