About the race
The M&G Investments PE Plett is a four-day mountain bike stage race along South Africa's Garden Route. The organiser bills it as the country's most diverse four-day stage race, a linear journey of about 262 km through two provinces that finishes by the sea at Nature's Valley.
History
The 2027 race is billed as the 15th edition. The organiser is bringing back the formula of its 2025 edition, an east-to-west journey along the Garden Route. It says PE Plett is one of the last stage races to cross several provinces while keeping a true point-to-point feel.
The course
The race starts at St Francis Links and runs west through the Tsitsikamma forest, finishing at Nature's Valley Rest Camp. The organiser says the toughest terrain comes on day one, and the trails get progressively faster and flowing towards the finish. The 2027 stages are:
- Stage 1, Thursday 18 February: St Francis Kick Off, 77.7 km
- Stage 2, Friday 19 February: Ridge Lines, 58.4 km
- Stage 3, Saturday 20 February: Tranquil Trails, 59.4 km
- Stage 4, Sunday 21 February: Victory Ride, 75.1 km
Together this is 262 km with 4,016 m of climbing. Night one is at Fynbos Ridge, which is new for 2027, and nights two and three are at Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa.
Two ways to ride
The Ride is the timed and ranked race, with fixed start times, results and podiums. The Tour covers the same four days, villages and route but has no clock, open start chutes about 15 minutes behind the racing and no podium, with lunch served at the finish.
Entry basics
The race runs from 17 to 21 February 2027, with registration on Wednesday 17 February at St Francis Links and Stage 1 starting at 08:00 on the Thursday. Entries are capped at 250 riders across The Ride and The Tour. The organiser's Rider Hub app includes live tracking and instant results, and friends and family can follow riders' dots on the map.
Where to watch
Spectators can watch the start at St Francis Links and the finish at Nature's Valley. Between them the race stays in the forest and on trails, and followers use the live tracking.
Weather
February is high summer on the Garden Route. Days are usually warm and humid, with the coast prone to sea mist and the occasional rain shower, and forests give shade. This is a general seasonal description, not a forecast.
SourcesM&G Investments PE Plett