11/01/2025
The journey to create ROAD TO DESOLATION mirrored the region’s wild, unpredictable nature.
It all started with local Graaff-Reinet rider Devrin, whose mountain biking expertise revealed a network of incredible trails. Though designed for MTBs, these routes proved rideable on gravel bikes and now form the backbone of TASTE OF DESOLATION. For the race, however, Julian envisoned something more - a gravel challenge blending speed, technical variety, and the Karoo’s wild beauty.
Route planning started on Strava, but Julian’s early attempts were overly ambitious. “I failed to finish the course on all 3 tries,” he admits. Determined to avoid creating a boring out-and-back route, he found a little-used road flanked by game farms. “Only 15 riders had ever logged it on Strava,” and so, he connected it to the desert town of Nieu Bethesda, looping back to Graaff-Reinet with a dramatic finish climbing the Valley of Desolation.
Fine-tuning the course through trial and error, Julian learnt a lot about the Karoo’s seasons. “Autumn, winter, and early spring are the sweet spots,” he says. “Summer in the Karoo is brutal - the heat, dehydration, relentless winds, and storms here are no joke.”
This became clear during a mid-summer ride, when he and a friend were caught in a massive thunderstorm. “I even sent a voice note to my wife saying goodbye,” he recalls (luckily deleting it before they came back into reception). Another summer attempt with friends highlighted the Karoo’s devil thorns, leaving the group with 14 punctures and a gruelling 12-hour finish at sunset.
Eventually, the breakthrough came with a solo test ride, where Julian completed the course without any fault. It was proof the route was not only achievable but primed for a truly unique racing experience.
The Valley is Calling. June 14th 2025.
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📸 .robinet
