The 36ONE is one of those events that has almost legendary status in South African cycling.
It’s not just a race — it’s a true test of grit, endurance, and mindset. Known as #TheUltimateRace, it takes riders deep into the heart of the Klein Karoo, where the landscape is as beautiful as it is unforgiving. Think endless dirt roads, long mountain passes, open Karoo silence, and the kind of terrain that forces you to dig deeper than you thought possible.
What makes it really special is the single-stage, day-and-night journey feel. You don’t get the reset of a new day — once you start, it’s one continuous ride through sunset, darkness, sunrise, and everything in between. That gives it this almost surreal atmosphere where time starts to blur and it becomes all about rhythm, resilience, and just keeping the pedals turning.
The route itself is iconic. It loops through the rugged mountains and open expanses of the Klein Karoo, with demanding climbs, fast descents, and those long lonely stretches where it feels like it’s just you and the road ahead. It’s the kind of event where the scenery can lift you up one moment and humble you the next.
But beyond the physical challenge, there’s something bigger about it. Riders often talk about the camaraderie and shared madness of taking on something this extreme. Whether you’re riding solo, with a relay team, or just trying to survive the night, there’s this unspoken bond with everyone else out there pushing through the same highs and lows.
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