Last Chance to Ride the 25th Lions Karoo to Coast – Entries Close 7 September

25th Lions Karoo to Coast | Sunday, 27 September 2026 | Uniondale to Knysna

There is now a very clear message for mountain bikers, gravel riders and e-bike riders across South Africa: if you want to be part of the 25th Lions Karoo to Coast, you need to enter now.

Entries close at 17:00 on Monday, 7 September 2026, and with more than 1,300 riders already entered, the countdown to this milestone event is well and truly underway.

After months of planning, consultation and collaboration following the devastating floods that affected the region earlier this year, the Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna are delighted that the necessary permission has been secured for the 25th Lions Karoo to Coast on Sunday, 27 September 2026.

This year’s event promises to be particularly memorable, with riders taking on the iconic journey from Uniondale to Knysna, including the spectacular Prince Alfred’s Pass, while experiencing a revised route out of Uniondale via De Poort before joining the traditional Karoo to Coast route at Avontuur.

Your Last Chance to Ride the 25th Edition

Whether you are a seasoned mountain biker chasing a personal best, a gravel rider looking for a new challenge, an e-bike rider wanting to experience Prince Alfred’s Pass, or someone who has always dreamed of riding the Karoo to Coast, this is your last opportunity to enter the 25th edition.

The Lions Karoo to Coast welcomes:

Mountain Bike riders
Gravel riders
E-Bike riders

The inclusion of these three cycling categories makes the 2026 event accessible to an even broader community of cycling enthusiasts.

Entries close at 17:00 on Monday, 7 September 2026.

👉 Enter now at www.karootocoast.com

A New Route. A New Story.

The 2026 Lions Karoo to Coast will be different from previous editions because of the flood damage to the traditional WaPad section.

Instead of following the previous route out of Uniondale, riders will travel through De Poort, a spectacular mountain gateway, before joining the familiar Karoo to Coast route at Avontuur in the Langkloof.

From there, riders will continue towards the breathtaking Prince Alfred’s Pass, through the indigenous forests of Kom se Pad, before finishing at the Knysna High School Sports Fields.

While the route has changed, the spirit of the Karoo to Coast remains exactly the same.

In fact, the revised route provides riders with the opportunity to experience a beautiful part of the Southern Cape that many may never previously have travelled by bicycle.

A Special Thank You to George and Knysna

Getting the 25th Lions Karoo to Coast to the start line has required an enormous amount of cooperation, consultation and commitment from organisations and individuals across the region.

The Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly to help make the 2026 event possible.

A very special thank you goes to George and Knysna Municipality, the George, Oudtshoorn and Knysna Traffic Departments, George Tourism and Visit Knysna for their invaluable assistance and support throughout the process of securing the special permission required for the event.

Their assistance and cooperation were instrumental in working with the Western Cape Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to navigate the route and approval process following the extensive flood damage experienced in the region.

For an event that brings thousands of riders, supporters and visitors into the Southern Cape, this collaboration is incredibly important.

It demonstrates what can be achieved when municipalities, tourism authorities, traffic officials, provincial government, emergency services, communities and event organisers work together to make an event of this scale possible.

Safety Remains the Priority

The safety of participants has remained the guiding principle throughout the route approval process.

Following route inspections and independent risk assessments, specific mitigation measures will be implemented on race day.

At De Poort, riders will enter a controlled neutral zone and dismount to walk across a short section of shallow flowing water under the supervision of marshals before continuing.

Additional warning signage, safety mesh and experienced marshals will be positioned at selected sections of Prince Alfred’s Pass, where riders will need to reduce speed and take extra care.

De Poort and Prince Alfred’s Pass will also be closed to through traffic on race day, while access will be maintained for landowners and authorised event vehicles.

These measures form part of the event’s commitment to providing riders with a safe and professionally managed experience.

More Than a 100km Ride

For 25 years, the Lions Karoo to Coast has been about much more than cycling.

Owned by the Lions Clubs of Uniondale and Knysna, the event contributes to the communities it serves, with proceeds supporting Lions community initiatives and charitable beneficiaries.

The event also provides a significant economic boost to Uniondale, Knysna and surrounding communities over Heritage Weekend.

Thousands of riders, families and supporters travel to the region, creating business for accommodation establishments, restaurants, shops, fuel stations, cafés, tourism operators and other local businesses.

So when you enter the Lions Karoo to Coast, you are not simply entering a 100km cycling challenge.

You are becoming part of a 25-year Southern Cape story — and contributing to the communities that make the event possible.

Heritage Weekend Starts in Uniondale

The Karoo to Coast experience begins before race day.

The Wine & Wheels Expo takes place at the Uniondale Showgrounds on Friday, 25 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.

The Expo will bring together cycling brands, local wine, exhibitors, food vendors and local businesses, giving riders and supporters the opportunity to:

Collect their race packs
Meet fellow riders
Discover cycling products and brands
Enjoy local food and wine
Experience Uniondale hospitality
Get into the spirit of Heritage Weekend before Sunday’s ride

Then, on Sunday morning, the 25th Lions Karoo to Coast gets underway.

Don’t Miss the 25th Edition

The Lions Karoo to Coast has overcome significant challenges to reach its 25th edition.

Now, the organisers are calling on riders to take the final step.

Entries close at 17:00 on Monday, 7 September 2026.

If you have been thinking about entering, now is the time.

If you have ridden the Karoo to Coast before, come back and be part of this special 25th edition.

And if you have never ridden it before, this could be the year to experience one of South Africa’s most iconic cycling challenges — with a new route, a new story and the same extraordinary Southern Cape spirit.