Cycle from Cape Town to Qonce on a Premium, All-Inclusive tour experience!
Cape – Qonce over 8 days… pure riding bliss as you ride through South Africa’s remarkable Garden Route. Backed with a purpose with Dale College and the Old Dalian Union, Drake Cycle Tours presents another bespoke, luxury cycling tour experience!It’s all about safe cycling with Drake Cycle Tours as you take on the full tour from Cape Town to Qonce, or decide on the four day tour option from George. With the very best support around you, on and off the bike, you’ll be treated to a world class cycling experience. Let’s make memories!
CHOOSE YOUR TOUR PACKAGE

ZAR 25000 / USD 2100
22-26 April, 2026
- 4 Days | 4 Stages | 4 Nights
- Single Accommodation
- → 589km | 365mi
- ↑ 6365m | 20880ft
ZAR 35000 / USD 2800
22-30 April, 2026
- 8 Days | 8 Stages | 8 Nights
- Shared Accommodation
- → 1237km | 768mi
- ↑ 13685m | 44900ft
ZAR 39500 / USD 3200
22-30 April, 2026
- 8 Days | 8 Stages | 8 Nights
- Single Supplement
- → 1237km | 768mi
- ↑ 13685m | 44900ft
ZAR 22500 / USD 1880
26-30 April, 2026
- 4 Days | 4 Stages | 4 Nights
- Shared Accommodation
- → 626km | 389mi
- ↑ 7220m | 23690ft
ZAR 22500 / USD 1880
22-26 April, 2026
- 4 Days | 4 Stages | 4 Nights
- Shared Accommodation
- → 589km | 365mi
- ↑ 6365m | 20880ft
ZAR 25000 / USD 2100
26-30 April, 2026
- 4 Days | 4 Stages | 4 Nights
- Single Accommodation
- → 626km | 389mi
- ↑ 7220m | 23690ft
Why ODU?
ODU is the Old Dalian Union from Dale College in Qonce, Eastern Cape. As part of the 165th Old Dalian Union Reunion celebrations, the ODU National president is launching a fundraising campaign to raise R1.65million for the development of the, much needed, multi-purpose venue. This project is a central pillar of the ODU Strategic Plan 2025-2030. It aims to create a multi-functional space that honours the legacy of the ODU while actively serving the broad needs of the Qonce (King William’s Town) community.

All-Inclusive Package
◎ Premium Accommodation
◎ All Meals & Beverages (ex alcohol)
◎ Think Bike Marshals
◎ Massage Therapist
◎ Shuttle (During Tour)
◎ Support Vehicle
◎ Bicycle Transfer from Pretoria to Qheberha
◎ Bicycle Transfer from Cape Town to Pretoria
◎ Nutrition & Fully Stocked Water Points
◎ Exciting Goodie Bag
You may request your own private room for the duration of the tour. Just select a package that offers single supplement accommodation.
Price adjustments will not be made for substitutions, changes or exclusions. This is an all inclusive package to be provided for, per person, as advertised.
Tour Arrival & Grand Depart
Venue TBC
Airport Transfer to Hotel:
Registration:
Goodie Bag:
Daily Itinerary:

Safety
𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝟷𝟶𝟶% 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦.
Our aim is to make this ride safe, enjoyable and to give you the opportunity to ride your bike for the day with the best support possible.
With the Think Bike Marshals we have consistently been in good hands on every outride and are confident we can achieve this at every ride ahead.
Route

23 April, 2026
Cape Town – Worcester (via Bain’s Kloof)
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦 138km | 1340m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 85mi | 4400ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑

24 April, 2026
Worcester – Swellendam
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦 113km | 1000m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 70mi | 3280ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑

25 April, 2026
Swellendam – Calitzdorp
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦 169km | 2185m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 105mi | 7170ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑⭑

26 April, 2026
Calitzdorp – Knysna
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦169km | 1850m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 105mi | 6070ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑⭑

27 April, 2026
Knysna – Kareedouw
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦 145km | 1740m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 90mi | 5710ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑⭑

28 April, 2026
Kareedouw – Gqeberha
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦143km | 1325m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 89mi | 4350ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑

29 April, 2026
Gqeberha – Port Alfred
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦 161km | 1650m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 100mi | 5410ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑⭑

