TRAVERSE GRVL

21 - 28 MAY 2025

SPECTACULAR AFRICA

TRAVERSE GRVL offers five stages of remarkable geography, amazing scenery and wildlife viewing. The course is raceable by the experienced, challenging to adventurers, and rewarding for all.

But would-be participants should know TRAVERSE GRVL is a true backcountry race adventure. The race takes place on double track safari roads, fast single track, and some technical single track. Cyclists will encounter stones, sand, thorns, wildlife and more thorns.*

Although our time cutoffs are lenient enough for almost anyone to finish, this is not your great aunt’s gravel event (as hip as she may be).

* Bring more sealant than you think you could possibly need, and maybe don’t wear your fancy carbon shoes.

TRAVERSE is a call to challenge and true adventure.

COURSE INFO

2025 TRAVERSE course files will be released in November. The course will consist of:

  • Total distance of 400-450 km (250-280mi)

    • 5 stages of 65-120km (40-75mi) each

  • Total climbing of 5300+m (17000ft)

  • Extremely varied terrain, geography and temperatures

  • Some technical riding, tough sections and sand

  • A climb to 3800m (12500ft) elevation on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau

  • One of the best finish lines in sport (Lake Natron Camp, pictured)

Registration for TRAVERSE GRVL is open!

RACE CATEGORIES

  • TRAVERSE GRVL is a solo event, with male and female categories.

ACCOMMODATION

  • Default accommodation is two cyclists to a tent, with comfortable ground mattresses provided.

  • Cyclists will be paired into tents by joint request or gender (if no request is made).

  • Solo accommodation and/or VIP tents can be purchased as add-ons.

RACE RULES

The 2025 race rules will be made available to riders in pre-race participant emails. However, we’d like to offer a few important rules here:

  • Don’t be disrespectful of or rude to others.

  • Don’t litter.

  • All bicycles must be outfitted with tubeless tyres. Bikes with tubes will NOT be allowed on course.

  • The rider is responsible for any and all bike repairs — and required spares — at all times. Participants should be capable to manage their own bike builds, maintenance, and repairs. TRAVERSE does wash all bikes each day post-stage, and mechanic service packages will be available for purchase.

  • Any rider who does not complete A SINGLE STAGE, or who fails to complete ANY STAGE under the maximum allotted time, WILL be allowed to start the next stage, but will NOT be classified as an official race finisher at the end of the event.

    • TRAVERSE GRVL has a two strikes policy: any rider who fails to complete a SECOND STAGE — for any reason — will not be permitted to begin another stage. We do not require a two strikes cyclist to leave the race; he/she may continue with us in a race or spectator vehicle of the director’s choosing. Should the two strikes cyclist choose to leave the race, transport and any additional costs will be the responsibility of the racer.

Join the herd.

Subscribe to the TRAVERSE Tanzania email list.