East Rand Epic 2025
Event information
Date: Wednesday, 24 December 2025 - Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Event Category: MTB - Stage Adventure
Licence: This is not an official event.
Price: FREE
An 8-Day MTB Stage Adventure, in and around the East Rand, Gauteng. This adventure forms part of the Rapha 500 challenge. Ride 500km from December 24 to December 31. Enjoy the amazing gravel and single track the East Rand has to offer.
Join us on all 8 days or ride any stage you wish on selected days.
This event forms part of the Festive Rapha 500 challenge
500 kilometres. Eight days. 24th-31st December. The world’s favourite festive cycling challenge is back. Join us for even more miles and memories in our riding rite of passage.
Safe the image and update your Strava.
Follow this link to join my WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BklarkrcazGJeh5bjD9D6F
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Everyone will meet at 530am at the parking designated for each stage.
Come and join in the fun, starting on Wednesday, 24 December 2025.
This is not a race.
We will ride as a group together. Average speeds will be in the range of 20/22km/h.
We wait at the top of big hills to regroup.
Some days we enter trail parks. Entry fee will be at your own expenses. You are still welcome to join the ride there and back.
Please remember rides will be long. It is of utmost importance to fuel accordingly. Please bring bottles with plenty of water (we will also stop ½ way on each ride to fill bottles. Bring enough energy bars, and gels to consume at least 60-90 calories per hour.
**routes and schedules are subject to change at last minute depending on circumstances and weather.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥
Wednesday, 24 December 2025 🔥
BL Coffee to RiverFields and Back -- 30KM / 300m
ROAD + SINGLE TRACK
Our first day is an easy loop of Riverfield trails.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥
Thursday, 25 December 2025
BL Coffee AIRPORT LOOP -- 30KM / 150m
ROAD ONLY
Xmas day Coffee Ride from BL
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥
Friday, 26 December 2025
BL to Broodblik and Back -- 70km / 450m
Gravel + some Road
Gravel Ride to Broodblik, stopping halfway for pancakes and Condensemilk coffee, before heading back.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Saturday, 27 December 2025
BL to WTF Climb Pretoria and Back -- 105km / 950m
Road + Gravel + Climb
This stage is a long one. We cruise to PTA, climb the infamous WTF Climb on the way back.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥🔥
Sunday, 28 December 2025
BL to Belnori Cheesery -- 95km / 650m
Gravel
We ride via tar road to Belnory Cheesery. Stop for a coffee and pancakes return to BL.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥🔥
Monday, 29 December 2025
BL to Taroko and Back
Road + Single Track
We ride via tar road to Taroko in Modderfontein. We do a single 20km loop,and rteturn to BL via tar road.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥🔥
Tuesday, 30 December 2025
BL to Bapsfontein Loop
Road + Gravel + Single Track
We ride via tar road to Big Red Barn. We do a single 20km loop,and return to BL.
DIFFICULTY : 🔥🔥
Wednesday, 31 December 2025
BL to Broodblik and Back
The final stage we head out to Broodblik again, but in reverse.
By joining this ride you agree to these rules:
REMEMBER it is NOT A RACE. Be a good advert for cycling and show consideration to other road users and to other cyclists who may be less experienced than you.
Obey the Highway Code and warning signs, but be aware that the absence of either Bike Events' or statutory signage does not signal the absence of any risks ahead.
Pay due attention to the road ahead and to other road users; the roads are open to other traffic and you must ride with your own and others' safety in mind.
No Helmet, No Ride
We advise you to ride in single file - NEVER ride more than two abreast and do NOT attempt any dangerous passing or cross the centre line of the road.
Keep a safe distance between you and other cyclists at all times, as some may be inexperienced.
The ride is NOT a race - MODERATE YOUR SPEED, especially on downhill sections.
Signal any intention to turn left or right and DON'T STOP SUDDENLY as there may be traffic / other riders directly behind you.
You MUST bring a full water bottle and any necessary medication with you.
Do NOT wear headphones while cycling.
Riders 16 or under MUST be accompanied by an adult over 18, and MUST WEAR A HELMET.
Check your bike is in good order, especially the brakes and get it serviced before the event. If you require help, get off the road and call the Emergency Number.
Respect the local environment, refreshment stop facilities, fellow cyclists and road users. Take litter home with you.
Unruly behavior or not adhering to group safety, might result in being ask to leave the group ride.
I understand that this event is not a race and all riders must obey the Highway Code and the Bike Events Rules of the Road. Cycling can be a dangerous activity and I accept that the organisers cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability. Riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
All riders aged 65 or over on the date of the ride and any rider with a medical condition or unsure of their physical ability to take part in the bike ride must take medical advice from a general practitioner prior to the event. Entry fees are non-refundable.
TCN events reserve the right to cancel / change the date of events / change the planned route and start and/or finish venue due to circumstances beyond our control. In the event of cancellation or postponement of a ride, TCN Events will offer a transfer to another event or a full refund. TCN Events will not be liable for any costs incurred as a result of such modification, postponement or cancellation.
Photographs/Video taken on the route by TCN Events, may be used for publicity purposes by either of one these organisations. Please email us if you have any objections or concerns about this.
If I have symptoms of Covid-19 I will not take part in the event. I agree to my name and phone number being available to the organisers.