Tour de Braai rides with Specialized
South Africa’s leading gravel bike tour and event, The Tour de Braai, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Specialized Bicycles Africa.
The Tour de Braai is the brainchild of South African braai master, Jan Braai, and sees cyclists riding on a weeklong tour from George to Swellendam via gravel and district roads, over beautiful mountain passes and through idyllic Klein Karoo towns.
Fine wine, dining and an unrivalled ride experience are the hallmarks of the Tour de Braai, with the fun and relaxation the main aim of the riding. It’s the ultimate cycling holiday.
The third Tour de Braai starts this Sunday, 6 May, while entries are now open for the next event, which takes place from 4-10 November 2018.
Specialized now joins the Tour de Braai as the official bicycle and technical sponsor. Participants of the Tour de Braai will have the option of test riding a Specialized Diverge gravel bike at the event should they wish to do so.
A mechanic will also look after Tour participants along the route, as well as providing evening bike services.
“Our goal is simple,” says Jan Braai. “We want to provide cyclists with a completely new and unique event, and one that takes the hassle of travel and logistics away from the rider. We aim to be world class, and by partnering with the world class Specialized brand and team, we believe we are on the right track. Ultimately, we want to provide a bike for every Tour de Braai participant. Specialized shares our visions, so I am excited to start this relationship with them come Monday morning.”
Jan will be riding the new Specialized Diverge, a bike perfect for the occasion. “We know world road champion Peter Sagan rides the Venge and Tarmac, and recently won the Paris Roubaix on his Specialized Roubaix. On the other end of the spectrum there is Jaroslav Kulhavy winning the Cape Epic on his Specialized Epic and Sam Gaze recently winning the UCI World Cup Mountain Bike event in South Africa, also on the Epic model.
With the Tour de Braai solely aimed at people who ride for fun and love the experience of riding, we can say all participants of the event are world champions at having fun on a bicycle. That is why we chose the Diverge; it’s a purpose built bike for fun riding on gravel roads,” says Braai.
With the gravel bike market growing in South Africa, Specialized views the Tour de Braai as the ideal way to showcase their range of Diverge gravel bikes, and to allow riders to test them in a fun and friendly environment.
“Tour de Braai combines two of my favourite South African activities, braaing and riding bikes,” says Johan Badenhorst, Specialized Bicycles Africa Marketing Manager.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to ride with like-minded people, share the stoke of riding bikes and building relationships around the fire at night. The Specialized Diverge is a very special bike and the perfect choice for South African gravel roads. I am super excited to get started on Monday.”
The Tour de Braai takes place twice a year, once in May and once in November. The ride starts in George and finishes five days later in Swellendam, travelling via Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Rooiberg Lodge and Riversdale.
Riders stop for braais at scenic locations along the way, with back up provided by Specialized and the Tour de Braai team. Every evening, riders are treated to five-star meals, while staying in luxury Klein Karoo accommodation.
Entries for the November Tour de Braai are open.
Date: 4-10 November 2018
Cost: R40 000 per team of two.
Includes two sets of bespoke Tour de Braai rider kit (jersey, windbreaker and bibs) all meals (breakfast, lunch, supper), drinks, accommodation, all event photographs and rider back up, plus the opportunity to test the Specialized Diverge.
Non-riding participants are welcome; they will receive all of the above, except the cycling kit. Instead, non-riding participants will receive complimentary spa treatments while their partners are out riding!
Enter at braai.com/braaitour/tour-de-braai
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