30 April, 2026
Port Alfred – Qonce
Distance / Elevation
🇿🇦178km | 2540m ascent
🇬🇧🇺🇸 110mi | 8335ft ascent
Stage Difficulty
⭑⭑⭑⭑
Group Info & Stage Timings
Stage 1 | Cape Town - Worcester
Average Speed: 28km/hr | 17.4mi/h
Moving Time: 04hrs 56min
Water Points: 3 (30 min)
Lunch Stop: 0 (0 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 05hrs 26min
Stage 2 | Worcester - Swellendam
Average Speed: 28km/hr | 17.4mi/hr
Moving Time: 04hrs 02min
Water Points: 2 (20 min)
Lunch Stop: 0 (0 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 04hrs 22min
Stage 3 | Swellendam - Calitzdorp
Average Speed: 26km/hr | 16.1mi/hr
Moving Time: 06hrs 30min
Water Points: 3 (30 min)
Lunch Stop: 1 (30 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 07hrs 30min
Stage 4 | Calitzdorp - Knysna
Average Speed: 27km/hr | 16.7mi/hr
Moving Time: 06hrs 16min
Water Points: 3 (30 min)
Lunch Stop: 1 (30 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 07hrs 16min
Stage 5 | Knysna - Kareedouw
Average Speed: 27km/hr | 16.8mi/hr
Moving Time: 05hrs 22min
Water Points: 2 (20 min)
Lunch Stop: 1 (30 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 05hrs 12min
Stage 6 | Kareedouw - Gqeberha
Average Speed: 28km/hr | 17.4mi/hr
Moving Time: 05hrs 06min
Water Points: 3 (30 min)
Lunch Stop: 0 (0 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 05hrs 36min
Stage 7 | Gqeberha - Port Alfred
Average Speed: 28km/hr | 17.4mi/hr
Moving Time: 05hrs 45min
Water Points: 2 (20 min)
Lunch Stop: 1 (30 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 06hrs 35min
Stage 8 | Port Alfred - Qonce
Average Speed: 25km/hr | 15.5mi/hr
Moving Time: 07hrs 07min
Water Points: 3 (30 min)
Lunch Stop: 1 (30 min)
Stage Elapsed Time: 08hrs 07min
Water & Points
Group Dynamics
Fully Stocked Water Points
Water Points & Lunch Distance:
Mandatory stops;
Water Points : 10 minutes
Lunch : 30 minutes
Punctures : Group Stops
◎ The ethos of the tour is riding for each other, keeping pressure on the pedals to maintain a decent average, but by no means racing or riding at a pedestrian pace.
◎ You are required to be able to ride the advertised speed per stage. If the organisers feel that you are slowing the group down too much, you may be asked to sit in the shuttle. Likewise, if you are riding too quickly and not respecting the group pace, you will be told to slow down.
◎ Everyone must stay together along the route, everyday. This is for safety reasons and in the ethos of everyone riding as a group, not racing and enjoying the tour.
◎ As there are stronger riders and slightly weaker riders, ride accordingly in the group. If you are stronger, assist the weaker riders on the climbs.
◎ Stronger riders should ride up front and assist the weaker riders at the back. Weaker riders should aim to ride in the middle of the group.
◎ The average speed for the day will be controlled by a group leader. Respect the pace and the group leaders instructions.
◎ Certain weather conditions can increase or decrease the pace for the day. The average is a guideline should conditions be favourable.
◎ There will be pre-determined water points and lunch stops everyday. The group will stop at all water points and lunch collectively.
◎ If someone punctures in the group, the entire group will stop.
◎ Stages usually consists of three to four water points and one lunch stop. This may change depending on the par Cours for the day. Each water point stop is 10 minutes, with the lunch stop at 30 minutes. The is mandatory, with the group collectively stopping together.
◎ The shuttle and bicycle trailer will be sweeping behind the group for the entire tour. Should you feel uncomfortable or not well at any point, you are welcome to take a short break in the shuttle, or even a day off the bike if you prefer.
Accommodation
You will arrive on Wednesday, 22 April (26 April – White & Navy Packages) and check in to the hotel. The first stage starts the next morning, Thursday 23 April (27 April – White & Navy Packages). The first night stay at the hotel is included in your package.
Premium accommodation is included in your package, from the day prior to your first stage, departing the afternoon after your last stage. Every evening, accommodation will be provided in hotels, with a minimum of three-four star, depending on availability. Maximum two persons per room will be assigned for shared accommodation. Single supplement is available upon request and a surcharge payment.
We're still booking the hotels for 2026 - as soon as we have booked in various regions, we will update the below.
Grand Depart Cape Town
Stage 1 Worcester
Stage 4
Knysna
Stage 7
Port Alfred
Stage 8 Qonce
Optional Additional Night Stay
Rest Day
Qonce
Optional Additional Night Stay
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Enjoy proper recovery with a massage therapist and rapid recover boots, all included in your package...
Masseuse

Recovery Boots
Rapid Recover’s advanced intermittent compression technology aids improved blood circulation, removal of inflammatory fluids as well as flushing the build-up of blood lactate. Noticeable attributes of regular use of Rapid Recover include: Reduced onset of muscle stiffness post exercise, decreased time for muscle repair post exercise, Improved blood lactate removal, Improved flexibility and movement due to a reduction in inflammation.

Food & Beverage:
Full Board Included!
Meals provided includes breakfast, lunch & dinner daily whilst on tour. The meals starts at dinner on your day of arrival until lunch on your day of departure.
Apparel

Order your Drake Events and Garden Route Tour kits…

DCT Road
DCT Gravel
ODU Tour White
ODU Tour Red
ODU Tour Black
Bicycle Transport
Bike Wash
Medical Insurance
By entering the ODU Tour, entrants acknowledge that they are required to have valid medical insurance that covers them for the duration of the event. It is the sole responsibility of each entrant to ensure that they have adequate medical insurance coverage, and the organizers of the ODU Tour will not be held liable for any medical expenses incurred by entrants during the event.
Entrants who do not have valid medical insurance will not be permitted to participate in the event.
Payment Plan

Organiser
wesley@drakeevents.co.za
+2772 076 9245
Xanné Drake
xanne@drakeevents.co.za
+2782 370 8614
Package Cost
R39500 / €3200
Gold Package
R35000 / €2800
Black/White Package
R25000 / €2100
Navy/Red Package
R22500 / €1880
Banking Details
Bank
First National Bank
Swift Code
FIRNZAJJ
Branch
Woodlands Boulevard – 230732
Account Number
63156156036