FNB Wines2Whales
HardThree-day stage race through the wine farms and coastal mountains of the Western Cape, from Lourensford Wine Estate to the whale-watching town of Hermanus. Mixed gravel + premium hand-built singletrack with finish-line wine and beachfront recovery.
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▌ Three-day stage race through the wine farms and coastal mountains of the Western Cape, from Lourensford Wine Estate to the whale-watching town of Hermanus
Africa race event organized by Wines2Whales
12 SCORING DIMENSIONS
EFFORT MATRIX
EXPERIENCE MATRIX
GREEN FLAGS
- [+]200 km of hard gravel through Lourensford to Benguela Cove, Western Cape
- [+]4,500 m of climbing — proper elevation
- [+]Organized by Wines2Whales
- [+]Varied terrain: Singletrack, Gravel
RED FLAGS
- [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site
RIDER FIT
Built for hours in the saddle — your distance
Significant climbing rewards low-watt grinding
Single-day event with strong sense of place
Wrong format for bikepacking specifics
Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk
Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here
Distance like this rewards patience. The riders who win the last 30% are the ones who saved matches in the first 60%.
TIRE INTEL
Mixed gravel with no extreme demands — go for rolling speed.
WEATHER PLAYBOOK
Lourensford to Benguela Cove, Western Cape in spring (November): expect mild conditions — pack for variable weather. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.
PACING PLAYBOOK
Sit in. Let the start sort itself out. Pace by feel, not by rivals.
Where the field shatters. Stick to your power numbers, not the surge.
Save one match. The last 20% is where placement is decided.
WHAT TO FEAR
- [!01]Pacing mistakes — most issues here are self-inflicted
INSIDER INTEL
“Cycling in Africa is different — the wildlife, the warmth of the welcome, the sheer scale of it. FNB Wines2Whales delivers all of that.”
RACE LOGISTICS
Standard aid stations every 30-50 km with food, water, and basic mechanical help.
- +Timing chip + bib
- +Course markings + GPX
- +Aid station nutrition + water
- -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
- -Lodging
- -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.
Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.
- ▸Carry at least one tube + plug kit even with tubeless. Mechanical bad luck is the #1 DNF cause.
TRAVEL OPS
FNB Wines2Whales is a quality africa event — great if you're nearby or want to explore the region.