About the race
The Momentum Medical Scheme Attakwas Extreme is South Africa's self-styled toughest one-day mountain bike race, nicknamed the Hell of the South. It crosses the desert and mountains of the Klein Karoo and finishes at the Garden Route coast.
History
Dryland Event Management took the race on when the first edition was run in 2007, with a start list shorter than today's crew list. The 21st edition takes place on 16 January 2027. The race runs through the Attakwaskloof, a pass over the Outeniqua Mountains that is about 300 years old and was the main road to the north from 1689 to 1869. The organiser says the toll house once collected fees from 4,250 ox-wagons in a single year.
The course
The Extreme is 120 km with 2,650 m of climbing. It starts at Chandelier Game Reserve, where riders often see giraffe, eland or kudu. Water point 1 comes at 21 km. The route then crosses Goeie Hoop Farm, where the Karoo gives way to fynbos on the lower slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains, before water point 2 at Safraanrivier. The Attakwaskloof climb follows, passing the remains of the old Blue Hotel and reaching a high point near halfway. After water point 3 at Bonniedale, the long gravel roads towards water point 4 are often the hottest part of the day. A new water point at 78 km has been added, and water point 5 is at Ruiterbos. The first glimpse of the ocean signals the end, and a final descent leads to the finish at Pine Creek Resort in Great Brak River.
Distances
The Extreme is joined by the Attakwas Half at 47 km with 950 m of climbing, and the Attakwas Mini at 32 km with 540 m, both starting and finishing at Pine Creek Resort.
Cut-offs and entry
The Extreme has a race cut-off of 12 hours. Entries for the 2027 edition are open on the organiser's site, which also lists a seeding list, race rules and a training plan. Entries earn riders points in a loyalty scheme.
Where to watch
Spectator, feeding and technical points are at water point 2 on Safraanrivier and water point 5 at Ruiterbos Primary School. Both double as the pro riders' technical zones, and no following vehicles are allowed on the route.
Weather
January is mid-summer in the Klein Karoo. The organiser describes the middle of the course as often hot and humid, and the interior tends to be dry and sunny, so heat is a big factor. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesAttakwas Extreme · Attakwas route info